Latest from CinemaBlend in Jesse-eisenberg

Why Zack Snyder Says He Cast Jesse Eisenberg As Lex Luthor (Over Leonardo DiCaprio And Adam Driver)

Ryan LaBee — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 23:06:00 +0000

When Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice hit theaters back in 2016, plenty of fans had strong opinions about the movie. One of the loudest debates centered on Jesse Eisenberg stepping into the role of Lex Luthor, especially since audiences were used to a very different version of the villain. Now, nearly a decade later, director Zack Snyder is opening up about fans' reaction to that film and how that casting decision came together as well as why he chose Eisenberg over the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Adam Driver.

During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast hosted by Josh Horowitz, Snyder recalled how a few major names were part of early discussions before Eisenberg ultimately landed the part. As mentioned in past interviews, DiCaprio and Driver were among the performers he could imagine shaping the role of Luthor. As he tells it:

It wasn’t that long [a list of actors]. I think Adam Driver, I think DiCaprio, I think those guys were probably, you know, those conversations were — I could see them forming [the role]. But I think, you know, Jesse was like, to me, he was the most modern. He was the most — I just believed in his smarts. And it wasn’t just like normal smarts. It was like another kind of intelligence that it would take — just being a smart guy is not going to get — you’re not gonna beat Superman with just like, ‘Oh, I outsmart him!’

Snyder has talked before about wanting a different kind of Luthor for his now-defunct DC Extended Universe. Instead of the classic older corporate mastermind popularized by actors like Gene Hackman, the filmmaker envisioned a younger, tech-era billionaire whose intellect came with a dangerous edge. That’s where Eisenberg clicked for him. The 300 director continued:

His kind of smarts felt like he could render diabolical smarts, that there wasn’t — he would be willing to sacrifice quite a bit to win, you know what I mean? I felt like, just in my conversations with [Jesse], I always felt like, ‘OK, I buy it. I buy his abilities,’ you know? He’s not just saying these words. I feel him inventing these ideas as he speaks them, and that to me was really the selling point for me on Jesse. I just felt like he was transcendent.

The choice was bold and, as Snyder has acknowledged in other interviews, it wasn’t universally embraced at the time. Many had been fan-casting everyone from Bryan Cranston to Daniel Day-Lewis as the iconic DC villain. As a result, Eisenberg’s jittery, tech-bro interpretation caught many people off guard.

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Even the studio reportedly needed some convincing before fully getting on board with the casting. Of course, another factor may have shaped how audiences reacted. Snyder noted that Eisenberg’s Luthor doesn’t appear with the character’s traditional bald look until the final moments of the film. Finally, he added:

Of course, we don’t get to see him in his full shaved head look until the last moment. If he’d come out of the gate like that, it might’ve been a different take. People might’ve had a different take.

I believe BvS does a lot of things well but, love or hate Eisenberg’s version of Lex Luthor, one thing is sure: it was definitely not the safe option. Of course, that was largely the point. Snyder has often said the goal with Batman v Superman was to swing big with a mythic, operatic tone. That approach extended all the way down to his reimagining of one of Superman’s most famous enemies.

The new DC universe is currently moving forward with James Gunn in charge, but if you want to catch Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, along with all the Snyderverse films, stream them with an HBO Max subscription.

Jesse Eisenberg And Isla Fisher Told Me All About THAT Cameo At The End Of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t

Riley Utley — Sat, 15 Nov 2025 21:06:33 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

Yeah, I mean, it's interesting. Like, in the movie, there was this hierarchy, like the original Horsemen were bringing in these new people. And then Dylan reminds us that, of course, no, he's actually controlling it, even though Morgan Freeman's kind of controlling it. And so it shows the kind of increasing bureaucracy of The Eye.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

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

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

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

Well, we actually didn't get to see him. He was a hologram. So, he was actually – it was a very small bit of tape, really, on like a blue box. So we just heard his voice, which, we heard it so many times, by the end, I was like, ‘Dylan, get over it.’

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

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

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

Critics Have Seen Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. Does Jesse Eisenberg Make Magic In The Heist Series’ ‘Fun’ But ‘Outwardly Cheesy’ Third Movie?

Heidi Venable — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:39:01 +0000

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

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

As with the previous films, there are as many ludicrous plot holes as there are genuinely surprising twists, and little of what happens in the story would hold up to any kind of scrutiny. (Why are these stage magicians so well-trained in hand-to-hand combat?) But that’s part of the fun too. Early in the film, a magician declares, ‘War, pandemics, climate change, AI. Let’s face it, you all need magic now more than ever.’ It’s a corny line, but Now You Don’t makes the case.

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

The last two Now You See Me installments got very green-screen and CGI when it came to effects, but the third very refreshingly steps back into old-fashioned trickery. In a single take, we see each of the heroes try to top the others with a card trick, misdirection or illusion. There’s also a hall of mirrors, an upside-down room, an infinity staircase, a perspective-warping room and a nifty escape from a chamber filling with sand. Kudos to the filmmakers for embracing physical tricks over digital trickery.

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

The pleasurable thing about the NYSM movies is that you can never totally pin down where they’re going. They always pull the ground out from under the rug out from under the audience. And while it may be true that a good magician never reveals his tricks, the Now You See Me movies always reveal their tricks, in a way that only makes them seem trickier.

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

I understand why so much importance was placed on the next generation of Horsemen in this movie, and if this wasn’t the first Now You See Me movie in a decade, I wouldn’t complain. The original cast are all in their 40s — save for Harrelson, who is 64 — and bringing in a trio of Gen Z magicians is the sort of thing that could keep this franchise going for years to come, catching the eyes of a younger audience. I just wish it hadn't been at the expense of the real magic of Now You See Me: the Horsemen themselves.

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

The Now You See Me films have never completely landed the ‘Ocean’s Eleven But With Magic’ vibe they seem to aspire to, thanks to more outwardly cheesy and questionable moments, and characters that feel especially flimsy, even for a large ensemble of this type. … It’s the epitome of ‘We’re just having fun here’ entertainment, and while little of it resonates, it mostly gets the job done.

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

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

Jesse Eisenberg Hilariously Brought Up The Louvre Heist While Explaining Why He’s Not Returning As Mark Zuckerberg In The Social Reckoning

Adam Holmes — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:31:52 +0000

When it was announced that Aaron Sorkin would write and direct the officially-titled The Social Reckoning, a follow-up to 2010’s The Social Network, most, if not everyone assumed Jesse Eisenberg would reprise Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. However, it was later confirmed that Succession’s Jeremy Strong will play Zuckerberg instead in this 2026 movie release. So why is Eisenberg sitting The Social Reckoning out? He explained his reasoning, but not before hilariously referencing the recent Louvre heist.

This topic came up when he was visiting TODAY to promote Now You See Me, Now You Don’t, his third outing as Four Horsemen leader Danny Atlas, ahead of its release next month on the 2025 movies schedule. When anchor Craig Melvin inquired about if reports were true about Eisenberg passing on The Social Reckoning, the now-former Mark Zuckerberg actor responded:

You know, I was in Paris. And I had some tools, and I figured there was a way to make a little more of a statement at the Louvre.

Stealing jewels from the Louvre would be in character for Danny Atlas and his team of illusionists who pull off heists, and fans even joked that what happened at the French museum was good marketing for Now You See Me, Now You Don’t. Craig Melvin laugh off Jesse Eisenberg’s response, saying, “I see what you did there,” to which the actor said, “Yeah, I see what you did there. We both are playing chess.” But when Melvin further pressed about Eisenberg why he would say no to The Social Reckoning, he said:

For reasons that have nothing to do with how amazing that movie will be, really, truthfully. But when you play a character, you feel at some point that you’ve grown into something else.

The Social Network came out as Jesse Eisenberg was gaining prominence in Hollywood, with his earlier movies including The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland and Zombieland. Playing Mark Zuckerberg also earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination, though he lost out to Colin Firth in The King’s Speech. 15 years later, Eisenberg confirmed to Craig Melvin that he feels like he’s outgrown the role:

Yeah, something. But it’s a really wonderful movie. I’m friends with Aaron Sorkin, who wrote and is directing this movie, and all of the reasons that I am not in it are completely unrelated to how brilliant it will be.

It would have been nice to see Jesse Eisenberg reprising Mark Zuckerberg so that The Social Reckoning would feel more closely connected to The Social Network. However, his heart clearly wasn’t in it, and even if he’d then decided to participate in the movie, I bet the performance would have suffered. So I’ll just look forward to seeing how Jeremy Strong does in the role, albeit as a supporting character.

The Social Reckoning opens in theaters on October 9, 2026, with Strong being joined by Mikey Madison, Jeremy Allen White, Bill Burr, Wunmi Mosaku, Billy Magnussen and Betty Glipin, among others. Catch Jesse Eisenberg back on the big screen in Now You See Me, Now You Don’t starting November 14.

The Social Network 2’s Official Title And Release Date Have Been Revealed, And There’s Another Key Thing That Helps Make Up For Jesse Eisenberg's Absence

Adam Holmes — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 19:06:38 +0000

After years of sharing his hopes for The Social Network 2, it was reported in June that Aaron Sorkin is indeed writing and directing a follow-up to the Academy Award-winning 2010 movie. We’ve since learned that it will feel like quite the different beast compared to its David Fincher-helmed predecessor, which includes Succession’s Jeremy Strong playing Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg rather than Jesse Eisenberg. However, today this lack of Eisenberg doesn’t hit as hard now that I know plot details for The Social Network 2 that accompanied the reveal of the official title and release date.

Sony Pictures announced today that The Social Reckoning has been slated for an October 9 release on the 2026 movies calendar. That’s the same day that Paramount Pictures’ The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender and Universal Pictures’ Other Mommy comes out. Other big movies coming out that month include Alejandro G. Iñárritu untitled movie and the Street Fighter reboot.

Described as a “companion piece” to The Social Network, The Social Reckoning delves into the true story of how Facebook engineer Frances Heughan, played by Anora’s Mikey Madison, enlisted the help of Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horowitz, played by The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White, to embark on “a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets.” These two and Jeremy Strong are joined by Bill Burr, whom THR has previously said is “playing a character that is fictional or an amalgamation.”

I Actually Like That Mark Zuckerberg Isn’t The Movie’s Central Character

I won’t lie and say I’m not still disappointed that Jesse Eisenberg isn’t reprising Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Reckoning. His Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated performance is one of the main reasons why The Social Network was so positively received. It would have been great to follow up on his Zuckerberg depiction in the 2020s.

However, after reading the official synopsis for this follow-up, having Jeremy Strong take over the role goes down a little smoother since it sounds like Mark Zuckerberg is more of a supporting character in The Social Reckoning. This film is exploring the leak that culminated in The Wall Street Journal series of articles called The Facebook Files. Frances Heughan and Jeff Horowitz will be the central characters, and while it’s safe to say Strong’s Zuckerberg will have a decent amount of screen time, this story isn’t being told from the tech mogul’s perspective like it was in The Social Network.

That’s not to say that The Social Reckoning meet or even exceed The Social Network’s quality, but I’m withholding judgment until actually seeing it. For now, I’m more at peace with Jesse Eisenberg not returning for this new movie, and more open to see how Jeremy Strong does playing Mark Zuckerberg in a slightly less prominent capacity. And while I don’t think he’s at David Fincher’s level, Aaron Sorkin has shown his directing chops in Molly’s Game, The Trial of the Chicago 7 and Being The Ricardos. So it’ll certainly be interesting seeing how he does putting The Social Reckoning together beyond the scripting stage.

‘I’ll Put It This Way.’ Now You See Me 3’s Jesse Eisenberg Shares A Cryptic Answer When Asked If Lizzy Caplan Returns In The Movie

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 01:06:03 +0000

As the Now You See Me 3 movie, known affectionately as Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, approaches closer on the 2025 movie release calendar, our curiosity only grows about what the magician-centric sequel has in store for us. Now Jesse Eisenberg has offered an enigmatic, but exciting answer to whether Lizzy Caplan’s Lula May might make a return alongside the original Four Horsemen reuniting.

What Jesse Eisenberg Said About Lizzy Caplan's Possible Return In Now You See Me 3

Ever since the first Now You See Me 3 trailer dropped online, we’ve had a lot of questions about the plot of the movie, including why certain characters are missing. Following Lizzy Caplan’s character from the 2016 sequel not being part of any of the marketing, Entertainment Weekly asked Jesse Eisenberg if audiences can expect to see Lula May in the third movie. In his words:

I'll put it this way. The surprise appearances in the movie are just as much fun as they are surprising. These are not boring appearances. It's the best kind of shock because it's a surprise but also done in such an unusual way.

So Eisenberg isn’t willing to give up whether his Now You See Me 2 co-star is back with the original Four Horsemen for the new movie. However, it sounds like any unannounced cast members to the movie have been purposely omitted from marketing in order to give audiences some fun thrills. In the same interview, Eisenberg also teased a twist that will “blow your mind,” speaking to how he actually had to read through the script a few times, which he had a blast filming in Budapest with his co-stars, in order for the ending to sink in.

What Other 'Surprise Appearances' Could Eisenberg Be Teasing?

Now, we haven’t heard any rumors that Lizzy Caplan might be in the new Now You See Me 3, but the actress was asked about whether she’d be in it back in February by ScreenRant, to which she said “I don’t know,” leading us to question why she didn’t outright deny it.

Per Eisenberg’s comments, there are definitely some cast members we don’t know about, and aside from Caplan, there’s also some other possibilities to talk through. For one, Variety previously reported that Mark Ruffalo’s Dylan Rhodes, who was central to the first two movies, would be returning, but he has also not been in any of the trailers or marketing.

Two other names worth looking out for are Michael Caine’s Arthur Tressler, who was a secret villain in Now You See Me 2 (though it’s worth noting this one is less likely because Caine's retired from acting) and Daniel Radcliffe’s Walter Mabry, who was the sequel’s front-facing villain and was also revealed to be Arthur’s son. Then there’s always the “surprise” wild card, which could be some big actor we have no idea is in the threequel that hasn’t been in the previous movies.

All in all, there’s a lot to be excited for Now You See Me 3, and its twists and turns are definitely included. The movie hits theaters on November 14. While you wait, you can watch the first two movies with a Netflix subscription.

Now You See Me: Now You Don't Latest Trailer Shows The Star-Studded Cast In Action, But It Left Me With A Question About Mark Ruffalo's Character

Riley Utley — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:23:24 +0000

After years and years of waiting, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t will finally be released on the 2025 movie schedule this fall. It will also return with almost all of its original cast, too, as Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco are all back as the Four Horsemen, along with Morgan Freeman and some new faces. We got to see all of them in action in the new trailer as well, which got me all kinds of excited.

However, it also left me with a question about Mark Ruffalo’s character and how he could be involved in this third Now You See Me movie.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t's Second Trailer Shows The Old And New Cast In Action

Now, the trailer opens with Woody Harrelson’s hypnotist Merritt McKinney explaining why the Four Horsemen haven’t worked together in a long time. He notes that they tripped up a few times, saying:

We made some huge mistakes. We got sloppy, cocky.

However, now they’re back together and back in action. They also have some new people working with them, as Dominic Sessa, Ariana Greenblat and Justice Smith have joined the cast as the new (and younger) magicians in the crew. While it’s not explained how exactly all these folks come together, we know it happens, and that they’ll all be working on a mission to stop Rosamund Pike’s Veronika Vanderberg.

So, yeah, it's pretty epic to see Jesse Eisenberg and Dominic Sessa in an upside-down room, Dave Franco throwing cards and being upstaged by Ariana Greenblatt’s character while trying to pick a lock, and some epic sleight of hand. It’s everything I want in a Now You See Me movie.

A highlight of the trailer, in fact, was when we learned about Pike’s character and her money laundering schemes. As that was explained, we also got a peek at the heist they’re seemingly trying to pull off, which included Eisenberg’s J. Daniel Atlas holding up a diamond after making the one in Veronika’s hand explode.

Although, while I love seeing the Horsemen back in action, I can’t help but wonder if Mark Ruffalo’s Dylan Rhodes, the man behind the tricks, will be involved somehow.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Could The Calling Card Used In The Trailer Have Anything To Do With Mark Ruffalo’s Character?

In the first two trailers for Now You See Me 3, we have not seen Mark Ruffalo. He’s also not featured or named on the film’s poster. However, according to Variety, he will be returning. So, if he’s coming back, I have a feeling it will have something to do with the Tarot card referenced in the trailer, as J. Daniel Atlas said in reference to it:

According to that card, for some reason, I need you.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

In the first Now You See Me (which you can currently stream with a Netflix subscription), Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher and Woody Harrelson’s characters are brought together with Tarot cards. It’s then revealed later in the film that the man who orchestrated that was Ruffalo’s Dylan Rhodes, the FBI agent who had spent the movie seemingly trying to catch them.

So, I’m now wondering if this new card that brought the magicians together was sent by Rhodes. If it was, that would explain how Mark Ruffalo is involved in the third Now You See Me flick. However, as of right now, we still really have no clue if he’ll appear.

But we do know the Now You See Me cast is thrilled to be back, and that there’s an epic plot twist in Now You Don’t that even Jesse Eisenberg was ticked by. So, I have a feeling that no matter how Mark Ruffalo comes or doesn't come into play will be surprising and very entertaining.

So, to see the Four Horsemen and co. back in action, and to see if the man who put them together returns, you can catch Now You See Me: Now You Don’t in theaters on November 14.

‘God, Audiences Must Be Really Sharp, Or I Am An Idiot’: Now You See Me 3’s Jesse Eisenberg Reveals One Aspect Of The Film He Initially Didn’t Get

Riley Utley — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 22:25:15 +0000

One of the reasons I’m so excited for the release of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t on the 2025 movie schedule is the twists I know they'll shock us with. After years of waiting, the magic franchise is making a comeback, and I cannot wait to see what tricks they have up their sleeve. Apparently, they have one that’s so “brilliant” Jesse Eisenberg didn’t get it at first, while test screening audiences have been loving it.

After years of waiting, we’re about to reunite with The Four Horsemen, who are played by Eisenberg, Isla Fisher, Woody Harrelson and Dave Franco for another magical heist. Along with them, Ariana Greenblatt, Dominic Sessa and Justice Smith have joined the cast as new magicians. Pretty soon, we’ll get to see them all work together to take down Rosamund Pike’s big bad. Apparently, as the plot unfolds, we’re going to be in for some big twists and turns that could leave us confounded, as Eisenberg told EW:

There is a genuinely brilliant, incredibly effective twist in the movie. I don't want to give away anything, but the twist happens because of some really great acting. It will blow your mind. Apparently people go nuts for the ending in test screenings, but I am like an idiot when it comes to plot.

Now, I’d like to point out that Eisenberg is not “an idiot when it comes to plot.” He literally got a 2025 Oscar nomination for writing the film A Real Pain (which he also starred in, and Kieran Culkin won a Supporting Actor Oscar for). However, it sounds like the twist in Now You See Me 3 really got him.

He continued to explain how test audiences have been getting it, while he didn’t, saying:

God, audiences must be really, really sharp, or I am an idiot. I read the script three times, and I was totally wrong. People not only understand it but love it.

I vividly remember sitting in the movie theater back in 2013 for a screening of Now You See Me (which you can stream with a Netflix subscription now) and being absolutely flabbergasted by the twists throughout the film. The fake-out death of Franco’s character, Jack Wilder, and the reveal that Mark Ruffalo’s agent, Dylan Rhodes, was actually the mastermind behind the Horseman’s tricks were iconic plot twists.

So, I’m expecting that kind of surprising energy going into the third movie. Eisenberg admitting that the end stumped him while thrilling audiences, tells me that’s exactly what we’re going to get.

Also, his general enthusiasm about returning to Now You See Me excites me, too. He loves playing J. Daniel Atlas, and noted that everyone from the original cast was thrilled to return too. Therefore, I think we’re in for something special.

The Now You See Me movies are magical, and I’m obsessed with the tricks and literal magic they manage to work into the format of a heist movie, and I can’t wait to see what they are cooking up now. Based on what the movie’s star said, it’s something special and truly unexpected. So, sit tight, folks, and prepare to be entertained, because Now You See Me: Now You Don’t has quite the twist up its sleeve, and we’ll get to find out what it is on November 14.

The Social Network Part II Might Be Making A Huge Casting Change, And It Has 100% Of My Attention

Mike Reyes — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 17:35:25 +0000

If you’re like me, you probably still can’t believe that the 2025 movie schedule saw news of The Social Network Part II breaking. What’s quite possibly one of the most anticipated follow-ups in modern movies, the announcement of Aaron Sorkin’s writing/directing duties certainly saw things switching up for the future. These times are still a’changin apparently, as the role of Mark Zuckerberg may be recast, and with a Succession star that has me intrigued.

(Image credit: HBO)

Jeremy Strong Could Be The New Mark Zuckerberg (On Screen)

Per reporting from THR, Jeremy Strong is the candidate to play the Facebook CEO in the fast-developing sequel. It should be noted that there are no final deals on the table, as the nuts and bolts are still being secured before this project takes off for final review. Also, Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White are supposedly up for parts in Aaron Sorkin’s latest, with the Anora Academy Award winner potentially on deck to play Frances Haugen.

The reasoning for this substitution is, allegedly, due to The Social Network star Jesse Eisenberg passing on the gig. For those of you concerned with the details, Jeremy Strong is five years older than the star returning for another upcoming sequel, Now You See Me: Now You Don't. Strong also does not bear the striking resemblance to Zuckerberg that Mr. Eisenberg had previously been noted to possess. So audiences should be ready to read tons of comparison pieces discussing why this is either a brilliant move or a death knell for the project.

If that sort of thing should interest you, then allow me to lead the charge in that very field! Even with those particulars in contention, I really like Mr. Strong as a potential casting for this crucial role in The Social Network Part II’s narrative.

(Image credit: Briarcliff Entertainment)

Jeremy Strong's Role In The Apprentice Proves Why He'd Be A Killer Fit

While I name-checked Succession earlier, one could also easily mention The Big Short as another bona fide that speaks toward Jeremy Strong’s strengths. Not to mention, his previous collaborations with Aaron Sorkin on Molly's Game and The Trial of the Chicago 7 make the potential re-teaming of trusted colleagues even more potent.

However, it’s Strong's 2025 Academy Award nomination that has me totally sold. That accolade came from portraying controversial political operator Roy Cohn, which, as I noted in CinemaBlend's The Apprentice review, was a resounding positive for that picture’s roster.

Much like co-star and fellow nominee Sebastian Stan, Strong portrayed a divisive public figure with great balance and quality. That’s also the same sort of energy Jesse Eisenberg brought to The Social Network in 2010; so if there’s a need for a replacement, Jeremy Strong makes for a pretty exciting change on the road ahead.

One can trust the Strong process to portray a more contemporary Mark Zuckerberg with respect, but without pulling any punches. Those of you starting to get hyped about this project may want to pump the brakes before getting too excited. At the moment, The Social Network Part II has no set date to start production, nor does it have a projected release window. So anything could happen between now and whenever the picture actually goes in front of cameras.

