I'm a huge Beatles fan. I'm also a huge fan of when filmmakers take big, crazy swings and try to do things that seem equal parts crazy and impossible. As such, when it was announced that director Sam Mendes was going to make not one, but four movies about the lives of The Beatles, I was intrigued. Now that I've seen what the cast is going to look like, I'm absolutely astounded.

A variety of Instagram images have begun to drop on various accounts that reveal that a set of four postcards has been hidden around the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, and students have been encouraged to go hunting for them. Each one reveals a member of the cast, including Barry Keoghan, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, and Harris Dickinson. Check some of the images out below.

It's a pretty interesting way to drum up interest in the films. LIPA was co-founded by Paul McCartney and has a studio named for George Harrison, so it's a fitting place for this little stunt. Still, it's a surprisingly limited way to start the buzz. Most people certainly won't be able to find these postcards themselves, but the images from those who are finding and posting them on Instagram are already gathering traction.

Sam Mendes' Beatles project will see four different movies shot simultaneously. As we understand it, each movie will tell, more or less, the same story of The Beatles, of their formation, success, and ending, but each will be shot from the perspective of a different member. One expects that events may not happen entirely identically in each film, as each person may see the events from a different point of view.

Barry Keoghan's Ringo looks amazing and like something right out of The Beatles' latter era. As a big Paul McCartney fan personally, I've been waiting to see how Paul Mescal pulled off the character. He looks like he's standing in the Cavern Club and about to break into an early Beatles performance.

A lot of fans are going to be most interested in how John Lennon is portrayed in the films. Harris Dickinson certainly appears to have nailed the look.

Finally, we have the unsung hero of The Beatles, George Harrison. Joseph Quinn is set to play Harrison, and I can just hear the opening notes of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" coming off this picture.

Beatlemania began in the 1960s and, to a certain extent, it's never really ended. We just recently saw the streaming debut of The Beatles Anthology, and Peter Jackson has spent about as much time working on Beatles documentaries for the last few years as he did on The Lord of the Rings. Needless to say, people are going to be excited when these movies all come out in quick succession, currently slated for early 2028.

Well, nobody can claim they don't look like The Beatles. They are as close to perfect as they'll need to be. Now I just need to hear the accents.

It’s been three years since we were introduced to one of the best parts of Stranger Things 4: Joseph Quinn’s Eddie Munson. From him ragging on Mike, Dustin and Lucas to his Metallica solo that led to his death by way of Demobats, fans fell hard for the rocker. But with Stranger Things Season 5 just around the corner, co-creator and one-half of the Duffer brothers, Matt Duffer lets fans know where Eddie Munson stands.

With the hotly anticipated 2025 Netflix TV and movie schedule debut of Volume 1 on November 26 in the full Stranger Things release calendar, fans have plenty of questions. Ever since, the Hellfire Club member has been a hot topic, most notably when it comes to whether or not Eddie somehow survived. Viewers have wondered if they can count on Quinn's return for Season 5.

This whole time, the MCU star has been surprisingly coy about confirming or denying a return. Finally, Matt Duffer officially squelched Eddie Munson diehards’ hopes of a cameo of any sort. He explained to Empire that the rising star is just too busy to have come back to shoot ST5, saying:

That certainly closes the door to any hopes I had! But just like Barb, some of the best characters are bound to be lost when battling an array of monsters. I do think Eddie would be proud of the Gladiator II actor’s ability to play with so many people’s heads. Fingers are crossed that the Stranger Things 5 new character duo can fill a part of the void where Munson and Co. used to be.

Quinn’s resume has certainly grown since 2022. Between the Stranger Things 4’s finale and present day, he’s had five movies release. Among the quintet are some thrillers including Warfare as well as blockbusters like the first film of the new Fantastic Four franchise. Ahead, he has six on the way, including next year’s MCU’s Avengers: Doomsday with Secret Wars following the year after.

Not only has he committed to the big Avengers movie in the 2026 movie schedule and its sequel, he’s signed on to play one of the Fab Four. Quinn landed the role of George Harrison in Sam Mendes' Beatles movies, meaning four more movies were added to the count. So, he is going in some very different directions from Eddie Munson and Stranger Things.

Still, a fan can hope! Especially with Joseph Quinn toying with our hearts about whether or not he’ll be heading back to Hawkins. On the other hand, thanks to Matt Duffer, those of us who were holding onto hope can officially let Eddie rest in the Stranger Things lore now. Have your Netflix subscription ready to go on November 26 to see who’s made it to the final season.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to the studio's penchant for releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The latest big screen adventure was The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which won at the box office upon its release. The quarter of leading actors did plenty of press for the blockbuster, and it turns out that there was some sandwich stealing between Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn.

The cast of The Fantastic Four: First Steps convincingly formed a family unit for their roles, and their chemistry during the press tour was delightful. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, the subject of sandwiches was brought up. That's when Pascal offered a funny anecdote, where he'd go around stealing meals left out for Joseph Quinn. He shared:

Oops. Luckily these two actors seem to really like each other, because there are few things worse than stolen food. Now I have to wonder if Quinn will start getting club sandwiches from fans now that they know his penchant for the dish. I mean, he already had a strong following thanks to his time in Stranger Things.

Pascal and Quinn make up half of the titular team of heroes in The Fantastic Four, playing Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Johnny Storm/ Human Torch respectively. They were joined by Vanessa Kirby's Sue Storm/Invisible Woman and Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Ben Grimm/The Thing. The four of them had great chemistry on screen, and it looks like that also extends off camera.

Fans waiting for years for The Fantastic Four join the MCU, sandwiches and all. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox finally opened up the doors for that, and they did so with a bang in First Steps. What's more, cast is already set to reprise their role in upcoming Marvel movies. Specifically, they were announced in the Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, so they'll be back on the big screen next December.

Pedro Pascal might be the internet's daddy, but this anecdote revealed that he's also an accidental food thief. But when perfect club sandwiches started appearing around him, what else was the Last Of Us star expected to do? I know I'd start chowing down myself.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is still in theaters now, and Avengers: Doomsday will arrive next December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

If you're a comic book fan, it's really impossible nowadays not to be happy with the way that costumes are brought to life on screen, as filmmakers have fully embraced designs from the source material and made them look awesome... but it can also be said that they don't look terrifically comfortable. With all due respect to those who make them, they often appear tight, restrictive and claustrophobic (particularly those with masks) and one feels a touch of sympathy for the performers who have to act within their confines. The suits worn by the stars of Fantastic Four: First Steps are an exception, however.

The blue-and-white retrofuturistic fits donned by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Joseph Quinn in the new Marvel Cinematic Universe film look downright comfy (Ebon Moss-Bachrach being on the outside looking in given that The Thing is brought to life via performance capture), and as you can see in the video up top, CinemaBlend's Jeff McCobb asked them about the costumes during the movie's recent Los Angeles press day. Jeff compared the suits to pajamas, and Pascal responded saying that was a more apt description of their look than their feel – but he did acknowledge that there are certainly worse directions that the production could have taken:

Pedro Pascal surely knows a thing or two about bulky costumes, having spent time in a Mandalorian armor and helmet for his role in the Star Wars universe. In Fantastic Four: First Steps, his only "headgear" are the delicate silver wingtips on the side of his head, and instead of a bulky chest plate, he has what almost looks like a sweater at first glance.

Joseph Quinn, who plays the speedy Human Torch, also had some nice things to share about his super suit, particularly complementing the mobility that he was allowed. There's no armor or even a cape, and he found it didn't hold back his physicality:

In Fantastic Four: First Steps, the titular team lives in their own universe apart from the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, so they don't really get to compare suit designs with other heroes in the movie – but their crossover opportunity is coming, and it's coming soon. While Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach have been spending recent weeks traveling the world promoting the blockbuster centering on Marvel's First Family, they've also been busy in recent months as part of the expansive ensemble cast in Avengers: Doomsday.

How are the other stars of the MCU responding to the comfy look of the Fantastic Four? Per Pascal,

Audiences everywhere can see that special shade of light blue in action right now, as Fantastic Four: First Steps is playing in theaters everywhere and just dominated the competition at the weekend box office in its debut. Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the coming days for not only more stories from our interviews with the cast and director Matt Shakman, but also plenty of editorial coverage examining the movie's place in the current superhero landscape.

Ever since the NSFW Dune: 2 popcorn bucket took the internet by storm last year, special containers for this movie theater snack staple have been more abundant. The Fantastic Four: First Steps is the latest 2025 movie to get in on the popcorn bucket action, and I’m not just talking about the $80 Galactus one. Pedro Pascal’s Mister Fantastic also got his own popcorn bucket, and The Mandalorian actor and his co-stars from the new Marvel movie had some dirty thoughts upon seeing it.

Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn bore witness to the glory of the Mister Fantastic popcorn bucket when Jimmy Kimmel Live! guest host Alan Cumming presented it to him. Cumming, who will co-star with these four when he reprises Nightcrawler in next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, then pointed out how when positioned in a certain way, this popcorn bucket can also look NSFW:

At first glance, there’s nothing that looks particularly sexual about this popcorn bucket. It’s just Mister Fantastic using his stretching ability to hold what is, from his perspective, a giant popcorn bucket. But then Alan Cumming rotated the bucket until it looked like Reed Richards has wrapped his extendable penis around the bucket. As Pedro Pascal was laughing upon seeing the bucket for the first time, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who plays Ben Grimm/The Thing, dropped this A+ comment:

Well done, sir! Well done. After getting the NSFW jokes out of the way, Alan Cumming passed the popcorn bucket to Vanessa Kirby, who’s playing Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman. Pedro Pascal got a kick out the little version of his character, especially how it serves as the bucket’s handle. And while Kirby shared some of the popcorn with Joseph Quinn, a.k.a. Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, she decided to keep the popcorn bucket in her possession, which Cumming quipped she was allowed to do because she’s pregnant.

If you’d like to get your own Mister Fantastic popcorn bucket, it’ll cost you $39.99 at your nearest Cinemark theater. Over at Regal Cinemas, you’ll have the option of buying a Fantasticar popcorn bucket for $56.95. You can also find the Galactus popcorn bucket at both theater chains, as well as AMC.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is now playing in theaters, with the aforementioned actors being joined by Ralph Ineson, Julia Garner and Paul Walter Hauser, among others. It'll be fine for kids to eat popcorn from the Mister Fantastic bucket as they’re watching Marvel’s First Family’s return to the big screen, but maybe don’t take a cue from Ebon Moss-Bachrach and refer to it as the “reach around” in front of them.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe keeps its hold on the entertainment world by constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie hitting theaters is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will finally bring the titular team to the MCU. It's release is at the end of July, so more footage has been slowly trickling out. Although one nitpicky detail about the newest clip has started a debate online.

What we know about The Fantastic Four: First Steps is surprisingly limited considering how close it is to hitting theaters. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have not-so-patiently been waiting for the team to join the fun, but that hasn't stopped them from dissecting each frame of footage. Case in point: a thread on Twitter about Johnny Storm's hair in a recently released clip. The clip in question can be seen below:

While it was awesome to see these two heroes working together (as well as The Thing's rock beard), the video sparked a debate about Joseph Quinn's Human Torch. Namely, the physics behind Johnny Storm's hair, as pointed out by user @zerowontmiss. They posted:

Uh oh. Fans have been getting very detail-focused when watching movie trailers lately, and we just saw a similar debate about the appearance of a flying David Corenswet in Superman's trailer. Trailers often feature unfinished shots, so was this First Steps video a mistake or purposeful?

This debate ended up really heating up in the comments section of the repost. Some fans thought this was a problem with the CGI, while others tried to defend it. Then there's another camp of fans who think that people are simply overthinking it. Some choice comments read:

• The man is flying through the air, on fire, carrying another man who’s 500+ pounds and made of rock…..and you’re concerned about the hair physics? - @MovieMediaX
• The guy burns hotter than the sun without burning off his clothes and you’re asking about his hair? Ha ha ha ha. - @guerilla_boy
• because he's behind ben, who is taking most of the drag (idk) - @obscxnities
• Looks like the CGI team missed an assignment! - @TheTenebrousVex
• Cuz they’re flying down pushing the hair towards his head, which is why it looks like it’s not moving - @evansolott

The exact reasoning behind this shot from the Fantastic Four: First Steps remains to be seen for now. And as such, smart money says these same fans will be closely following how Johnny Storm's hair functions when the upcoming superhero movie finally arrives in late July. You gotta love this level of fan investment.

The quartet of heroes from The Fantastic Four were already confirmed in Avengers: Doomsday's live stream cast announcement, so it seems like the next MCU blockbuster will be an important one for the shared universe as a whole. As such, there will likely be plenty of opportunities to judge the physics of Johnny Storm.

All will be revealed when The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25th as part of the 2025 movie release list. As previously mentioned, the team will then reappear in Avengers: Doomsday on December 18th, 2026.

Following in the footsteps of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, July’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps will see Marvel’s First Family forced to contend with the cosmic entity known as Galactus. Between the Devourer of Worlds and his herald Silver Surfer, played in this continuity by Julia Garner, you’d think that’d be enough on Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Thing and Human Torch’s plate in First Steps. However, Joseph Quinn, who’s bringing Torch, a.k.a. Johnny Storm, to life, has confirmed another villain who’s set to appear in the upcoming Marvel movie, and this is a showdown I’m eager to see.

While appearing at CCXPMX 25 (via Culture Crave) with his co-stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Quinn let slip during an audience Q&A that we’ll be seeing Mole Man in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, though he’s obviously playing second fiddle to the (figuratively and literally) big bad who Ralph Ineson is playing. In Quinn’s words:

Although there’d been rumors about Mole Man appearing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, now we finally have official confirmation about this from one of the actors. So who’s playing Mole Man? That’s still a mystery, although given what few actors still haven’t been identified in First Steps, I think it’s probably safe to say Paul Walter Hauser would be the best fit. An extremely loose adaptation of Mole Man was played by Tim Blake Nelson in 2015’s Fantastic Four, but it sounds like we can count on a much more faithful take on the character this time around.

Mole Man, real name Harvey Elder, was the very first supervillain the Fantastic Four battled in the comics, as he also debuted in 1961’s The Fantastic Four #1. Doctor Doom, who appeared four issues later, may have taken the mantle of the team’s arch-nemesis, Elder has remained a persistent foe to them over the decades. Between his genius-level intellect, his heightened senses that compensate for his near-blindness, and commanding an army of Moloids, Mole Man is not an enemy to be underestimated, and I can’t wait to see what a conflict between him and the MCU’s Fantastic Four looks like on the big screen.

We don’t have that wait too much longer for that to happen, as The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens July 25 on the 2025 movies schedule. After that, the title team will be back in action for Avengers: Doomsday, which is now coming out on December 17, 2026.

Inarguably one of the biggest upcoming 2025 movies is Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will present a different and rather unique corner of the MCU to Marvel fans. (Perhaps unique is a strange word, considering this is the fourth FF movie in the past 20 years.) Now audiences everywhere are indulging in our lengthiest look yet at the latest live-action adventure, which first premiered for CinemaCon attendees earlier this month. Check it out!

This new trailer has all the fun hallmarks of the intial first look at Fantastic Four's footage, as well as all of the other promotional material building up the film's alt-timeline, all while while incorportating lots of new moments to gnaw on while waiting for it to hit theaters. So let's get into it.

Julia Garner's Silver Surfer Looks Like An Evil Academy Award, But In A Good Way?

Julia Garner is the kind of young Hollywood talent who has largely managed to avoid taking projects that turned out to be disappointing or downright awful, so the fact that she signed on for this movie in the first place is kind of amazing to me. And while I'm sure her Silver Surfer look isn't going to please everyone, I'm weirdly fascinated by it.

The silvery, mirrored look is almost akin to The Secret World of Alex Mack and its titular teen's liquid form, while also adhering pretty closely to award statuettes like Oscars and Emmys. Maybe one day there will be an MCU Awards, and the trophy will be molded to look like this film's villain.

Mr. Fantastic Gets All Stretchy With It

After seeing Joseph Quinn's Johnny Storm light himself up as the Human Torch, as well as all the Ben Grimm moments we've already been made privy to, I've been most excited to see how The Fantastic Four: First Steps will show off Pedro Pascal's stretching powers as Reed Richards. I'm hoping for an all-out smorgasbord of weird humor utilized in relation to his elastic body parts, while still keeping to the PG-13 rating.

And while this trailer doesn't exactly show off a ton of those moves, I love that the shot we do get of him extending his limbs out while falling looks so surreal and out of place. There shouldn't be anything normal about watching a normal-sized human being suddenly have the wingspan of a 747.