32 Times An Actor Looked Nothing Like The Real Person They Were Portraying

Jason Wiese — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 18:31:00 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me when an actor is the spitting image of the real person they are selected to play. I do not think a historical portrayal necessarily lives or dies by the performer’s resemblance to the subject, but I think it is something to appreciate, especially when you consider the amount of biopics starring actors who bear absolutely no resemblance to their role. Here are a few notable examples of actors who were clearly hired for their talents above anything else.

(Image credit: Amazon Studios / Bleecker Street)

Michael Shannon As Elvis Presley (Elvis & Nixon)

The most requested photo in the National Archives depicts Elvis Presley shaking hands with Richard Nixon in the Oval Office, and the events surrounding this historic meeting at the White House are dramatized in 2016's Elvis & Nixon. Kevin Spacey makes for a visually believable depiction of the 37th United States President, but the otherwise wonderfully talented Michael Shannon simply does not cut it as the one many call the King of Rock 'n Roll, even with a decent jumpsuit and wig.

(Image credit: RKO Radio Pictures)

John Wayne As Genghis Khan (The Conqueror)

Oh, boy, where do we begin with this one? The only visual evidence we have of what Genghis Khan looked like is artist renderings, but it does not take an expert to notice that John Wayne was not Asian. Still, the legendary Western movie star was cast as the Mongol chief in 1956's The Conqueror, which has since been regarded as one of the worst films ever made.

(Image credit: Icon Film Distribution)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson As John Lennon (Nowhere Boy)

Director Sam Taylor-Johnson's 2009 music biopic Nowhere Boy focuses on the pre-Beatles life of John Lennon, as portrayed by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. If you ask me, the Golden Globe-winning actor might have been a better fit to play, perhaps, Paul McCartney or, better yet, George Harrison.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Tom Cruise As Barry Seal (American Made)

If more people knew about Barry Seal and what he looked like, I believe Tom Cruise's portrayal in 2017's American Made would have been criticized as one of the most egregious miscastings in Hollywood history. The otherwise talented movie star did absolutely nothing to alter his appearance and pass for the ill-fated, heavy-set CIA smuggler, save what I regard as an embarrassing Southern accent.

(Image credit: Universal)

Julia Roberts As Erin Brockovich (Erin Brockovich)

Julia Roberts gives, arguably, the finest performance of her career as a single mother and paralegal who uncovers a small town pollution scandal in Steven Soderbergh's Erin Brockovich from 2000. However, if a resemblance to the person an actor is portraying were part of the Academy's voting criteria, she might not have won the Oscar.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Denzel Washington As Frank Lucas (American Gangster)

Ridley Scott's 2007 biopic American Gangster dramatizes the career of mobster Frank Lucas, played by Denzel Washington, and also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Lucas' brother, Huey. Curiously, Ejiofor actually looks a whole lot more like the real Frank than the two-time Oscar winner. However, Washington was a good friend and frequent collaborator of the director's brother, Tony Scott, so he probably had the role in the bag for that, among other reasons.

(Image credit: Miramax Films)

Johnny Depp As J.M. Barrie (Finding Neverland)

Oddly enough, J.M. Barrie boasted a striking resemblance to another influential author, Edgar Allan Poe, with his tall forehead and small moustache. However, Johnny Depp, who played the Peter Pan author in 2004's Finding Neverland, does not boast a resemblance to either of them, if you ask me.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Hugh Jackman As P.T. Barnum (The Greatest Showman)

Let's not even bother talking about the many historical inaccuracies from The Greatest Showman, 2017's musical retelling of the origins of the circus, and even ignore the fact that P.T. Barnum was not the kindhearted man Hugh Jackman portrayed him as. All that matters to this list is whether or not the Wolverine star looked the part, and the famously attractive Australian actor most definitely was not a match for Barnum in that regard.

(Image credit: Universal)

Michael Fassbender As Steve Jobs (Steve Jobs)

Michael Fassbender's Oscar-nominated performance in director Danny Boyle and writer Aaron Sorkin's Steve Jobs from 2015 is widely regarded as superior to Ashton Kutcher's portrayal in Jobs from two years earlier. However, at least the former That '70s Show cast member can say he resembled the tech pioneer more closely.

(Image credit: Sony)

Mark Zuckerberg once made a surprise SNL cameo, during which he stood right next to host Jesse Eisenberg on the Studio 8H stage, proving that they are certainly not a visual match. The actor does not even bother to imitate the Facebook founder's distinctly low voice when portraying him in 2010's The Social Network, but his Oscar nomination proves that that is not what really matters in the end.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Tom Hanks As Fred Rogers (A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood)

Casting a universally beloved actor such as Tom Hanks to play a universally beloved children's television personality like Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood fame, is brilliant in theory. However, even giving the Oscar winner the icon's signature haircut and sweaters is not quite enough to distract from the fact that you are still unmistakably watching Hanks on screen.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Leonardo DiCaprio As Howard Hughes (The Aviator)

A major inspiration for Marvel's Tony "Iron Man" Stark was Howard Hughes, whose resemblance is actually a striking match for both Robert Downey Jr. and Dominic Cooper, who plays Howard Stark in his early years in the MCU. In fact, I think either one of them would have been a better visual fit for the eccentric millionaire in The Aviator than Leonardo DiCaprio, even if his performance in the 2005 biopic makes it one of his best collaborations with the director, Martin Scorsese.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Warren Beatty And Faye Dunaway As Clyde Barrow And Bonnie Parker (Bonnie And Clyde)

From a performance standpoint, Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway make a great onscreen duo portraying the titular notorious bank robbers in 1967's Bonnie and Clyde. However, the screen legends' casting does not earn the film any points for historical accuracy, considering Beatty does not have Clyde Barrow's jug ears, nor does Dunaway boast Bonnie Parker's sharp, thin face.

(Image credit: 20th Century)

Taraji P. Henson As Katherine G. Johnson (Hidden Figures)

Taraji P. Henson gives an undeniably commanding performance in 2016's Hidden Figures as Katherine G. Johnson, a mathematician who was pivotal in helping NASA figure out space travel. Yet, when comparing the Empire star to photos of the real Johnson, it is clear the actor does not resemble her much at all.

(Image credit: Hollywood Pictures)

Anthony Hopkins As Richard Nixon (Nixon)

Reportedly, Anthony Hopkins had some hesitation about taking on the lead role of Oliver Stone's 1995 biopic about Richard M. Nixon. Ultimately, I would say the Academy Award winner went on to give a great performance in Nixon, but I find myself distracted by his struggle to hide his accent and his obvious fake teeth and hairpiece that really do not help make him look any closer in resemblance to the disgraced U.S. president.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Margot Robbie As Queen Elizabeth I (Mary Queen Of Scots)

Cate Blanchett previously gave an Academy Award-nominated performance as the lead of 1998's Elizabeth, and even bore a strong resemblance to the royal based on artist renderings. I cannot say the same about Margot Robbie, even if the Australian actor's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in Mary Queen of Scots was still worthy of praise.

(Image credit: The Weinstein Company)

Benedict Cumberbatch As Alan Turing (The Imitation Game)

Benedict Cumberbatch has such a distinct appearance, making it difficult for him to resemble anyone else without heavy alterations. However, nothing was done to make him look any closer to World War II-era computer scientist Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Javier Bardem As Desi Arnaz (Being The Ricardos)

Oscar winner Nicole Kidman went above and beyond to physically become Lucille Ball for writer and director Aaron Sorkin's dramatization of what went on behind the scenes of the beloved TV sitcom, I Love Lucy. However, playing her onscreen husband is Oscar winner Javier Bardem, who does not pass for Desi Arnaz in the slightest.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Ray Liotta As Shoeless Joe Jackson (Field Of Dreams)

Technically, Ray Liotta plays the ghost of Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams, but even a person's spectral remnant should look something like them. The infamous MLB player had a much narrower face and wider ears, not to mention that he pitched left-handed, while the actor did the opposite in the beloved sports movie.

(Image credit: Sony)

Beyoncé As Etta James (Cadillac Records)

No one could possibly deny that Beyoncé has the pipes to match Etta James, which had to have been the reason why she was cast in 2008's Cadillac Records. However, the "At Last" singer was short and round-faced, and the former Destiny's Child member is neither.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Dominic West As Prince Charles III (The Crown)

I mean no disrespect to Prince Charles III, but is it just me, or was The Wire star Dominic West just a little too handsome to play the Royal Family member on The Crown? Then again, any one cast member's portrayal on the historical Netflix series might pale in comparison to Elizabeth Debicki's striking resemblance to Princess Diana.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Kane Hodder As Ed Gein (Ed Gein: The Butcher Of Plainfield)

The most famous actor to wear Jason Voorhees' hockey mask in the Friday the 13th films must have seemed like an inspired choice to play one of the most notorious serial killers in history in 2007's Ed Gein: The Butcher of Plainfield. However, the 6'2", broadly built Kane Hodder does not boast Gein's narrower face and small stature.

(Image credit: FX)

Clive Owen As Bill Clinton (Impeachment: American Crime Story)

In most cases, prosthetics can be very helpful in making an actor look more similar to the person they are portraying, such as when Charlize Theron became Megyn Kelly for Bombshell. Clive Owen adopted this method to play Bill Clinton on Impeachment: American Crime Story, but the makeup only caused the English actor to resemble the 1990s-era President even less.

(Image credit: Universal)

Angelina Jolie As Christine Collins (Changeling)

Christine Collins is the subject of Clint Eastwood's 2008 period film, Changeling, which is based on the true story of when her missing son was replaced by an impostor. Had she been an even better-known historical figure, there might have been more criticism over casting Angelina Jolie, an actor known for her voluptuous lips, as the thin-lipped 1920s woman.

(Image credit: NBC)

Fred Armisen As Barack Obama (Saturday Night Live)

Considering the fact that the otherwise extremely talented SNL star Fred Armisen is a white man with a subpar impersonation of the 44th. U.S. President, I'll just say that I am glad Jay Pharoah eventually took over as Barack Obama.

(Image credit: Orion Pictures)

Tom Hulce As Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Amadeus)

Just based on artist renderings of the seminal composer, Tom Hulce was nowhere near a match to play the title role of director Milos Forman's Best Picture Oscar winner, Amadeus, from 1984. However, the actor is widely admired for his performance as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which earned him a well-deserved Academy Award nomination.

(Image credit: Disney/Fox)

Robert Redford As Harry Longabaugh (Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid)

I wonder how many others like me had no idea that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was based on a true story, which might be how the film was able to get away with casting actors who look nothing like the Western outlaws they play. For instance, Robert Redford's mustache works just fine for the role, but Harry Longabaugh, a.k.a. "The Sundance Kid," did not have long blonde locks.

(Image credit: Paramount)

Diana Ross As Billie Holiday (Lady Sings The Blues)

Most would agree that 1972's Lady Sings the Blues is the superior biopic about the trailblazing "Strange Fruit" singer over The United States vs. Billie Holiday from 2021. However, those same people might also agree that Andra Day was a better fit to play Holiday, physically speaking, than the otherwise wonderfully talented Diana Ross in the earlier film.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Robin Williams As Patch Adams (Patch Adams)

The real Patch Adams hates Tom Shadyac's biopic based on his life, which has nothing to do with the fact that Robin Williams looks nothing like the influential doctor. However, it's still impossible to ignore, especially with how they do not even bother to give the Oscar winner Adams' signature mustache.

(Image credit: Icon Intl Entertainment)

Mel Gibson As William Wallace (Braveheart)

In the most well-known illustrations of William Wallace, the Scottish warrior is depicted as having short hair and a beard. Why director Mel Gibson opted against this look when he portrayed Wallace in Braveheart is beyond me.

(Image credit: Sky One)

Serena Scott Thomas As Princess Diana (Diana: Her True Story)

Many actors have portrayed Princess Diana to varying degrees of success, but most consider Serena Scott Thomas from the 1993 two-part miniseries, Diana: Her True Story, to be one of the weakest matches, purely in terms of her physical resemblance.

(Image credit: RLJ Entertainment)

Zoe Saldaña As Nina Simone (Nina)

The 2016 biopic, Nina, sparked controversy when Zoe Saldaña donned skin-darkening makeup and a prosthetic nose to better resemble singer Nina Simone, which the actor would later admit she regretted.

I Only Just Found Out Now You See Me: Now You Don't Is The Third In A Series, And I Feel Like Somebody Played A Magic Trick On Me

Heidi Venable — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 17:00:00 +0000

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

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

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

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

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

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

Quick Note From The Aforementioned Loving Husband

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

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

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What's Up With Now You See Me 3 Having Another Water Tank Scene After Isla Fisher's Near-Fatal Stunt In The First Movie?

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 14 Jun 2025 15:04:00 +0000

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

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

That Time Isla Fisher Almost Died Filming Now You See Me

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

I had a near-death experience. My character was submerged in a tank and piranhas were dropped upon her head. And whilst in there, we shot it over three and a half days, even though I had a quick-release magnetic thing on my handcuffs, the chain that went between my ankles and my wrist was not able to be broken and it got stuck underneath this slat, and I was trapped.

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

I was very scared. And I was banging and saying ‘Set me free!’ But everyone just thought I was doing fabulous acting. They thought I was being Meryl Streep in the tank. Actually I was drowning. All I was thinking about was me on the autopsy table bloated in a swimming costume, with heels and how humiliating that would be.

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

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

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

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

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

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

Andrew Garfield And Jesse Eisenberg Had A Lovely Social Network Reunion Amid Oscars Night, And Fans Are Here For It

Mike Reyes — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 23:32:00 +0000

In the afterglow of the 2025 Oscar winners being crowned, past and present mix together in ways one wouldn’t expect. Which is probably why a sighting of Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg posing photos on an after party carpet is such a huge deal to people who still love The Social Network to bits.

Only this time, the former scene partners have been shown as nothing but smiles, which is very different from what people saw at the end of 2011's best picture loser that should have won. Normally I wouldn’t bring up that grudge, but it is the day after Oscar night. And while I’m pleased with Anora winning the top prize in the class of 2025, having the Aaron Sorkin penned historical drama about Facebook lose to The King’s Speech still stings at this time of year.

That being said, I think we can all agree that watching Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg palling around on the carpet for Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party eases the pain of that ancient wound. Which you can totally do whenever you need a break from such woes, below:

A post shared by Vanity Fair (@vanityfair)
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I can’t tell what brings more of a smile to my face: that this reunion of David Fincher vets actually happened, or how photographers are actually trying to call out Garfield and Eisenberg by their character names. Both are equally valid reactions, especially when watching the writer/director of A Real Pain (which is also available to stream through a Hulu subscription) make the move to walk over to his friend, one of the stars of We Live in Time.

Seeing Jessie Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield not trying to make us all cry our eyes out is also a fantastic happening, considering their recent projects mentioned above. Though this happiness does kind of loop back into another awards race grudge, which can be seen in some of the reactions you can currently enjoy:

"❤️😍🔥 Eduardo and Mark hahajaj" - @tanialerma
"Omg this makes me so happy 😍😍" - @daphne_noon
"Best confrontation scene in the office." - @bshelston
"Maark! Mark! Maaark!" - @filman_kan
"He should have won." - @thecheekie

All the smiles in the world can’t make up for that Garfield’s Oscar nomination snub for The Social Network, which is what I assume the user known as "thecheekie" was talking about. It smarts every time I see what is perhaps my favorite scene of his, and as you can see in the comments presented, I'm not alone in this matter.

So since we're all here, let's watch that confrontation between Andrew Garfield's Eduardo and Jessie Eisenberg's Mark, in its entirety:

You want to talk about “wired in?” Those words describe three related subjects at hand: the performances in this dramatization of digital history, my attention whenever this moment comes up, and the beautifully unconventional movie score that won Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross an Oscar for this very film.

If The Social Network is on at any given time, I’ll drop whatever I’m doing and focus on this scene for its duration, thanks to those aspects coming together. Which pushes the negative feelings aside, and ultimately leaves me wanting Jessie Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield to work on something new. Whether it’s that oft asked about follow-up or something totally different, I’m there if these two titans of young Hollywood want to play.

In seeing this Instagram friendly reunion, I think I've truly found my people. So I’ll gladly reflect Garfield’s Social Network sequel thoughts in hoping that the likes of Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher can somehow cook up a reason for the four of them to work together again; sequel or not. Winning teams like that are hard to come by, and the joy shown between Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield is as undeniable as that very fact.

I Finally Watched A Real Pain, And I Think Jesse Eisenberg's Performance Is Being Overlooked

Philip Sledge — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:04:00 +0000

I really wanted to see A Real Pain, a film one of my colleagues said was somehow the saddest and funniest movie of 2024. I had screening invites, and the movie showed in my town for several weeks, so I had no excuse. My delay changed upon discovering I could watch the dramedy with my Hulu subscription. And while I thoroughly enjoyed (both laughed and cried) watching two estranged cousins reconnect on a journey through Poland to see where their recently deceased grandmother grew up, there’s one thing that’s bothered me since.

I don’t think Jesse Eisenberg is getting enough love for his work in the film. Yeah, he received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, but I feel like his performance is being largely overshadowed by Kieran Culkin’s highly decorated role. I guess what I’m saying is that I really need to talk this out…

(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)

Don't Get Me Wrong, Kieran Culkin's Performance Is A Tour De Force

Before I get started, I think Kieran Culkin winning a Golden Globe and being nominated for an Oscar (as well as numerous other awards) for his portrayal of the outspoken and free-spirited Benji Kaplan in A Real Pain is warranted. The performance, which some would argue is the film’s lead, is an absolute tour de force that reminds me so much of several of my own family members and friends.

Electric, dynamic, charismatic, and pained are some of the words that came to mind when I was watching the movie on Hulu a few weeks ago, and I am still blown away by just how captivating of a performance the Succession alum was able to pull off. I constantly found myself being amazed by Culkin’s great comedic timing in one scene and then incredible rawness and depth in the next. It was honestly one of the realest things I’ve seen in a movie in a very long time.

(Image credit: Topic Studios)

It's Just That Jesse Eisenberg's Performance Isn't Getting Talked About Nearly Enough

Like The Big Lebowski, Tombstone, and Jurassic Park before it, A Real Pain is one of those movies where the audience ends up loving a side character more than the main, for better or worse. And I honestly think that this is leading to Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of the more reserved and emotionally restrained David Kaplan not being talked about nearly enough.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say Eisenberg was snubbed in the Best Actor category at the Academy Awards, but his highly personal performance is simply overshadowed by the chaotic and scene-stealing showing by Culkin throughout the movie. His writing and directing are receiving praise, but it’s a bummer that Eisenberg’s actual acting in the movie is somewhat being treated as an afterthought.

(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)

If Anything, I Thought David Kaplan Was The Most Relatable Character In A Real Pain

There were times throughout when I really connected with Benji and his lack of social graces and inability to simply let things go, but for the most part, I thought David was the most relatable character in the entire movie. David always felt like he was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack, except for a few brief moments when he would finally allow himself to relax and enjoy what life was throwing at him, and I often feel like I’m bouncing back and forth on the same path.

Eisenberg’s ability to play a character who is willing to sacrifice so much of himself to please those around him and keep the peace (to the detriment of his own mental health) while also contemplating his own past, present, and future, is something to behold. It’s taxing, that’s for sure, but the balance and realness found in his performance is something I haven’t been able to stop thinking about in the days and weeks since the credits rolled.

(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)

And The Scene Where He Breaks Down At Dinner Is Some Of Eisenberg's Best Stuff

I could go on and on about the richness and magic of the biggest scenes here, but the moment that sticks out the most to me is the group dinner. Shortly before the one-hour mark, Benji goes on another of his outspoken outbursts and becomes confrontational with their tour group before storming off. With his cousin out of the picture, David opens up about their complicated relationship, his own mental health, and not wanting to be a burden on anyone.

The camera is primarily focused on Eisenberg throughout this extensive scene, and it’s just pure magic. Up there with his character’s rant at the opening of The Social Network, the talented actor goes on a spiel, saying things like “I know that my pain is unexceptional so I don’t feel the need to like burden everybody with it,” when talking about not sharing too much with others,” and “I love him, I hate him, I want to kill him, and I want to be him” when discussing his cousin.

It’s magnificent, but also maddening because we won’t get to hear that speech in a clip played during the Best Actor nominees at the Oscars in March.

(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)

But At Least He's Getting Some Recognition For His A Real Pain Screenplay

Jesse Eisenberg made his directorial debut with 2022’s When You Finish Saving The World, but it was A Real Pain that put him in the category of great actors who became directors. Though the multi-talented star didn’t receive a Best Actor nod at the Oscars, and is left out in the cold in the Best Director category (along with the snubbed Edward Berger), he’s at least getting some recognition for his screenwriting capabilities.

A Real Pain is up for one of the biggest races of the night, but it’s also one of the upcoming award show’s most competitive categories. Anora (Sean Baker), The Brutalist (Brady Corbet and Mona Fastvold), September 5 (Moritz Binder and Tim Fehlbaum; co-written with Alex David), and The Substance (Coralie Fargeat) also have a rightful claim when it comes to Best Original Screenplay, but I would love for Eisenberg’s personal and relatable story to win it.

All in all, I think Jesse Eisenberg is being seriously overlooked and overshadowed when it comes to his role in A Real Pain. Hopefully, the Academy Awards will put some respect on his name by awarding him the Best Original Screenplay Oscar when the ceremony airs in early March.

How To Watch A Real Pain Online And Stream Golden Globe Winning Film From Anywhere Now

Tom Wardley — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

How To Watch A Real Pain Online

Streaming Release: Thursday, January 16

US Stream: Hulu (US)

International Stream: Disney Plus (CA)

Watch anywhere: Stream with NordVPN

Watch A Real Pain Online: Synopsis

Written and directed by Jesse Esienberg, A Real Pain is already making waves on the awards circuit. A story about cultural heritage, loss and familial relationships, the new film arrives on streaming just in time to get caught up before the Oscars. Read on below as we explain how to watch A Real Pain online and and from anywhere with a VPN now.

Eisenberg’s direction brings a unique sensibility to a film that’s an emotionally complex but ultimately tender story about looking to the past to understand who you are today. Eisenberg also stars as David Kaplan, who, along with cousin Benji (Kieran Culkin) sets out on a road trip across Poland to explore their Jewish heritage and visit the childhood home of their late grandmother. Somewhat estranged, and definitely mismatched, David’s reserved and pragmatic nature bristles against Benji’s free spirit, leading to a resurfacing of old tensions among the pair.

True to any road trip movie, the adventure is not without its comedic mishaps as the pair, travelling as part of a German Holocaust tour, face numerous travel woes. The nature of the tour gives an idea of where the emotional journey is headed, and when the cousins find themselves confronted with the brick and mortar realities of their family’s history at a Nazi extermination camp, both David and Benji reassess their present day squabbles.

A stand-out in the Golden Globe nominations, A Real Pain received four nods – including Best Picture, Best Actor for Esienberg and Best Screenplay – with a win in the Best Supporting Actor category for Culkin.

With the film likely to sweep up plenty more awards nominations, this moving story is not to be missed. So read on below for all you need to watch A Real Pain online from anywhere.

How to watch A Real Pain online in the US

(Image credit: Hulu)

US audiences can stream A Real Pain on Hulu from now after it dropped on the service on January 16.