Galactus' Bigass Foot Is As Much Of A Threat As Anything

The MCU has provided a bevy of top-notch villains across its 15+ years of existence, and while I tend to think the more human-esque antagonists are the most effective, from Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk to Kathryn Hahn's betwitching Agatha (not always a villain, I know). But I can't deny how fascinating it is to consider a baddie whose size is so massive that he could be the source of the nursery rhyme "The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe."

In this case of Galactus, the Fantastic Four's most formidable comic book villain, an entire apartment complex with businesses on the ground floor could be opened up inside one of his garbantuan boots. I wonder what the body count for this movie is going to be solely when it comes to those getting squashed into pulp.

We have yet to get a full body shot of the cosmic threat, which could be because there are no cameras big enought to capture him completely, but director Matt Shakman recently spoke about filming star Ralph Ineson as Galactus, and how they made a point to avoid motion-capture performances as much as possible. Bring on all the minatures!

Fans React To The Fantastic Four Trailer: The Positive Takes

To be expected, social media is aflutter with fan reactions to the first full trailer for the upcomign MCU adventure, and while there are definitely dissenters out there, the overall feelings seem to be positive. Especially when it comes to how this current quartet looks in comparison to the 2005 film's team, or that of Josh Trank's reboot.

There are hundreds of posts with more simple forms of excitement like "LFG!" and various forms of fire emojis, but here's a smattering of some general good vibes being shared online.

• Holy shit... this looks REALLY good 🔥🔥 it's rare that a trailer gets me this hype #TheFantasticFour - @javierayala10
• It is moments like this that makes you wanna appreciate life more - @kelvwayaaa
• AHHHHHH THE POWERS #TheFantasticFour - @gabofrfr
• Son perfectos. Muy guapos y muy perfectos. #TheFantasticFour - @GeekZoneGZ

And now let's hone in on some of the specific praise for Pedro Pascal and Reed Richards' key abilities.

• HE STRETCHED!!! - @SuperTuberEddie
• Finally the stretching looks right! 👏👏👏 - @Bobby_Ferrari
• Oh my god they finally did it, THEY GOT PEDRO PASCAL'S REED FINALLY STRETCHING OUT. #TheFantasticFour - @ChrisAGWrites
• PEDRO PASCAL AS REED RICHARDS IS GOING TO CHANGE LIVES, MY MAN LOOKS AMAZING!! #TheFantasticFour #ReedRichards - @mightyfosterr
• #TheFantasticFour Reed’s powers look really really good - @TK_anomaly

And you know I'm pumped that other fans out there are happy to see a new take on Silver Surfer.

• BRUH SILVER SURFER #TheFantasticFour - @_linasol
• HELLO ??????? SHES SERVING SO HARD OMGGG #TheFantasticFour - @WandazWorldz
• SHALLA-BAL LOOKS PERFECT. #TheFantasticFour - @heyitsjennalynn
• Silver Surfer, I fear I might stan #TheFantasticFour - @ItsLegendaryKay_

A WandaVision Easter Egg! Probably!

During the trailer's wide shot of New York City's busy streets and nightlife, it's easy to let one's eyes focus on all the familiar-but-different cars driving around. But it's the businesses lining the street that are more worthy of Marvel fans' attention, as there's a TV appliance store that seems to be a direct shout-out to WandaVision's central location.

While it's entirely possible that this isn't an intentional MCU easter egg, I don't think anyone could ever fully convince me it was an accident. Somebody had to design and add that visual into the composite shot.

The question here would be "What does it even mean?" My guess? Not much. The fact that the sign is a winking nod to WandaVision's embrace of TV sitcom history is probably as far as the reference goes. It doesn't make all that much sense for a New Jersey town to have a branded repair shop in the middle of NYC. But I suppose someone could have put that building there through magic as opposed to architectural efforts.

It really just makes one wonder whether or not such mystical magic exists in this specific universe. Is there a Wanda Maximoff or an Agatha Harkness that's different from the versions we know and love? Or is this particular reality so wholly invested in scientific anomalies that there's no need for magic to exist?

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the new movie Warfare (now in theaters). If you have not yet seen the film, proceed at your own risk.

Watching Warfare, it's apparent that the mission statement of directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland is to present the eponymous experience without traditional elements of dramatization – but that doesn't mean it's without big and memorable cinematic moments. The sequence where the evacuation vehicle is hit with an IED is powerful to make your head spin a bit as you sit comfortably in a movie theater recliner, and there are key emotional scenes like Joseph Quinn's Sam discovering the extent of his injuries and Will Poulter's Erik realizing he needs to cede command.

These moments stick out in reflecting on the finished work, but as Joseph Quinn explained during the Los Angeles press day for Warfare last month, picking out specific memories from the production aren't easy. Because of the realism that the film was going for and its very tight scope, Quinn apparently experienced it as a blur. Said the actor,

The specific scene with Sam in discussion here comes shortly after the aforementioned IED blast that rocks the Navy SEAL team operating in Ramadi during the Iraq War in 2006. Severely injured from shrapnel hits, he is immobilized and in great pain, and he is in a state of shock as he understands the extent of his injuries after his fellow soldiers help take him off the street and back inside the house where they had set up a surveillance operation.

Once the action gets going in Warfare, however, it really doesn't stop, and while Joseph Quinn's Sam is given prominent focus, the intensity of the entire production impacts how the actor looks back on the experience

While Joseph Quinn didn't say it, that sounds utterly exhausting.

Will Poulter Explains How Warfare Achieves A Different Kind Of Realism Than Most War Movies

The scene alluded to earlier with Will Poulter's Erik possesses a different kind of intensity. Removed from blood, pain, and explosions, the character takes a minute aside to reconcile with the fact that the moment has gotten entirely on top of him. He comes to terms with the fact that he is not in a state to lead, and he gives command to Charles Melton's Jake.

In a separate interview during the same Warfare press day, Will Poulter told CinemaBlend's Jeff McCobb that he sees it as a scene that exemplifies what Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland have made with their movie:

In the moment as depicted in Warfare, Erik has responsibility, but he has a human moment and understands that he has been rendered unfit. It's not a traditional depiction of bravery that we see in war movies, but the idea with the film is bucking tradition, and Poulter sees the hand-off and the character's acceptance of his own limitations as notable:

Also starring D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Cosmo Jarvis, Michael Gandolfini, Henry Zaga, and Kit Connor in addition to the aforementioned Joseph Quinn Will Poulter, and Charles Melton, Warfare arrived at the box office this past weekend after weeks of developing buzz and critical acclaim. While the stars may not remember all of the specific details of making it, the film will be recalled as one of cinema's most intense of 2025.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine at this point, constantly releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies is The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which will finally bring the titular team to the shared universe. This will be the third time the quartet of heroes will make it to the big screen, and Joseph Quinn recently teased his "sexy" take that'll be different from Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan.

What we know about The Fantastic Four: First Steps has taken some big steps forward recently, thanks to interviews and some trailers. The cast of Fantastic Four is pretty incredible, especially its leading actors Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Joseph Quinn. The latter actor spoke to EW about his approach to Johnny Storm, offering:

He's not wrong. Johnny is usually a bit of a womanizer, but it sounds like Joseph Quinn is hoping to bring a more modern sensibility to The Human Torch. This sounds similar to changes made during Daniel Craig's tenure as Bond to make him a less misogynistic character. Helen Mirren even spoke about the sexist nature of 007. And that's seemingly something the Stranger Things breakout star wanted to pivot from.

Joseph Quinn became a household name after playing Eddie in Stranger Things, and getting to flame on as the Human Torch is another huge gig for the 31 year-old actor. He shared more about how he's approaching the beloved hero, saying:

Both Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan were wildly charming in this role, but this sounds like an interesting take on it.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have been not-so-patiently for The Fantastic Four to join the shared universe, and Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox opened the door for that to happen. While we got an alternate Reed Richards thanks to John Krasinski's Doctor Strange 2 cameo, First Steps marks the entrance for the primary versions of those characters.

The Fantastic Four was confirmed for the Avengers: Doomsday cast during a live stream, so it won't take long for them to crossover with our other heroes. It should be fascinating to see how this happens, given they're on an alternate universe. But we are in The Multiverse Saga so anything could happen.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps will hit theaters on July 25th as part of the 2025 movie release list. But first up is another MCU team flick: Thunderbolts* on May 2nd.

In March 2024, an exceptionally ambitious project was announced. It was revealed that Sam Mendes was going to tell the story of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison a.k.a. The Beatles, but rather than just making a single film, the filmmaker's plan is to make four separate feature that will each have a unique perspective from one of the bandmates. That's a hell of a lot for any director to take on – but a little over one year later, we have new updates about the movies, and the idea is even crazier than originally thought.

CinemaCon, the annual Las Vegas-based convention for movie theater owners, kicked off this evening at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with a slate presentation from Sony Pictures, and the big capstone was a massive update about the upcoming Beatles movies. Sam Mendes took to the stage with Sony Pictures chairman/CEO Tom Rothman, and they not only announced the actors who will be playing the Fab Four, but they also unveiled plans to have all of the films in theaters in the same month.

You can check out the first official look at the movie's ensemble above, but for those of you who don't recognize the faces...

• Paul Mescal is playing Paul McCartney
• Joseph Quinn is playing George Harrison
• Barry Keoghan is playing Ringo Starr
• Harris Dickinson is playing John Lennon

It was previously announced that all of the Beatles movies would get a theatrical rollout at some point in 2027, but the dates were pushed back so that Sony could release what they are dubbing the "first bingable theatrical experience." Rather than coming out months apart, all four of the films will be arriving on the big screen in April 2028. It should go without saying that while we've seen plenty of productions begin with multi-picture plans, from Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings to Avengers: Infinity War/Avengers: Endgame, we've never seen a distribution strategy like this before. It's unclear at this point if they will all be coming out the same day or will debut one week apart (and in the latter case, we don't know in what order they will premiere).

That cast is also ripe with extreme talent and buzz, as all four actors have been earning great acclaim for their work in recent years and are considered prime up-and-comers. Paul Mescal is coming off of his first blockbuster in Gladiator II; Joseph Quinn, following standout work on Stranger Things, is playing Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch in Fantastic Four: First Steps; Barry Keoghan earned an Academy Award nomination for The Banshees Of Inisherin (not to mention that he's playing The Joker in Matt Reeves' The Batman films); and Harris Dickinson has earned high marks for titles like Babygirl and Triangle Of Sadness.

Per Sam Mendes, all four of the movies about Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison will feature specific points of view and will crossover at certain moments in their stories. That's a special and tremendously exciting idea, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

We'll surely hear a lot more about these movies very soon as principal photography starts (it's totally wild that Sam Mendes is planning to make four distinct features in about three years). Be on the look out for more news about The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event in the coming weeks and months, but also be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of our exciting reporting from on the ground at CinemaCon.

Where will the Guardians of the Galaxy show up next? As of right now, we have no idea. A brand new roster for the intergalactic team was revealed at the end of James Gunn's Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3 , but we haven't heard anything about the group's next adventure, and none of the actors were included in last week's cast announcement for Avengers: Doomsday. Fans are presently waiting for any kind of update about the ragtag heroes – but if it were up to Adam Warlock himself, Will Poulter, he would gladly sign up for a mission that sees the Guardians hook up with Joseph Quinn's Human Torch and the Fantastic Four.

Poulter and Quinn star together in the upcoming action/drama Warfare from directors Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza (which has been earning rave reviews), and during a recent interview with IGN, the former expressed excitement about the possibility of collaborating with the latter again, next time with both actors playing their respective Marvel Cinematic Universe roles. Discussing what could potentially come together in upcoming Marvel movies, Poulter said,

Fans last had the chance to see Adam Warlock in the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 end credits, which revealed that the Guardians are currently being led by Rocket Raccoon (Star-Lord having decided to go back to Earth and spend time with his only living relative). In addition to Warlock, the team also includes Kraglin, Cosmo, Blurp, Groot and Phlya-Vell. We can hope that we'll end up seeing them again in Avengers: Secret Wars, which is scheduled to start production a few weeks after principal photography wraps on Avengers: Doomsday, but nothing has been promised yet.

As for the Guardians and Adam Warlock potentially interacting with the Fantastic Four, the potential of that meetup will be much clearer once Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives this summer. There has been significant suggestion that the film takes place in a parallel reality that is not the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but there has been a great deal of speculation that they will be crossing dimensions before the blockbuster's end, making crossovers with other MCU heroes viable.

In addition to Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch, Fantastic Four: First Steps also stars Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards a.k.a. Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm a.k.a. The Invisible Woman, and Ebon Moss Bachrach as Ben Grimm a.k.a. The Thing. The impressive supporting cast also includes Julia Garner, Ralph Ineson, John Malkovich, Paul Walter Houser and Natasha Lyonne.

We'll have to wait and see if a Guardians of the Galaxy/Fantastic Four team-up ends up happening (it would certainly be logical given that both teams are key within the cosmic realm of blockbuster action), but if you're curious now to see what a Will Poulter/Joseph Quinn team-up looks like, you'll be able to see Warfare when it arrives in theaters everywhere on April 11.

Not even the so-called “superhero fatigue” can slow down the slate of upcoming Marvel movies. Thunderbolts* is next up, releasing in just over a month. But it’s next year’s tentpole film, Avengers: Doomsday, that has everybody talking. Even the actors can’t help but get excited, including Marvel’s newest star, Joseph Quinn, who was just announced as part of the star-studded ensemble Doomsday cast.

The cast list for Avengers: Doomsday was revealed during a five-house live stream of various director’s chairs with fan-favorite actor’s names stitched into the back. While the usual suspects were there, like Chris Hemsworth and Anthony Mackie, fans were surprised to see the inclusion of others like several former X-Men members and even the yet-to-be-released Fantastic Four: First Steps cast, which includes Quinn.

While it was previously confirmed that the new Fantastic Four cast would be featured in other Marvel films, it’s exciting to see physical proof that the MCU is sticking with that plan. As thrilled as fans are, no one can beat Quinn’s excitement about seeing his name on one of the many chairs during the live stream, telling IGN:

Avengers: Doomsday might have one of the best casts in the history of the MCU, but that hasn’t stopped many from wondering why some fan-favorite superheroes were left out and speculating on whether they might appear in other Avengers films later on. The Stranger Things alumni even got in on the fun, revealing which Marvel star he’d like to see suit back up and join him on set when production begins:

Poulter played Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Though he started out as an antagonist tasked with capturing Rocket, he ultimately earned a redemption arc by saving Star-Lord and later joined the gang at the end of the movie.

As a fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy and Poulter’s acting work, I couldn’t agree more with Quinn’s statement. It might be the only time we get to see Adam in action with the rest of the new Guardians crew since a fourth installment has yet to be confirmed for the box-office hit franchise now that filmmaker James Gunn has parted ways with Marvel and has creative control over DC Studios. But I’m going to remain hopeful since even Poulter has expressed his interest in returning to the role and the MCU.

Unfortunately, for now, it seems like Avengers: Doomsday will be void of any and all Guardians of the Galaxy members — a surprising twist considering how instrumental the gang was in the last two Avengers movies. Still, there’s always hope for Avengers: Secret Wars, which is slated for a May 2027 theatrical release.

Thankfully, fans of Quinn and Poulter don’t have to hold out hope for 2027 to see these two rising stars share the screen. Instead, fans can catch both of them in A24’s upcoming film, Warfare, which is being hailed by critics for its realistic portrayal of war. The film is set to be released on April 11th as part of the 2025 movie schedule.

A year after Alex Garland depicted a harrowing dystopian future in Civil War, the filmmaker is back with an offering for the 2025 movie calendar, this time teamed with co-writer/co-director Ray Mendoza and this one’s based on real events. Warfare follows a team of Navy SEALS on a mission in 2006 during the Iraq War and is based on Mendoza’s own experiences, and those who caught early screenings had visceral reactions. Now that critics have had time to sit with Warfare for a bit, let’s see what they’re saying.

Alex Garland’s Warfare features an ensemble cast including D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (as Ray Mendoza), Will Poulter, Kit Connor, Joseph Quinn and Charles Melton, who are executing a mission effectively in real time, which ratchets up the intensity. In CinemaBlend’s review of Warfare, Eric Eisenberg gives the movie 4 out of 5 stars, calling it an “awesome piece of work” for its “impeccable verisimilitude.” In his words:

David Rooney of THR says Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland have crafted a bold new landmark in screen depictions of combat that makes for can’t-look-away real-life drama. Warfare belongs alongside other nail-biting combat dramas like The Hurt Locker and Black Hawk Down, Rooney says:

While the above critic likens Warfare to some of the best war movies, Jacob Hall says in SlashFilm’s analysis that the filmmakers’ latest project is beyond compare. It is, by design, the least exciting war film ever made, depicting a job that is tedious until it is terrifying. Hall gives it an 8 out of 10, writing:

Eric Goldman of IGN also rates it a “Great” 8 out of 10, writing that the film is incredibly effective at putting you into the middle of combat, evoking feelings of dread and terror usually reserved for the darkest horror movies. Goldman continues:

Not every critic felt as connected to the action as the ones above. Owen Gleiberman of Variety argues that Warfare — while a skillfully made film — doesn’t portray the existential reality of war in a way that we haven’t seen before, and by stripping away the cinematic excitement in the name of authenticity, the audience remains detached. The critic continues:

Either way, Warfare sounds like quite the intense, edge-of-your-seat moviegoing experience. If you want to check out this upcoming A24 movie, Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s latest creation will be storming onto the big screen on Friday, April 11.