There are a number of Hulu plans available. New subscribers can opt for one of its on-demand only plans and enjoy a 30-day free trial. Thereafter, you’ll pay $9.99 a month for its ad-supported plan, or $18.99 a month to go commercial free.

If you want to benefit from its 90+ live channels, the Hulu + Live TV plan is currently $82.99 per month and comes with ad-supported Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu included too. You can also opt for one of the Disney Plus bundle plans and pay from $10.99 a month for purely on-demand content.

How to watch A Real Pain online from anywhere

US citizen on vacation? Or perhaps you're working overseas and still want to stream A Real Pain on a streaming service as if you were back home. Unfortunately, in some markets you'll be stopped from doing so due to geo-blocking.

But with a VPN you can change your IP address and make your computer, smartphone, tablet or other streaming device think its right back in the US.

That means US citizens overseas can subscribe to a VPN, join a US-based server and access their subscription no matter where you are in the world, just as if you were in the comfort of your own home.

Watch A Real Pain as if you were at home with a VPN
Try out NordVPN, our choice of the best VPN for unblocking many of the major streaming services – and doing so speedily – including Hulu. You'll be able to stream from any device, including your mobile or desktop, TV, or gaming console. Incredibly secure, too, get assistance with its 24/7 customer support and enjoy a 30-day money back guarantee.View Deal

How to use a VPN to unblock streaming services:

1. Choose your ideal VPN and install – our go-to recommendation for unblocking is NordVPN, costing from $3.99 a month with its 2-year plan

2. Connect to a server – for Hulu, for example, you'll want to connect to a server based in the US

3. Go to the stream you wish to access - for A Real Pain, head to Hulu.

How to watch A Real Pain online in Canada

(Image credit: Disney+)

Canadians can now watch A Real Pain online with a Disney Plus subscription. The movie arrived on January 16.

Don’t have Disney Plus yet? Disney Plus prices start from CA$8.99 a month for the platform’s ad-supported plan. Otherwise, choose between its Standard (CA$12.99 a month/CA$129.99 annually) or Premium ad-free options (CA$15.99 a month/CA$159.99 a year).

Can I watch A Real Pain online in the UK?

A Real Pain is still playing in theaters in the UK, but based on North American release information, when the award winner does arrive on streaming, we'd expect it to land on Disney Plus.

A Canadian abroad wanting to access your usual stream? Get yourself a VPN to port yourself back home.

Can I watch A Real Pain online in Australia?

Similarly, A Real Pain is currently in cinemas Down Under. We'd expect it to arrive on Disney Plus at a later date.

Canadian travelling in Oz lookng to stream as you usually would? A VPN can port yo right back home.

A Real Pain Trailer

A Real Pain cast

Jesse Eisenberg as David Kaplan
Kieran Culkin as Benjamin "Benji" Kaplan
Will Sharpe as James
Jennifer Grey as Marcia
Kurt Egyiawan as Eloge
Liza Sadovy as Diane
Daniel Oreskes as Mark
Ellora Torchia as Priya

What can we expect from A Real Pain?

The official synopsis from Hulu reads: "Written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg. Mismatched cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the odd-couple's old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history."

Bob Odenkirk Wildly Told Jesse Eisenberg To Stop Trying To Be Adam Sandler, And I Can't Believe This Is A Real Story That Happened

Maggie Sheck — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 23:40:02 +0000

Learning that Bob Odenkirk actually demanded that Jesse Eisenberg stop trying to copy Adam Sandler should be one of those tales that gets its own movie immediately. Some crazy ideas and stories get turned into films and this one feels perfect for that treatment. However, while this tale may not be on our 2025 movie schedule or screens anytime soon (or ever), the story is just too wild not to relish.

While Jesse Eisenberg is best known for his performances, he has now joined the ranks of great actors who are also screenwriters because of his 2024 movie, A Real Pain. So, he sat down with THR for a roundtable with Payal Kapadia, Justin Kuritzkes, James Mangold, Halina Reijn, and Jason Reitman to discuss writing. The screenwriters spoke about the films they recently made as well as how they got started, which is what led to this wild story involving the Better Call Saul star.

The Zombieland actor explained that after landing a role in one of Bob Odenkirk's projects, the comedy veteran agreed to look at Eisenberg’s writing. The feedback he got back wasn’t anything he was expecting, but it was incredibly sound advice, as The Social Network star explained:

When I was 20, I got a part in a movie that Bob Odenkirk was directing, and I gave him my scripts because I knew he was in the comedy world and had worked at SNL, so I thought, 'He’ll send them to Adam Sandler.' He took about two weeks to read them and then called and yelled at me for an hour, but in an incredible way. I’ll never forget what he said because it changed my life. He said, 'Buddy, why are you writing this? This is something that I’d get hired to write in a weekend. There’d be three of us sitting in a room at Happy Madison doing this. You’re a thoughtful, sensitive guy. Why is this your art?’

It sounds about right for the former SNL writer to tell Eisenberg to not mimic Sandler's style (no one can replicate him, truly, anyway).

Plus, Odenkirk and his best movies and shows have been a model of the range and capability an artist can have. The 62-year-old has added comedian, actor, producer and writer to his resume, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon. He is a perfect model for younger stars like Eisenberg to take note of, and it seems like he has.

This advice set the Now You See Me actor on his journey to becoming a successful writer, even if it did bruise him a little in the process. Now, his film is among the 2025 Golden Globe winners, thanks to Kieran Culkin's performance in it, and Eisenberg's writing, directing and performance are being praised as well. So, it all worked out, as he explained:

It killed me because those scripts represented years of my life. But right after that, I went to Poland for a movie and went to visit my family’s house, as we do in A Real Pain. And I came back and wrote a play.

It’s surprising to think that we all have Bob Odenkirk to thank in part for Eisenberg’s incredible stories.

A Real Pain has an incredible amount of humor and sadness that are perfectly combine and masterfully portrayed by Eisenberg and Culkin. Along with the 2024 success, the writer also penned When You Finish Saving the World, which was originally an Audible Original turned 2022 movie. Who knows what we could’ve had in store from the young writer-actor and if any of his Sandler stuff would’ve seen the light of day–I, for one, am glad to have the present works.

Maybe someday we’ll get a cinematic retelling of this wild story of Bob Odenkirk redirecting Jesse Eisenberg’s writing career. However, for now, I’m just glad to know the tale at all. And I'm even happier that this advice eventually resulted in such brilliant work like A Real Pain.

‘It Actually Hurt My Career’: Jesse Eisenberg Gets Real About Batman V Superman Backlash, And How He Blamed Himself

Adrienne Jones — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:15:37 +0000

A Real Pain writer/director/star Jesse Eisenberg has been famous for so long now that it’s possible that many people don’t even remember a time when he wasn’t lending his trademark understated humor to a number of films and TV shows. The 2025 movie schedule is expected to play host to the long-awaited sequel to one of his hit franchises, with Now You See Me 3 set to astound audiences all over again. However, there was a time when his work for a big budget movie didn’t go quite so well, and Eisenberg just got real about his appearance in Batman v Superman.

What Did Jesse Eisenberg Say About Batman V Superman Hurting His Career?

The superhero films which got the DC comics movie universe off the ground didn’t do as well as Warner Bros. likely hoped. Man of Steel made some decent money, but got a relatively lukewarm/negative reception after it was viewed by many, and the 2016 Snyderverse follow-up, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice…well, it made less money than its predecessor and didn’t really help matters when it came to critical or fan reviews.

One thing that people weren’t pleased with in BVS was Jesse Eisenberg’s turn as Lex Luthor, and it was during an interview with the Armchair Expert podcast that he revealed he believes doing that movie hurt his career:

I was in this Batman movie and the Batman movie was so poorly received, and I was so poorly received. I've never said this before and it's kind of embarrassing to admit, but I genuinely think it actually hurt my career in a real way, because I was poorly received in something so public. I've been in poorly received things that just don't see the light of day, and for the most part no one knows, but this was so public and I don't read notices or reviews or movie press or anything so I was unaware of how poorly it was received.

It might seem odd that the Zombieland star didn’t have any idea how his time as a big screen supervillain was received, along with not knowing that the film itself got less than optimal reviews, but Eisenberg was in a pretty unique situation at the time. He explained that he was already “two feet out the door” when it came to Hollywood because he felt that the business was going to “spit me out tomorrow,” and was going to try to focus more of his energy on his work as a playwright.

Batman V Superman’s Jesse Eisenberg Offers Blunt Advice For Nicholas Hoult Taking Over As Lex Luthor, And I See Where He’s Coming From

Then, his mother-in-law got sick, so he and his wife spent most of their time in her hometown of Bloomington, Indiana to help her out and he was “around none of it” (meaning the movie business) for long enough that the news of the BVS reception just didn’t touch him for quite some time.

Once he figured it out, however, he came to feel that the negativity hurt his career, mostly because of how giant the platform was, as opposed to the much smaller (or simply less anticipated and expensive to make) films he had been known for previously. He continued, explaining how he blamed himself for the movie's failings:

I loved my role and I loved the movie, doing it and everything, so I feel just, myself to blame. I'm not like ‘They did me wrong.’ I'm like ‘Oh, I guess I did something wrong there’… It was depressing but I'm depressed all the time in some ways, [I] just like ‘Oh, yeah of course I had this great opportunity, of course it didn't go well,’ just pessimism.

I’m sure that everyone who worked on BVS saw it as a huge opportunity, and while it didn’t work out as hoped, we all know that to blame any one individual is folly. The idea of the actor putting the blame on himself makes some sense, especially now that we know he and his The Social Network co-star, Andrew Garfield, both thought their performances had “screwed it up” and that the movie was going to fail. But, more importantly, whatever Eisenberg’s original feelings on how the outcome impacted his career, at least he came through it and is on the upswing again.

‘That Person Is A Genius’: The Story Behind Emma Stone’s Amazing Zombieland Audition And The Humorous Way It Affected Co-Star Jesse Eisenberg

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 13:29:24 +0000

Nowadays, Emma Stone is well-known as being one of the best actresses of our generation with two Academy Awards to show for it, but there was a time when she was a gem of a talent waiting to be discovered. Her Zombieland co-star Jesse Eisenberg got to see this firsthand when she auditioned for what’s considered one of Emma Stone’s best films and among great zombie movies these days, and effectively blew him away.

After Emma Stone crushed it with her first role in Superbad at the age of 19, the actress popped up in comedies all over the place, from The House Bunny to Easy A. One of those early roles was, of course, Zombieland, where she played a survivor of the zombie apocalypse who goes by Wichita. Jesse Eisenberg recently spoke about his first time crossing paths with the co-star of the 2009 movie starting with these words:

I was already cast in the movie, so I was auditioning like many people for her part that day. The actors at that point were all amazing actresses, but they were all, like, trying to get into the movie, and so they were being really polite and everything.

Jesse Eisenberg and Emma Stone recently worked together on one of the latest 2024 movies, A Real Pain. Eisenberg wrote, directed and stars in the dramedy and had the assistance of Stone as a producer. While speaking on Sirius XM’s The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw (via People), he shared that he got cast in Zombieland before Emma Stone and watched a lot of other actresses try out for Wichita. However, here’s how Stone stood out according to Eisenberg:

And then [Stone] came in, and she just started making fun of me in the scene, like just assaulting me with insults in the scene and it was so funny. They were so quick and so funny and cutting. And she left the room and I just felt so, so small. We were like, ‘Oh my God. That person is a genius.’ And maybe she was 19 even at that time of the audition. I mean, she's a truly spectacularly, unusually brilliant person.

Now, that’s how you make an impression! As Jesse Eisenberg spoke about, Stone was really different from all the other hopeful actresses because of her magnetic personality, and barraging insults toward his character of Columbus. A lot of the other actresses were “really polite,” but when it comes to a biting comedy like Zombieland, Stone is exactly what the movie needed, and thus a star was born. Zombieland also became a hit in theaters and among critics when the comedy also starring Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin came out in the fall of 2009, and all four reprised their roles in 2019 for Zombieland: Double Tap.

Fifteen years later, it’s a given that Emma Stone is practically a “genius” when it comes to her acting ability. She just came off a second Best Actress win for Poor Things earlier this year after previously dazzling us with her first Best Actress win with song, dance and sass in La La Land. It’s no wonder Eisenberg and Stone have remained filmmaking collaborators. Stone (along with her husband Dave McCary) also produced Eisenberg’s directorial debut, When You Finish Saving The World, before working together again on A Real Pain.

A Real Pain is currently in theaters. It’s one of the best movies we’ve seen this year. Oh, and if you want to relive Zombieland, it’s streaming now with a Netflix subscription.

‘We Screwed It Up’: Andrew Garfield Recalls He And Jesse Eisenberg Thinking The Social Network Was Going To Fail

Corey Chichizola — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 17:33:23 +0000

Andrew Garfield has already had a long and wildly successful career, one that earned him an Academy Award nomination recently. While he's a household name, he largely came into the public consciousness thanks to David Fincher's acclaimed drama The Social Network. And the 41 year-old actor recently recalled how he and Jesse Eisenberg thought the movie was going to fail, even thinking "we screwed it up." Let's break it all down.

While fans are curious about The Social Network's sequel, details are still coming out about David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin's original movie. I had the chance to attend an In Conversation with Andrew Garfield at the Hamptons International Film Festival, where the chat eventually landed on the 2010 film. That's when Garfield got real about this self-doubt at the time, offering:

I’m so grateful for that experience and to be part of such a seminal film that we didn’t have any idea was going to be seminal. In fact, Jesse Eisenberg and myself were huddled in the corner of the premiere afterparty which I believe was happening in New York. Talking to each other and going ‘It’s bad, right? It’s bad and we’re bad? Yup, we’re bad. It’s bad. Everyone is blowing smoke and they’re full of shit. And they’re just preparing us for the fallout of this. We screwed it up.’ It’s just a pure protection mechanism. The way of beating ourselves up before being beaten up by anyone else.

Well, that's surprising. While The Social Network was universally acclaimed and has aged like fine wine, it sounds like Garfield and Eisenberg weren't always convinced of its success... particularly when it came to their own performances. But it sounds like this might have been their way of coping with all of this new acclaim.

Out of David Fincher's filmography, The Social Network is usually up there for most moviegoers. Andrew Garfield's performance is one big reason the movie works, particularly in the epic scene where he confronts Mark Zuckerberg. Later in the same appearance at HIFF, the actor explained why he loves Fincher's way of working, saying:

It was a very beautiful experience because David is so unbelievably competent and confident and ingenious. And a lot of people dislike the amount of takes he does but I absolutely adored it. Because there’s nothing worse as an actor than going home at the end of the day and thinking of all of the different ways you could have done a scene. It’s much better to go home at the end of the day going ‘I never want to do that scene again.’

This makes a great deal of sense, and shows the type of actor Andrew Garfield ultimately it. He's known for bringing all of his heart and talent into performances, so getting lots of takes while working with David Fincher didn't seem to bother him.

While Jesse Eisenberg's Now You See Me 3 is coming down the line, fans are left wondering about the development of the Social Network sequel. It should be interesting to see if that project comes together, and which members of the cast return. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

After Waiting So Long For Now You See Me 3, Jesse Eisenberg’s Latest Tease Is Making Me Even More Excited

Maggie Sheck — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:57:13 +0000

We've been waiting for the release of Now You See Me 3 for what feels like forever. However, finally, almost ten years after the sequel's release in 2016, we know the promised threequel is coming. Now, as we inch closer to the film's premiere, Jesse Eisenberg has opened up about shooting it, and his tease about what's to come has me so excited.

The Fleishman Is in Trouble star caught up with GameStar+ at the premiere showing of his latest film, A Real Pain, during the BFI London Film Festival. When asked about Now You See Me 3 on the red carpet, he had this to share about the continuation of the quartet of sly magicians' story:

We've been in Budapest for the last three months, and I almost made it till the end without breaking anything. And the movie is really astounding. It's directed by Ruben Fleischer. This is my fourth movie with him. Every day we walk onto set and pinch ourselves because the set pieces, the magic, the ensemble, it's really, truly miraculous.

Eisenberg returns alongside his other horsemen: Woody Harrelson, Mark Ruffalo, Isla Fisher and Dave Franco. New additions to the New You See Me 3 cast also include Ariana Greenblatt, Dominic Sessa, Justice Smith, and Rosamund Pike. So, the cast is stacked, they're ready to do more magic, and the film will hopefully be released on the 2025 movie schedule.

As the actor mentioned, this isn’t the first time he has worked with NYSM 3 director Ruben Fleischer either. The two famously collaborated on the beloved Zombie comedy Zombieland, which also included Harrelson. Now, the trio who clearly loves to be a part of high-stakes worlds are back at it again but with magic instead of zombies.

On top of that, his use of words like "astounding" and "miraculous" has really started to make me confident in the Four Hoursemen's return to the big screen.

So, even though we’ll have to wait just a little bit longer to finally see what’s up their sleeves next year, the hype The Social Network star shared about working with Fleischer and filming has re-energized my excitement. Plus, the actor has been open about what interested and invested him in playing Daniel again, so knowing he's all in, makes me all in.

If you’d like to get caught up with the trick-taking and plans, you can stream Now You See Me and Now You See Me 2 with a Max subscription. Meanwhile, we'll keep you posted on the long-awaited threequel.

Overall, I’m sure there will be a lot of tricks, cons, and more to ensue in the new movie and I can’t wait. Especially whenever Fleischer has Harrelson and Eisenberg together, you know you’re in for an adventure.

Jesse Eisenberg And Kieran Culkin’s A Real Pain Is Somehow The Funniest And Saddest Movie I’ve Seen This Year

Riley Utley — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 16:05:36 +0000

There’s something funny about grief, and A Real Pain captures it perfectly. The film, written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, is about two cousins — played by Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin — taking a trip to Poland to visit their late grandmother’s old home. This movie, which I saw at a press screening for the New York Film Festival, is a hilarious and tragic depiction of grief, loss and family, and it somehow managed to be both the funniest and saddest project on the 2024 movie schedule that I’ve seen so far.

Warning, there will be minor spoilers moving forward. If you want to see this fantastic film, you can catch it in theaters anywhere on November 1 or at NYFF on October 5, 6 or 13.

(Image credit: Sundance Institute)

A Real Pain Is Uproariously Funny

Going into this film, I knew it would be funny. You can’t have a project that stars Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin and their snappy frenetic energy and have it not be funny. However, I didn’t expect it to be this hilarious seeing as it’s a story about two Jewish men going to Poland to learn about the Holocaust and their grandmother’s past.

However, It’s Also Deeply Tragic As It Explores Loss And Grief

The thing that caused this trip to Poland was the death of David and Benji’s grandmother. They both loved her dearly, with Culkin’s character being particularly close to her. So, while this film has so many funny lines and situations, the overall plot is deeply sad as these two sort of estranged cousins unite after losing their loved one.

On this tour, the guys take in the sites around Poland, and they’re specifically learning about the Jewish people who lived there around the time of World War II. Obviously, that’s a very heavy and potentially triggering subject, as the tour’s guide points out. However, for the most part, everyone is able to take it all in and appreciate what they’re seeing.

Emotions turn when they go to a concentration camp though. This was particularly evident in how Benji reacted to it. For most of the film, Culkin’s character keeps things light and gets everyone around him to laugh. However, his actions are rooted in grief as he processes the loss of his grandmother and some of the choices he’s made in his life, and it comes to a head at the concentration camp.

Seeing him break down and weep in the place where his grandmother was was profoundly tragic, and when you juxtapose that with the goofiness in the film, it made it so it packed a massive emotional punch all around.

(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)

Overall, A Real Pain Feels Like A Bittersweet, Accurate Depiction Of Grief

Now, there’s a reason Culkin won an Emmy for Succession, and Eisenberg got an Oscar nomination for leading The Social Network cast: they’re both ultra-skilled actors who can harness comedy and drama with nuance and skill and mix it in a way that creates a complex and human picture. Their talents combined with Eisenberg’s thoughtful script and direction made A Real Pain a beautiful and emotional whole picture of what it’s like to process loss.

As someone who has lost a grandparent, I could feel exactly what they were feeling. Grief isn’t all just sadness. It’s a long emotional process, as the stages of it show, and while it’s tragic it can also come with silly and loving moments. We process pain in a myriad of ways, by joking, crying, screaming and more, and I loved that A Real Pain gave us all that.

Watching David lament about his cousin, their loss and the pain of feeling like his sadness was “unexceptional,” was so sad, and it’s a wound that will take time to heal. However, this moment of loss also brought him back to his cousin, and they were able to reform a bond and laugh together as they went on this tour.

The same can be said for Benji. He uses humor as a coping mechanism and a way to process what he’s going through. However, buried underneath it all he’s struggling with a darkness that clearly impacts him and those around him.

All of it feels so raw and real because A Real Pain doesn't just focus on one emotion. The light and the dark balance each other perfectly, creating a nuanced and lovely portrait of a family working to honor and grieve their lost loved one and heal. And it’s through Jesse Eisenberg and Kiernan Culkin’s amazing performances that we’re able to feel all of this and more with them.

The Best '10s Movies For These 32 Actors

Riley Utley — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 16:33:26 +0000

The 2010s were a transformative decade for movies as directors like Damien Chazelle, Greta Gerwig and Jordan Peele hit the mainstream, and many actors exploded into stardom or gave career-defining performances in movies like theirs. Now, it’s time to celebrate some of the best films of this decade and the performers who starred in them.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Emma Stone – La La Land

This ode to Old Hollywood and modern romance from Damien Chazelle is widely beloved in part because of Emma Stone's performance. If you go back to reviews for La La Land, you’ll see Stone and Ryan Gosling praised for their work as they played Mia and Sebastian, two aspiring artists who fall in love with each other. Notably, Emma Stone won her first Oscar for the film because of the wonderful performance she gave as the up-and-coming actress.

(Image credit: Universal)

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

When it comes to Bridesmaids and all its hilarious lines and gags, we all need to say a collective thank you to Kristen Wiig. Not only did the Saturday Night Live alum lead the stellar ensemble cast of this 2011 flick, but she also wrote the movie with Annie Mumolo, and they got an Oscar nomination for it.

(Image credit: A24)

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

Moonlight, which famously won Best Picture in 2017, is a coming-of-age film that follows Chiron through three stages of his life, focusing on him exploring his sexuality and identity. In it, Mahershala Ali plays Juan, a man who has a pivotal role in Chiron’s early life. Famously, Ali won his first Oscar for his moving performance in this film.