It’s been a few months since the release of Gladiator II, and I have to say, I’m still thinking about how much I want a director’s cut. Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel recently became available to watch at home and to stream for those with a Paramount+ subscription, and while I liked the movie (as detailed in my Gladiator II review), I really wish my at-home rewatch could be through an extended version of the film.

Look, Gladiator II’s theatrical cut is two hours and 28 minutes long. That is honestly more than long enough for me when it comes to a blockbuster movie, but when I saw it in theaters in November, I couldn’t help but feel like there were some story aspects that were removed in order to make it under two and a half hours. While Scott has claimed this is the movie he wanted to make and his cut already, I’m curious about seeing a much longer version that doesn’t feel as rushed and disheveled as it does to me.

I’m Not Usually Into Director’s Cuts

I know there’s a whole market out there regarding epic movies like this and director’s cuts being released to provide a longer runtime, but I just want to say, I’m usually not the person first in line for that. I think it’s certainly interesting when a filmmaker is allowed to share more of their vision when the first version was nudged by a studio to be shorter, but ultimately I think if what you’re making is turning out to be three+ hours, maybe you should rethink it as a miniseries.

Sometimes I’m wrong. For example, I absolutely loved my experience seeing all three and a half hours of Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon in theaters. And I love the fact that Best Picture nominee The Brutalist brought back the intermission. Ultimately though, director’s cuts are not my thing, but I want one for Gladiator II.

But Immediately After Watching Gladiator II, I Wanted To See A Longer Version

When I went to see Gladiator II in theaters back in November, I was very much anticipating it after Scott’s original Gladiator was one of the best 2000s movies. While it definitely delivered on a lot of fronts, particularly with Denzel Washington’s devious villain, I also felt like there were a lot of story elements that just weren’t given enough attention and time, oddly enough. I don’t know why the movie felt rushed to me considering its runtime, but I figure it has to do with what was filmed just being a lot longer than the final cut could provide.

I would have liked more scenes that fleshed out Macrinus’ backstory and helped me understand his character better. I also think a popular complaint was the lack of Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, whether that be between her and Pedro Pascal’s Acacius or Lucius. She felt like somewhat of an afterthought to the movie, when I think she should have been one of the main leads. It also felt like some of the scenes in the Colosseum just breezed by when I wanted them to offer more tension and nail-biting action.

There’s Been A Lot Of Chatter About What Was Removed For The Theatrical Cut

Though I have my own hopes for a Gladiator II director’s cut, there’s also been quite a lot of talk about scenes that were shot for the movie that were cut. For example, an entire character was removed from the movie! May Calamawy, who I loved in Ramy and Moon Knight, was originally going to play an “important” character in Gladiator II, but was reduced to having a background role. While actors being cut out of movies certainly happens sometimes in big movies like this, she didn’t deserve to be completely omitted.

There’s also been talk of wild deleted scenes in Gladiator II, like the twin kings asking to be adopted by Lucilla, and Washington claimed there was a scene where Macrinus kissed another man that was cut from the movie. There’s also apparently footage of Mescal kissing Pascal in a cut scene. Kissing aside, all this talk seems to hint there was more story to the flick, and I want to see what a director’s cut of this movie would look like.

Scott has also spoken on the topic. He shared with The Hollywood Reporter in November that there’s a three hour and 40 minute cut that he’s contemplating putting out in the world. I very much want to see that! I think having an extra hour could possibly change my mind on the movie and offer me the pace I wish it had given me on the first go around.

At The End Of The Day, I Think I Just Wish I Liked Gladiator II Better

Now, while I’m totally rooting for a Gladiator II director’s cut, I also just wish the original movie was just better, if I’m being honest. Plenty of filmmakers have made masterpieces with the runtime of a typical movie under three hours, and my hopes for a longer movie more so comes from my disappointment in what I've seen than me loving it so much I just need a longer version.

I totally get that movies are basically impossible to make as good as some of Scott’s others, like Alien and Blade Runner. But I definitely think with perhaps more work on the script, the movie could have been incredible with the runtime it was given.

Considering it's a sequel, sure, it’s easy to compare it to the original, but I get peeved when filmmakers make movies long just because they don’t have the self control to cut the scenes that need to be cut. In the instance of Gladiator II, it feels like Scott had a lot of fun ideas to go around, but he never fully committed to making them all fit together in a cooperative way. Would an extra hour help that? I don’t know, but I’m sure I’d be entertained by seeing what it would look like.

Streaming titan Netflix may have begun as a convenient way for people to watch theatrical releases from the comfort of their homes, but it quickly established itself as a powerhouse studio capable of releasing some of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed media of the streaming age. And as Netflix originals continue to be released, exponentially it seems, they launch waves of previously unheard actors into stratospheric stardom. Here are 32 stars who gained massive fame after landing a role on a Netflix show or movie.

Millie Bobby Brown

Millie Bobby Brown burst into the mainstream at age 11 for her portrayal of Eleven, a mysterious girl with psychokinetic abilities, in the hit series Stranger Things. Eleven was so popular in fact, that her iconic look became a viral Halloween costume. Brown has landed many roles since starring in Stranger Things, including the titular role in Enola Holmes and its sequel, and Elodie in 2024’s Damsel, all of which are also Netflix originals.

Drew Starkey

Drew Starkey is best known for his role as Rafe Cameron, a turbulent character who struggles with anger issues and addiction, in the teen drama Outer Banks, which details a group of teens from different socioeconomic backgrounds living on the barrier islands of North Carolina. Starkey has gone viral for bringing Rafe to life, especially on TikTok, and has since landed roles in major films like Queer.

Cooper Koch

Cooper Koch gained notoriety and acclaim for his portrayal of Erik Menendez in the second season of Monsters, a true crime anthology series developed by Ryan Murphy. The second season tells the story of Erik and Lyle Menendez, two brothers who were convicted and sent to prison for ending the lives of their wealthy parents in the early ‘90s. Many of Koch’s moments from the Monsters press tour went viral, including his appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

Chance Perdomo

Before his tragic passing in early 2024, Chance Perdomo was making a name for himself as one of Hollywood’s most exciting young actors, with his most recent role as metal manipulator Andre Anderson in The Boys spinoff, Gen Z. Before that, the role that put him on the map was the charismatic and hilarious Ambrose Spellman, cousin of the titular witch in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Tom Sturridge

Oftentimes, celebrities can experience great success in one specific area of the entertainment industry that does not translate to mainstream appeal. For example, Tom Sturridge had received two Best Actor Tony nominations before appearing as Morpheus / Dream in the fantasy drama The Sandman, but it wasn’t until his haunting and commanding portrayal of Dream that the Internet started buzzing about him.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega stands out as one of the few Gen Z former Disney stars who chose to pursue acting instead of pop music, and doing so has proven to be a smart career move for her. Her first Netflix gig was a supporting role in the hit psychological thriller You, which proved that she had the acting chops to take on more adult material. However, the show that made her a household name and earned her a much-deserved Emmy nomination was the leading role as Wednesday Addams in Netflix’s adaptation for Wednesday.

Louis Partridge

Louis Partridge’s breakout performance was as Viscount Tewkesbury, the love interest to Millie Bobby Brown’s Enola in Enola Holmes and its sequel. Since then, his jobs have included reimagining Peter Pan in The Lost Girls and working with Alfonso Cuaron in his thrilling miniseries Disclaimer.

Victoria Pedretti

The derangement of You’s Joe Goldberg, portrayed by Penn Badgley, had been unmatched until he met Love Quinn in Season 2, brought expertly to life by Victoria Pedretti. Pedretti’s ability to match, and in many instances outpace, the insanity of Badgley’s Joe with her haunting face acting and theatrical meltdowns is beyond impressive. Her performance stands out so much that, in a show with a cast of continuously rotating characters, she is second only to Badgley in how popular her character is.

Phoebe Dynevor

The talk of the ton, the Diamond of the Season, Daphne Bridgerton of the large, illustrious Bridgerton family in the self-titled series made Phoebe Dynevor a household name. Season 1 of Bridgerton, where Dynevor is a lead, quickly became a top 10 most-viewed season of a Netflix series of all time, when it was released. Since Bridgerton, she has continued to impress in films like Fair Play.

Madelyn Cline

Another standout from Outer Banks is Madelyn Cline, who portrays Rafe’s younger sister Sarah, who is embedded in a group of wealthy social elites but forms a relationship with the leader of the group of working-class locals. Since starring in Outer Banks, Cline has taken on more film roles, including a supporting role in Glass Onion; A Knives Out Mystery and the 2025 remake of I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Nicholas Alexander Chavez

Nicholas Alexander Chavez had already developed a cult following for portraying Prince Spencer Cassadine on ABC’s General Hospital when he was cast as Lyle Menendez in Monsters. Not only did Chavez’s explosive performance produce countless viral clips and memes, but he was also honored by becoming the Internet Boyfriend of the fall of 2024. Since Monsters, Chavez has continued with his television roles with an appearance with fellow Ryan Murphy project Grotesquerie, and he made his major feature film debut in the 2025 I Know What You Did Last Summer remake.

Simone Ashley

Phoebe Dynevor handed the reigns over to Simone Ashley to become the female romantic lead for Season 2 of Bridgerton. Ashley brings Kate Sharma to life, a headstrong, protective older sister who harbors complex feelings toward Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, who is betrothed to her younger sister. In the wake of her Bridgerton success, Ashley has continued to stun in her numerous red-carpet appearances and has appeared in big-budget films like the live-action Little Mermaid remake.

Glen Powell

Glen Powell quickly established himself as a modern Hollywood leading man, demonstrating his comedic sensibilities in the romantic comedy Anyone But You and his action capabilities in the disaster flick Twisters. But Netflix’s Hit Man is the film that made audiences and critics alike begin to take Powell seriously as a versatile actor, as the admittedly bizarre role, which centers around a college professor posing as a fake hitman, requires Powell to adopt many different, quirky personas, which he does with prowess.

Walker Scobell

Acting opposite Hollywood royalty Ryan Reynolds would be intimidating for any new actor, but to do it at age 12 with the prowess Walker Scobell did demonstrates how much talent he harbored from a young age. After his breakout role as the younger version of Reynold’s character in The Adam Project, Hollywood clearly took notice, because the following year he was cast as the lead in the Disney+ Percy Jackson and the Olympians television adaptation.

Aidan Gallagher

Many child actors fade into obscurity after they age out of the series that put them on the map. The same cannot be said for Aidan Gallagher who proved that he wasn’t just another Nickelodeon kid and had the range to hold his own against acting titans like Elliot Page and Emmy Rossum in The Umbrella Academy. What makes Gallagher’s portrayal of teleporter and time jumper Five so memorable is the believability with which he portrays living as a middle-aged man trapped in a pubescent boy’s body.

Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox’s portrayal of Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black balanced the line between being heartfelt and hilarious and made her the first transgender person to be nominated for an acting Emmy. With the acclaim and notoriety that Cox received from Orange, she has gone on to make enormous strides for transgender people in Hollywood and has remained a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.

Lana Condor

Lana Condor endearingly brought to life one of the most likable young adult fiction protagonists to life in the film adaptation of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. Lara Jean Covey’s stylish outfits, confident yet kind demeanor, and plentiful cutesy moments with Peter struck a chord with audiences, developing a fanbase for the franchise far beyond that of its source material.

Jonathan Bailey

In a show with so many eligible bachelors ready to become the next Hollywood Heartthrob, Jonathan Bailey’s ability to capture Bridgerton viewers’ hearts with his repressed yearning and devotion as Viscount Anthony Bridgerton is commendable. Bailey has continued to win the hearts of men and women alike, bringing to life crushworthy characters like Tim Laughlin in Fellow Travelers and Prince Fiyero in Wicked.

Charlie Cox

Before it moved to Disney+ and became MCU canon, Daredevil was a gritty, violent Netflix series depicting the life of one of Marvel’s most captivating vigilantes, with Charlie Cox at the helm. Cox’s performance was quickly singled out, as the work he put in to sensitively and accurately depict a blind character as a sighted person was visible on screen. He also showed off his impressive physicality in the series’ numerous action scenes, which have been clipped and shared across the web numerous times.

Jaz Sinclair

Before reuniting with Chance Perdomo on Gen V, Jaz Sinclair acted alongside him in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as one of Sabrina’s best friends, Roz. Jaz’s depiction of Roz’s inner turmoil in coming to terms with her own magical abilities set her up wonderfully to portray a tortured character like Marie Moreau in Gen V.

Uzo Aduba

Uzo Abuba’s off-the-walls performance of Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in Orange Is the New Black made her one of the only people in history to win Emmys in both the Drama and Comedy categories for the same role. Aduba has continued to receive many accolades on and off screen, including a Tony nomination for Best Actress in a Play.

Kit Connor

Kit Connor became a household name after starring in queer, teen romance Heartstopper as schoolboy Nick Nelson. For his performance, Connor won the inaugural Outstanding Lead Performance Emmy at the first Children’s and Family Emmy Awards. He has since lent his voice to the beloved animated film The Wild Robot and portrayed Romeo in the Broadway musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet.

Jacob Elordi

If there’s one actor who should be singled out for his range, it’s Jacob Elordi. While most might recognize Elordi for his role as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria, he first became a household name portraying Noah Flynn in The Kissing Booth, and though both projects are set in high school, tonally, they could not be more different. Elordi’s success from the Kissing Booth franchise helped catapult him to A-lister status, and he has stayed booked and busy.

Joseph Quinn

Few recurring characters from Stranger Things have left as lasting of an impact as Season 4’s Eddie Munson, brought to life by Joseph Quinn. Eddie is zany and charismatic, but also deeply misunderstood and empathetic, which makes audiences fall in love with him. Since Stranger Things, Quinn has booked many high-profile gigs, including a major role in A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2.

Ho-Yeon Jung

Ho-Yeon Jung gives a scene-stealing, supporting performance as North Korean defector Sae-Byeok Kang in Squid Game. Watching Sae-Byeok’s cold, reserved demeanor slowly melt in the presence of a genuine friend is truly gripping, making her fate in the show all the more heart-wrenching, and Jung captures this arc beautifully. It’s no wonder her performance had such a lasting impact on Squid Game's millions of viewers.

Noah Centineo

Noah Centineo’s charming portrayal of adorkable schoolmate Peter Kavinsky made him an Internet Boyfriend back in 2018. Centineo realized he struck gold with this archetype because he continued to take roles that were very Kavinsky-esque, including acting as Sierra Burgess’s crush in Sierra Burgess Is a Loser and the lead in the romantic comedy The Perfect Date.

Maya Hawke

Having superstars like Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman as your parents definitely doesn’t hurt your chances of making it big in Hollywood, but it takes a special talent to transcend “nepo baby” status and be celebrated for your own work, which Maya Hawke has successfully done through her role in Stranger Things. Hawke’s character, Robin Buckley, is so funny and down to earth, that you can’t help but love her, and, by extension, Hawke herself.

Joe Locke

Joe Locke gained notoriety for his sensitive portrayal of love-struck teen Charlie Spring in Heartstoppers, which garnered him a Children’s and Family Emmy Award nomination. His subsequent roles include Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on Broadway and William Kaplan in Agatha All Along.

Richard Gadd

Richard Gadd had a devastating early start to his career as a screenwriter, and he somehow managed to spin those awful experiences into a comedic and harrowing limited series based on his own experiences called Baby Reindeer. Baby Reindeer has received mass viewership and acclaim and earned Gadd multiple Emmy awards and nominations for creating and starring in it.

Emma Myers

Emma Myers’s bubbly, energetic character Enid Sinclair is the perfect Golden Retriever best friend to compliment Wednesday Addams’s standoffish, black cat energy, quite literally in fact, considering Enid is a werewolf. And the Internet loves it when opposites attract, so Emma Myers quickly went viral for her character’s cheerful disposition and rainbow color palette.

Noah Schnapp

In many ways, Will Byers, brought to life by actor Noah Schnapp, is the heart and soul of Stranger Things. It is the search for Will, the desperation to release him from the monster’s grasp, and the longing to reconnect with him that drives the series forward. And Schnapp’s acting chops added so many textures to Will’s character, from his trauma and paranoia to his nerdiness and deep love for his friends, so it’s no surprise he became a fan favorite.