(Image credit: Universal)

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

Get Out is considered one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it marked the directorial debut of Jordan Peele. While this film about the deeply dark turn a trip takes after a white woman brings her Black boyfriend home to meet her family is career-defining for its director – as he’s gone on to become quite the name in the genre – it also marked a major breakout for Daniel Kaluuya who played the film’s lead, Chris.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Amy Adams – Arrival

Arrival is unquestionably one of Amy Adams’ best movies, and to this day, folks are still livid that she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for it. She plays Louise, a linguist assigned to decipher and translate an alien language. However, as Arrival’s ending makes abundantly clear, there’s way more to it than that, and one of the major reasons this movie works is because of Adams’ masterful, emotional and nuanced performance.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

In Whiplash, one of J.K. Simmons’ best films, he plays a brilliant and brutal jazz conductor and instructor named Terence Fletcher. During the film, Miles Teller plays a young drummer named Andrew who is determined to become great, and his intense relationship with Terence and the notion of being the best is what makes Damien Chazelle’s film magnificent. On top of its overall acclaim, Simmons also won an Oscar for his performance.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Hugh Jackman – Logan

Logan was Hugh Jackman’s last ride as the Wolverine, and it was basically perfect. While he’s returned to the role since in Deadpool and Wolverine, Logan still serves as a wonderful conclusion to the iconic X-Man’s story. It was also a game-changing Marvel film, as it brought a level of grit and intrigue that we hadn’t really seen in a movie from this universe before.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Ben Affleck – Argo

Much like Good Will Hunting, Argo marked a major milestone in Ben Affleck’s career. It was one of the films that solidified him as a top-tier director, and on top of that, he also starred in the film about a CIA agent disguised as a producer who goes into Tehran on a mission to save a group of Americans. Oh, also, the film went on to win Best Picture at the Oscars too.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

The Social Network cast is stacked, however, it wouldn’t be what it is without Jesse Eisenberg’s performance as Mark Zuckerberg at its center. His nuanced performance which is somehow both collected and chaotic compliments Aaron Sorkin’s fast-talking script perfectly, and he expertly helped build up tension in the film that director David Fincher is known for. All around, that made for a perfect, heart-pounding drama about the rise of Facebook.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf Of Wall Street

While Leonardo DiCaprio has a long list of career-defining performances, and he and Martin Scorsese have made many great movies together, you can’t deny that his portrayal of Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street tops that list.

(Image credit: A24)

Brie Larson – Room

The film Room, which is about a mother and her son escaping captivity, is masterfully led by Brie Larson, who plays Ma. Both she and Jacob Tremblay, who played her son Jack, were praised for their performances, and in 2016, the actress won an Oscar for her work.

(Image credit: T-Street/ Lionsgate)

Daniel Craig – Knives Out

Now, I know that Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond was still happening in the 2010s. However, an equally important and brilliant role he took on was as detective Benoit Blanc in Rian Johnson’s first whodunnit Knives Out. Now, after leading the cast of Knives Out, Craig has gone on to reprise his role as the Southern detective on multiple occasions, because he loves it and so do we.

(Image credit: Film Disctrict)

Ryan Gosling – Drive

If you look over Ryan Gosling’s best movies, on one side you’ll find his brilliant comedic films – like Barbie and The Nice Guys – and on the other side, you’ll find his stoic and dramatic performance, like the one he gives in Drive. Put simply, Drive wouldn’t work without the actor’s lead performance, because the entire film hinges on him and his abilities.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

After years of working to get it made and some well-timed leaked footage, finally, in 2016, Deadpool came out and we got to see Ryan Reynolds in his element as the Merc with a Mouth.

(Image credit: MGM)

Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea

In a film about a man returning home to reckon with his past and grief after losing his brother, Casey Affleck gives an emotional and commanding performance. Not only did he win an Oscar for his work in this drama, but it’s also one of the big defining roles of his career.

(Image credit: Marvel)

Chris Evans – Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Chris Evans began and ended his tenure as Steve Rogers in the 2010s. While all his outings as the star-spangled man with a plan were excellent, nothing tops his performance as Cap in the political thriller that is the Russo brothers’ Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is easily one of the best Marvel movies ever made.

(Image credit: Searchlight)

Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel

Under Wes Anderson’s precise direction, Ralph Fiennes occupied the pastel world of the Grand Budapest Hotel with grace and style. His fast-talking M. Gustave went on quite the adventure in this film, and he won over the hearts of audiences with his quick wit, smooth charm and impeccable work ethic.

(Image credit: Fox Searchlight)

Natalie Portman – Black Swan

Throwing it back to the beginning of the decade, Darren Aronofsky’s 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan showed us Natalie Portman’s talents in a new light. While she had been on the scene and in big movies for years, this film marked a major milestone in her career as her performance as a tortured ballerina got her an Academy Award.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buys Club

Obviously, for a couple of decades before this, Matthew McConaughey was known and beloved for fun movies like Dazed and Confused and How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days. However, in 2013, Dallas Buyers Club marked a notable shift in his career. Not only did he win an Oscar for this dramatic turn as a man who finds out he has AIDS, but he also went on to star in acclaimed projects like Interstellar and True Detective one year later, cementing himself as a magnificent dramatic actor with serious range.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

Yes, Jennifer Lawrence leading The Hunger Games cast is one of the biggest triumphs of her career. However, amid all of that, she starred in the beloved dramedy Silver Linings Playbook with Bradley Cooper, and that’s the film for which she won her Oscar. This magnificent film about two people learning to live and thrive through grief and mental illness, is a thoughtful and funny film that Lawrence steals with her amazing performance.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

Brad Pitt – Moneyball

Moneyball is the story about the general manager of the Oakland A’s using his business savvy and what little money his team had to assemble a rag-tag team of MLB players. Brad Pitt plays said manager, Billy Beane, and I mean it when I say the movie really wouldn’t work without him. He’s at the center of it, and he carries it to victory just like his character did with the A’s.

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther

We sadly lost Chadwick Boseman way too early, however, his legacy will live on forever. This is in part because of his performance as the King of Wakanda, T’Challa. Black Panther was a historic moment in modern movie history, and his incredible take on the titular hero is a big reason why.

(Image credit: Neon)

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya

Before I, Tonya, Margot Robbie was beloved for her supporting and ensemble roles in films like The Wolf of Wall Street and Suicide Squad. However, one of the movies that helped solidify her as both a leading lady and super producer was I, Tonya. She played Tonya Harding and produced the film under the banner of her company LuckyChap – which went on to make films like Barbie and Promising Young Woman.

(Image credit: A24)

Florence Pugh – Midsommar

Florence Pugh exploded onto the scene with the haunting Ari Aster film Midsommar. The movie is now considered one of the best horror movies of all time, and a big reason why is Pugh’s performance.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

Talk about a dynamic duo. Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan are a match made in heaven, and that was solidified into fact when the actress played the titular Lady Bird in the director’s breakout film. Not only did fans fall in love with Ronan’s performance as the defiant teenage gal, but she also received wide acclaim and an Oscar nomination for it. Plus, it was the beginning of a glorious partnership between her and Greta Gerwig as they then went on to make Little Women together.

(Image credit: Sony)

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

These days, when people think of Timothée Chalamet, they likely think of him as Paul Atreides, the leader of the Dune cast. However, before that (and in a different decade) the film that sprung him into the mainstream was Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me By Your Name. The deeply romantic and tender coming-of-age drama was led beautifully by Chalamet, and since then he’s taken on more roles that have helped cement him as one of the top-leading men of his generation.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

If you were a kid in 2012 (like I was), odds are you learned the “Cups” song. The movie about college acapella was a phenomenon in the early 2010s, and it served as a big breakout leading role for Anna Kendrick. Not only was she funny as Becca, but everyone also became aware that she had the singing voice of an angel.

(Image credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years A Slave

Lupita Nyong’o’s first feature film was 12 Years A Slave. Her performance in the movie by Steve McQueen won her an Oscar in 2012 and solidified her as a top-tier dramatic performer. Since then, she’s gone on to star in massive blockbusters like Black Panther and A Quiet Place: Day One.

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

There have been many amazing takes on the Joker, and Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck was a totally new one. In Joker, we see the villain’s origin story, and it’s a film that’s unlike any other DC project. The haunting performance ultimately won the actor an Oscar, and he reprised the part again in Joker: Folie à Deux.

(Image credit: Village Roadshow Pictures)

Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

The movie is named after Mad Max, and he’s great, don’t get me wrong, but Furiosa steals the show. Charlize Theron’s performance as the driver in Mad Max: Fury Road is fierce and jaw-dropping, and she’s one of many reasons why George Miller’s movie is considered one of the best action films.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Michael Cera – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

You can’t have Scott Pilgrim vs. The World without a perfect Scott Pilgrim and that’s who Michael Cera is. He perfectly played the awkward yet heroic protagonist in Edgar Wright’s beloved film, and to this day, it's considered some of his best work.

(Image credit: 20th Century )

Matt Damon – The Martian

This Ridley Scott movie is literally about one man who is stuck on Mars. Yes, there are other people in the film trying to save him. However, overall, The Martian is Matt Damon’s movie. He plays the stranded astronaut and scientist, and the heart, charisma, intelligence and even humor he brings to the space drama is unforgettable.

All around, the 2010s were full of films that are on their way to becoming all-time classics, and it’s in part thanks to the brilliant actors who starred in them.

32 Famous Actors Who've Played A Wizard, Witch Or Magician

Adrienne Jones — Fri, 30 Aug 2024 16:34:32 +0000

As with many years prior, several upcoming films will bring us tales of joy and woe with animated adventures, heartfelt family films, people overcoming horrific circumstances, fun comedies and more. But, something that many people love to see is a story that focuses either on people who do intriguing work or who have some true magic in their lives. As such, let’s take a look at 32 famous actors who’ve given us that by playing a wizard, witch or magician in some popular movies.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Nicole Kidman (Practical Magic, Bewitched)

An Oscar winner who’s notably portrayed a witch twice in her big screen efforts is Nicole Kidman. Seeing as how Practical Magic 2 is now being worked on in earnest, you probably remember her 1998 hit with Sandra Bullock easily. But, do you recall her turn as a real witch hired to play a fictional one in the 2005 comedy, Bewitched?

(Image credit: Touchstone)

Hugh Jackman (The Prestige)

We actually don’t get as many magicians on screen as one might think, but Hugh Jackman did us all a solid when he starred as one in the 2006 Christopher Nolan movie, The Prestige. If you somehow still haven’t seen this Edwardian London-set thriller, do yourself a favor and track it down. You won’t regret it.

(Image credit: New Line/WB)

Ian McKellen (The Lord Of The Rings And The Hobbit Trilogies)

This list would be nothing without mentioning maybe the most famous wizard in all of literary history, who made his major motion picture appearances courtesy of Sir Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings movies, as well as The Hobbit trilogy. Gandalf the Grey cannot be ignored, and not just because he’s so much taller than most of his traveling companions!

(Image credit: Dimension Films)

Neve Campbell (The Craft)

Fledgling teen witches count just as much as those who’ve been witchin’ for decades, which is why Neve Campbell’s eventual power-hungry sorceress, Bonnie, is on this list. The Craft is a teen horror classic that’s worth a watch.

(Image credit: Buena Vista Pictures)

Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus)

Here’s another classic movie witch who’s hard to forget. Bette Midler really dialed it up for her performance as Winifred Sanderson in 1993’s Hocus Pocus (along with fellow witchy Sanderson sisters Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker), and the results were so memorable that a Disney+ sequel was made nearly 30 years later.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Jesse Eisenberg (Now You See Me)

We’ve come to another magician, but Jesse Eisenberg’s modern-day character, Atlas, is an illusionist who works in Las Vegas in a popular group…who are really teamed up to steal lots and lots of money. It was so popular that a sequel followed.

(Image credit: AMC)

Alexandra Daddario (Mayfair Witches)

If anything, we could trust late horror author Anne Rice to pen an intriguing tale that keeps us glued to the pages of a book. It also turns out that White Lotus star Alexandra Daddario can help turn that story into a can’t-miss TV show, as she’s done by playing witchy lead Rowan on Mayfair Witches.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Cher (The Witches Of Eastwick)

Cher has excelled in pretty much every role she’s ever had, and that includes widowed mother/witch Alex in The Witches of Eastwick. This one gets wild but you’ll never regret watching her (or her co-stars Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson) as things go from weird to worse.

(Image credit: Paramount)

Nicolas Cage (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice)

We all know that Nicolas Cage has played a multitude of roles during his decades-long career, so it should be little surprise that he’s portrayed as a user of magic. Before you get too deep into wondering whether or not there’s a real difference between a wizard and a sorcerer, just know that Cage played the latter in this 2010 film that takes some inspiration from a segment in Disney’s animated classic, Fantasia.

(Image credit: Disney Channel)

Tia And Tamera Mowry (Twitches)

Sure, there have already been people on this list who played witches along with other really famous people, and those co-stars weren’t listed as the main star, but guess what: none of those other people starred with their twin, which is the case with Tia and Tamera Mowry in the beloved Disney Channel original film, Twitches. Did this one get a sequel? You bet it did!

(Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Meryl Streep (Into The Woods)

No one can deny the prowess or ability of 21-time Oscar nominee (and three-time winner) Meryl Streep to deliver an amazing performance. The same can be true for when she played the character known simply as The Witch in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Into the Woods (and, yes, got an Academy Award nomination for her work).

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Steve Carell (The Incredible Burt Wonderstone)

And here we have another Las Vegas magician in Steve Carell’s Burt Wonderstone. Instead of watching him steal money, we follow along in this comedy as Burt attempts to reunite with his former partner (Steve Buschemi) so they can gain more traction than a competing magician (Jim Carrey) whose “tricks” mostly involve odd feats of endurance and real pain.

(Image credit: Yari Film Group Releasing)

Edward Norton (The Illusionist)

You’d be forgiven for confusing this film with the above-mentioned The Prestige, as they’re both about old-timey magicians and released in 2006. However, this film stars Edward Norton as our…illusionist, and is more of a romantic mystery than Nolan’s thriller.

(Image credit: WGN)

Lucy Lawless (Salem)

So many evil witches, so little time. The WGN TV series, Salem, was loosely inspired by the Salem witch trials, and focused on a lead who was trying to bring the Devil to earth. But, that wasn’t even the character played by Xena actress Lucy Lawless, as her Countess Palatine Ingrid von Marburg was simply a different and far more evil witch. Can’t anyone use magic to just like, keep everyone’s house clean so we can all have more free time?

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Guy Pearce (Death Defying Acts)

It’s actually rather surprising that we’ve gotten this far into the list without coming to someone who portrayed a famous real-life magician, so we can thank Guy Pearce for that. His 2007 supernatural romance, Death Defying Acts, saw him play Harry Houdini.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Angela Bassett (American Horror Story: Coven)

Even for those who don’t follow along with the amazing antics on every season of the anthology series, American Horror Story, it would probably be a little shock to find out that the show has cast several witches during its long run. The subtitle of this 2013 season tells you that it was dedicated to witchy goings-on, and double Oscar nominee Angela Bassett had a notable guest role as real historical figure/Voodoo practitioner Marie Laveau.

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Sebastian Stan (The Covenant)

The actor who would come to be known as Bucky “Winter Soldier” Barnes, Sebastian Stan, played a very different type of super-powered character in 2006, when he played teen warlock Chase Collins in the fantasy film The Covenant. It also features stars like Taylor Kitsch and Chase Crawford, who also get their magic on in the film.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Michelle Pfeiffer (Stardust)

As we’ve seen from the entry on Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer had already played a witchy woman by the time she appeared in the 2007 movie Stardust, as an evil (of course) witch looking to retrieve a fallen star to have ever-lasting beauty and youth.

(Image credit: Disney Channel)

Debbie Reynolds (Halloweentown)

Here’s another Disney Channel classic, which follows a young witch who realizes she has powers on her 13th Halloween, only to be transported to the titular town where supernatural creatures can live without human interference. The late Debbie Reynolds plays her grandmother (also a witch), and returned for all three sequels.

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange)

This 2016 MCU entry stars Benedict Cumberbatch as an injured doctor who involves himself in the business of fighting evil with sorcery after losing the use of his hands and heading to a mysterious enclave to look for healing. Cumberbatch has appeared as the character in a number of Marvel franchise films now, including a 2022 sequel to his original solo film.

(Image credit: Vanity Fair)

Mila Kunis (Oz The Great And Powerful)

Here’s a movie filled with magical beings that’s often forgotten. Oz the Great and Powerful saw Mila Kunis, along with Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz, play witches of, yes, that Oz who have to determine if the Kansas magician who’s turned up in their realm is really the “great” wizard they’ve been waiting for.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone)

This is another actor and portrayal that this list would basically be pointless without. Though Daniel Radcliffe has gone on to portray a wide variety of good and bad guys in the past decade or so of his career, for many he will always be known as the boy wizard, Harry Potter.

(Image credit: Interscope Records)

Selena Gomez (Wizards Of Waverly Place)

What? Did you forget that Selena Gomez, the Grammy-nominated singer and star of the Hulu hit show Only Murders in the Building, got her first taste of fame on a Disney Channel series? Well, shame on you for not being able to remember that Gomez led Wizards of Waverly Place through a magical four-season run as the supernaturally gifted teen, Alex Russo.

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision)

Do we have yet another MCU stalwart for you? You bet we do! Elizabeth Olsen first took on the role of Scarlet Witch during the post-credits scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, later starring in several more of the franchise films and the critically lauded Disney+ series, WandaVision, for which she received an Emmy nomination.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Sam Neill (Merlin)

While there have certainly been a number of movies and shows that have given us versions of the mythical wizard known as Merlin, NBC’s two-part, 1998 miniseries saw Sam Neill use his recent Jurassic Park stardom to show us an adventurous tale of Merlin’s life before the birth of King Arthur.

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Rosamund Pike (The Wheel Of Time)

Many of the portrayals we’ve discussed (and will continue to discuss below) have dealt with book-to-screen adaptations that are based on already incredibly popular novels, and The Wheel of Time is certainly one of those. The Amazon series, which takes its story from the 14-book franchise by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, stars Rosamund Pike as powerful magic user Moiraine Damodred, who takes a group of young adults on a journey to save the world.

(Image credit: Lifetime)

Julia Ormond (Witches Of East End)

This Lifetime series, which ran for two seasons from 2013 to 2014, followed the women of the Beauchamp family, witches in a small, fictional seaside town who are led by their mother, Julia Ormond’s Joanna, and have to fight to save themselves and the people of their town from dark magical forces.

(Image credit: Amazon Studios)

Emma Thompson (Beautiful Creatures)

This 2013 Gothic fantasy romance focuses on a teen who will learn on her 16th birthday whether or not her witch tendencies will be for good or ill. Two-time Academy Award-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson plays her mother, Sarafine, who didn’t raise the girl but wants her on that dark side really, really badly.

(Image credit: Disney)

Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Suspiria)

Considering that Tilda Swinton has played everything from a gender-switching hero in Orlando to the MCU’s version of the Ancient One in the aforementioned Doctor Strange and the archangel Gabriel in Constantine, is anyone surprised to know that she’s played some witches? In both The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe and Suspiria she was very good at playing magical ladies who wanted (or already had and wanted to continue) to do some very bad things, but the latter film has WAY more serious and bloody fun for those who watch.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures)

Jack Black (The House With A Clock In Its Walls)

Frequent funny man Jack Black as a warlock? That’s what the 2018 fantasy The House With A Clock In Its Walls delivers, as the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star portrays a boy’s magic uncle who lives in the house of a dead evil wizard and is trying to discover the location and purpose of a clock the previous dastardly owner hid in the walls.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald)

While much of the Harry Potter franchise featured either actors Richard Harris or Michael Gambon as the beloved Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, when the prequels were made, a younger Albus Dumbledore was needed and they called in Jude Law to fill the wizard’s very important and legendary shoes.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Julianne Moore (Seventh Son)

Last but certainly not least on our list of famed actors who’ve brought wizards, witches and magicians to life is lauded talent Julianne Moore. The Academy Award winner starred in 2015’s Seventh Son as the evil witch Mother Malkin, who escapes after many years imprisoned and looks to restore her full power by any means necessary.

As you can see, many of our most beloved stars have portrayed wizards, witches and magicians!

Great Performances By Actors Playing Famous People

Hugh Scott — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 21:35:00 +0000

Whether it's in biopics or in other historical movies, playing an important person often leads to some of the most amazing performances put on film. There are far too many to count, much less list here, but we do think you'll agree that this list of 32 actors playing famous people rank among the best.

(Image credit: Columbia Pictures)

Ben Kingsley - Gandhi

The 1982 epic Gandhi starring Ben Kingsley as the revered leader of India and icon to peaceful protestors all over the world is an amazing movie. At the heart is Kingsley's amazing, transformative performance. He looks and sounds just like Gandhi, it's almost uncanny.

(Image credit: Neon)

Margot Robbie - Tonya Harding

When the news first broke that Australian Margot Robbie was cast to play controversial US Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, it's safe to say that many were skeptical. It took the actor all of about 30 seconds of screen time in the movie to prove those skeptics very wrong. Robbie is fantastic as the troubled skater with a family life that you wouldn't wish on anyone.

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Paul Dano - Brian Wilson

The Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy seems to have been overlooked by many, but if you're a fan of The Beach Boys, you need to see it. John Cusack plays the older Wilson in the 1980s and it is fantastic. Paul Dano, who plays the Pet Sounds-era Wilson, is simply amazing. He completely disappears into the role.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

Reese Witherspoon - June Carter Cash

Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix are both amazing in Walk the Line as June and Johnny Cash. Really both deserve to be on this list, but we've the honor to Witherspoon if only because she won Best Actress at the Oscars in 2006.

(Image credit: TriStar)

Robert Downey, Jr - Charlie Chaplin

It took a long time for Robert Downey to win an Oscar, which he finally did for Oppenheimer. More than 30 years before that win, he earned his first nomination for 1992's Chaplin for playing the legendary actor and Hollywood trailblazer. It's a movie that doesn't get talked about much these days, but it's still great. Especially Downey's performance.

(Image credit: Fox Searchlight)

Natalie Portman - Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy has to be a tricky person to play. She is so iconic and so well known to so many people that the scrutiny would be stressful. Luckily for all of us, Natalie Portman hit it out of the park when she played the former First Lady in Jackie.

(Image credit: Twentieth Century Fox)

Meryl Streep - Margaret Thatcher

It's hardly surprising to see Meryl Streep's name on any list of great performances. She has been arguably the best actor in Hollywood for 50 years. One of her finest performances came in 2011's The Iron Lady where she played the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher.

(Image credit: Twentieth Century Fox)

Rami Malek - Freddy Mercury

You knew we couldn't have this list without including Rami Malek's incredible performance as Freddie Mercury in the biopic about the late Queen singer, Bohemian Rhapsody. It's not all about the prosthetic teeth, as Malek nailed so many nuances and mannerisms of the icon rock star. Just as in real life, the performance at Live Aid at the end of the movie brings down the house.

(Image credit: Tri-Star Pictures)

Val Kilmer - Jim Morrison

If you grew up in the '90s, The Doors was probably a seminal film for you. Val Kilmer blew audiences away as the late Jim Morrison. It was so good you'd swear you were watching the real Morrison as he rose to fame and then burned out quickly before tragically becoming a member of the "27 Club" in 1971.

(Image credit: Warner Bros.)

Denzel Washington - Malcolm X

A powerful personality takes an actor with equal strength to pull off and in Malcolm X, Denzel Washington is more than up for the task. Playing the combative, controversial civil rights leader could not have been easy, yet Washington brings him back to life in every way. It's the reason everyone should see this biopic.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Faye Dunaway - Joan Crawford

Faye Dunaway gives the performance of a lifetime in Mommie Dearest. It's scary and mesmerizing. Joan Crawford was one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood in the Golden Age in Hollywood, but this movie changed the public's opinion of her forever - and not for the better.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. )

Jennifer Lopez - Selena

Before played the murdered superstar Selena in the movie of the same name, Jennifer Lopez had had a few roles in movies, but after Selena, she was the legend we all know today. It's a groundbreaking performance.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

David Oyelowo - Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everyone in America has heard the powerful voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. hundreds of times. His speeches are part of everyone's education. That makes David Oyelowo's turn as the civil rights leader that much harder - and that much more impressive. It's just fantastic.

(Image credit: The Weinstein Company)

Cate Blanchett - Bob Dylan

Okay, we admit, technically Cate Blanchett is playing a character named "Jude Quinn" in I'm Not There, but c'mon, let's be real, she's playing Bob Dylan. It's an uncanny performance as well. There is actual footage of Dylan from that time in his career in the excellent D.A. Pennebaker-directed Dont Look Back. Compare that to Blanchett and you'll realize just how great she was.

(Image credit: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Daniel Day-Lewis - Abraham Lincoln

Of all the amazing performances on this list, Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln just may be the best. It frankly could be the greatest acting performance of all time. There's an argument for it, at least. He's simply incredible and brings the tragic president to life like no one else has before or since, and likely never will.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Cillian Murphy - J. Robert Oppenheimer

Cillian Murphy won a well-deserved Best Actor Award for playing J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. It's a subtle, smoldering performance, just like the personality of the real Oppenheimer. Playing the scientist in his greatest moments in life and his lowest, it's a fantastic showing by the Irish actor.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Cynthia Erivo - Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is one of the most important people in US history, but one that hasn't been explored on film nearly as much as you might expect. Luckily, when someone did decide to finally tell her full story on the big screen in 2019's Harriet, they had the good sense to cast Cynthia Erivo as the former slave-turned-freedom fighter. She's amazing.

(Image credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Forest Whitaker - Idi Amin

Forest Whitaker is pretty great in everything he's in. He cranks his talent up to another level in The Last King Of Scotland as the brutal dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin. He's so good there are even moments where viewers might feel compassion for the man, despite his worst tendencies as the leader of the country.

(Image credit: Searchlight Pictures)

Jessica Chastain - Tammy Faye Bakker

If you were around in the 1980s, you remember all the insanity around Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Jim Bakker crying on TV with Tammy Faye right next to him is something no one will forget. Jessica Chastain's turn as the evangelical preacher's wife is just as memorable.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Classics)

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Truman Capote

it's hard to imagine anyone will ever play Truman Capote as well as the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. The role completely takes control of the actor in the best way. It might as well been the writer himself. You completely forget there is even an actor behind the role.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Daniel Kaluuya - Fred Hampton

Fred Hampton was a controversial and complicated leader in the Black Panther Party in the 1960s. Casting a Brit like Daniel Kaluuya in the role was a daring choice by the filmmakers of Judas and the Black Messiah, but it paid off brilliantly as Kaluuya nails the role.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Gary Oldman - Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill has been played on the big and small screen by plenty of great actors. John Lithgow (The Crown), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), and Albert Finney (The Gathering Storm) have all garnered praise for playing the legendary prime minister. Gary Oldman, who won an Oscar for playing Churchill in 2017's The Darkest Hour may just be the best. His reading of those famous speeches is just mesmerizing.

(Image credit: Buena Vista Pictures)

Angela Bassett - Tina Tuner

Tina Turner was a fierce woman, who deserved a fierce performance and she got one with Angela Bassett in What's Love Got To Do With It. Bassett's performance is transcendent and certainly deserved the Oscar nomination she received. She should've won it!

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

Austin Butler - Elvis Presley

Austin Butler got so caught up in his performance as Elvis Presley in Elvis that critics of the actor complained that even months later he was still talking like the King of Rock and Roll. he wasn't, but that does say something about how good he was in the Baz Luhrmann-directed bio flick.

(Image credit: Sony Pictures Releasing)

Jesse Eisenberg - Mark Zuckerberg

When The Social Network was first announced, many were confused as to how someone could make an interesting movie about the founding of Facebook. It turns out, that if you get a great writer like Aaron Sorkin, a great director like David Fincher, and someone like Jesse Eisenberg to play the Mark Zuckerberg, you can make it look easy. The movie is great, and Eisenberg's performance is pitch-perfect.

(Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Leonardo DiCaprio - Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes is one of the most mercurial and odd celebrities in US history. In The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio fully embodies everything about the director and businessman. He takes on his greatest triumphs and sinks to the depths of Hughes' despair in the lowest points of his mental illness with the same gusto.

(Image credit: Newmarket Films)

Charlize Theron - Aileen Wuornos

Serial killer Aileen Wuornos was a terrifying person. A true monster, as the name of the movie about her is called. That's not to say a viewer can't have some sympathy for the circumstances that brought her to the point of murder, but you can't excuse her. Charlize Theron does an incredible job bringing all of that to the role in Monster.

(Image credit: Focus Features)

Sean Penn - Harvey Milk

Milk is one of the great political movies of the last few decades and the biggest reason why, besides the inspiring story, is Sean Penn's performance as Harvey Milk. Like Penn has done so often in his career, he completely disappears into the character. It is Harvey Milk.

(Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

George C. Scott - George Patton

George S. Patton was a great, and complicated leader in World War II. He was responsible for some of the greatest military gains in the war, and he couldn't keep himself out of trouble with his controversy. George C. Scott's portrayal of the general in Patton is amazing. Even though the opening scene of him making a speech in front of the flag is fictional, it sets the tone perfectly and the movie never lets up.

(Image credit: Miramax)

Cate Blanchett - Katharine Hepburn

Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic in The Aviator as Howard Hughes, but he's not the only great performance in the movie. Cate Blanchett as the iconic Katharine Hepburn is, well, iconic. There's just no better word for either. It's not only a spot-on impression, the portrayal nails everything that was great about Hepburn.

(Image credit: United Artists)

Robert De Niro - Jake LaMotta

Jake LaMotta was one of the toughest prizefighters of all time. His incredible story and Robert De Niro's performance are the two things that make Raging Bull legendary. Scorsese's direction is pretty great too.

(Image credit: Miramax)

Helen Mirren - Queen Elizabeth II

it's really hard to play a person who has been on television screens all over the world for decades. Helen Mirren takes on that difficult task in Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen was an icon in every sense of the word and playing her could not have been easy, yet, when you have the talent of Helen Mirren, it looks easy. It surely wasn't.

Now You See Me 3: Release Date, Cast, And Other Things We Know So Far

Alexandra Ramos — Sat, 11 May 2024 20:04:17 +0000

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

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

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

What Is The Now You See Me 3 Release Date?

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

The Now You See Me 3 Cast

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas

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

Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney

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

Dave Franco as Jack Wilder

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

Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves

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

Morgan Freeman as Thaddeus Bradley

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

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

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

Ariana Greenblatt

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

Justice Smith

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

Dominic Sessa

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

Rosamund Pike

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

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

What Is Now You See Me 3 About?

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

Ruben Fleischer Will Direct The Third Film

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

Filming Is Complete

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

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

Your eyes don’t deceive you. That’s a wrap on the next installment of #NowYouSeeMe – coming to theaters November 14, 2025. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/XG6mZ9g2ARNovember 18, 2024

This just makes me more excited for 2025 to come.

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

Sasquatch Sunset Trailer Is A Bizarre First Look At The Jesse Eisenberg Comedy With Sex, Skunks And Silence

Eric Eisenberg — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 17:51:57 +0000

Last month, Jesse Eisenberg had a very successful time at the Sundance Film Festival. The actor/writer/director had two movies premiere in Park City, Utah and earn positive receptions from critics: his latest directorial effort, A Real Pain, starring Kiernan Culkin; and David and Nathan Zellner' Sasquatch Sunset, which Eisenberg stars in alongside Riley Keough. Movie fans are unfortunately still waiting for a public first look at the former, but we now have our first trailer for the latter, and it certainly sells the feature as a bizarre experience.

The feature is the first from the Zellner brothers since 2018's Damsel starring Robert Pattinson and Mia Wasikowska (not to be confused with Millie Bobby Brown's upcoming fantasy horror movie Damsel), and it certainly appears to be a unique cinematic experiment. Sasquatch Sunset is made as a nature mockumentary peeking into the lives of sasquatches, and because the central subjects don't speak a language, there is no dialogue. Jesse Eisenberg and Riley Keough are joined by Christophe Zajac-Denek and Nathan Zellner as a group of bigfoots who live in the wilderness in obscurity and live their every day lives.

Sundance write-ups found on Rotten Tomatoes highlight it as a gross and funny film, and that certainly comes in the edit for the Sasquatch Sunset trailer – with serious on-screen text that can be read with the voice of David Attenborough in one's head makes way for a pair of sasquatches humping in the forest while two others look on and hold hands. Their behavior is wonderfully odd, and I look forward in particular to their interactions with their animal neighbors (you just know that the interaction with the skunk doesn't end well).

It may not end up being a movie for everyone (The Atlantic describes it as an "endurance test"), as things apparently get quite disgusting, and it seems that the trailer is keeping the best stuff for the big screen.

Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, Sasquatch Sunset got picked up for distribution by Bleecker Street, and it won't be long until audiences everywhere will have the chance to experience the bizarreness for themselves. The movie will first be getting a limited release in select theaters on April 12, but it will be expanding into locations nationwide a week later on April 19.

Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more updates about the film, and for a look ahead at all of the features set to come out in this calendar year, check out our 2024 Movie Release Calendar. The aforementioned A Real Pain has been picked up for distribution by Searchlight Pictures, but a release date has not yet been announced (given the festival buzz, it wouldn't be surprising if we don't see it until the fall).

Kieran Culkin Gives An Amazing Performance In Sundance’s A Real Pain That Has Me Excited For His Post-Succession Career

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 22:16:14 +0000

In recent weeks, Kieran Culkin has been racking up a number of accolades for his final season as Roman Roy in Succession, between his Golden Globes win and Emmys win. When one becomes famous and beloved for a role so great, it’s not necessarily the easiest thing in the world to transition out of that and be seen in a different light. However, after seeing Culkin’s next movie, A Real Pain, I couldn’t be more eager to witness the actor’s career following the hit HBO series.

A Real Pain just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah this past week to a reception that was so warm, it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and was sold to Searchlight Pictures for $10 million (following a number of studios fighting for the rights), per Variety. It’s the second directorial effort of The Social Network’s Jesse Eisenberg after premiering his debut When You Finish Saving The World at 2022’s Sundance. Ahead of the independent film finding a place among the 2024 movie schedule with an upcoming theatrical release, I need to talk about Kieran Culkin’s amazing performance in the dramedy.

Kieran Culkin Revealed The Humorously Blunt Way He’d Respond When His Director And Co-Star Jesse Eisenberg Would Try To Give Him Notes On Set

Christina Izzo — Mon, 22 Jan 2024 21:39:28 +0000

Kieran Culkin has had one busy week: along with winning a 2024 Emmy Award for his devastating work as Roman Roy in the fourth and final season of Succession and further making headlines for his funny "feud" with Pedro Pascal, the actor also had his new film debut at the Sundance Film Festival this past weekend: A Real Pain.

In the upcoming dramedy, Culkin stars as Benji Kaplan, who joins his cousin David— played by The Social Network cast lead Jesse Eisenberg, who also wrote and directed the feature—as they travel to Poland after their grandmother's death to see where they came from and end up joining a Holocaust tour, which pulls in characters played by Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan (Beasts of No Nation) and Daniel Oreskes (Only Murders in the Building).

The road-trip drama is one of the most-anticipated 2024 movies to come out this year's festival, having been snatched up by Searchlight Picture in a huge $10 million deal, per Variety. But despite that success, Culkin revealed that he did have some difficult making the film: getting notes from his fellow actor and director. As he joked during A Real Pain's Sundance presentation on January 20, per a video from Twitter user @brokebackstan:

Yeah, that was a first for me – doing a scene with somebody [who’s directing]. It felt like, you know, there’s a pretty good rapport right away. But then, right after the first scene, he’ll be like, ‘Cut’ and start giving me notes. And my first thought was like, ‘Bitch, I’ve got notes for you, too.’ I don’t want to be noted by an actor. So that was an adjustment.

In the clip, you can hear not only the screening audience cracking up at Culkin's quips, but also Eisenberg himself:

my mom is at sundance without me seeing the kieran culkin movie which is making me suic*dal but also she sent me this so i’m taking my wins where i can pic.twitter.com/zS97wCQG4oJanuary 20, 2024

The 2024 film is not the directorial debut of the Oscar-nominated actor—he also made the cringe-y yet captivating comedy When You Finish Saving the World, which also debuted at Sundance back in 2022. Along with A Real Pain, Eisenberg has a second acting project premiering at this year's Sundance, the absurdist Bigfoot comedy Sasquatch Sunset, co-starring Riley Keough and Nathan Zellner.

The movie is the first collaboration between Eisenberg and Culkin, the latter of whom recently revealed to TheWrap while at Sundance that he initially tried to pull out of the film because he wanted to "be home with the kids," but it was the humor of Eisenberg's script that pulled him back to the project:

I did try to pull out of the film. I had just finished a long job…something you may have heard of, it was called 'SUCK-cession'...I remember thinking, ‘Why am I doing this? Why am I going for five weeks?’ I just wanted to be home with the kids, and just have time and wanted a reason to say no. So I re-read the script and just started laughing my ass off. I went to my wife and said, ‘Sorry, honey, I think we’re going to have to go to Poland and…work…’

Luckily, Culkin managed to fit in the film before he gets busy trying to add even more kids to his family's roster: he jokingly announced to his wife during his Emmy's acceptance speech that he wants more children. We're glad he did—we're going to keep a look out on the old 2024 movie schedule for when we'll be able to see Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg onscreen together in A Real Pain.

Batman V Superman’s Jesse Eisenberg Offers Blunt Advice For Nicholas Hoult Taking Over As Lex Luthor, And I See Where He’s Coming From

Adam Holmes — Sat, 20 Jan 2024 02:24:41 +0000

For a little under a decade now, numerous actors have been given the opportunity to play Lex Luthor in live-action including Jon Cryer on Supergirl, Titus Welliver on Titans and Michael Cudlitz on Superman & Lois. Arguably the most prominent of the bunch, though, is Jesse Eisenberg, who portrayed Superman’s arch-nemesis in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and both cuts of Justice League. Now Nicholas Hoult is getting ready to leave his stamp on Luthor for the DC Universe movie Superman: Legacy, and Eisenberg gave him some amusingly blunt advice that is understandable given where he’s coming from.

While being interviewed by Variety at the Sundance Film Festival about his new movies Sasquatch Sunset and A Real Pain (the latter of which he also directed), Eisenberg strongly urged Hoult not to watch his DCEU appearances while crafting his own Lex Luthor performance, saying:

Don’t watch me!… Whenever you play a role you feel connected to it. There’s no way around it. Any time you do anything, even if it’s a movie that’s a Hollywood kind of thing, you connect.

I can’t fault Jesse Eisenberg for saying this, as one certainly wouldn’t want Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor to come off as a carbon copy of the DCEU Luthor beyond the character’s core characteristics from the source material. So I do agree that it’d be wise for the Renfield and Mad Max: Fury Road actor to steer clear of Batman v Superman (and lesser so either Justice League cut since Eisenberg only cameoed in them) as he gets closer to filming Superman: Legacy, the first upcoming DC movie on the DC Universe Chapter One slate. The same could be said, though, about all the other live-action Lex Luthor performances, including Gene Hackman’s from the Christoper Reeve Superman movies and Michael Rosenbaum from Smallville.

In the first half of 2023, Nicholas Hoult was reportedly among the finalists to play Kal-El/Clark Kent in Superman: Legacy, but David Corenswet was ultimately selected to play the new Superman, succeeding Henry Cavill’s DCEU version of the Man of Steel. Then in November, it was reported that Hoult was selected to play Luthor in Legacy, and writer/director James Gunn confirmed the casting in December. Gunn has also assured fans that Hoult’s Luthor will be bald, but otherwise no specific details about this incarnation of the villain have been shared.

I’m definitely curious to see the major ways that Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor will stand out from Jesse Eisenberg’s, though naturally the one thing they’ll share in common besides the chrome dome is hatred for the Kryptonian superhero. Other important people in the Superman: Legacy cast include Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Sara Sampaio as Eve Tesmacher, the latter of whom we can almost certainly expect to share many scenes with Hoult’s Luthor.

Superman: Legacy opens in theaters on July 11, 2025. If you’d like to revisit Jesse Eisenberg’s time as Lex Luthor, or any number of Superman-related projects, in the meantime, those can be streamed with a Max subscription.

Jesse Eisenberg Is 'Desperate' To Make Now You See Me 3, And His Reasoning Is Surprisingly Deep

Riley Utley — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 21:08:50 +0000

What happens when you mix the heist of Ocean’s Eleven with the philosophy of Robin Hood and sprinkle some magic in? You get the super fun 2013 ensemble heist flick Now You See Me. Now, it’s been ten years since its release, and talk of Now You See Me 3 has started to swirl around again after being stalled in the development void for 7 years. With that in mind, the film’s star Jesse Eisenberg opened up about potentially playing J. Daniel Atlas again, and he gave a surprisingly deep reason as to why he’s “desperate” to return to the franchise.

While promoting his new film on the 2023 movie schedule, Manodrome, Eisenberg opened up about Now You See Me 3, and how excited he is. While speaking to Collider, the Oscar-nominated actor explained why he loves playing Daniel Atlas so much, he said:

That’s why I love love them so much, and I'm so desperate to do a third one. It's like the only time I could kind of lower my antidepressant dosage because I feel so at ease and comfortable with myself as a performer because the character is. So, in some ways, the way I would describe method acting would almost be in the reverse that the character is making you feel a certain something about yourself.

Like Eisenberg, Daniel Atlas is a performer, however, the Zombieland star explained that his character has a higher confidence level than him. He said personally he’s an “unconfident performer experiencing self-doubt.” However, when he plays the magician, it’s “the most method” he feels, and he walks around the set with an air of confidence like the magician. Speaking more about the catharsis he finds in making a Now You See Me movie, he said:

I discovered that I don't like actively pursuing what you would call ‘method acting,’ which is where you almost treat the circumstances as reality. I found that not a lot of actors do or some do it kind of performatively, but in a way that doesn't feel exactly real. For me, doing those movies, Now You See Me more than anything is like the furthest I go in terms of feeling like the character, because I am an actual performer as my job and the character is a performer.

Jesse Eisenberg is a master of his craft – I mean he was nominated for an Academy Award because of his performance in one of David Fincher’s best films, The Social Network. However, his anxiety about seeing himself on screen is understandable. Although, I’m extremely happy that while filming Now You See Me he’s able to take on some of the confidence of his character, and embrace the great performer he is.

When I watch the Now You See Me movies, I can feel how much fun that cast is having. Along with Eisenberg, the first film's cast features Woody Harrelson, Dave Franco, Isla Fisher, Morgan Freeman, Mark Ruffalo and Michael Caine. Everyone, except Fisher, returned for the second film. If the ensemble shares the same take the Social Network star does on making the films, I would hope they’d all return for a third time.

Now You See Me 3 has been in development for years, and according to Comicbook.com Lionsgate announced that production on the anticipated third film would “start in the spring.” Venom’s Ruben Fleischer is attached to direct, and it seems like, after years of waiting, the film is finally making moves. Over the years, many different writers have been attached to the project, including Neil Widener and Gavin James. Then in 2020, Eric Warren Singer was named as the new writer. So, the film has gone through some growing pains.

However, now it seems like things are really starting to get going, and Jesse Eisenberg is super excited about it, and for good reason!

While we wait for more updates about Now You See Me 3, you can stream the first two magical heist films with a Max subscription.

James Gunn Tries To Explain His Controversial Lex Luthor Take, But Was He Even Wrong?

Sean O'Connell — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:15:57 +0000

James Gunn understands that everything he says regarding DC Movies and his opinions on them, both past and present, lives under a microscope. Often, he’ll respond to fans (and critics) on social media elaborating on his points, or pushing back against a false narrative that tends to form. And one such bruhaha has arisen over Gunn’s feelings about Lex Luthor… timely because the writer-director is hard at work on a new Superman movie, due in theaters in 2025.

James Gunn was a guest on Michael Rosenbaum’s YouTube show Inside of You, and opened up about the possible interpretation of Superman’s chief nemesis, Lex Luthor. It makes sense because Rosenbaum played Lex Luthor on Smallville, and still gets praise from DC fans for his portrayal – even when he’s trolling other Luthors, like Jon Cryer. During the conversation, Rosenbaum requested that his old, dear friend Gunn portray a grounded version of Lex Luthor, knowing that some past actors have gone over the top in their takes.

And almost on cue, Zack Snyder’s fans translated this as a slam on Jesse Eisenberg, who took on the role of Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Because really, anytime anyone says anything about DC, it has to be related to the SnyderVerse, and whether you are paying proper homage to it. Gunn immediately Tweeted that he “wasn’t referring to Jesse” with his comments. But that wasn’t enough. So, the new HEAD OF DC had to go on Twitter and share the following:

In reading these replies, sometimes it seems like people are looking for things to get outraged about & have little sense of history. Although Donner’s Superman movies are some of my favorites, I’ve spoken out publicly before, & even written about it in EW back in the early…June 14, 2023

And do you know what? He’s absolutely correct. Gene Hackman is a living legend. He was masterful in more movies than I can count on both hands. But his Lex Luthor from the original Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve were, indeed, campy. Hackman took the assignment of playing a villain in a comic book movie and played to the back of the room, as people say. It was beautifully counterbalanced by Reeve’s in control and commanding Superman. This is a huge reason why his Superman movies rank high on our list of the all-time greatest Superman films.

But now James Gunn has the chance to give him own stamp on the character. And I’d expect it to be very different from what was done by Gene Jackman, or Jesse Eisenberg, or Kevin Spacey, or Jon Cryer, and ALL the actors who lent their voice to animation over the years. Lex can, and should, be translated in multiple ways, to fit the Man of Steel in a specific project. Just don’t jump to the conclusion that Gunn is talking about Zack Snyder. Because in this case, he was critiquing Hackman’s hammy performance. And in my opinion, he was correct.

We still have a long way to go before Superman: Legacy reaches theaters. Gunn hasn’t even found his CLark Kent yet, even though casting is rumored to be winding down. If we had to guess, I’d say an announcement at San Diego Comic-Con in July lines up. But until then, keep following CinemaBlend for the latest DC updates.

Fleishman Is In Trouble Cast: Where You've Seen The Actors From The FX/Hulu Series Before

Philip Sledge — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 14:04:44 +0000

The FX on Hulu brand has given audiences some incredible shows since FX+ was given a fresh coat of paint and new name in early 2020, with shows like Reservation Dogs, Under the Banner of Heaven, and The Bear being considered some of the best offerings on TV right now. The latest addition to the library, Fleishman Is in Trouble, has all the trappings of the brand’s next big hit, thanks to its story (based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s 2019 novel of the same name), style, and a tremendous collection of actors with all kinds of accolades.