Jessica Gunning

As Penn Badgley knows, it takes a talented actor to compellingly portray a stalker so well that you compel viewers to watch you rather than repulse them, and Jessica Gunning proved that she was the best choice for the chop with her unhinged performance as Martha in Baby Reindeer. The performance was such a standout, in fact, that it earned Gunning her first Emmy award.

Of all the 2024 movie releases we’re still waiting on, it’s possible that Ridley Scott’s return to the world of one of his biggest hits with the fast-approaching Gladiator II is the film that people are looking forward to the most. One of the stars is A Quiet Place: Day One’s Joseph Quinn, and while he was worried about appearing in a sequel for the beloved Gladiator, he admitted that hearing one A-lister’s name made the pitch “undeniable.”

What Did Gladiator II’s Joseph Quinn Say About One A-Lister’s Name Helping Him Decide To Do The Sequel?

Joseph Quinn’s career has been picking up lots of steam since we first saw his work as the fan favorite Eddie Munson in Stranger Things Season 4 in 2022. As previously mentioned, fans had the opportunity to see him on the big screen just this summer, when he led A Quiet Place: Day One with Lupita Nyong’o. While he’s currently filming his role as Johnny Storm/Human Torch for the hotly anticipated The Fantastic Four: First Steps, this fall will see the actor step into the villainous sandals of Roman co-emperor Geta.

It’s not every day that we get a sequel for a film as beloved as Gladiator, not to mention for an award-winning movie that was released nearly a quarter of a century ago, so it probably goes without saying that Quinn was a bit nervous about the idea of being a part of the new story, despite the talent involved. As he said of the original epic during a recent interview with L’Officiel USA:

We all know that Quinn is probably correct in the assumption that many Gladiator fans were likely quite leery when initial plans for this sequel was announced, even with the legendary filmmaker being involved again. Honestly, I’m guessing that I say “they better leave that alone” at least five times a day for any remake/sequel of any movie/TV show/song that I love.

However, it turns out that Quinn (who didn’t have any gym showdowns with co-star Paul Mescal while training for the new movie) changed his understandably unsure stance on Gladiator II when hearing that he’d be working with a certain A-lister known as two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington, who reunites with Ridley Scott on the sequel. As Quinn said about deciding to play a part in the film because of the Training Day star:

I wouldn’t be able to deny an opportunity to work with Mr. Washington either, and I’m not even an actor, so I think we all get his motivation here. Hopefully, his first time meeting the acclaimed talent went way better than the first time Quinn met Taylor Swift.

Gladiator II, which also stars Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielson and Fred Hechinger, among others, hits theaters on November 22.

Although Joaquin Phoenix has been professionally acting since 1982, in 2000, he hit a major milestone in his career with the release of Gladiator, where he played the antagonistic Commodus. That role netted him his first Oscar nomination, and more than two decades later, Gladiator II is just months away from hitting the 2024 release schedule and bringing moviegoers back to this version of the Roman Empire. However, because no one wanted to “spoil” Phoenix’s memorable Gladiator performance, Joseph Quinn, who plays Emperor Geta in the sequel, took notes on some other memorable fictional villains instead.

At this point in history, Quinn’s Geta rules Rome with his brother, Fred Hechinger’s Caracalla, and judging by the Gladiator II trailer, these two are just as despicable as Commodus, if not more so. That said, it was important that these two didn’t come off as carbon copies of Joaquin Phoenix’s character, with Quinn telling Empire:

So with Commodus off the table, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger turned to other villains who are dastardly, unrepentant and, most importantly, audiences love to hate. Examples in the article included Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s Davian from Mission: Impossible III and Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from The Fifth Element, whom Quinn said has this “relish for being horrible.” Director Ridley Scott also mentioned that in addition to Gladiator II’s Geta and Caracalla being inspired by their historical counterparts, he sees them as the “equivalent of Romulus and Remus” from Roman mythology, who were “bred from the milk of a wolf” and “probably brain damaged.”

Throw all those influences together, and you have a terrific cocktail of villainy to throw at Paul Mescal’s Lucius Verus, Gladiator II’s lead protagonist. Picking up over two decades after the events of Gladiator, the sequel follows Lucius, who was previously being played by Spencer Treat Clark, living in Numidia with his wife and daughter, having given up his claim to the Roman Empire and not seen with his mother, Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla, for roughly 15 years. However, when his town is invaded by Pedro Pascal’s General Marcus Acacius, Lucius is forced into slavery and forced to fight as a gladiator for the amusement of Geta, Caracalla and the rest of Rome’s populace, just like Russell Crowe’s Maximus did long before him (you can stream his story with a Paramount+ subscription).

Gladiator II’s other cast members include Denzel Washington, Derek Jacobi, Tim McInnerny, Alexander Karim and Rory McCann, and David Scarpa wrote the screenplay off a story he crafted with Peter Craig. We’ll get a sense of where Geta and Caracalla fit among the pantheon of cinematic baddies when the sequels arrives on November 22.

Overshadowed by the news that Robert Downey Jr. will be returning to the MCU for a handful of upcoming Marvel movies, the famous Comic-Con Hall H panel also included information about what fans can expect from some of the costumes the new cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps will wear when the film releases in July 2025.

It’s no secret that costuming can make or break a movie, especially one that revolves around the suspension of reality. The past Fantastic Four films haven’t always had the greatest luck when it came to creating some of the more difficult costumes, like The Thing’s rocky skin or the Human Torch’s fire effects, but that doesn’t seem to be a problem with First Steps thanks to advancements in technology.

At least, that seems to be the case for Ebon Moss Bachrach, who is set to play The Thing. In a post-panel interview with MTV, The Bear star and his co-star Joseph Quinn were asked about how costume fittings were going and if they had begun to regret signing on to the film. Bachrach was the first to answer, praising his costume, or lack of one, by saying:

Instead of creating a physical suit like past Fantastic Four films have done, director Matt Shakman has decided that they will be using CGI technology to bring The Thing to life. Bachrach seems to be thrilled at the change.

Unfortunately, Stranger Things’ breakout star Joseph Quinn isn’t getting the same CGI treatment as Bachrach, but that hasn’t led to any regret for taking on the iconic role once held by Chris Evans. In fact, Quinn seems to thrilled with the looks they’ve come up for his version of the Human Torch.

• Joseph Quinn: Yes, he looks very comfortable. I wasn’t regretting too many of my life choices. We’ve put together some pretty strong looks. I think, yeah… Yes, of course [I look good in the mirror].
• Ebon Moss Bachrach: Well, Joe’s got his top off for like, 75 percent of the movie.
• Quinn: Yeah, Ebon wrote on that rewrite.

The highly-anticipated superhero flick had yet to begin production when the interview was filmed, and yet Bachrach and Quinn were already comfortable enough that they had no problem teasing each other. This bodes well for the film, which will focus on the familial dynamic among the team members instead of being another origin story.

Bachrach and Quinn are just 50% of the core team. They will be joined by Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby, who also had a viral Comic-Con moment. The quartet will also be joined by Julia Garner as The Silver Surfer and Ralph Ineson as Galactus, among others.

It’ll be a while before fans get to see the Fantastic Four costumes on the big screen, but hopefully the wait will be worth it. After all, Marvel really needs to knock them out of the park since the superhero group is slated to also appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars.

It’s not likely that Stranger Things Season 5 will end up taking over the 2024 TV schedule, with the final batch of eps likely to start dropping in early 2025. The latest official behind-the-scenes video from Netflix strengthens that assumption by confirming the production that started up in January is now still only half-completed, with several more months of filming to come. Perhaps shockingly, however, the BTS clip contains footage that appears to answer a big question about the fate of the Hellfire Club in the wake of Eddie’s assumed death.

Following the deadly and highly destructive events at the end of Stranger Things Season 4, many fans were curious (bordering on worried) that the questionable sacrifice of Joseph Quinn’s Eddie meant that the merch-spawning Hellfire Club would disband or otherwise disappear when Season 5 kicks off. But it appears as if the group will continue to thrive somewhat in the final episodes, assuming the moment being filmed below does indeed come from a “current” scene within the show’s timeline.

To play devil's advocate with this Hellfire Club business(pun not intended but still hopefully appreciated), it's certainly possible that Dustin is only wearing the applicable T-shirt in memory of his late friend and one of Hawkins' biggest badasses. And he's the only one of the friend group donning such attire, which could mean it's no longer embraced by the wider community. To the extent that it was in Season 4, anyway.

Despite any logical arguments standing in the way, however, I still believe that Matt and Ross Duffer will continue to keep the Hellfire Club going in Season 5. If not as an evolving plot point in which Dustin leads a squad of emblem-clad warriors, than as a likely catalyst for Hawkins residents and others to misguidedly dive into Satanic Panic mode by blaming the club for Stranger Things' many deaths and spooky chaos.

Granted, the real-world controversy that pervaded many levels of culture throughout the '80s and '90s didn't have any legitimately supernatural culprits like Vecna causing town-wide destruction. As such, it'll be a stretch for anyone to legitimately think a group of D&D-enjoying good-guy nerds are responsible for everything happening. So maybe the group will get to exist without being a scapegoat for monsters.

One might think that single image is the crux of the new video shared to Stranger Things' X page, but it's just a small part of this celebratory look at what the cast and crew have been busy with for the past six months. Check it out!

As far as other exciting news goes, several new cast members pop up in the video above, such as Bookworm's Nell Fisher, Joe Pickett's Alex Breaux and up-and-coming young actor Jake Connelly. Info about which characters each will be playing is yet to be learned.

While waiting for more behind-the-scenes looks at Season 5, all four seasons of Stranger Things can be streamed with a Netflix subscription. Batshit theories can’t just make themselves up, people!

Of all the upcoming Marvel movies that fans are looking forward to, there may be none with quite as much interest as The Fantastic Four. They are the first family of comics, and some of the most important characters in the superhero comic genre, and yet, the previous Fantastic Four film adaptations have been, uneven, at best. Joseph Quinn is getting ready to join the MCU in the upcoming film and it sounds like he’s quite excited for it, thanks to his A Quiet Place: Day One co-star Lupita Nyong’o.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is becoming so big that it’s getting difficult for any other movie to avoid starring actors who play roles in the Disney-owned franchise. Such is the case with A Quiet Place: Day One, which stars Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Nakia in the Black Panther movies, and Joseph Quinn, who is set to join the Fantastic Four cast as Johnny Storm, The Human Torch. Quinn told People that his costar had been a great help to him, as she’s talked about how much she’s enjoyed working on the MCU movies. Honestly, it sounds like may have played a significant part in getting him to take the role. Quinn said…

Based on the Fantastic Four details we have, the movie is going to be a period piece, set in the 1960s, though not necessarily in a universe that we’ll easily recognize. Of course, it seems likely that at some point, the team will find themselves in the main MCU timeline, so perhaps The Human Torch and Nakia will cross paths at some point.

The fact that making Marvel movies is “a blast” according to Lupita Nyong’o is potentially quite important when you consider what taking an MCU role likely entails. Marvel contracts are frequently for multiple movies, but exactly which movies, and when they’ll be made is frequently unclear. We can expect there are hopes that Fantastic Four will be a franchise of its own, but the characters could just as easily appear in other franchise movies over the next several years.

Making Fantastic Four movies may be a lot of fun, but they’re also a lot of work. Joseph Quinn has started working out with a personal trainer to get ready for the role. Filming is expected to start later this year ahead of the The Fantastic Four's release date which is currently set for just over a year from now, on July 25, 2025.

SPOILERS are ahead for A Quiet Place: Day One.

I’ll never forget seeing the original A Quiet Place movie. At the time, I wouldn’t have counted myself as a big horror fan (which has changed a lot since), but my friend and I decided to catch a screening of the 2018 hit film, and we walked out in love with John Krasinski’s original concept. I’ve since made it a tradition to go see A Quiet Place movies in theaters, including its prequel Day One, which I’ll admit I’ve been unsure whether it would hit the same. Now that I’ve fallen for another movie in the franchise with this new release, I want to discuss how it connects to my hopes for Part III.

A Quiet Place: Day One was based on a story by John Krasinski, but handed off to Pig director Michael Sarnoski to write and direct. While I initially didn’t understand why the main series would pause Part III to deliver this installment, I absolutely appreciated this standalone story and now I have some thoughts regarding how I’d like Day One and Part III to connect.

I Was Worried About A Quiet Place Prequel, But I Loved Day One 

Generally, I’m so tired of prequels. I’m frustrated with filmmakers deciding to over explain the origin of a character I like just because there’s facts behind a specific franchise doing well at the box office. Going into Day One, I had those reservations (especially after CinemaBlend’s 2-star A Quiet Place: Day One review), but I’m so happy I went out to see it in theaters along with a ton of A Quiet Place fans during opening weekend. I thankfully found the movie to be another really impressive and even unexpected entry not only into this franchise, but any franchise.

Rather than Day One getting too into the weeds of the origin of the aliens, Krasinski and Sarnoski used the movie as an opportunity to tell a very human story with more attention on its characters than providing some kind of exhaustive and generic summer alien movie with A Quiet Place slapped on the title. I loved the concept of it being told from the perspective of Lupita Nyong’o’s Samira, a woman living in hospice for a terminal condition. How would someone who already has been preparing to die deal with the end of the world? I found the storyline following Samira’s perspective throughout the movie to be really original, captivating and, most of all, moving.

The Relationship Between Eric And Samira Was A Real Highlight 

Samira’s character arc in Day One was only elevated by Joseph Quinn’s Eric, a British law student who finds himself alone and very terrified by the end of days he is suddenly confronted with. However, when he looks into the sweet eyes of a cat named Frodo and happens upon its owner, Samira, he finds purpose and solace in navigating the terrors New York City is dealing with during the alien invasion. I found the relationship between Samira and Eric to be the most captivating element of Day One. Despite them being complete strangers, an unspeakable bond between them forms that has each of them instinctively taking care and wanting the best for the other.

A lot of alien invasion movies focus on this 'every man for himself' mentality that could surface in humans when they are met with the potential of death and destruction. I appreciated Day One’s empathetic approach to the end of days through these two people. That is particularly illustrated through Samira’s ruthless hunt for one of the last slices of Patsy’s pizza throughout the movie. While most people were crowding to a boat to get to safety, she risked her life to get to Harlem to experience a slice of nostalgia she’s been longing for before her death. While Eric could have been characterised as someone who finds her off her rocker for going to Harlem for pizza instead of to safety, he joins her on her mission and even risks his life big time for both Frodo and Samira. In the end, Samira risks her life to get Eric to the ship.

How I Hope Day One Influences The Storytelling In Part 3

While Samira ultimately goes back to Harlem and dies there, Eric and Frodo get on the boat, notably with Djimon Hounsou’s Henri, who links the prequel to the last Quiet Place movie. If you may recall from A Quiet Place Part II’s ending, Henri was the leader of a group of survivors that welcomes Regan and Emmett to their community. Henri dies in Part II, but what if Eric and Frodo are still among the survivors of the community we have yet to meet?

By the end of Part II, Millicent Simmonds’ Regan is still separated from her mother and siblings alongside Cillian Murphy’s Emmett. Regan finds a way to kill one of the aliens herself, which could prove to be very helpful in humanity’s fight to survive. Following the events of Day One now telling the story of how Eric got on one of the rescue boats, I hope Part III will bring Joseph Quinn’s Eric (and Frodo the Cat) back and make him a new ally to Regan and Emmett!

Since it’s now been years since Part II was filmed, I imagine Part III will have to have some sort of time jump to explain Regan and her brother Marcus suddenly being older (Part II was filmed in 2019). Perhaps Regan is leading some sort of charge to kill the aliens once and for all and enlists the other survivors, including Eric, to do so. I want Eric to return to the fold because I found his arc in the prequel to be memorable, and it could lend itself to a more complete arc where he becomes a major part of saving Earth after being visibly panicked and scared in the first days of the invasion. I could particularly see some sweet moments unfolding between Eric and Regan. Quinn is such a solid talent, and I hope he finds his way in the next Quiet Place movie!

While Paramount previously announced A Quiet Place Part III as among upcoming horror movies, we don’t currently know when it’s coming. We’ll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend!

As Joseph Quinn’s star continues to rise thanks to Stranger Things and major projects on the 2024 movie schedule, he is becoming more and more recognizable. On top of Jack Black helping him realize he’s getting more famous, he also got praised by Metallica for the "Master of Puppets" scene in Stranger Things 4. That doesn’t necessarily mean he doesn’t still get starstruck though, as he recalled a time he met Taylor Swift and it didn’t exactly go as planned.