If you have watched the first two episodes of the 2022 TV show, which premiered on November 17, 2022, or you are planning on catching up later on, there’s a good chance you are wondering where you’ve seen the members of the Fleishman Is in Trouble cast before. Well, you’ve come to the right place because we’re about to break it all down now…

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Jesse Eisenberg (Toby Fleishman)

Jesse Eisenberg leads the Fleishman Is in Trouble cast as Toby Fleishman, a recently-divorced 40-year-old doctor in Manhattan who is getting used to the app-based dating world and a single parent after his wife ups and leaves without notice.

Throughout his career, Eisenberg has played an intelligent and overly-ambitious billionaire in The Social Network and an over-the-top version of Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, respectively, while also playing more sincere characters in titles like The Squid and the Whale, Adventureland, and the Zombieland franchise. The new FX on Hulu miniseries is Eisenberg’s first major TV role since his days on Get Real more than 20 years ago.

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Claire Danes (Rachel Fleishman)

Multi-time Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy winner Claire Danes appears in the Fleishman Is in Trouble cast as Toby’s ex-wife Rachel, who, after years of marriage, decides she needs something new and different from life.

Danes is no stranger to the medium of TV, as she first rose to prominence on the quintessential ‘90s series My So-Called Life, and then later on with the decorated Showtime original series, Homeland. She has also appeared on Temple Grandin, Master of None, and The Essex Serpent over the years. Danes’ film credits include Baz Luhrman’s reimagining of Romeo + Juliet, The Hours, Shopgirl, and The Family Stone, to name only a few.

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Lizzy Caplan (Libby Epstein)

Taking on the role of Toby’s best friend Libby Epstein (who also provides the show’s narration) is Lizzy Caplan, who brings years of experience to the Fleishman Is in Trouble cast.

Just like the co-stars listed above, Caplan got her start in show business on TV, with a four-episode run on Freaks and Geeks, the short-lived dramedy series that helped launch the careers of some of today’s biggest stars. Over the years, Caplan has landed leading roles on Party Down, Masters of Sex, and Castle Rock, to name just a few. She’s next set to take on the role of Alex Forrest in the upcoming TV-adaptation of Fatal Attraction.

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Adam Brody (Seth Morris)

Adam Brody appears in the Fleishman Is in Trouble cast as Seth Morris, one of Toby’s best friends who helps guide him through the post-divorce life.

Brody, who came into prominence with his portrayal of Seth Cohen on the Fox teen drama series The O.C., following appearances on shows like Grounded for Life and The Sausage Factory, has continued to be a go-to name over the years. Movies like Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, Sleeping with Other People, Promising Young Woman, and Ready or Not have all featured the actor in some capacity. He is next set to reprise his role of the superhero version of Freddy Freeman in the upcoming Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

(Image credit: USA)

Christian Slater (Archer Sylvan)

Christian Slater appears on Fleishman Is in Trouble as Archer Sylvan, a character Deadline described as being a “Tom Wolfe-esque” figure who writes an article about the dissolution of marriage, reflecting the show’s central conflict.

Slater is mostly known for appearing in movies like Heathers, True Romance, Interview with the Vampire, and Stephen King’s Dolan’s Cadillac, but he has more than a few TV credits to his name that are worth mentioning. First, there’s his decorated performance on Mr. Robot that earned him a Golden Globe and multiple nominations, but he has also appeared on Dr. Death, The West Wing, Alias, and a few dozen other programs going back to the early 1980s.

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Josh Radnor (Adam Epstein)

Josh Radnor also joins the Fleishman is in Trouble cast as Libbey Epstein’s husband, Adam.

Whenever Radnor’s name (or face) comes up, it’s hard not to instantly think of Ted Mosby, the character he played for nine seasons on the CBS sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. After that, he landed a major role on Grey's Anatomy. Randor’s other TV credits include Rise, Hunters, Mercy Street, and Six Feet Under, to name a few. He has also popped up in movies like Liberal Arts, Social Animals, and Not Another Teen Movie.

(Image credit: Apple TV+)

Michael Gaston (Dr. Bartuck)

Taking on the role Dr. Bartuck, Toby’s overbearing boss, is Michael Gaston.

Throughout his career, Gaston has appeared on shows like Five Days at Memorial, Jack Ryan, For Life, The Leftovers, Mad Men, Jericho, The West Wing, and a few dozen others, including brief, one-off roles on shows like Law & Order and The Sopranos. His film work includes W., Inception, First Reformed, and Cop Land, to name just a few.

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Meara Mahoney-Gross (Hannah Fleishman)

Meara Mahoney-Gross appears on Fleishman Is in Trouble as Hannah, the daughter of Toby and Rachel who finds herself caught in the middle of her parents’ divorce and new lives.

Mahoney-Gross has only been acting for a few years, but she has already appeared in movies like The Tender Bar and Don’t Look Up.

(Image credit: FX/Hulu)

Maxim Swinton (Solly Fleishman)

Maxim Swinton shows up on Fleishman Is in Trouble as Solly, the young son of Toby and Rachel.

Over the course of the past few years, Swinton has made appearances on shows like Halston, NOS4A2, Blindspot, Bull, and The Blacklist: Redemption, to name a few.

The first two episodes of Fleishman Is in Trouble are currently available to stream if you have a Hulu subscription, and new episodes are set to premiere every Thursday through the end of the year.

Amid DC Shakeups, Would Jesse Eisenberg Play Lex Luthor Again?

Corey Chichizola — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 16:54:42 +0000

The DC Extended Universe is known for its twists, both on and off the screen. Warner Bros. recently made some bold swings when scrapping the Batgirl movie altogether, despite it already being filmed for a reported $70- 90 million budget. Amid these DC shakeups, would Jesse Eisenberg ever play Lex Luthor again on the big screen?

When the DCEU was still being formed, Zack Snyder cast Jesse Eisenberg to play Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He was the main antagonist of that big crossover film, before making a brief appearance in Justice League. According to Deadline, Eisenberg was asked about possibly putting the bald cap back on for another appearance while appearing at the 28th Sarajevo Film Festival. He responded honestly, saying:

I’d be shocked if I wound up in a DC movie, but it would be a pleasant shock. Listen, I’m not a comic book fan. To me, it was not playing a role that I’d envisioned since childhood. To me, it was a chance to play this great character that this great writer wrote, and I loved doing that. So, to play it is a joy, and to not play it isn’t something that I’m going to be ashamed to tell my kids about, because that is not an important genre in my life, even though I loved doing that movie.

Well, there you have it. It looks like while Jesse Eisenberg would be willing to play Lex Luthor again in the DC Extended Universe, he doesn’t think that’s going to be happening. It sounds like he hasn’t had much contact with the powers that be at DC since appearing in his Justice League cameo. After all, Zack Snyder’s planned sequels were scrapped after the theatrical cut’s poor box office and critical performance.

Jesse Eisenberg’s comments make a great deal of sense for those of us following Warner Bros.’ ever-changing strategy for the DCEU. His role as Lex Luthor was ultimately a vehicle for Zack Snyder’s five-film vision for the shared universe. So once that vision was no longer directing the shared universe, there hasn’t been a reason to bring back Eisenberg’s villain. Or even Henry Cavill’s Superman, for that matter. Although fans are still holding out hope for a Man of Steel sequel.

While Jesse Eisenberg doesn’t think that he’ll be playing Lex Luthor again on the big screen, would he still be willing to do another superhero movie? That very question was also asked of the Zombieland actor, who offered some good news to hardcore fans of the genre. Eisenberg said,

Yeah. Because as an actor, you do all kinds of different things, and sometimes great roles show up in really commercial things and sometimes terrible roles show up in independent films.

Touche. The size of a movie’s production is no way to judge its merit, and as such Jesse Eisenberg isn’t in the habit of ruling out entire genres of the film industry. Although this begs the question: what comic book character should he jump into in either the MCU or beyond? There’s a seemingly endless pool of choices.

Jesse Eisenberg has a number of exciting projects coming up, including a movie Manodrome and an upcoming miniseries Fleishman is in Trouble. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Finn Wolfhard And Julianne Moore Are Cringe-y And Captivating In Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving The World

Eric Eisenberg — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 21:11:18 +0000

During an era in which fan service pop culture has become a standard (for better and for worse), seeing a film that challenges audiences with un-likability is fascinating. It’s obviously risky storytelling, as simple missteps can derail an effort into “unwatchable” territory, but balanced properly it can be its own kind of captivating and provide a distinctive perspective which movies that overly try to please cannot. Jesse Eisenberg’s When You Finish Saving The World is a genuine example of the latter, and all the more impressive because it is the Oscar-nominated actor’s debut as a writer/director.

When You Finish Saving The World premiered last night as a curtain-raiser for the all-virtual 2022 Sundance Film Festival, and it’s an odd feature to take that position given how it naturally divisive it is. It’s a movie that requires an audience to be tuned into its wavelength – but what you discover if you’re tuned in is a snarky, smart comment on egotism in modern liberal ideology, and also an often bitter but sometimes sweet mother/son story.

Adapted from Jesse Eisenberg’s Audie Award-winning audio drama of the same name, the film is quick to leave a bad impression with its characters – Evelyn Katz (Julianne Moore) making her entrance by shushing a co-worker’s birthday party, and her son Ziggy (Finn Wolfhard) crooning songs of teenage woe and virtually panhandling in a popular livestream before raging at his mom for having the audacity to knock on his door. We learn that they are noble in their aspirations, but also spectacularly narcissistic in their actions.

Ziggy, who doesn’t go anywhere without at least some form of self-branded clothing, claims that he wants to be more political in his music, but he has no opinions or cognizance of what’s happening in the world, and is in actuality far more focused on impressing his activist crush, Lila (Alisha Boe). This unfortunately also comes paired with a powerful lack of self-awareness, singing songs about fearing graduation during a meeting of progressive students sharing art about global issues.

Evelyn, meanwhile, is the director of a domestic abuse shelter and has a degree in social work, but she is consumed with resentment directed toward her narcissistic progeny, and acts to fill that void in her life. When she meets Kyle (Billy Bryk), the caring, thoughtful teenage son of a woman (Eleonore Hendricks) who becomes a resident of the shelter, she perceives an opportunity, and begins trying to guide his life and future to fit her own ideals and standards – remaining ignorant of his actual passions.

Jesse Eisenberg makes an impressive directorial debut with his tale of mother-and-son narcissists.

For his directorial debut, Jesse Eisenberg makes some bold choices, and he succeeds with a deft approach to tone that allows When You Finish Saving The World to function as a biting and funny commentary with dramatic subject matter. Its sweet spot is cringe comedy, and it delivers spectacularly in both narratives, but it also never feels mean, as the writer/director does give the characters moments of genuineness that allows you to see their hearts beating under many layers of self-absorption.

Both Ziggy and Evelyn are roles that require layered performances, and Finn Wolfhard (fresh off of last year’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife) and Julianne Moore are phenomenal and deliver ironically ego-free turns. They’re both typically so charming and charismatic on screen that there is something almost throttling to see them in these parts, but ultimately it’s a tribute to the impressive quality of their work in the film. And not only are they excellent in their respective stories, but they have a sharp, claws-out dynamic when they share scenes, and it can be both shocking and hilarious.

There’s a lot of what Jesse Eisenberg does best as an actor in When You Finish Saving The World, and it’s exciting to see him so quickly establish a prominent voice in his work as a filmmaker (like many great actor-cum-directors before him). It’s a surprising and impressive start to a new road in his career, and he’s going to have great success if he can continue to deliver unique perspectives and evoke more performances like these.

A24 is already on board to distribute the film, adding it to its excellent catalogue of indie movies, and while no release date has been announced, hopefully that will change soon.

Zombieland Cast: What The Actors Are Doing Now, Including Emma Stone

Alexandra Ramos — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 20:04:00 +0000

When it comes to zombie films, there are few that often stray from the simple course of survivors just needing to survive, shooting zombies and somehow staying alive. While there have been a couple that have sort of reinvented the zombie franchise in the last couple of years, such as Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead, only one film series stands out to me among the rest, and that’s Zombieland, and its successor, Zombieland: Double Tap.

The wonderful combination of gore and hilarious jokes, plus the superb acting from the Zombieland and Zombieland: Double Tap cast made these films so much fun to watch, and became a wonderful addition to the world of zombie-comedy films, like Shaun of the Dead. But with casts as star-studded as some of these, where have they been seen before and what have they done, like Emma Stone? Are any of them going to be in the upcoming 2021 movies or 2022 movies? Luckily, we have that covered for you if you were a fan of these two great zombie films.

Woody Harrelson (Tallahassee)

Tallahassee is the kind of survivor we would all want as our partner in a zombie apocalypse, and was a great partner to Columbus in Zombieland and Zombieland: Double-Tap. Woody Harrelson portrayed the wise-cracking zombie killer and has been plenty busy since his zombie killing days.

From 2012 until 2016, Woody Harrelson portrayed Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games movies. Afterwards, he would go on to have starring roles in hit films such as the coming-of-age film, The Edge of Seventeen, the action film, War for the Planet of the Apes, the space-western, Solo: A Star Wars Story, the anti-hero film, Venom, the war film, Midway, and several others. He also starred in True Detective for its first season in 2014.

In the next couple of years, Harrelson will be appearing in several films, like Venom: Let There Be Carnage, where he will reprise his role. He will also be appearing in films currently in production, called Triangle of Sadness and The Man from Toronto.

Harrelson will also be in two upcoming TV series, one called The White House Plumbers and the other called The Most Dangerous Man in America. There’s truly no stopping this awesome actor.

Jesse Eisenberg (Columbus)

Columbus is a nerd - but he’s a surviving nerd and that’s all that matters in the rules of Zombieland and Zombieland: Double Tap. Jesse Eisenberg played Columbus in both films, and has been on a roll since his time in the zombie world.

Jesse Eisenberg went on to play Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, Blu in the Rio animated film series, and have a starring role in the heist series, Now You See Me, with a third film on the way. Eisenberg also portrayed the iconic DC villain, Lex Luthor, in both Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and in the two Justice Leagues that released afterwards. In 2021, Eisenberg also had a role in the thriller film, Wild Indian.

In the upcoming years, he will have a role in several films, one titled The Medusa, and another titled Manodrome, so keep an eye out for this talented star.

Emma Stone (Wichita)

Wichita in both Zombieland and Zombieland: Double Tap is the epitome of what a badass girl should look like and be in the zombie world, and is a character I will always love to root for. Emma Stone, in one of her earlier roles, portrayed Wichita perfectly, and since then, she’s gone on to have quite the career.

Stone won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the musical La La Land in 2016, certifying her amazing acting skills. Besides that, Stone has been in plenty of critically acclaimed and well-received films, such as the comedy film, Easy A, the historical film, The Help, playing Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man films, starring in the Academy-Award-nominated Birdman and The Favourite, played the titular character in the Disney live-action film Cruella, and so many more. She was also a star in the Netflix miniseries, Maniac, alongside Jonah Hill.

Coming up, she will be appearing in a new film titled Poor Things, and a TV series called The Curse. With how much she’s done in the last decade, I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Abigail Breslin (Little Rock)

As the last of the original cast to appear in both films, Little Rock was adorably badass in Zombieland, and managed to keep some of her original character in Zombieland: Double Tap. Abigail Breslin portrayed the younger sister to Wichita both times.

Breslin has been in many different genres of film since her time in the zombie world. She was in the animated film, Rango, the sci-fi movie, Ender’s Game, starred alongside Matt Damon in 2021’s Stillwater, and several others. One of her biggest roles thus far was playing Libby Putney in Ryan Murphy’s Scream Queens for two seasons.

Coming up, Abigail Breslin will be in a couple of films, Slayers and Saturday at the Starlight, so she’s sure to pop up in movies theaters soon.

Bill Murray (Himself)

While Bill Murray didn’t play an original character in Zombieland, his fictionalized version of himself will always make me hold my sides in laughter every time I watch. Bill Murray has been active in Hollywood for decades now, and that hasn't changed ay all, because he's filmed plenty of movies since Zombieland's release.

Since his appearance in Zombieland, Murray has been in several big films, such as Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Dumb and Dumber To, the Wes Anderson film, Isle of Dogs, the zombie film, The Dead Don’t Die, and many others. Coming up this year, he will be appearing in both the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife film, and have a role in the anticipated The French Dispatch, so it seems that 2021 is going to be Bill Murray’s year.

Rosario Dawson (Nevada)

As the first character who only appeared in Zombieland: Double Tap, Nevada was a great character to introduce to the sequel, and her Elvis-themed hotel was to die for. Rosario Dawson, who played Nevada in the film, has been acting in Hollywood for some time, and only continues to do so.

You might have seen her hits like the comedy, Zookeeper, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, The Water Man and more. She’s also continuously voiced Diana Prince, otherwise known as Wonder Woman, in several DC animated films and TV shows - including 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Dawson also had a major role in Netflix’s Defender’s universe, where she played Claire Temple in Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, and The Defenders series. She also had a recurring role in the cast of Jane the Virgin.

Recently, she took the playing the live-action version of Ahsoka Tano in Disney+’s The Mandalorian, and will continue to play the character in the upcoming spinoff, titled Ahsoka. She will also be in a couple new films, titled Clerks III and Speed of Light, as well as another new miniseries called DMZ.

Zoey Deutch (Madison)

I mean, I think all of us loved and hated Madison in Zombieland: Double Tap, but that doesn’t mean that Zoey Deutch wasn’t a great actress to pick for the role.

Deutch has appeared in several different movies, namely the fantasy film, Beautiful Creatures, the teen fantasy movie, Vampire Academy, the teen drama film, Before I Fall, the biographical film, The Disaster Artist, and more. Zoey Deutch also had a main role on the Netflix series, The Politician.

In the next couple of years, Deutch will be in a few new films, titled The Outfit, Not Okay, and Hound, so hopefully we will get to see more of this talented actress.

Luke Wilson (Albuquerque)

Albuquerque is basically Tallahassee except a bit younger and I am all here for it, because he brought some great comedy to Zombieland: Double Tap. Only a star like Luke Wilson could play someone like him perfectly, and it’s no surprise that he’s been busy in Hollywood just like the rest of his co-stars.

Wilson has appeared in plenty of hits during his time as an actor, including The Legally Blonde movies, the Netflix original film, The Ridiculous 6, The Goldfinch, another Netflix original film, All the Bright Places, 12 Mighty Orphans and more. Recently, Wilson has taken on a role in the Disney+ original series, Stargirl, and will continue that into its next season.

Wilson will also be in several new films, including Gasoline Alley alongside Bruce Willis, The Cleaner, and Plus/Minus. He will also be in an upcoming TV series titled New-Gen.

Avan Jogia (Berkeley)

Oh, Berkeley. You gotta love him and hate him at the same time. I mean, who has ever heard of a pacifist in a zombie apocalypse? But that’s who he was in Zombieland: Double Tap, played by the wonderful Avan Jogia, who has been around for some time.

Jogia has mainly kept his career towards TV during his time in Hollywood. He grew in fame when he had a main role on the Nickelodeon show, Victorious, as Beck, and continued to star in several other shows after it ended. Avan Jogia had the lead role in the teen drama mystery series, Twisted, the lead role in the miniseries, Tut, the lead role in the SyFy series, Ghost Wars, the lead role in comedy TV series, Now Apocalypse, and part of the main cast in The Stranger on Quibi.

In 2021, he is going to be playing legendary video game character Leon S. Kennedy in the upcoming adaptation, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, and have a role in a film titled Door Mouse. With a resume that packed with TV work, I hope that he takes that talent to film more and we get to see him on the big screen soon.

Thomas Middleditch (Flagstaff)

Flagstaff is a mirror of Columbus in Zombieland: Double Tap, and has plenty of commandments for survival just as Columbus does. Thomas Middleditch, who played Flagstaff, did a great job of mirroring those same traits of Columbus and creating some funny moments.

Middleditch has appeared in several films, such as the sports comedy, The Bronze, the comedy film, Tag, the monster film, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and had voice role in Disney+’s original film, Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe.

However, Middleditch has been also super active in TV as well. He had one of the main roles in popular comedy series, Silicon Valley, and went on to voice and write for Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero. Currently, he is voicing a main role in Solar Opposites, an adult animated sitcom made by the Rick and Morty creators, and has a role in the sitcom, B Positive on CBS.

These two roles will likely continue into the next couple of years, so if you’re a fan of this talented and funny actor, be sure to check out his latest TV series.

With how much these big stars have done, there’s no surprise that you’ve most likely seen them in some way or another throughout their years in the industry. Maybe if there’s a possible Zombieland 3 we might get to see them all together again, but if not, I’ll have to tune in to whey they’re all doing next.

Justice League’s Jesse Eisenberg Has Thoughts About The Snyder Cut Officially Happening

Corey Chichizola — Thu, 28 May 2020 00:31:12 +0000

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It's been a whirlwind week for DC fans, full of exciting updates. Because after years of fan campaigns and crowdfunding, the Snyder Cut of Justice League is finally going to be completed and released on HBO Max. What was once a pipe dream has become a reality, with Zack Snyder's massive scope and vision for the blockbuster finally coming to the light. And now Lex Luthor actor Jesse Eisenberg has broken his silence on the news.

Jesse Eisenberg wasn't a major part of Justice League, appearing briefly in the post-credits scene with Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke. While the latter actor indicated that the sequence will be expanded in the Snyder Cut, Eisenberg has largely been mum about it throughout the years. But now that the cat's out of the bag, Eisenberg spoke to the movie's upcoming re-release, saying:

I spoke to Zack a couple of weeks ago and he told me about it. Yeah [I'm excited], because I'm friends with Zack. I'm so happy for him that he gets to release something he's proud of.

It looks like the DCEU's Lex Luthor co-signs the Snyder Cut, mostly because of his relationship with director Zack Snyder. The two collaborated on Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, but Snyder unfortunately departed the Justice League's set following a family tragedy. And ultimately the movie went through extensive reshoots and editing, resulting an entirely different project altogether.

This disconnect is what galvanized fans to campaign for the Snyder Cut, allowing the filmmaker's original vision for the movie to be fully realized, and released to the masses. Especially considering how Justice League's theatrical cut failed to connect with moviegoers and had a disappointing box office performance.

Justice League is currently streaming on HBO Max, and The Snyder Cut is expected to arrive in 2021. You can use this link to sign up for the new streaming service.

Later in his conversation with Digital Spy, Jesse Eisenberg addressed the unprecedented nature of the Snyder Cut's upcoming release. After all, this is new ground for the entertainment industry, with the fans being directly responsible for change. As the Zombieland actor explained,

I mean, I can't think of any other precedent in history where there was something of this scope. Because it's not just about releasing the movie, but it required all of this... we call it post-production. So it's not just they're releasing scenes that are finished, they had to do a lot of post-production and it's such a big process. And yeah, I'm so happy for him. He's a great guy with a very, very specific vision and so, yes, I'm happy that he gets that. And he seemed really happy.

He's not wrong. HBO Max is shelling out a ton of money to complete Zack Snyder's vision for Justice League in post-production. The movie needs extensive editing and visual effects, and possibly some ADR from the actors as well. While the original report indicated that the budget was $20-30 million, the streaming service's boss believes it's going to be even more expensive.

The Snyder Cut will likely continue to dominate the news cycle until its eventual release, with Zack Snyder already revealing details about the movie like Darkseid's inclusion. He's clearly got a ton of tricks up his sleeve, transforming Justice League into another movie altogether.