While appearing on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the Gladiators 2 cast member spoke about meeting the “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” singer and how it all went down. As with just about anyone who meets their idol or someone incredibly famous, it's hard not to get starstruck, as the actor said:

It’s sweet knowing that she had some nice things to say about Stranger Things, and it sounds like Quinn tried to reciprocate. However, it definitely seems like he was truly starstruck, and all he could get out was pointing out who she was, and honestly, I would probably do the same. Luckily, he mentioned that the singer was a good sport about it, and I really hope they get to meet again in the future to make for it:

Taylor Swift’s upcoming projects are keeping her busy, including her record-breaking The Eras Tour, which is currently traveling around Europe. The tour has brought out a number of high-profile celebrities from all over, and it’s always great to see who shows up. For instance, she and Travis Kelce recently met royalty when Prince William, Prince George, and Princess Charlotte went to one of the London shows. It’s unclear if Joseph Quinn met her at an Eras show or some other event, but all around, he had a very relatable reaction to meeting her.

Since The Eras Tour is going through the end of the year, perhaps Quinn will find time to go. However, he's pretty busy. He has been raking in a lot of roles since Stranger Things, including Human Torch in the highly-anticipated upcoming Marvel movie Fantastic Four movie, so it might be a little hard. At the very least, the longer he has to prepare to meet Swift again, the better. However, considering how high his star has risen, maybe if he meets the pop star again, she might get a little starstruck too.

However, that's all speculation. Here's what we know: Quinn’s career continues to take off, which means that he will be coming across many celebrities, either online or in person. Between the releases of A Quiet Place: Day One (which is in theaters now), Gladiator 2 and Fantastic Four, he's on his way to becoming a household name like Taylor Swift, and we love that for him!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine, one that's constantly growing thanks to both theatrical movies and other projects that are streaming with a Disney+ subscription. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies heading to theaters is Matt Shakman's The Fantastic Four. A new group of actors is making up that titular team, but has Fantastic Four’s Joseph Quinn reached out to Chris Evans or Michael B. Jordan ahead of playing Human Torch? His take makes sense.

What we know about Fantastic Four is limited, but fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have not-so-patiently been waiting for the team to finally join the shared universe. That's about to happen, with Joseph Quinn helping to lead the new Fantastic Four cast as Johnny Storm/ Human Torch. While speaking with Men's Health recently, he explained why he hasn't been in contact with his predecessors Evans and Jordan. In Quinn's words: 

There you have it. It sounds like Quinn doesn't want to be influenced by the previous two version of Human Torch for his take on the character for Fantastic Four. And since he'll already have been shoes to fill and will no doubt be subjected to comparisons, this sounds like a really smart plan.

Quinn's comment help to peel back the curtain on how he's approaching the role of Human Torch. Johnny Storm is one of the most beloved members of the Fantastic Four team, and is usually the comedic relief of the quartet. We'll just have to wait and see how he makes it his own. 

Information about this new blockbuster is limited, but Kevin Feige recently confirmed that Fantastic Four is indeed a period piece set in the 1960's. It should be fascinating to see how this impacts the blockbuster, and how the team of heroes somehow gets to make it into the main timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Joseph Quinn has been booking a ton of exciting work since becoming a breakout star in Stranger Things. While some fans are still wondering if Eddie is dead in Stranger Things, Quinn is keeping busy in projects like A Quiet Place: Day One, Gladiator 2 and Fantastic Four.

The Fantastic Four is expected to arrive in theaters on July 25th 2025. In the meantime, check out the 2025 movie release dates.

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2, which is set to come out in November per our 2024 movie schedule, has a tough act to follow. The original 2000 film topped the box office and won Best Picture at the Oscars. But the star studded cast seems up to the challenge. The film will see Paul Mescal play an older Lucius Verus, in a story that makes a quarter-century time jump. Mescal got absolutely ripped to play the role and turned a lot of heads for doing so. One of his co-stars, Joseph Quinn, was recently asked whether he had gym showdowns with Mescal, and the actor provided a funny take.

Joseph Quinn spoke with Men’s Health for a wide-ranging interview. And it was during the conversation that he talked about what it was like to train with Paul Mescal, after a clip of his shirtless, ripped co-star lifting weights went viral on the Internet. Given the physicality associated with the Gladiator universe, it makes sense that Quinn would be asked if he and Mescal ever had any “gym showdowns” while preparing for their roles. The Stranger Things actor humbly responded:

This is no surprise, given some of the early footage has shown Paul Mescal fighting a rhinoceros (which is surely CGI), so you know he was hitting the weights day in and day out to train. I would expect nothing less than total commitment to a role given the great performances we've seen from Mescal. Funny enough though, it was actually a live stage performance that secured him the role, and he left audiences swooning. But you can check out that viral post for yourself down below:

The All of Us Strangers actor has been one of the Internet’s favorite boyfriends ever since his TV debut in the gut-wrenching Hulu original Normal People. His fame has only grown since then, and it seems like he would prefer to not acquire much more unrequited attention from Gladiator 2. (I know I’ll never forget when the the rumor that he was running away from his dates in London made the rounds on the web.)

But, unfortunately, for the Lost Daughter actor, this cast is the opposite of low-key. Ridley Scott has assembled the ultimate crew of heartthrobs for this movie, with Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington joining Paul Mescal and Joseph Quinn -- and fans have shared shameless reactions. Barry Keoghan, who has had fans thirsting for him after Saltburn, was supposed to appear with Mescal and Quinn, but unfortunately dropped Gladiator 2 for another film. It’s probably for the best, to be honest. Seeing those three together on one screen probably would have had audiences completely overwhelmed. 

In all seriousness though, Paul Mescal deserves a lot of credit for committing to his role from a physical standpoint. And make no mistake, Joseph Quinn is no slouch either. After all, he has been training hard for The Fantastic Four, in which he'll play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. Both Quinn and Mescal are formidable actors, and I'm excited to see what they bring to Ridley Scott's latest epic.

Gladiator 2 is set to release in theaters on November 22. And, if you're looking to do a rewatch of the original film or check it out for the first time, it's streamable with a Paramount+ subscription.

Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn is taking over a lot of big projects on the 2024 movie schedule, between his role in this weekend’s A Quiet Place: Day One and this fall’s Gladiator II. The actor will have a flaming hold over our hearts next summer too, when the MCU’s Fantastic Four movie hits theaters. Ahead of the new Fantastic Four cast uniting on set next month, Quinn has spoken about bringing the Johnny Storm/Ben Grimm dynamic to the big screen, and I can't wait to see it!

The Human Torch and The Thing have always had a notable friendship within the Marvel Comics team. And in one of next summer’s upcoming Marvel movies, The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach is set to play the most tortured member of the team alongside Quinn, Pedro Pascal’s Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman. Here’s what Joseph Quinn said about bringing that dynamic to the big screen with their new iteration: 

Now Quinn hasn’t quite had the opportunity to work with his superhero team yet. As Marvel boss Kevin Feige recently shared (while also confirming some popular rumors about Fantastic Four), the movie is set to begin filming the day after San Diego Comic-Con. When the Stranger Things’ actor spoke to Men’s Health, he also said this: 

Even though the cast has yet to start filming, apparently a group chat between the main cast has “been popping off,” per Quinn. Between the ball of personality and fun Quinn brought to Stranger Things as Eddie Munson and the real depth and humor Moss-Bachrach has showcased on The Bear, I absolutely cannot wait for these two to riff off of each other! You can get a sense of the new Fantastic Four together in this official artwork from Marvel: 

Oh yeah, this is going to be a blast! In the new interview, Quinn also shared that he thought the image was a “really lovely way to announce” the new movie, but he’s still pinching himself over the whole thing. He also called the role a “little surreal” and something he’s approaching with both serious “responsibility” and “a lot of fun.” 

Fantastic Four is set to come out on July 25, 2025! The movie will be a period piece set in the '60s, but as the artwork has teased, it won’t be set in our universe’s New York City at that time. While we wait to see all these dynamics on the big screen, get ready for Marvel's next release, Deadpool & Wolverine, coming July 26, 2024. 

It’s been two years since Stranger Things 4 came out, and Stranger Things Season 5 is inching closer and closer. The wait for the final season has definitely been brutal, especially since there's been very little information released about the plot. And while Stranger Things 5 previously teased a new character duo, and that's exciting, people are wondering if fan-favorite Eddie Munson will come back into the story. Now, Joseph Quinn has shared his take on his character's possible comeback.

Quinn only appeared on Stranger Things 4, but fans were quickly drawn to Eddie, especially because of how close he became with the gang. Unfortunately, the character sacrificed himself in the Season 4, Volume 2 finale, and he was ripped apart by Demobats. Ever since then, fans have been wondering if Eddie survived and hoping for his comeback. While speaking with ET, Quinn shared his hopes about returning to the set to say hi to his former cast mates, explaining:

So, he thinks he'll be back on set just to say hi, but will he be wearing that punk-rock costume again? The interviewer said she felt like Eddie Munson could come back, and Quinn provided this coy answer in response, saying:

Well, that's not a no! Therefore, I have hope!

Eddie’s death was emotional and it devastated fans, and if he were to return, that would probably be some of the best news ever. The fact that even Quinn is not totally denying it means it’s a real possibility.

However, the Duffer Brothers would likely only bring him back if it made sense. Eddie is dead, but it doesn’t exactly count him out for a return. He could be brought back to life, but the path that would make more sense is either a flashback or hallucination, in my opinion.

Eddie and Dustin had a close relationship, so if anyone sees a hallucination of Eddie, it would probably be Gaten Matarazzo’s character. Stranger Things is not predictable, so you never know what could happen or who could come back. Since it is the final season, the Duffer Brothers will be going all out. Even if it may not seem like it, it’s very possible that Eddie Munson could come back, and these latest comments gave me more hope that it might happen.

While Eddie's future is genuinely unknown, we do know that this final season will focus on Noah Schnapp’s Will Byers. There have been theories about Will being a villain, and considering he is still traumatized over what happened in the Upside Down, there is still much to explore.

Since it is the last season, it also means no one is safe. Fans already had to worry about Steve getting killed in Season 4, and their worries will likely come back around for Season 5. Maya Hawke previously expressed interest in Robin dying in a heroic way too. Plus, as we learned with Eddie's story, you never know what will happen or who will die.

Netflix subscribers should prepare themselves for the fifth and final season of Stranger Things. Even though there isn’t a premiere date right now, the episodes will be here before you know it. Netflix is one of the best streaming services, and once Stranger Things 5 hits, it will once again truly be the best.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be thinking about Joseph Quinn's comments, because I really want Eddie to come back.

A Quiet Place was a huge box office hit when it was released in 2018, with its largely dialogue-free scripts ramping up the intensity of the theatrical experience. That paved the way for a sequel a few years later, and now we’re going to see where it all began, in the upcoming horror movie from director Michael Sarnoski. With A Quiet Place: Day One’s release date approaching on June 28, critics have had the opportunity to screen the post-apocalyptic series’ third offering, and critics aren’t in agreement over what they’ve seen.

In the timeline of A Quiet Place, the new installment takes place around the same time as A Quiet Place: Part II’s prologue, which shows Earth being invaded by sightless extraterrestrial beings with an acute sense of hearing. Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn star, with Djimon Hounsou reprising his role from the sequel. So what are the critics saying? In CinemaBlend’s review of A Quiet Place: Day One, our own Eric Eisenberg says this premise has run out of steam, with the prequel making no effort to bring any fresh perspective to the aliens or the franchise’s world. He rates the film 2 out of 5 stars, writing: 

May Abdulbaki of ScreenRant agrees the franchise has overstayed its welcome, saying the prequel lacks emotional depth and creativity, has a weak storyline and underdeveloped characters. If that isn’t enough, Abdulbaki also says the creatures are less scary than in the previous two movies. The critic rates the movie 2 stars out of 5 and says:  

The above critics, however, may be in the minority, because others, like Jordan Hoffman of EW find Day One to be thrilling and even quite touching in its non-alien moments. The critic likes seeing how the invasion affected a big city like New York, giving the movie a B+ and writing: 

David Rooney of THR agrees that setting A Quiet Place: Day One in New York makes all the difference, as well as focusing the story around found family instead of parents protecting their children. The prequel proves, according to Rooney, the franchise is far from tapped out. In the critic’s words: 

Kate Erbland of IndieWire grades the movie a B, praising Lupita Nyong’o’s performance and saying the story adds new layers to the franchise and is able to stand on its own merits. Erbland continues: 

Ahead of its theatrical release on Friday, June 28, the alien invasion movie is drawing mostly positive assessments from those who have seen it, holding an 87% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, some critics think Michael Sarnoski doesn’t do enough creatively with the world he inherited, resulting in a less-than-scary offering. Will you be giving A Quiet Place: Day One a try? Be sure to check out what else is hitting theaters soon with our 2024 movie release calendar.  

Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn will be playing with fire in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as he has joined the cast of The Fantastic Four, in which he'll play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. The British actor will be the latest person to take on the iconic role, theatrically, after Michael B. Jordan played Torch in the 2015 film and Chris Evans played the fiery character in Tim Story's films. Ahead of production on MCU Phase Six film, Quinn is already hitting the gym to prep, and it's making me super pumped for this movie!

Playing The Human Torch absolutely requires an actor to be in top physical shape. Ahead of the upcoming reboot's productions start in July, Joseph Quinn told GQ about how he’s already hitting the gym for training. As for how his training for the new Fantastic Four movie is going, he said the following:

A quality trainer will definitely push you to do the grunt work you wouldn’t normally perform, and it sounds like the rising star has just such a person. By all accounts, Joseph Quinn has really been buying into fiery prep methods for playing Storm. (And no, he doesn’t intend to play the superhero role by setting himself on fire as he previously joked about.) If all goes to planned with his workouts, he'll be more than ready to fit into a skin-tight superhero costume by the time he jets off to Glastonbury. I'm personally excited to see the results of his hard work, and I know he'll crush the role!

All in all, the Overlord actor seems more than excited upcoming Marvel movie, and his mention of training makes the prospect of cameras rolling feel all the more real to me. Joseph Quinn already teased the “brilliant” vision The Fantastic Four has to offer audiences. For a while now, fans have been waiting to see a new version of the superhero family on the big screen, and the few details we have on the flick thus far indicate that this will be a fresh take on the quartet. 

What we know so far about the film is that we won’t be getting an origin story this time around. Also, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach will be playing the roles of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Susan Storm/Invisible Woman and Ben Grimm/The Thing, respectively, alongside Joseph Quinn. The first film of MCU Phase Six will also sport a somewhat retro vibe by the looks of the concept art. WandaVision’s Matt Shakman will be directing the new movie, with War of the Worlds scribe Josh Friedman writing it. 

It's great that Joseph Quinn is getting in shape and, honestly, I'd assume that he's well adept at doing so by now, given he'll also appear in the upcoming Gladiator II. The wait for the forthcoming MCU film will be tough, but I'll just have to keep reminding myself that production is on the verge of starting, which means we're a step closer to getting the film.

You'll be able to see the actor take flight as the Human Torch and yell "flame one" on the big screen when The Fantastic Four opens in theaters on July 25 as part of the 2025 movie schedule.

Gladiator II has been a film very long in the making, but now it is almost here. While director Ridley Scott had been talking about a follow-up for decades we didn’t really know if we’d ever see it, but now we know just how serious Scott was, as Joseph Quinn has talked about what the set was like and the director’s wild camerawork.

In an interview with GQ, Joseph Quinn, who plays Emperor Geta in the Gladiator II cast, says that he only found out about the movie as he was finishing filming A Quiet Place: Day One, but what he heard made him want to be part of the project. He explained…

From all accounts, working with Ridley Scott has to be a pretty intense experience. Joseph Quinn has talked about how wild the production was but the actor is clearly impressed with the director. At one point there were apparently as many as eight cameras running simultaneously. It’s hard to imagine most directors being capable of managing something like that, but Quinn was impressed with Scott’s ability to do so. He said… 

You certainly do need to know where to put them. With that many cameras, it’s about not only aiming them at whatever they need to be filming but making sure none of them get in the way of the others. I’m honestly having difficulty figuring out how you put eight cameras in the same space and avoid having one of them accidentally get another camera in its shot.

And yet, apparently, it all worked out. We’ll have to see what happens with the end result when the Gladiator II release date arrives in November, but there doesn’t seem to be much question that the production of the film was a herculean task that was executed to near perfection. It sounds like Quinn is just happy to have been part of it. He continued…

While even Russell Crowe has concerns about Gladiator II, it will be interesting to see how the new film, set decades after the original, compares. The first movie won the box office and won Oscars, if nothing else it sounds like the sequel will have some Oscar-worthy camera work. 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly releasing new content, either in theaters or streaming with a Disney+ subscription. One of the most hotly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies is definitely Matt Shakman's Fantastic Four movie, as fans have been waiting a long time to see those heroes in the shared universe. The Fantastic Four cast list includes Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn as The Human Torch, and he recently teased the fiery prep coming his way for the role.