CinemaBlend will keep you updated on all things Snyder Cut as more details become public. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Up next: Wait, Are Zack Snyder’s Justice League And The Fabled Snyder Cut Really The Same Thing?

The Social Network Commentary Track: 10 Years Later

Gabriel Kovacs — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:13:23 +0000

Welcome to ReelBlend's first ever commentary track! We put out a poll for you to help us decide where we would we start, and we ended up with a doozy, David Fincher's The Social Network.

Enjoy our thoughts on the film and filmmaking as it unfolds, hear some great stories from various interviews and experiences we've had with the cast, and more.

As this is our first time with a commentary track like this, we especially want to know your thoughts. How did we do? What did you like? What did you want more of? What did you want less of?

Be sure to subscribe to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube!

What The Social Network Cast Is Doing Now

Philip Sledge — Mon, 06 Apr 2020 14:00:00 +0000

This may come as a surprise, but The Social Network will be ten years old this year. It feels like just yesterday that everyone was obsessed with the biographical drama about the founding of Facebook and the people behind the creation of the world's largest social media network. With David Fincher behind the camera, Aaron Sorkin writing the biting dialogue, the score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and the insane cast, it's no surprise. Speaking of The Social Network cast, it's insane to look back on a movie the included Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Timberlake, Andrew Garfield, Brenda Song, and a who's who of young Hollywood talent.

Most, if not all of the film's young and talented cast-members have been quite busy over the past decade, and continue to entertain and enthrall audiences on the big screen, television sets, and stage productions around the world. And since The Social Network will be returning to Netflix in April 2020, now is the perfect time to look back on the cast and see what they're doing now.

Justin Timberlake (Sean Parker)

Justin Timberlake gave one of the best performances of his career with his portrayal of Napster co-founder Sean Parker in The Social Network. Introduced as an investor with a "billion-dollar" vision for the social media platform, Timberlake's dramatized version of the infamous billionaire quickly becomes the de facto antagonist of the film as he pushes Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin out of the picture and plants ideas in the head of Mark Zuckerberg.

Timberlake was in the middle of a four-year hiatus from the music industry when he appeared in David Fincher's 2010 masterpiece, but has since turned his focus back to his pop career and movies that give him a chance to show off his vocal talents. The former NSYNC member was supposed to have another box office success with the Trolls World Tour in April 2020, but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the sequel to the 2016 Trolls will be released digitally the same month it was supposed to debut in theaters.

Jesse Eisenberg (Mark Zuckerberg)

Jesse Eisenberg had already made a name for himself in comedies like Adventureland and Zombieland by the time he took on the role of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the Oscar-nominated drama. Though some critics and those who know the real-life Zuckerberg weren't the biggest fans of Eisenberg's portrayal of the young billionaire, the performance earned the actor an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

In the years following the release of The Social Network, Eisenberg has been quite busy with roles like Lex Luthor in Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice and Justice League, as well as the 2019 followup to Zombieland. Eisenberg's latest project is the biographical drama, Resistance, which is based on Marcel Marceau, an aspiring mime famous for fighting in the French Jewish Resistance during World War II.

Andrew Garfield (Eduardo Saverin)

Andrew Garfield plays Eduardo Saverin, one of the founders of the original version of Facebook, which is shown in great detail in the early goings of the film. Throughout the movie, Garfield's talents can be seen in a number of key scenes, most notably the confrontation with Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook's headquarters after Saverin is essentially forced out of the company thanks to the meddling of Sean Parker.

In the years following his portrayal of the Facebook co-founder, Garfield has gone on to take a number of interesting roles, including Peter Parker/Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man and its sequel The Amazing Spider-Man 2. Garfield has three film projects in the works, including the Gia Coppola picture Mainstream, Michel Showalter's The Eyes Of Tammy Faye, and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's Tick, Tick… Boom!, all of which don't currently have a release date.

Brenda Song (Christy Lee)

Brenda Song, who's most known for her appearances in multiple Disney Channel original shows, took on a different type of role when she was cast as the fictionalized character, Christy Lee, in the retelling of Facebook's formative years. Portraying the love interest of Eduardo Saverin, Lee is credited in the movie with the phrase "Facebook me" as the platform begins to gain in popularity.

Following her appearance in The Social Network, Song went on to star in a number of movies and television series like Scandal, New Girl, and Dads, before signing on to join the cast of the Hulu original series Dollface with Kat Dennings. The comedy series was recently picked up for a second season.

Armie Hammer (Cameron And Tyler Winklevoss)

Armie Hammer was a relatively unknown actor when he was cast to portray Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (with the help of Josh Pence as a body stand-in for Tyler) in The Social Network. Like in the movie, the Winklevoss twins sued Mark Zuckerberg for stealing their ConnectU idea, and settled for $65 million in 2008.

Since playing the identical twins, the great-grandson of oil tycoon Armand Hammer has gone on to star in major studio releases like The Lone Ranger and offbeat dark comedies like Sorry To Bother You. Hammer is currently slated to appear in Kenneth Branagh's Agatha Christie adaptation Death On The Nile, as well as the Nicholas Jarecki thriller Dreamland, Bean Wheatley romance Rebecca, and even a Taika Waititi picture Next Goal Wins.

Dakota Johnson (Amelia Ritter)

It's easy to forget that Dakota Johnson was briefly featured in The Social Network as Amelia Ritter, a Stanford student who sleeps with Sean Parker when his character is first introduced. Though it's a small role, the scene helped introduce the billionaire to Facebook. The rest is history.

Following her minor role in the movie, Dakota Johnson went on to achieve superstardom in the Fifty Shades Of Grey franchise. In addition to playing Anastasia Steele, Johnson has also popped up in films like the 2018 remake of Dario Argento's horror classic Suspiria and the surprisingly engaging Bad Times At The El Royale. The daughter of Melanie Griffinh and Don Johnson is next slated to appear in Nisha Ganatra's dramatic comedy The High Note.

Rooney Mara (Erica Albright)

It only took one scene to turn Rooney Mara into a relatively unknown actress to a star in the making after breaking Jesse Eisenberg's heart and ego in the opening shot of The Social Network. Mara's character, Erica Albright, fed up with Mark Zuckerberg's obsession with "final clubs" and wanting so desperately to be liked by his peers, breaks things off with her one-time boyfriend and helps usher in the Facebook we all know today.

Mara went on to work with director David Fincher again in the 2011 remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and since then has shared the screen with everyone from Jude Law in Side Effects to Cate Blanchett in Carol, who she will be appearing alongside again in Guillermo del Toro's Nightmare Alley, which does not yet have a release date.

Rashida Jones (Marylin Delpy)

Rashida Jones pops up several times throughout the Facebook drama as Marylin Delpy, a junior member of Zuckerberg's legal team during the Saverin lawsuit. Delpy comes off as the only character in the movie who sees past the persona of Mark Zuckerberg and sees him as a lonely and severely shattered founder of major platform.

Jones was already a star by the time she was cast as the young lawyer thanks to her role as Karen Filippelli on the hit comedy series The Office. The daughter of music icon Quincy Jones would go on to appear in dozens of movies and television shows over the next 10 years, including Parks And Recreation. She is also slated to appear in the upcoming Sofia Coppola drama On The Rocks and the new Netflix series #blackAF, which she also executive produced.

Max Minghella (Divya Narendra)

Featured mostly alongside the Winklevoss twins for much of his time in the movie, Max Minghella's portrayal of American businessman and ConnectU founder Divya Narendra is one of the main sources of conflict for Zuckerberg through the 2010 drama.

Minghella would go on to appear in films such as The Ides Of March, The Internship, and Teen Spirit following his performance as Narendra. He is currently a member of the main cast of the Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale, where he plays Nick Blaine.

Joseph Mazzello (Dustin Moskovitz)

Joseph Mazzello has a way of showing up in movies that are cultural milestones before seemingly disappearing off the face of the earth until his next big role. He did this with Jurassic Park in 1993 and then again in 2010 with his role as Dustin Moskovitz in The Social Network. Moskovitz is one of the founders of Facebook and can be seen throughout the early happenings of the movie helping Zuckerberg get the site off the ground.

Since showing up in David Fincher's 2010 biographical drama, Mazzello has gone on to make appearances in television series like Justified and Person Of Interest, as well as film roles like his portrayal of Queen bassist John Deacon in the 2018 Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody.

Well, that's what the main cast of The Social Network has been up to in the years since the Oscar-winning film's initial release. If they ever make a followup to the David Fincher drama, let's hope they bring back some of this stellar cast.

As Snyder Cut Campaign Continues Jesse Eisenberg Reveals Why He'd Like To Play Lex Luthor Again

Corey Chichizola — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 14:21:29 +0000

The DC live-action universe has had an interesting tenure in theaters, full of peaks and valleys. While the Warner Bros. seems to have found its footing in the past few years, the disappointment of Justice League can still be felt. As some fans continue campaigning for the Snyder Cut, new information about Zack Snyder's original vision for the blockbuster have been slowly revealed. Justice League also set up the return of Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor, the DCEU pivoted following the movie's poor reception. And the Zombieland actor still seems interesting in playing that role again.

Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor made his debut as the main antagonist of Zack Snyder's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. He had a unique take on the beloved comic book character, with more youthful and manic energy. Justice League saw him pop up briefly, introducing Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke in the process. There hasn't been any indication as to when that duo will return to the big screen, although Eisenberg recently commented on the possibility, saying:

Oh yeah, I would love to, because it’s such a cool character. To play a villain in a superhero movie is the fun part. The good guys are fine, but the villains is the fun part because they get to be a little bit more flamboyant. Of course, the hero gets to, you know, survive. But the villain has all the funny lines. I don’t know about the first part, but the second part is something that I could definitely be involved in, sure.

Well, that seems pretty cut and dry. Jesse Eisenberg is ready to hop back into a bald cap and suit as Lex Luthor, and once again get be the bad guy, balancing evil and funny one liners. Because playing the villain is just the best. Now the question is, when could he finally return to theaters as the Superman foe?

Jesse Eisenberg's comments come to us from YouTube, with an interview he did with the channel Inthepanda. The actor's interest in returning to the DCEU is sure to excite the many fans out there who wanted to see the seeds planets in Justice League bloom into something bigger. But following the movie's disappointing performance, a variety of spinoff and sequel plans were put on hold. Still Eisenberg clearly enjoyed playing Lex Luthor, because it's fun to be a bad guy, and get to balance humor and villainy.

Up next: Jesse Eisenberg Still Doesn't Know If He'll Get To Play Lex Luthor In Another DC Film

After going bald and being arrested in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Jesse Eisenberg's version of Lex Luthor had a brief scene following Justice League's credits. The sequence set up Justice League's sequel, with Lex claiming villains needed a league of their own. But once the Joss Whedon cut of the movie failed to impress moviegoers and Zack Snyder departed the DCECU those plans came to a screeching halt.

Since Jesse Eisenberg is still interested, perhaps he'll end up appearing in a Man of Steel sequel... if it ever happens. Henry Cavill has also expressed his interest in returning as Superman, so it seems like a perfect match. We'll just have to see if that blockbuster ever comes to fruition, and which characters might be utilized.

The next installment in the DCEU is Wonder Woman 1984 on June 25th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Jesse Eisenberg Shot More Justice League Scenes That Could Make It Into The Snyder Cut

Dirk Libbey — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:22:06 +0000

While it's been two years since the release of Justice League, the desire to see the true vision of director Zack Snyder in the form of his edit of Justice League has not died down. Snyder himself has teased us with a lot of images and ideas regarding what that movie might have been, but Jesse Eisenberg, who played Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and appeared briefly in Justice League, says he'd be interested in seeing the Snyder Cut, because it would mean seeing more of his own performance.

It seems that Jesse Eisenberg was only recently made aware that the #ReleasetheSnyderCut Movement was even a thing, and but as far as the idea of allowing people to see the vision that Zack Snyder had for the movie, he agrees that opportunity would be cool. He's also in favor of releasing the Snyder Cut because he says it would likely include additional footage of his performance. Eisnberg says...

Oh, is that the feeling behind it? Okay, well, I guess that would be a cool thing to see, right? I might be in another scene of it, so sure, yeah. Because I did some scenes that I think are not in the movie, but I haven't seen the movie.

One shouldn't read anything into the fact that Jesse Eisenberg admits he hasn't actually ever seen Justice League. He tells Yahoo that he never watches any of his own movies. He's far from the only actor who reacts that way to their own performances.

Jesse Eisenberg appears in a post-credits scene in Justice League that appears designed to set up a future battle between the heroes and a Luthor-led Legion of Doom. It follows from a scene where we learn that Luthor has escaped from his confinement that he found himself in at the end of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.

At this point, seeing more Lex Luthor in a hypothetical Snyder Cut seems to be about the only way we're going to see more of Jesse Eisenberg's character at all. While the actor has made it clear he'd love to play Lex Luthor again, even he has resigned himself to the fact that seems quite unlikely at this point.

The Release the Snyder Cut movement reached a fever pitch this week when WarnerMedia did its grand unveiling of the upcoming HBO Max streaming service. There was a hope from many that the service might announce the alternate cut of Justice League as part of the service, but the event went by without much mention of DC Comics properties at all, at least on the movie side of things.

The fans who want to see that version of the film don't look like they're ready to give up yet, so this almost certainly won't be the last we hear of it. What's unclear is if anybody at Warner Bros. is even listening.

Surprise, Jesse Eisenberg Hasn’t Heard Of The Snyder Cut

Sean O'Connell — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 17:14:55 +0000

The debate rages on -- online, at least -- about the existence of the mythical Snyder Cut. That would be the longer, reportedly better version of the DCEU's Justice League that was constructed by Zack Snyder, the original filmmaker who eventually stepped away from the movie and was replaced by Joss Whedon. While Snyder fans lobby for the eventual release of this cut of Justice League, others learn about it in interviews. Like Jesse Eisenberg... who's actually IN the movie. Watch him learn about The Snyder Cut in this interview with Barstool's Lights, Camera, Pod:

So Jesse Eisenberg, who plays (played?) Lex Luthor is both Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, claims that he has no idea whether there is a Snyder Cut of the latter movie. And in his defense, Eisenberg makes it clear that he doesn't watch any of his movies after he is in them. He's been on record for basically all of his career as stating that he doesn't enjoy watching himself, so once he's done with a project, he moves on to the next one.

But while Jesse Eisenberg is unaware of a Snyder Cut of Justice League, he says enough in this interview to continue giving hope to dedicated Snyder fans who want to see the longer version of their broken movie. Eisenberg admits:

I think I was in some other scenes, too, but I guess they're not in the movie. So they turned it into a ... after the credits. But no, I wasn't around for the process. I know some of the stuff they were doing was amazing. Also, I'm friends with the writer, Chris Terrio, so I read his original draft and yeah, there's stuff that probably is not in the movie, obviously. Because I haven't seen the movie, that was there, I'm sure.

The hosts are asking Jesse Eisenberg to think back, on the spot, to a movie he filmed years ago. And when it comes to Justice League, he did only show up in this one scene, which was used for a post-credits stinger to set up a movie we'll now never get:

It's equally entertaining to see Jesse Eisenberg go on to learn about "Mustache Gate," the CGI Band Aid applied to Henry Cavill's Man of Steel after he was told he could not shave his Mission: Impossible facial hair as he came back for reshoots on Justice League. Eisenberg tries to be diplomatic when looking at the work done on Cavill's face in the finished theatrical version of Justice League. He knows how hard it is to make these movies, having helped carry large chunks of BvS. But he also can't find anything positive to say of the CGI work. I mean, who could?

So, Jesse Eisenberg's comments can neither confirm nor deny the existence of the Snyder Cut of Justice League, so the debate rages on. Many who lobby for the release of the Cut stormed social media during the announcement of the new streaming service HBO Max, assuming that would be an ideal location for the cut to live. I, personally, agree with that statement, though no official confirmation was given at this time. The battle to release the Snyder Cut of Justice League wages on.

Zombieland: Double Tap Review: How To Pull Off A 10 Year Reunion During The Apocalypse

Eric Eisenberg — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:00:17 +0000

Looking back, it’s easy to see why Ruben Fleischer’s Zombieland was such a big hit. It’s not an overly complex setup from a plot perspective, delivering a road trip through the zombie apocalypse, and the movie features a truly wonderful group of characters to follow, played by an ensemble of four incredibly talented actors: Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. The material is bolstered by the impressive wit and cleverness of screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, and what culminates from those ingredients is a really funny, fun adventure that pulls off some real surprises, and even a few scares.

All this in mind, the big question that has surrounded Ruben Fleischer’s Zombieland: Double Tap in recent months has been whether or not the magic could be recreated. The production was given all of the same ingredients, with not only Fleischer returning, but also Reese and Wernick and the entire core cast, but that alone did not guarantee that the film would come together successfully like its predecessor.

That’s a lot of pressure for a sequel, especially one being released 10 years later, but it’s a high bar that the movie is able to reach. It turns out that it’s really just immensely enjoyable to hang out with these characters at the end of the world, and with the story throwing a handful of excellent new elements at our heroes – both human and zombie alike – once again audiences get an entertaining, laugh-out-loud ride.

Following reality’s timeline, Zombieland: Double Tap picks up with its main characters 10 years after the rise of the flesh-eating undead, and they have basically settled into a routine. They’ve taken up residence at the White House, and their group dynamics haven’t much changed. The timorous, “rules”-obsessed Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has maintained a romantic relationship with Wichita (Emma Stone), though he is ready to commit, while she still remains terrified at the prospect of getting too close to anyone. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), meanwhile, is still the same brash, catch phrase-spouting redneck, though he has also taken Little Rock (Abigail Breslin) under his wing like a daughter – something that the young woman bridles against as she is reaching leave-the-nest age.

With tensions rising in the group, the two sisters pull off a familiar move and split in the middle of the night… but things don’t go exactly as planned. A few days after leaving, Wichita returns to the White House with news that Little Rock left her in the lurch as well, sneaking away with an acoustic guitar-playing pacifist named Berkeley (Avan Jogia).

The trio once again hits the road so that they can try and find Little Rock – but this time they are joined by a fresh face in Madison (Zoey Deutch), an energetic ditz who has survived the rise of zombies by living in a freezer at the mall.

The greatest strength that Zombieland: Double Tap possesses is the fact that the character voices feel impressively familiar, lending the movie a feeling of reuniting with old friends. A lot has changed for the core cast in the last 10 years, with the group together earning six Academy Award nominations and one victory, plus Abigail Breslin becoming an actual adult, but their return to these particular personalities and energies feels effortless. They’ve matured and have a level of comfortability together to the extent that it doesn’t all feel like material we’ve seen before, but these are also definitely still the individuals we fell for back in 2009.

Further helping balance the scales in that particular arena is the excellent injection of new that Zombieland: Double Tap gets from its fresh faces. While you might think that a “dumb blonde” character in 2019 might be too much of a trope to work, you’re actually dead wrong, as Zoey Deutch is an impressive scene-stealer who generates some of the biggest laughs of the movie, both with fantastic comedic timing, and some great physicality.

And while their roles aren’t quite as big, similar sentiments can be shared about the roles played by Rosario Dawson, Luke Wilson, and Thomas Middleditch. Set up as a foil for Tallahassee, Dawson’s Nevada is a wonderful, Elvis-loving, tough-as-nails ass-kicker, while Wilson and Middleditch make for an excellent mirror duo for Eisenberg and Harrelson – the differences between them being that Middleditch’s Flagstaff has survived Zombieland with a set of commandments instead of rules; and Wilson’s Albuquerque isn’t totally emotionally stunted and able to compliment his partner when he does a good job.

The sequel is even able to get a bit novel with its worldbuilding, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to check back in with a zombie apocalypse 10 years after it started. Not only is there the interesting idea explored that none of the events from the last decade in our own timeline played out in the fictional universe, but there is even a smart advancement in the way in which the characters deal with the monstrous cannibals that have taken over the Earth. After years of slaying, they’ve discovered that the population of the walking dead basically breaks down into two categories: the dimwitted “Homers,” and the surprisingly-clever “Hawkings.”

Not only does this have a cool effect on the way Zombieland: Double Tap approaches its attack scenes, with the characters creating strategies based on the demographics of the hordes they are facing, but it also provides a smart opportunity for raised stakes. The heroes have gotten so comfortable killing the two kinds of undead that they are almost bored, but then they get wind of a new kind of evolved zombie (“T-800s,” named after The Terminator) that are stronger and faster than anything Columbus, Wichita, Tallahassee, and Little Rock have ever seen.

The film isn’t exactly a game-changer, as while it doesn’t fall into the devastating sequel trap of repeating all the same gags from the original, it does have a very familiar structure. But this isn’t a movie that needed to break the mold to succeed. Zombieland: Double Tap is a solid addition to the big screen zom-com legacy, and a funny, freaky 10 year reunion.

Jesse Eisenberg Suspects He Won't Play Lex Luthor Again

Adam Holmes — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 23:43:52 +0000

While Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was met with polarizing reactions, given that the character returned for a cameo appearance at the end of Justice League, it was expected that he’d continue playing an important role in the DC Extended Universe. However, the direction of this franchise has changed significantly since the release of Justice League, and a recent comment from Eisenberg indicates he doesn’t expect that he’ll be asked to reprise Luthor.

Jesse Eisenberg has been making the press rounds for his latest movie, Zombieland: Double Tap, which includes doing some interviews alongside his co-star Woody Harrelson. In one interview, when both actors were asked if they knew when they’d be playing their respective comic book characters next, after Harrelson responded with a blunt “Yes” regarding when we’ll see him as Carnage (cough Venom 2 cough), Eisenberg interrupted him to say the following:

Different venues. I will say, quite confidently, different venues. His will be, like, kind of a movie that people go to and mine will be in my living room that people occasionally go to but mostly one at a time.

Obviously Jesse Eisenberg was joking around in that particular instance while speaking with ComicBookMovie, but nevertheless, it seems like he’s operating with the mindset that his time as Lex Luthor is over. Last year, only five months after Justice League came out, the actor said that although he enjoyed playing Luthor, he wasn’t sure about if he’d be back. As things stand now, it’s unlikely.

Lex Luthor served as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’s main antagonist, determined to cause the Man of Steel’s downfall just like his comic book counterpart has been for so many years. He orchestrated the events that led to the two title heroes clashing and unleashed Doomsday on the world when his initial plan failed. Luthor was thrown into prison at the end of the movie, and in the Ultimate Edition, Batman told the now-bald evildoer that he was being moved to Arkham Asylum.

When Justice League came around, Lex Luthor was absent from the main story, but during the post-credits scene, it was shown he’d escaped from Arkham and met with Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke, about gathering together other like-minded individuals to form a different kind of league. That was obviously foreshadowing the emergence of a group like the Injustice League, the Secret Society or the Legion of Doom, and Luthor is a logical candidate for leading such a group.

Alas, given that Justice League underperformed critically and commercially, plans to make a sequel were put on ice, and the wider DCEU has de-prioritized interconnectivity in favor of standalone features. So the chances of seeing Lex Luthor leading his own super villain team have dwindled significantly, and since it also doesn’t look like Man of Steel 2 will happen, I don’t blame Jesse Eisenberg for thinking his tenure as Lex Luthor is over.