What we know about Fantastic Four is slim, but that hasn't stopped fans from getting super excited. After all, those of us who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have noticed their absence. Joseph Quinn recently spoke to GQ about starting pre-production, offering:

It sounds like the cast of Fantastic Four will be assembling soon across the pond to shoot the highly anticipated blockbuster. And Joseph Quinn's comments made it seem like Johnny Storm's fire powers aren't going to be all visual effects.

Marvel security is notoriously tight, so Quinn and company aren't able to say much about the developing blockbuster. He mentioned getting outfitted for his super suit, as well as getting very close to fire. We'll just have to wait and see how Human Torch's abilities end up translating on the big screen. 

Superhero fans obviously know that this isn't the first time Human Torch has been adapted for a live-action film. Chris Evans famously played Johnny Storm in two Fantastic Four movies prior to being cast as the MCU's Captain America. VFX technology has changed quite a bit in the years since, so it should be fascinating to see how differently the fiery hero looks within the shared universe. 

While Johnny Storm going full "flame on" necessitates extensive visual effects, other aspects of the character's powers could be done with practical work. Joseph Quinn could have talked about the wire work that'll be used to make him fly, but instead mentioned fire specifically. And that's what makes me think that the production might be using real fire to bring action sequences to life. 

Fans have been waiting years and years for characters like the X-Men and Fantastic Four to finally join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox and its properties opened that door, but the studio took its time developing the FF movie. Still, the announcement of which four actors will be playing the team set the internet into a frenzy. After all, Quinn will be joined by Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

Fantastic Four is currently expected to arrive in theaters on July 25th, 2025. In the meantime, check the 2025 movie release dates.

The Fantastic Four have had a rocky time of it on the film front. A movie starring Marvel’s First Family made in 1994 never even got released, the movies from the 2000s earned mixed critical reception and never made much of a splash at the box office, and the 2015 reboot was a dud all around. But it’s like the old saying goes, the fifth time’s the charm, right? Maybe not, but we do know that The Fantastic Four: First Steps will finally give audiences a version of this team that are part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.

Plot-wise, little has been revealed about this upcoming Marvel movie, though it's been confirmed it will be set in another universe rather than the main MCU reality. What has been an open book is learning which actors are starring in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, which includes Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby playing two of its heroes. So let’s discuss them and the others who have been announced or reported so far.

Pedro Pascal

Although Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness saw John Krasinski cameoing as Earth-838’s Reed Richards, a.k.a. Mister Fantastic, he’s not reprising the role for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Instead, it’ll be Pedro Pascal bringing the stretchy superhero to life following Ioan Gruffudd and Miles Teller. In addition to having prior superhero movie experience from playing Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984, Pascal goes deep with genre projects overall, with that list including Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.

Vanessa Kirby

Unlike Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby doesn’t already have superhero movie experience, but she does know her way around the action genre thanks to Hobbs & Shaw and two of the Mission: Impossible movies, with a third one on the way. She’s also well known for playing Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon on The Crown as a series regular in the first two seasons, and a guest role in Season 5. She’ll succeed Jessica Alba and Kate Mara in playing Sue Storm, a.k.a. The Invisible Woman, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach

Ebon Moss-Bachrach has already spent some time in the MCU playing David Lieberman, a.k.a. Micro, in The Punisher Season 1, but needless to say Benjamin Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing, is a much bigger role, one previously played by Michael Chiklis and Jamie Bell. The actor’s other genre experience includes NOS4A2 and Andor, but these days, he’s most famous for playing Richie Jerimovich in The Bear, which netted him an Emmy win and Golden Globe nomination, among other accolades.

Joseph Quinn

Joseph Quinn has been professionally acting for over a decade, but in 2022, he gained worldwide fame for playing Eddie Munson in Stranger Things Season 4. That paved the way for him to be cast in A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2, but The Fantastic Four: First Steps is arguably his biggest project yet. Like Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan before him, he’s been cast as Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch.

Julia Garner

If you’re a Netflix subscriber, then there’s a good chance you’re familiar with Julia Garner from Ozark and/or Inventing Anna. Film-wise, her body of work includes The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For and The Royal Hotel, but it’s safe to say that The Fantastic Four: First Steps is her biggest cinematic project yet. Garner has reportedly been cast as Shalla-Bal, who is the love interest of Norris Radd, a.k.a. The Silver Surfer, in the comics. However, apparently for this movie, Garner’s version of Shalla-Bal will be Silver Surfer instead, which begs the question of where thing with Norrin stand, assuming we even see him.

Paul Walter Hauser

From I, Tonya and Richard Jewell to Cruella and Da 5 Bloods, Paul Walter Hauser has acted in some major movies over the years, and he’s also been present throughout Cobra Kai as Stingray. As far the Fantastic Four reboot goes, his role is officially being kept a mystery for now, but we shouldn’t necessarily assume he’ll be on camera. Taking into account his voice acting work in Orion and the Dark and Inside Out 2, I suspect he may be the voice of H.E.R.B.I.E. the robot, who’s in the first official piece of concept art with Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny.

John Malkovich

Arguably the most famous actor on this list, John Malkovich is jumping back into the superhero movie genre for the first time since he played Quentin Turnbull in 2010’s Jonah Hex, although he did also play Marvin Boggs in the RED movies, which were loosely inspired by the same-named DC Comics limited series. In any case, as with Hauser, Malkovich’s role in The Fantastic Four: First Steps hasn’t been disclosed yet, but our own Eric Eisenberg is hoping he’ll play The Vulture, as the actor was going to bring that villain to life in the scrapped Spider-Man 4. It's more likely, though, that he's been cast as someone like Franklin Storm, Sue and Johnny's father.

Ralph Ineson

Remember when Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer depicted Galactus as a cosmic hurricane cloud? Well, that won’t be happen with The Fantastic Four: First Steps, as Ralph Ineson has been cast in the role. Ineson, known from movies like The Witch and The Green Knight, confirmed this news on social media, though it remains to be seen if his version of Galactus will resemble his traditional appearance from the comics or be depicted differently. I also worry that Galactus’ inclusion in this movie could mean that the Fantastic Four’s Earth will be consumed by him, assuming this reboot does take place in another corner of the Marvel multiverse.

Natasha Lyonne

Whether you’ve been a fan of Natasha Lyonne stretching back to the days of American Pie and Scary Movie 2, or you became enamored with her from shows like Russian Doll and Poker Face, there’s no denying Natasha Lyonne’s talent. Now, per Deadline, she’ll enter the superhero genre by taking part in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. Her role is being kept under wraps for now, though it would be interesting to see her paired with Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s Ben Grimm as Alicia Masters, his blind, sculptor girlfriend.

Directed by Matt Shakman, and Josh Friedman having written the most recent draft of the script, The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens in theaters on July 25, 2025. Check back here for more casting additions, and remember that the majority of the Marvel movies in order and all of the MCU’s tie-in TV shows can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription.

I know we’ve seen a lot of 2024 movies making a lot of noise, but for some cinema fans, the box office has been a bit…quiet since 2021. That’s thanks to director John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place Part II being released in that very year. However, this summer marks the long awaited debut of the upcoming horror movie A Quiet Place: Day One. Promising to show us how the invasion that terrorized the Abbott family came to be. Only, it's New York City that's in the crosshairs of the alien creatures. 

This new trailer from Paramount definitely changes what we know about A Quiet Place’s spinoff. It differs instantly from the world we have seen in the previous Quiet Place movies, in that we are immersed in noise and chaos from the opening beat. Our latest look at the Lupita Nyong’o and Joseph Quinn led prequel also invokes the images that we’ve previously heard about, thanks to our own Jessica Rawden’s CinemaCon footage reaction for A Quiet Place: Day One. Check out the full trailer above.

Because this chapter of the ongoing A Quiet Place saga takes place on Day 1, and in New York City, the odds that we run into John Krasinski and Emily Blunt are slim. Their characters could be seen in their own small town at the beginning of A Quiet Place: Part II, which opened with a rare look at the early events of the alien invasion. Do you remember how chilling this scene was the first time that you watched it?  

But this new prequel in the Quiet Place universe seems ready to plunge audiencxes directly into the chaos and confusion that will come with the alien invasion... only, in one of the globe's busiest cities. And, from the looks of the trailer, we're going to find out how Djimon Hounsou's character from A Quiet Place: Part II enters the story. Will he be friend, or foe?

It’s definitely an interesting time to be releasing a new Day One trailer, especially with A Quiet Place Part III’s intended release date still tentatively plotted for 2025. But what makes the timing even funnier is that next week happens to be the theatrical debut of John Krasinski’s next directorial effort: the family friendly IF. I wonder how Imaginary Friends stand up to these memorable creatures attracted to sound? 

A Quiet Place: Day One will start spreading the news, and whatever body count that comes with it, on June 28th. And if you’re like me and haven’t seen the first two movies in a while, both previous films from the Quiet Place universe are readily available to stream through the power of a Paramount+ subscription. Just be sure you keep the volume at a reasonable level…you never know who’s listening. 

For those with a Netflix subscription, the summer of 2022 was quite special. After three years of waiting, we were finally treated to the fourth season of Stranger Things. Fans not only got a blockbuster season filled with twists, revelations and a brand new, ultra-creepy villain in Vecna, but the surprise of new character, metalhead and Dungeons & Dragons fan Eddie Munson. Joseph Quinn portrayed the wrongfully accused murderer, and helped make the high school (super) senior a stand-out character in the hit sci-fi/horror show’s fourth season. Now, he’s opened up about realizing he was getting famous, and how Jack Black was involved.

What Did Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn Say About Jack Black Helping Him Realize He Was Getting Famous?

Joseph Quinn had quietly been working away in a number of projects (including a small part in Season 7 of Game of Thrones) when he landed the part that actually made him famous. It seemed like he’d just burst onto the scene in 2022, though, and because he made such an impact as the very misunderstood but actually decent Eddie in the fourth season of Stranger Things, it led to a number of exciting new opportunities for him.

He recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly about that time and realizing that a level of fame was coming his way. When asked about the dust-up between rapper Doja Cat and his ST co-star, Noah Schnapp, over the latter posting the musician’s private messages requesting he hook her up with Quinn, the actor noted that the experience was “odd” but “fantastic,” because he’d “never been used to something [he had a major role in] having that far reach.” This led to him bringing up the fact that School of Rock legend and star of the upcoming Borderlands adaptation, Jack Black, had mentioned that Eddie was his favorite character in Season 4, adding:

I can, theoretically, completely understand how wild it must feel to have someone you’re clearly a fan of, and likely have been for many years, not only know who you are but admit to admiring your work. For reference, take a look at what the Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle star told Netflix Geeked shortly after Season 4 hit Netflix, and I bet you can understand why it excites Quinn so much:

If you love Eddie like everyone else who got the chance to watch him does, then I have no doubt that you got a nice little jolt of positivity from hearing Black talk about him, and fully get Quinn’s thrill over it. Of course, as noted above, it would appear that he’s going to have to get ready for even more of his favorites (and everyone else) to know who he is and fawn over his work.

The past couple of years have been major for the actor. Not long from now, we’ll see his starring turns alongside Lupita Nyong’o in the horror prequel A Quiet Place: Day One, on June 28, and then his role as the emperor in Gladiator II on November 22. In addition, it was announced in February that he’s taking on the part of Johnny Storm in the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot.

Though the Stranger Things Season 4 ending didn’t give fans any shred (pun intended) of hope that Eddie Munson could, somehow, show up in the fifth and final season, the star’s answer at a recent convention might indicate that we’ll see the dearly departed heroic character in some form, when Stranger Things Season 5 hits streaming, but even if he doesn’t we still have lots from Quinn to look forward to.

Actor Joseph Quinn became a breakout star thanks to his performance as Eddie in Season 4 of Stranger Things (which can be streamed with a Netflix subscription). Since then he's taken on a number of high profile gigs, recently cast as Fantastic Four's Human Torch as well as playing a role in the cast Gladiator 2. And the 30 year-old actor recently explained why he was so nervous stepping into Ridley Scott's set.

What we know about Gladiator 2 is limited, but cinephiles are psyched to finally return to that franchise... even without Russell Crowe's Maximus. Quinn is reportedly playing Co-Emperor Caracalla, and his fans are eager to see him in the long-awaited sequel. While speaking with EW, he revealed his reaction to the movie's scale. In his words:

Honestly, points were made. Gladiator 2 sounds like a massive production, which will allow Ridley Scott to transport both the cast and crew and the audience back to Ancient Rome. And for an actor who only recently got his big break, it was no doubt a "pinch me" moment seeing just how big of a movie the upcoming drama is. 

Gladiator was a wild success when it hit theaters back in 2000, winning Best Picture and becoming the 2nd highest grossing film of that year. There are big shoes to fill for the sequel, but luckily Scott is back behind the camera, and with some A-list talent attached. 

Of course, the scale of Gladiator 2 might be the new norm for Joseph Quinn. He recently signed on to play the Human Torch in the MCU, a role previously played by Chris Evans. Fans have been waiting a long time for that quartet of heroes to join the shared universe, and smart money says they'll be around for the long haul. So Quinn will no doubt get used to working on giant blockbusters.

Later in that same interview, the Stranger Things fan favorite spoke about being nervous to tarnish the legacy of Scott's original film. And it doesn't sound like he's the only one who felt that way. In his words:

That's pretty understandable. And since the Gladiator sequel took decades before getting into production, the expectations are going to be even higher. Hopefully we're treated to some footage from the movie sooner rather than later. Luckily the first Gladiator 2 footage was screened at CinemaCon, where Paul Mescal was shown fighting a Rhino. 

Stranger Things Season 5 is on its way, and it'll be the final chapter for the beloved show. Fans are still wondering if Eddie is really dead, so we'll have to see if Joseph Quinn pops up at all.

Gladiator 2 is expected to hit theaters on November 22nd. in the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates. 

What happens when you put Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Joseph Quinn in the same movie? Internet pandemonium. The trio of actors will lead the Gladiator 2 cast, and following the first footage being shown at CinemaCon this week, fans who haven't even seen it yet (because it wasn't publically released) are proclaiming that they were simultaneously very ready and so not ready to see all three heartthrobs share the screen. 

During CinemaCon this week, which CinemaBlend was in attendance for, we had a chance to see Ridley Scott debut the first footage from the long-awaited sequel ahead of its release this fall on the 2024 movie schedule. The sneak preview of the Gladiator sequel involved Paul Mescal’s Lucius fighting a rhinoceros and both Pascal and Quinn being introduced as the villainous emperors following Joaquin Phoenix’s memorable performance as Commodus in the 2000 original. Here’s one way Twitter is reacting to reports about the footage:  

While a lot of first looks for 2024 movies that were first shown at CinemaCon later dropped on the internet, such as the Joker 2 trailer, only the attendees of the Las Vegas event, who mainly consisted of theater exhibitors and press, have witnessed what Gladiator 2 looks like. While Paramount will surely release a trailer for the sequel in the future, fans of Mescal, Pascal and Quinn are particularly coming together at this moment. 

Paul Mescal started turning heads when he starred in the TV adaptation of the popular romance book Normal People with Daisy Edgar-Jones in 2020. The Irish actor has since continued to rise in popularity (much to his dismay), especially with his Oscar-nominated role in 2022’s Aftersun. In terms of Pedro Pascal… do I really need to explain? The actor has risen through the ranks to become the internet’s boyfriend, especially with his “daddy” roles in The Mandalorian and The Last Of Us. 

As this fan pointed out, waiting to see them together on screen is too much, we need a trailer now:

Joseph Quinn is the freshest face of the trio, but he has earned a major fanbase just in the last couple of years alone with his unforgettable role as Eddie Munson in Stranger Things. While most fans have not seen what’s coming for them with Mescal, Pascal and Quinn’s roles in Gladiator 2, the descriptions are enough to cause some major buzz for a first look to drop online:

When CinemaBlend covered the Paramount CinemaCon panel live, managing director Sean O’Connell shared that the Gladiator 2 footage was “incredible,” saying the sequel “increases the stakes of the games” along with sharing that Quinn and Pascal in particular “look terrifying” as “powerful rulers making life miserable for the lower class.” He also shouted out Denzel Washington’s role in the film -- he will reportedly play the mentor to Mescal’s Lucius. 

Basically, there's a lot to get hyped about, and I think we're all feeling how this fan feels:

Ridley Scott most definitely knows how to pick a hot cast! You can get excited for Gladiator 2 right with the internet, as the movie is hitting theaters on November 22! 

The Fantastic Four’s Joseph Quinn has been teasing his role as youngest member Johnny Storm, including joking about possibly setting himself on fire. Quinn has remained tightlipped about his MCU role since the casting announcement (compared to Spider-Man’s Tom Holland). But he gave a slight peek into what Fantastic Four fans can expect from the upcoming reboot. The rising star teased the brilliant vision for the Marvel film, and I need more information right now.