It’s possible that could change down the line, but for now, Jesse Eisenberg doesn’t seem too bothered. He had his time in the world of superhero movies, and it’s not like he’s lacking for work. In addition to Zombieland: Double Tap, Eisenberg has also appeared this year in The Art of Self-Defense and Vivarium, and he’s set to star in the Marcel Marceau biopic Resistance.

Rest assured, we’ll let you know if there’s any news about Jesse Eisenberg returning to play Lex Luthor. For now, keep track of what DC movies are on the way with our handy guide, and be on the lookout for Jon Cryer’s version of Lex Luthor on the small screen in the Crisis on Infinite Earths event later this year.

Does Jesse Eisenberg Still Think Justice League 2 Is Happening?

Dirk Libbey — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 15:12:30 +0000

DC has numerous film projects in various stages of development. The comic book film franchise isn't going anywhere. Having said that, there's still a lot of confusion regarding exactly what the future is for the thing that came to be known as the DC Extended Universe.

Originally, the understanding was the plan for Justice League was to be two movies, and while we eventually got a single film, IMDB still lists Justice League Part Two as a forthcoming project. It seems that even Jesse Eisenberg was under the impression that movie was happening, until MTV's Josh Horowitz broke the news to him that such a movie doesn't seem likely.

It sounds like this will be part of an upcoming podcast, but this makes it sound like Jesse Eisenberg was expecting to be making a second Justice League movie down the road until he was told that likely wouldn't happen. This seeming would confirm that there are no actual plans to make such a movie that Eisenberg is attached to, otherwise it would be the actor informing his interviewer of the real situation.

Of course, to some degree there is more than one sequel to Justice League being discussed here. Justice League Part Two, as we understood it several years ago, was going to continue the story of Justice League, because that story originally was not going to end in a definitive way as it eventually did. When the decision to make Justice League a single film happened, Part Two went away.

Instead we got a post credits scene at the end of Justice League that teased the creation of the Legion of Doom and seemingly setup a place for the DCEU to go for an eventual Justice League sequel that told its own standalone story. Jesse Eisenberg was clearly going to have a major role in this film, as he was one of the players in that post-credits scene.

Of course, as of now, the future of the Justice League is completely in limbo. Henry Cavill's future as Superman is muddy at best. Batman has been recast with a younger actor. Wonder Woman and Aquaman are set for sequels to the previously successful solo films. A Flash solo movie has had repeated trouble getting out of the blocks and a reported Cyborg movie is even more in doubt. Everything seems focused on solo features right now.

With so much about these characters in question, setting up storylines for each of them that will come together in a future Justice League movie seems impossible. While DC has announced several different film projects that are in development, a future Justice League film is not one of them.

It's clear that Warner Bros. and DC have made a concerted effort to move away from the continuity driven connected universe idea and focus on individual stories. Movies like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and Shazam! have technically taken place within the same universe, but none of the films need to be in the same universe, they would have been the same movies even if they'd been entirely disconnected.

At the same time, it's always possible that the stars could align and we might get another Justice League down the road, of course, if we do it might end up looking a lot different than the first one by the time we get there.

The Art Of Self-Defense Review

Eric Eisenberg — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:18:20 +0000

It may be a tired metaphor, but there is a legitimate adjective-heavy comparison to be made between comedy and coffee, in that we all have our individual tastes and ideal preparations. Some prefer things light and sweet; while others are more into the black and bitter (see what I mean about adjectives?). Where any single person rests in this spectrum will determine their level of appreciation for any single serving – particularly if one’s tastes are well-defined.

This in mind, if you’re the kind of person who gets an extra special spring in your step courtesy of a mug of Italian Roast minus the milk or sugar, you need to run and see Riley Stearns’ The Art Of Self-Defense.

The film is the second feature from the writer/director after 2014’s smart, gripping, and claustrophobic Faults – and while this is a notably different beast, particularly in tone and scale, in that way it serves to further show the breadth of his talent. It’s a movie that wears its influences on its sleeve, with splashes of Yorgos Lanthimos and Jody Hill in the mix, but it brings them together in such a way to evolve as its own thing. Those with properly tuned sensibilities will not only get on its wavelength quickly, but will find themselves hungry for breath between laughing fits.

The Art Of Self-Defense starts with a modestly familiar high-concept premise – a young man, in this case named Casey (Jesse Eisenberg), gets violently assaulted while out running an errand one night, and in his recovery turns to karate to regain his confidence – but Riley Stearns morphs it into its own weird and wonderful narrative that is as prescient and clever as it is hilarious. Everything may look familiar, but this is a story that proudly lives in its own world. It takes on zeitgeist themes like toxic masculinity and the representation of strength in society, but it does so with its own rules that define emotional communication and sometimes even physics, often with guffaw-inducing results.

Similar to Yorgos Lanthimos (particularly in the vein of Dogtooth and The Lobster), there is a brilliant minimalist aesthetic that extends to not the physical style of the movie, but also to the way that relationships exist between characters. This is world where beige dominates, and conversations are frank and direct. It’s because of this approach that when it needs to pop and surprise, it pops and surprises incredibly well. In some ways it’s more subtle – such as the way that the vividly colored karate belts stand out against the white and brown palette as a reflection of their importance to Casey – but sometimes it’s more extreme – such as stoic conversation quickly making way for bone-splintering violence.

There is definitely an intensity factor, as The Art Of Self-Defense has some real in-the-moment shocks, but it’s when blended with smart timing and contrasts that it finds the funny, and the unique big picture tone emerges from there.

In case it’s not clear, that big picture tone is “pitch-black comedy,” and it’s the general depiction of humanity and expressed philosophy that the film invites comparison to movies like Jody Hill’s The Foot Fist Way and Observe And Report. The fact that everything is humorously heightened makes it a comedy, but there is also an acknowledgement that existence is harsh and terrible, and sometimes all you can do is laugh in the face of both true-life horror and existential dread.

It’s not a straight story about heroes and villains, because everyone is simply human and fighting for their place in this dark and insane life – be it Eisenberg’s Casey, an impish accountant who grows obsessed with life in the world of karate; Imogen Poots' karate teacher Anna, whose experiences with sexism in the dojo have served to make her resolve iron-clad; or Alessandro Nivola's demagogue-esque Sensei, who goes to extreme lengths to stifle weakness in his students. What ultimately makes people different is the code by which they live and how they personally define right and wrong. Dramatically what you’re left with is deeply flawed characters executing their particular vision of justice, and in the context of The Art Of Self-Defense it’s immensely entertaining.

It’s a movie where the performances are vital, as the actors have to sell a particular naturalism in Riley Stearns’ alternate reality, and it’s really the aforementioned three that perfectly actualize the material. Jesse Eisenberg is definitely in his wheelhouse playing the introverted Casey, but the script also allows him to come out of his shell a bit more than normal with some startling and enjoyable results. Imogen Poots is surprisingly scary as April, as the character’s passion for karate has led to her building a three-foot-thick emotional wall around herself, but there’s a lot of humor to be wrung out of that ultra-serious personality.

Alessandro Nivola, meanwhile, is the secret weapon, as Sensei is practically a cartoon in his overt representation of masculine tropes, but he spins it all with the essence of a charismatic cult leader that both grounds him and makes him more dangerous. You’re wary of him because of the ideals he represents and strives for, but simultaneously understand why Casey is enthralled by him.

Yorgos Lanthimos-meets-Jody Hill is one way to look at it. Another is Fight Club via Wes Anderson. There are a lot of comparisons to make, but nothing completely fits, as The Art Of Self-Defense is delightfully and hilariously its own thing. It’s a sharp and cutting funny movie that particularly delivers in an age of mostly toothless studio comedies, and one of the best films of the year so far.

One Of The Dogs In Jesse Eisenberg's New Movie Wanted To Kill Him

Eric Eisenberg — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 00:18:54 +0000

In recent months here on CinemaBlend we have been tickled by some cute animal-centric tales from the sets of movies like Captain Marvel and Pet Sematary – but today we have a different kind of story for you in that realm. Specifically, this one comes from the making of the new dark comedy The Art Of Self-Defense, and features an on-set dog that was apparently very eager to straight-up murder star Jesse Eisenberg.

With the movie set for release in just a couple weeks, I had the opportunity to hop on the phone with writer/director Riley Stearns this morning to talk about his work – and it was towards the end of the interview that I steered our conversation towards the animal wrangling that was done on set. He started by telling me that it was an incredible experience, with zero complaints about dachshund that is prominently featured, but as he continued he revealed why working with the German Shepherd in the film was a bit more… complicated

Detailing the exact role played by the larger dog in The Art Of Self-Defense would be giving away too much spoiler-wise at this point, but it can be said that it and Jesse Eisenberg’s character, Casey, have an intense stare down when they first meet in the story. Initially, however, the plan was for the interaction to be much more aggressive from the canine’s perspective, and things evidently got super realistic during filming.

As Riley Stearns explained, the production didn’t have access to dogs with any previous feature experience, and the one they ended up hiring had what could be kindly referred to as “energy to spare.” Said the filmmaker,

We were in rural Kentucky so we didn't have access to trained film dogs - movie dogs. So we had a dog that was a former police dog named Roman, and Roman is a cold-blooded murderer. We had him on set, and Jesse was scared for his life. The police officer had him on a leash - not Jesse, the dog - and the dog wanted to kill Jesse, and Jesse, to his credit, was there and did everything we needed.

The good news is that the Art Of Self-Defense scene called for Eisenberg to look completely terrified, and that’s exactly what comes across.

But, as noted, what the actor is reacting to in the film is much different than what he was actually reacting to during production. Continuing his story, Riley Stearns noted that the movie definitely got all of the chomping and snarling footage it needed to execute the scene as it was planned in the script, but during post-production he discovered that he needed to go a different way with it:

In the edit I realized that I needed to use all the moments where the dog wasn't barking, so that was one of those things – like a live-and-learn experience. But it was totally my mistake, and it's funny now in retrospect. We have bloopers with Jesse fearing that he's never going to see his child again. But what it worked out to in the movie is just this really nice looking German Shepherd who is a little vicious when he needs to be, but for the most part is just a sweetheart - and nobody will ever know that he wanted to kill Jesse.

Of course now the funny behind-the-scenes story has been exposed.

The second film from Riley Stearns, The Art Of Self-Defense centers on a timid accountant (Jesse Eisenberg) who becomes the victim of a savage attack while out one night running an errand. Feeling completely powerless as a result, he searches for a way to rid himself of his fear, and in doing so discovers a hobby that ultimately becomes an obsession: karate. He quickly becomes a favorite of the sensei at the local dojo (Alessandro Nivola), but slowly begins to discover that there is more to the community than classes than learning about punching, kicking, and blocking.

The movie – which is one of the best of 2019 so far – had its premiere earlier this year at the SXSW Film Festival, and will be getting released by Bleecker Street on July 12th. Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more about The Art Of Self-Defense in the run-up to its release, including more from my interview with Riley Stearns.

Jesse Eisenberg Says Zombieland: Double Tap Went Through A Bunch Of Scripts

Corey Chichizola — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 16:16:24 +0000

Zombies have captivated audiences for decades, starting with 1968's Night of the Living Dead. Nowadays they're perhaps most associated with popular TV empires The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones, Ruben Fleischer's horror/comedy Zombieland actually pre-dated both shows. The Venom director brought levity to the zombie apocalypse, with Zombieland quickly becoming a cult favorite.

Fans have been calling for a Zombieland sequel for years, and now it's finally happening. Zombieland: Double Tap will arrive a decade after the original film hit theaters, so it's been a long time coming. The full cast is returning, including Jesse Eisenberg as the protagonist/narrator Columbus. The Social Network actor recently spoke to the long development and multiple scripts, saying:

We would never have made another one if we didn’t think it was going to be great. They wrote a ton of scripts for this movie and we went through a lot of different ideas.

It looks like quite a few scripts were brought to the table for Zombieland: Double Tap. But those involved in the franchise wanted to make sure it was the right one, which is why it took so many years for the sequel to finally get green-lit. But Zombieland is finally getting its follow-up, so we should expect big things from the movie's script.

Sequels are a tricky game, as there are tons of expectations associated with follow-up movies. And more often than not, they fail to capture the same magic as the original film. This is no doubt a concern for Zombieland: Double Tap, especially now that zombies have become such an integral part of the pop culture zeitgeist. The first film had a tone wholly unique, and the project defied genre in a many ways. So can Ruben Fleischer and the cast strike gold twice?

In his same conversation with The Toronto Sun, Jesse Eisenberg spoke to this pressure, and how those involved with Zombieland didn't want to put out a sequel to simply grab at more money. Instead, they want to produce another film that is just as great. As Eisenberg tells it:

We didn’t want to do a typical sequel to try and capitalize on something that was popular. We waited 10 years until we had a great idea.

You have to respect this craftsmanship and professionalism in this statement. When sequels fail, it's usually because not enough attention was paid to the story. Instead, blockbuster are rushed out in order to make the most money at the box office. That's not the case with the Zombieland franchise. In fact, director Ruben Fleischer passed on directing the Venom sequel in order to pay full attention to Zombieland: Double Tap. Given how successful the comic book movie was, that's saying something.

Zombieland: Double Tap will arrive in theaters on October 11, 2019, just in time for Halloween. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Jesse Eisenberg Explains Why The Zombieland: Double Tap Cast Is Working Extra Hard

Corey Chichizola — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 15:25:31 +0000

Aside from superheroes, one of the most popular macguffins in entertainment world are zombies. The undead have captivated audiences since back in 1968's Night of the Living Dead, with endless adaptations coming on both the silver and small screen. While The Walking Dead may have revolutionized zombies for the modern audience, Ruben Fleischer's Zombieland arrived in theaters years before Rick Grimes woke up in the apocalypse.

The zombie comedy hit is finally getting a sequel with Zombieland: Double Tap, which is set to arrive this October. The four leading actors are set to reprise their roles in the highly anticipated follow-up: Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Jesse Eisenberg. Eisenberg recently revealed that everyone involved in Double Tap is working especially hard. After joking about phoning it in, he said:

No, the opposite. We’re working so hard. It’s one of these movies that, people loved it for personal reasons. So it’s not just a big hit movie. People love it for personal reasons so you want to make sure it’s as funny and as personal as the other one.

It looks like Jesse Eisenberg and the rest of the Zombieland: Double Tap cast truly understands just how beloved the first movie is. As such, they're taking special care to provide the same mixture of laughs and heart with Ruben Fleischer's sequel.

Jesse Eisenberg's comments to Movieweb will no doubt excite the many fans of the first Zombieland movie. The blockbuster defied genre, and made light out of the zombie apocalypse in a fresh and exciting way, while also making an impressive amount of money in theaters. The years since Zombieland arrived have elevated the project to cult status, so the pressure is on to deliver something as unique and twisted as the first movie.

Director Ruben Fleischer will be back to direct Zombieland: Double Tap, fresh off the massive success of his comic book movie Venom. He brought his same unique tone and vision to that Sony blockbuster, so he should hopefully have the momentum to bring back his zombie franchise to theaters. And with the original cast also returning, the pieces of the puzzle have presumably been set up for a great sequel.

The quartet of returning actors aside, there is some new and exciting talent being brought into the franchise in Zombieland: Double Tap. Newcomers including Rosario Dawson, Silicon Valley's Thomas Middleditch, Luke Wilson, and Zoe Deutch (Why Him?). It's a significantly larger cast than the first film, so it appears the surviving humans will factor heavily into the upcoming film's narrative. While Zombieland was mostly the four people vs the dead, it should be interesting to see how the world has changed since we last saw those returning characters.

Zombieland: Double Tap will arrive in theaters on October 11th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Zombieland: Double Tap, An Updated Cast List

Eric Eisenberg — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 21:58:06 +0000

It’s been almost a full decade since Ruben Fleischer’s Zombieland first surprised the hell out of us, becoming one of the best horror comedies in recent memory and a box office smash. Because of this success, the last 10 years have seen incessant calls for a sequel, but both the filmmakers and stars have been busy with other huge endeavors. Now, however, the wait for the follow-up is almost over, as Zombieland: Double Tap is in the works and preparing to make its way to a theater near you this year.

The Zombieland sequel is currently on track to hit its October 2, 2019 release date, with Ruben Fleischer back in the director’s chair, and Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick once again penning the script. We have not heard a great deal about what’s going on in regards to the plot, but one thing we do know is that the cast is totally stacked. Not only are the principal stars of the first movie coming back, but they will be joined by a number of other great talents in Zombieland: Double Tap. So without further ado, let’s take a look at who is on-board so far:

Jesse Eisenberg

The first Zombieland introduced us to Columbus as a nebbish-y, loner college student with a serious fear of clowns, but his journey through the story opened him up in a big way and he became a great deal more brave and adventurous. Of course, he still has his rules to live by, and presumably they’ve helped him survive in the last 10 years.

For Jesse Eisenberg, Zombieland notably debuted almost exactly a year before The Social Network, which was a performance that earned him his first Academy Award nomination. In that time he has also starred in three franchises - Rio, Now You See Me, and the DC Extended Universe - and has continued his work in a significant number of impressive independent films.

Emma Stone

Speaking of Academy Awards, Emma Stone has also had a great deal of Oscar success in the time since Zombieland, not only being nominated for her turn in Birdman, but winning the Best Actress prize for La La Land. She is actually up for another statute this year thanks to her amazing The Favourite performance, and since 2009 has unquestionably has become one of the brightest stars in Hollywood.

She will reprise her role as Wichita in Zombieland: Double Tap – bringing back the character who was notably an at-all-costs survivor. The friends she made in the first movie did a lot to soften her edges – we even learned her first name is Krista – but we’ll have to wait and see what consequences rise from the stakes of the sequel.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson was the notable veteran of the first Zombieland principal cast, but he kicked more ass than all of them put together. Tallahassee is a man who is very at home in the zombie apocalypse (minus the lack of Twinkies), as he has a lot of rage to get out, and does so by killing the undead by any means necessary. We know he has a tragic backstory involving the loss of a son, but finding a new family by the end of the first movie seemed to fill the void in him.

Harrelson just recently worked with Ruben Fleischer again, appearing in the post-credits scene of Venom as serial killer Cletus Kasady, but has also been quite ubiquitous in recent years. He earned a great deal of praise for his part opposite Matthew McConaughey in HBO’s True Detective, but has also been making huge movies like War For The Planet Of The Apes, Solo: A Star Wars Story, The Hunger Games and the Now You See Me features with Jesse Eisenberg. He also just earned his third Academy Award nomination last year for his work in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, so, all in all, he’s in a really great place.

Abigail Breslin

Abigail Breslin will long be remembered for her wonderful breakout performance as the diminutive Olive Hoover in 2006's Little Miss Sunshine (a part that earned her first Oscar nod) - but the first Zombieland was one of her most mature roles, and she has continued growing as an actress with a lot of film and television work in the last 10 years. In addition to features like August: Osage County and Final Girl, she's also been active on the small screen with a season of Scream Queens.

As for her part in Zombieland: Double Tap, it’s worth noting that Little Rock was only 12 when we last saw her – so it will be interesting to see the results of maturity through the zombie apocalypse. She could always look after herself, but presumably now she’ll be extra equipped to do so, with extra skills learned over the years.

Rosario Dawson

While we know absolutely nothing about the plot of Zombieland: Double Tap, we do know that the main cast has grown, with one of the new additions being Rosario Dawson. The actress doesn’t have a great deal of horror experience – with Quentin Tarantino’s Death Proof being the standout title – but she has proven comedy chops, so hopefully she’ll get a lot of opportunity to make us laugh in the upcoming movie.

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch was one of the first new additions to Zombieland: Double Tap, having signed on to star in the movie in November 2018, though sadly the time since then has not provided any insight to what her role will be in the film. The daughter of actress Lea Thompson and director Howard Deutch, the actress is probably still be described as an up-and-comer, though she has been in some notable movies like Richard Linklanter's Everybody Wants Some!! and James Franco's The Disaster Artist. In addition to her work on the Zombieland sequel, she also has a part in Ryan Murphy's new series The Politician.

Thomas Middleditch

Thomas Middleditch is certainly better known for his TV work, being the star of the beloved HBO series Silicon Valley, but he's set to have a big year in cinemas in 2019. It starts in the summer with his part in Mike Dougherty's monster blockbuster Godzilla: King Of The Monsters, but he'll follow that up in the fall with a role in Zombieland: Double Tap. We don’t know who he will be playing (following the pattern here?), but we will definitely update this article as we learn more.

Luke Wilson

Luke Wilson has had a long acting career, with highlights in both film and TV. While it's currently unknown what role he'll be playing in Zombieland's highly anticipated sequel, he's got the resume to warrant his inclusion in the comedy/horror film. His comedic chops are what Wilson is known best for, with roles in Legally Blonde, The Ridiculous Six, and Old School. But he's also had some work that lends itself more to the dramatic, so he's a solid casting choice to bring into Zombieland: Double Tap.

Who would you like to see join the cast of Zombieland: Double Tap? Hit the comments section below with your thoughts and suggestions, and come back periodically to see who else will be joining the new horror-comedy!

Smallville’s Lex Luthor Wants To Take The Role Back From Jesse Eisenberg

Sarah El-Mahmoud — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 21:28:15 +0000

Over at the DCEU, the futures of a number of their characters are unclear, especially concerning the cast surrounding Superman-- as the reported exit of Henry Cavill was released earlier this week. Besides Cavill's Superman, this potentially includes Amy Adam's Lois Lane and Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor as Man of Steel 2 no longer seems to be in development. For Smallville alum Michael Rosenbaum, who portrayed a younger Lex Luthor for seven seasons, when this news broke it got him wishing of another DCEU exit, tweeting this out:

I wish Eisenberg was done at Warner Brothers. Give me my job back. ;)

Looks like someone's ready to swoop in and play the bald and rich Superman villain. Jesse Eisenberg took over the role in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as the fast-talking billionaire. With Superman's inclusion in the DCEU unclear, it's also unknown if Lex Luthor will still have a role future films such as Justice League 2. When previously asked, The Social Network star said he loved playing the character, and would come back for another one. But he also wasn't sure if it was even a possibility, as the film didn't particularly impress audiences as a whole.

For Smallville fans, the idea of Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor returning would be a dream. The actor delved deeper into the villain than the character's ever been given a chance, as the CW television series adapted the relationship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor as a complicated teenaged friendship that led to the two becoming legendary enemies. The series was the beginning of a now expanded DC superhero universe on the small screen, as The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl are among the characters with a home on the network. Another Smallville alum, Erica Durance, who played Lois Lane joined the new universe last year by taking on Supergirl's mom, Alura.

Since playing Lex Luthor on the CW, Michael Rosenbaum hasn't taken on any other high-profile roles, though he had a small role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He is currently busy as host of his podcast Inside of You where he has recent guests such as Zachary Levi from the upcoming Shazam!, Stephen Amell from CW's Arrow and Topher Grace. The podcast has these celebrities opening up about their flaws and insecurities.

Whether or not Michael Rosenbaum was joking about his willingness to get to shaving his head again and relive his glory days as Lex Luthor, he arguably delivered the best performance as Superman's nemesis and Warner Bros. shouldn't overlook bringing him back on to reprise the role in some capacity.

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