Joseph Quinn Talks Up Matt Shakman’s “Brilliant” Fantastic Four Vision

In February, Joseph Quinn was announced to join Marvel’s First Family alongside Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. They joined already-announced director Matt Shakman. Not much was known about the upcoming Marvel movie besides the casting and director news until now. The Stranger Things actor gave a coy response at Facts Comic-Con (via an X user), saying:  

Of course, Quinn had to keep mum because of Marvel’s notorious veil of secrecy. But I want more juice from the future Johnny Storm. The only clue fans have so far about the film is the viral 404 Johnny Storm poster, which may hint at the project’s setting. The Hoard star’s non-response made me more curious about what Shakman may have in store for the Fantastic Four’s first MCU entry after his work on WandaVision. Quinn only steered the fandom for more details. Still, what we know about Fantastic Four is limited.

Fantastic Four Angles I Would Love To See

Hinting at Shakman’s vision only conjured a multitude of storylines for the family-centric superhero team. I’ve seen multiple stories air between the 1960s and 1990s animated series, the 2005 film (and its 2007 sequel), and the ill-fated 205 reboot. So there are unlimited stories that the MCU reboot could tap into from the Fantastic Four’s six-decade history.

John Krasinski’s role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness opened up the possibility of Quinn and co. being a variant from another universe. This angle fits right in with the ongoing Multiverse Saga. The superhero team could come from the past, present, or future Earth. Not to mention the multiple Marvel universes Marvel could use for a potential story. Casting Ozark’s Julia Garner as the Silver Surfer may hint at this possibility.

Another way they could bring the superhero family into the MCU might be hinted at in the cast posters. It appears the superhero team will be in a futuristic city with throwback elements (either its original home base in New York or current staple Stockton, California). It could take place in an alternative future Earth or throwback to the group’s 1960s origins as hinted in the cast’s costumes. Seeing a new take on Doctor Doom or finally bringing a fully formed Galactus to the silver screen would be the bow on an outstanding Fantastic Four movie.

Of course, Stranger Things fans have been clamoring to hear if Joseph Quin will ditch the Netflix hit series and fan-favorite Eddie Munson for the Marvel film. He didn’t quell those worries with Quinn's poker face response. His answers didn’t ease those fears by indicating he knew Eddie’s status without spilling the beans.

It will be a while before moviegoers see Marvel’s First Family kick off Phase Six as The Fantastic Four will arrive in theaters on July 25, 2025. There will be multiple upcoming Marvel movies hitting theaters before then. Before the MCU reboot premieres, audiences will see Joseph Quinn pop up in upcoming movies, including A Quiet Place: Day One and Gladiator 2. Keep your eyes on CinemaBlend for more Fantastic Four updates.

Stranger Things Season 5 has been filming since early January, which means the cast knows where things are going, even if they can’t speak freely on it. The same apparently goes for former star Joseph Quinn, who was asked straight-up about a Season 5 return during a fan-con. And holy puppetmaster, the future Fantastic Four star’s attempt at a poker face may actually justify all the fan hopes that have gone into those “Eddie Munson might not be dead” theories.

In February, Quinn was revealed to be portraying Johnny Storm for the MCU’s first Fantastic Four movie, a role he possibly never could have imagined landing without the burst of popularity he earned with his work on Stranger Things Season 4. He was able to talk about this earliest phase of becoming a Marvel hero during the FACTS Con in Belgium, where he was also asked if he was “coming back” for the Netflix hit’s next season. He obviously can’t answer it straightforwardly, but it’s not even his words but his approach to answering that seems to say it all.

Quinn’s smile alone goes through four or five different phases in the midst of that answer, seemingly with the wheels inside his head spinning rapidly to try and produce an answer that doesn’t spoil anything, and also doesn’t deflate all the cheers and positive energy that followed the question being asked. Not the easiest path to maneuver.

That pretty massive grin won’t go away either, even though he looks as if he tries a time or two to tamp it down. Quinn even starts cracking up during his first attempt to answer, which amounts to this vague response:

Even though it certainly seemed like Eddie bit the big one with his self-sacrifice in Season 4, the character’s instant popularity sparked immediate hopes that his actions in the Upside-Down weren’t what they seemed. Those hopes were potentially strengthened by the notion that the season’s events could have ended as they did even without Eddie’s suicide-by-demo-bats. And I'm not the only one who thinks Joseph Quinn's on-the-spot reaction was telling, as quite a few commenters also read things similarly.

Because why would Quinn have any reason to bait fans with teases about Stranger Things Season 5 if he 100% wasn't involved at all? He should be able to just point to Eddie's on-screen death while waving any returning notions away and calling for the next question. That wouldn't even involve any outright lying, and definitely wouldn't involve

But even lying might have been better than trying to play it sly, because this is definitely going to bolster excitement for Eddie's return, and that may sour and turn to rioting if he stays absent.

You can bet that Kevin Feige and other Marvel bigwigs have been paying close attention to all of Joseph Quinn's press opps to gauge how closely he'll need to be watched over when it comes to keeping Fantastic Four secrets close to the vest. And if this poker face is any indication of how he'll field questions about Doctor Doom and MCU crossover connections, those execs may turn his Johnny Storm preperation joke into a reality.

Even if he doesn't return, Eddie's joyous Season 4 stint can always be rewatched with a Netflix subscription during the still-lengthy wait for Season 5 to arrive, which is presumably coming after the 2024 TV schedule is done.

Joseph Quinn is set to be the latest actor to portray Johnny Storm a.k.a. The Human Torch on the big screen. For months now, the Internet has been filled with sweet fan art of Quinn as Torch but, this past week, Storm’s “flame on” mode was revealed in concept art from Marvel Studios. That was sweet enough but, now, we also have some comments from the actor himself in regard to his much-discussed role. He not only shared his reaction to landing the part, but he also shared a funny joke about how he intends to play the role. 

The Human Torch has one of the most unique looks of any superhero in the history of comics. After yelling “flame on,” his body becomes engulfed in flames, and he can manipulate and create fire as well. Said powers were on display in the two Tim Story-directed FF flicks, which saw Chris Evans in the role as well as Josh Trank’s 2015 flick that had Michael B. Jordan as Johnny. So, given his fiery new role, Joseph Quinn had a cheeky response when chatting about his approach to portraying the beloved character: 

I mean, that’s certainly one way to commit to a role. In all seriousness though, this comment was just a funny little quip the Stranger Things alum shared while appearing at Belgium’s FACTS convention. He’d, of course, never actually set himself on fire to play the part. After all, it’s one thing to be heavily committed to a role, and it’s another to put yourself in true danger. I’d also think that Disney wouldn’t be too keen if one of the stars of one of their biggest upcoming Marvel movies were to do that to himself. 

During the event, Joseph Quinn couldn't get too specific about The Fantastic Four, which we know only a few details about at this point. What he could talk about, however, was how he feels about being a part of the highly anticipated reboot. When speaking on that front, Quinn dropped some enthusiastic sentiments (which were shared by Joseph Quinn Brasil - Mídias on X): 

The Fantastic Four cast was revealed this past Valentine’s Day and was met with much fanfare - and for good reason. Joining the A Quiet Place: Day One star will be Pedro Pascal, who will play Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/The Invisible Woman and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has featured some fun ensembles before, but I’m particularly eager to see how these actors mesh. Aside from that, I can’t wait to see them on screen as their character and in their full-powered glory. 

Given his past work, I’m excited to see what Joseph Quinn brings to the table as Johnny Storm in the upcoming superhero movie. Let’s hope that his and Adam Shakman’s version of the Human Torch is faithful to the comics but also has plenty of fresh elements to his characterization. I’m also hoping his look will be a sight to behold. Just remember, that CGI will be used to craft that, and Quinn certainly won’t be lighting himself up for real.

The Fantastic Four is set to open in theaters on July 25, 2025. While you wait for it, you can stream the FF duology from the 2000s using a Disney+ subscription and, if you’re a Max subscriber, check out the 2015 reboot.

There’s a nagging question about the upcoming Marvel movie The Fantastic Four that has inspired more than a few juicy rumors. The question is, “Where the heck have the Fantastic Four been this whole time?” We recently ran through 7 possible explanations regarding the location of the team, spanning from “Trapped in Time” to “Lost in the Multiverse.” We know that The Infinity Saga in the MCU has given way to The Multiverse Saga, and have taken several steps to explain that concept for people trying to catch up at home. Well, more clues now have appeared on this beautiful concept art for Joseph Quinn’s Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch, and it’s implying there’s a Multiverse for Marvel’s First Family. 

Above is the Human Torch concept art that Marvel Studios shared on April 4. In my write up regarding the image, I celebrated the subtle lines included on Johnny’s costume, the facial design, and the “4” that’s centered on his chest. These are all elements that have not been seen on a live-action Human Torch, so seeing them in the art and assuming that Marvel was going to be as authentic as possible made me very excited. 

And then, people started to point out Torch’s location, which can be seen at the bottom of the poster. Does that look like a New York City that you are familiar with? 

There are skyscrapers, but they have curves and points that don’t look like Earth. There are domes, and spires, and what looks like an elevated rail system. There’s an alien suggestion to the design… or an Art Deco influence that also was evident in the cast photo that we put at the top of this story. Many, at that time, jumped to the conclusion that Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four was set in the 1960s.  

But maybe it’s set in an alternate universe where New York City looks like that? 

The Fantastic Four, as a team, are NYC staples. You can’t really set an FF story anywhere else but New York City. It’d be like taking Spider-Man out of New York… well, wait. They actually did that. But still, Spidey’s roots are in Manhattan (or Queens) and the MCU version of the hero has to use Manhattan as a character. 

You can’t put The Fantastic Four in the New York City on Earth-616 (the current MCU universe) without explaining where they have been during all of the MCU. But you can put them in an alternate NYC that looks like the one showcased on the Human Torch poster. It would expand on the Multiverse Saga, which we stepped deeper into at the end of The Marvels, and creates some creative freedom for Shakman to tell a story without disrupting existing MCU continuity. 

So, what city is that? New York? An alternate New York? That confirms The Fantastic Four taking place in an alternate universe, so now we’re excited to learn more about how it will expand on that, and eventually bridge over to Earth-616. The movie apparently starts filming in London in the summer, so stay tuned for more. 

Even with the various Avengers movies on the horizon, and the X-Men renaissance that’s happening at Marvel Studios, my most anticipated upcoming Marvel movie probably is The Fantastic Four. This is a legacy property. This is Marvel royalty. It’s the company’s First Family, and yet, the studio hasn’t had the ability to take a proper crack at Mr. Fantastic, The Invisible Woman, The Thing, and The Human Torch yet, because the character rights belonged to Fox. When Matt Shakman delivers The Fantastic Four in 2025, we’re going to get the purest interpretation of these iconic characters, and I absolutely LOVE the early looks we’ve been getting of the team, including this new one of Johnny Storm in full “Flame On” mode!

It’s the little details in this exquisite poster that have me very excited about The Fantastic Four. Previous iterations of the character have missed out on specifics that help The Human Torch mirror his comic counterpart. We have seen a live-action Torch twice on screen now, first when Chris Evans played him in the two Tim Story-directed films, and later when Michael B. Jordan played Torch in Josh Trank’s debacle. Let’s see what they looked like.

Here’s Chris Evans. Not too bad. Very much like a man on fire, while still keeping the facial characteristics of Evans, the actor:

Michael B. Jordan in the 2015 Fantastic Four movie was very different. More molten, with a darkened surface that eliminated any facial recognition. Instead of us seeing Jordan, his Torch appeared more as an android lit on fire. A definite choice:

What do I see in the Human Torch sketch above? Lines in the suit. On his chest, torso, and down his legs. For those who grew up idolizing the comics, they’re essential to the Human Torch. Also, the yellow eyes and mouth when Johnny Storm is in “Flame On” mode. And the flames – they are controlled, rolled in tight to the skin, and almost creating ripples that Evans and Jordan didn’t have. The tweaks are minor, but mighty. That figure above, shared by Marvel Studios, is the closest thing we have seen to The Human Torch. And if Joseph Quinn can look like that in live action, I’ll pay to see The Fantastic Four in theaters 11 times.

There have been a number of exciting developments on The Fantastic Four as of late. Ozark standout Julia Garner has been tapped to play The Silver Surfer in the Marvel movie, and there are rumors (which make sense) that this means Galactus will be the big bad for the blockbuster. Marvel Studios laid the groundwork for the arrival of the planet devourer when they introduced Celestials in Eternals. But who will play Galactus in the movie? And how might it be done? There’s going to be wild mo-cap in The Fantastic Four, from Torch to the Surfer to The Thing. 

We have time to figure all of this out. Marvel Studios will release The Fantastic Four on July 25, 2025. That’s a lot of fives…. un-FOUR-tunately. 

The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is one of the most ambitious creative projects in the history of Hollywood. While we normally are focused on the more immediate, like the 2026 movie schedule, director Sam Mendes has taken on a challenge so huge that we're talking about it in length, despite being about two years away from the simultaneous release of all four movies. Each movie will focus on an individual member of the band: Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.

That’s right, there are four upcoming music biopics about The Beatles, collectively known as The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event. It’s safe to say that the band's legacy has never waned, and they remain as relevant today as they were in the 1960s. However, there has never been an officially approved film about the iconic rock band until now. And what a way to do it!

The films are being shot simultaneously and cover the same period in the band, from their early days in Liverpool until their breakup in 1970, with the same cast appearing in all four. Each film will be seen from the point of view of an individual Beatle. Over the last couple of years or so, we’ve gotten a lot of information, including who will play most of the important people in the story (including all four Beatles), as casting is pretty much fully fleshed out at this point, at least all the major players (save one - who will play Pete Best??).

Oh, and did we mention that all four movies will be released on the same day in 2028? Let's get into it, because I can't wait to see these movies.

What Is The Release Date?

Understandably, the project is going to take some time. In March of 2025, Variety reported the news that all four movies will hit theaters on April 7th, 2028. That certainly feels like a long way off, but The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is a huge undertaking, so it’s hardly a surprise that it will take a while to complete. Production began in November of 2025.

The announcement called it “the first binge-able theatrical experience,” and if you are going to binge it, it's going to be a long day at the movie theater, as all four will be released simultaneously!

Who Are Playing The Beatles And Everyone Else In The Cast?

The cast of The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event is absolutely stacked. Columbia Pictures has announced the names of most of the important people in The Beatles' orbit, including, of course, the four actors playing John, Paul, George, and Ringo. Plus producer George Martin, manager Brian Epstein, and the women who will be playing their wives. Here's everyone we know, including photos of the actors playing the Fab Four:

Paul Mescal As Paul McCartney

Though all of the Beatles are among the most famous men of the past 100 years, Paul McCartney might just be the most famous. His career has spanned an incredible 65+ years, and even in his 80s, the songwriter shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, McCartney released a new album, his first in six years, in May 2026. In the Mendes Beatles movies, "Macca" will be played by Hamnet star Paul Mescal.

Mescal's breakout role came in 2024's Gladiator II, in which he played Lucius Verus Aurelius. That came after he was nominated for an Oscar for 2022's Aftersun. In January 2026, we even got a sneak peek of Mescal as Macca, as well as a quote from the actor saying he will be doing the singing as Paul.

Harris Dickinson As John Lennon

Harris Dickinson will play the role of the late John Lennon. Lennon, who was shot and killed in 1980, did more to shape the Beatles than anyone else, both for better and for worse, and there is no doubt his story will likely be the most anticipated. Dickinson has been busy lately, working with fellow Beatles movie star Saoirse Ronan in Blitz in 2024, and writing, directing, and starring in Urchin in 2025.

Joseph Quinn As George Harrison

In 2025, Joseph Quinn joined the MCU as Johnny Storm in the well-received Marvel movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps. He'll be reprising the role in 2026's Avengers: Doomsday. Quinn has been tapped to play George Harrison in the Beatles movies. Of all the stories to be told, Harrison's might be the most interesting during his time with the band. Though he was an original member, he often felt apart from the writing team of Lennon and McCartney. It famously led to a fair amount of friction within The Beatles, and watching it play out will likely be a highlight of the four movies.

Barry Keoghan As Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr might not have been the band’s original drummer, but he joined just at the right time. That’s not to take away from his drumming, of course, or his impact on the band. His quirky personality and tasteful drumming were keys to the band’s success. He will be played by Irish actor Barry Keoghan. Keoghan spoke to Collider in March 2026 about the pressure of portraying a Beatle:

Keoghan has quickly become one of the most celebrated actors of the last decade with standout roles in shows like Chernobyl from HBO and Masters Of The Air, which can be seen with an Apple TV subscription, as well as movies like The Banshees of Inisherin, Eternals, Saltburn, and most recently, Crime 101 in 2026.

Anna Sawai As Yoko Ono

Without a doubt, one of the most anticipated casting announcements would be who would play Yoko Ono. We now know that Anna Sawai will be stepping into the role of John Lennon’s second wife and widow. She won an Emmy last September for her amazing performance in 2024’s Shōgun, which you can watch with a Hulu subscription.

Lennon met Ono in 1966, but they wouldn’t start dating until 1968, before marrying in 1969. She was a near-constant presence with the rock star after their marriage. This is one of the stories I'm most interested in, as I, like others, think that Ono got a bad rap for far too long as the "woman who broke up The Beatles," which isn't remotely true. It looks like Sawai agrees, telling Variety:

Ono is the most famous non-band member in The Beatles story, so this should be a major aspect of John's movie, I would think.

Saoirse Ronan As Linda McCartney

Saoirse Ronan is one of the more celebrated actors of the last two decades, earning four Oscar nominations since 2007. Most recently, she can be seen in 2025’s Bad Apples and 2024’s Blitz on Apple TV.

Ronan will be playing Linda McCartney, née Eastman, who married Paul in 1969. Linda, a professional photographer, met Paul in 1967 while she was on assignment, and they began dating shortly after. They remained married until her death from breast cancer in 1998.

Aimee Lou Wood As Pattie Boyd

One of the biggest breakouts in 2025 came from Season 3 of The White Lotus. Aimee Lou Wood is wonderful as Chelsea in the anthology series, and she is, frankly, perfect for the role of Pattie Boyd Harrison, wife of George Harrison. Most recently, Wood has co-created and is starring in the BBC show Film Club. For the role of Pattie, Wood is very aware of what she needs to do to play such a famous public figure, telling The Standard:

George and Pattie met on the set of Hard Day's Night in 1964, where Pattie played one of the two school girls on the train with The Beatles. Like in the movie, she caught the eye of one particular Beatle, and they married in early 1966. Their relationship was a rocky one, and Boyd famously divorced Harrison in 1977 and married Harrison’s best friend, Eric Clapton. Most of that story happened after the Beatles broke up, so we probably won’t see it in the movies.

Mia McKenna-Bruce As Maureen Starkey

Ringo Starr’s most famous (and current) wife is former Bond girl Barbara Bach, but they didn’t marry until 1980, so she likely won’t be part of the story in these movies. In the time period covered by the movies, Starr was married to Liverpool-native Maureen Starkey, née Cox. They married in 1965 and were together until 1975.

Maureen will be played by Mia McKenna-Bruce. McKenna-Bruce had her breakout in 2022’s How to Have Sex and is set to star in the Netflix show The Seven Dials Mystery, based on the book of the same name by Agatha Christie.

James Norton As Brian Epstein

We've also learned from Deadline that The Beatles' legendary manager Brian Epstein, who died in 1967 at the height of Beatlemania, will be portrayed by James Norton. Norton recently starred in House of Guinness, one of the best shows on Netflix in 2025.

Norton is no stranger to playing record industry legends. The actor played Island Records founder Chris Blackwell in the biopic Bob Marley: One Love in 2024. Norton is also in Season 3 of House Of The Dragon as Ormond Hightower.

Harry Lloyd As George Martin

Game of Thrones veteran Harry Lloyd, who played the ill-fated Viserys Targaryen in the HBO series, will play famed Beatles producer George Martin. One of the many men sometimes referred to as "the fifth Beatle," Martin was crucial to the band's legendary albums. There's no question he'll play a prominent role in all four films.

The rest of the cast, including some of the Beatles' family members, and other important people in their career, have also been cast:

• Bobby Schofield As Neil Aspinall
• Daniel Hoffman-Gill as Mal Evans
• Adam Pally as Allen Klein
• David Morrissey as Jim McCartney, Paul's father
• Leanne Best as Mimi Smith, John's aunt, who raised him
• Arthur Darvill as Beatles PR man Derek Taylor
• Adam Pally as Allen Klein, the band's manager in their later years
• Lucy Boynton as Jane Asher
• Farhan Akhtar as Ravi Shankar
• Morfydd Clark as Cynthia Lennon, John's first wife
• Harry Lawtey as Stuart Sutcliffe, The Beatles' original bass player

Some of the musicians who worked with The Beatles will hopefully make appearances, like keyboardist Billy Preston. He worked with the band extensively in their final recording sessions and can be seen with a Disney+ subscription in the amazing docuseries The Beatles: Get Back from director Peter Jackson. Eric Clapton, who played the guitar solo on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and was good friends with George Harrison (and later married Pattie Boyd, after she divorced Harrison), could also pop up.

Of course, we haven't seen an actor attached to the role of the band's drummer before Ringo, Pete Best, either, but as Stu Sutcliffe has been cast, I assume Best will appear too.

There Will Be 4 Movies, One For Each Beatle

Rather than cover The Beatles across one biopic, this project is dedicating four feature films to these musical icons. As an added twist, each movie will focus on a different band member’s point of view, with all of the stories being “interconnected.” So although we’ll see Paul, John, George, and Ringo in all of these movies, each one will see one of the men taking center stage while the others occupy supporting positions.

As such, it’s reasonable to assume that, along with certain events being re-explored in each of these movies from different perspectives, there will also be opportunities to go down narrative paths that only involve the central Beatle, depending on the movie.

The Story Will End With Their 1970 Breakup

Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr continued to produce music for their solo careers well after the Beatles dissolved, but it sounds like that won’t be explored in any of these upcoming movies. Per an official press release (via Variety), the Beatles' movies will wrap up with their breakup in 1970.

It’s possible that in the midst of each Beatles’ narrative being covered, there will be post-1970 flash forwards to show where these men ended up in life, but since these movies are specifically centered around the band when they were together, it’s doubtful a lot of screen time will be dedicated to what has happened after the breakup, or a lot about their solo careers.

Sam Mendes Is Directing All Four Movies

With a resume that includes American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Skyfall, Spectre, and 1917, it’s safe to say that Sam Mendes remains one of Hollywood’s most talented directors. Still, the prospect of directing four movies like this back-to-back-to-back-to-back would surely be daunting for any filmmaker. And yet, Mendes has taken it upon himself to helm and produce all four of them, though that’s not surprising since, per the Deadline story, he “conceived this grand vision.”

There Will Be Three Screenwriters

In May 2025, we found out that the four films would be written by three screenwriters. It’s a group of heavyweights, too. Per Variety, Tony Award-winner Jez Butterworth, who worked with Mendes on the James Bond film Spectre, will work alongside Peter Straughan, who just won an Oscar for his script for Conclave, and Jack Thorne, who took home an Emmy for his amazing work on Adolescence, which you can check out with a Netflix subscription.

These Are The First Official Biopics About The Beatles Ever Made

The Beatles are no strangers to cinema. Not only did Paul, John, Ringo, and George star in the movies A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, and Magical Mystery Tour, but they also provided the music (but not their voices) to the animated Yellow Submarine. There have also been several documentaries, and their music has been prominently featured in movies like Across the Universe and Yesterday (with the latter being possible thanks to a deal between Working Title Films and Apple and Sony). They even once tried to get their own Lord of the Rings adaptation off the ground.

However, Sam Mendes’ Beatles movies are the first time that scripted cinematic stories about these men have been approved by Paul and Ringo, as well as the estates of John and George. The full life stories and music rights of all four band members have been granted by those individuals and Apple Corps Ltd., the corporation that manages The Beatles’ music and various other media ventures.

There have been plenty of unauthorized versions of The Beatles on screen, with varying success, but none of those had the full backing of the band members and their surviving families, as these do. That means we’ll get lots of The Beatles’ music in the films, which is great, but it is fair to worry if the films will be too sanitized and leave out some of the more controversial moments of the band’s career, like the death of early band member Stu Sutcliffe, for example.

Given the success of music biopics from recent years like Bohemian Rhapsody, Elvis, A Complete Unknown, and the most recent Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, making a movie about The Beatles seems like it would be a no-brainer, but releasing four movies about them at once could lead to this becoming the cinematic event of 2028.

CinemaBlend will continue sharing the big updates on how Sam Mendes’ Beatles movies are progressing, so keep your eyes peeled!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly expanding, thanks to shows that are available with a Disney+ subscription and (of course) big screen adventures. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies has been Matt Shakman's Fantastic Four, with countless rumors circulating about who might star in that project. And now Marvel has finally revealed the Fantastic Four cast, and teased a comic character's MCU introduction. 

What we know about Fantastic Four is limited, but fans have not-so-patiently been waiting for the titular team to finally join the shared universe. A tweet by Marvel revealed the foursome to be Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn. What's more, it looks like the robot H.E.R.B.I.E. will be joining them. Check it out below:

Is anyone else's mind blown? It turns out that the rumors about Fantastic Four casting were pretty accurate, as each of these actors' names have been thrown around online prior to this official announcement. And smart money says this quartet of actors is going to get butts in seats. 

Indeed, this foursome of talent is filled with fan favorite actors. Pedro Pascal has become the internet's daddy over the last few years, while Joseph Quinn was a breakout star as Eddie in Stranger Things. Add in The Bear star Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Mission: Impossible's Vanessa Kirby and you've got a truly all-star cast. 

As previously mentioned, this announcement by Marvel also seemingly confirms another comic character will be joining the Fantastic Four: H.E.R.B.I.E.. After first being introduced in the animated series The New Fantastic Four, H.E.R.B.I.E. began accompanying the team on the page shortly after. He's an adorable robot sidekick, and seems like a great choice to bring into the forthcoming MCU blockbuster. I mean, just think of the merchandise possibilities!

News of the official Fantastic Four cast is sure to quickly go viral, because fans have been wondering who would play the team since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and its properties. There have been plenty of debates online, with some fans campaigning for John Krasinski to play Reed Richards for years ahead of his small but memorable role in Doctor Strange 2. But Krasinski seemingly didn't want to take on the role full-time, opening the door for Pedro Pascal to play yet another beloved character. 

It should be fascinating to see exactly how the Fantastic Four (and H.E.R.B.I.E.) are introduced in the main timeline of the MCU. Will they brought in via the multiverse, or will we see their origin story play out in front of our eyes? Only time will tell, but the stakes are high and the hype is real.

Fantastic Four is currently expected to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. In the meantime, check the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next trip to the movies. 

Between a host of lovable characters, skin-crawling monsters and the mysterious underworld of the Upside Down, Stranger Things is one of the most obsession-worthy shows imaginable for fans of science fiction. As we prepare to say goodbye to one of Netflix’s best creations with Stranger Things Season 5, it’s a great time to show your love of the TV show in your living space (or give a great gift to a fellow fan) with the show’s many available Funko Pops.

Across the four seasons of Stranger Things that have been released thus far, so many iconic character moments and they’ve been immortalized through Funko Pops. If you’re shopping for the best Stranger Things Funkos, look no further to become a master of Pop-pets. 

Eleven With Eggos And Mike With Walkie Talkie (From Season 1) 

Friends don’t lie! Our love of Stranger Things all started back in 2016 when the first season introduced us to Eleven and the gang of friends who help her. Eleven and Mike create a special bond from the start, and those beginnings have been turned into a pair of Funkos you can buy together, because as we know, Eleven and Mike don’t like to be apart for long.

Will The Wise (From Season 3) 

It’s safe to say the Stranger Things boys may not have become the best of friends that they are without the power of Dungeons and Dragons, which they would play every week together before their life kind of became a game of survival on its own. In the spirit of that, a unique Funko to own is this glow in the dark “Will The Wise” figure! 

Hawaiian Shirt Hopper (From Season 3) 

David Harbour’s Jim Hopper is one of the best parts of Stranger Things, between his character arc and funny moments with the cast. His best fit of the series has to be in Season 3 when he rocked a Hawaiian shirt and does some action-packed investigating. Hopper fans will love this find. 

Max with Walkman (From Season 4) 

I don’t think we’ll ever forget the emotional “Running Up That Hill” sequence starring Sadie Sink’s Max in Season 4 of Stranger Things. The moment that made Kate Bush’s ‘80s song go viral decades after its release has been tributed though this Funko Pop. She looks a lot more content as a frozen figure than how she appeared in the show, that’s for sure. 

Joyce with Christmas Lights (From Season 1) 

When we first fell for Stranger Things, Joyce’s sequence with the Christmas Lights in an effort to communicate with Will from the Upside Down was one of those big moments that got us there. This Funko Pop's price has lit up a big higher over the years as it's become more rare, so snatch it up before you have to communicate by otherworldly means to get your own! 

Robin In Scoops Ahoy Outfit (From Season 3) 

It’s hard to believe Maya Hawke’s Robin has only been around for two seasons on Stranger Things, because she’s become a favorite of ours so quickly! While she’s worn a lot of great fits since her introduction, her most identifiable outfit remains from Scoops Ahoy, where she was once a coworker with Steve Harrington at the mall. A lot of mileage comes from that hat font.

Eddie Munson & Dustin With The Demobats (From Season 4) 

The last we saw of the series was the Stranger Things Season 4, Volume 2 ending, where Dustin and Eddie came across some pesky Demobats in the Upside Down and had to fend them off. Ultimately, Eddie fended them off and lost his life saving everyone doing so by playing Metallica’s “Master of the Puppets” on his guitar. Funko made this special set of both Eddie and Dustin coming against the Demobats. It’s a great keepsake for an all-time great moment in the series. 

Steve Harrington with Spiked Baseball Bat (From Season 2) 

I say with confidence that Joe Keery’s Steve Harrington remains the No. 1 heartthrob of Stranger Things in many of our hearts, and him swinging his spiked baseball bat with Demogorgon-destroying rage was most certainly a highlight of the character’s arc on the show thus far. This Funko Pop was a San Diego Comic Con exclusive, so it’s pricer than the others, but we’re not bat-ting any eyelashes at that, since it’s a great figure!  

Alexei with Slurpee (From Season 3) 

Another iconic slice of Season 3 (arguably the most iconic of anything free from danger and romance) was Alexei’s Slurpee moment. The Russian scientist quickly became a beloved character during the 2016 season of the show. Sadly, Alexei did not make it long enough to try new flavors, but this Funko Pop can keep him alive forever. 

Barb (From Season 1) 

The first famed casualty of Stranger Things was Barb. Anyone and everyone who saw Season 1 of Stranger Things needed a few business days (or business years, honestly) to cope with the sudden death of Nancy’s best friend so early in the series. She was gone too soon…but at least the character found justice in Funko form. 

Billy On Halloween (From Season 2) 

No list of ST characters would be complete without the hellacious Billy Hargrove, who first arrived in Season 2. The older step-brother of Max Mayfield was used as a vessel by the Mind Flayer, making him a sizable villain in Stranger Things. Perhaps his most memorable fit was on Halloween when he wore the leather jacket without a shirt. It’s one of the most sought after Funkos as well, given the price tag.  

Black Light Vecna (From Season 4) 

Speaking of villains, the big bad of Stranger Things is Vecna of course. With the release of the fourth season of the series, Funko released a special black light version of Vecna that will add some creepy coolness to whatever space you place it in. Is it Number One? That's up to the buyer.

Camo Lucas (From Season 3)

Caleb McLaughlin’s Lucas Sinclair has had tons of great moments in the series (and plenty of Funko editions as well), but our favorite is this sweet fit he wore in Season 3. As you may recall, Lucas wore the same camo bandana in Season 1, so it was fun to see him bring it back for Season 3 with an upgrade to his ‘80s sense of style. 

Hunter Nancy (Season 4) 

Another OG Stranger Things character to add to your collection is Nancy Wheeler. While there’s many versions of the high schooler in Funko form, we argue the best is from Season 4 when she went into badass mode, gun and all! She might also have the best plastic 'do of anyone.

Jonathan With Camera (Season 1) 

And to finish out our collection of best Funko Pops, check out this Season 1 figure of a glaring Jonathan holding his camera. It’s going for $70 these days because it’s more rare than a lot of other figures, and presumably not because of what's on the camera's film. Treat yourself to Funko treasure! 

As you go down the Funko Pop rabbit hole, check out what movie Funko Pops we cannot believe hasn’t been made yet! You can also catch up on Stranger Things now with a Netflix subscription. 

SPOILERS are ahead for the Stranger Things 4 haunted house at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights 2023, open in the Orlando and Hollywood theme parks throughout the spooky season. 

Ready to go back to the Upside Down? One of the most highly-anticipated theme park attractions of the year is Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights adaptation of Stranger Things 4, and after experiencing it myself, let me just say, it’s worth the roll of dice. After the third Stranger Things Universal Halloween Horror Nights was initially canceled back in 2020 due to COVID-19, a new house is finally here, and I especially have to talk about the Eddie Munson of it all. 

Joseph Quinn’s Eddie Munson was (of course) the highlight of 2022’s two-part fourth season as he unexpectedly stole our hearts as the metal-loving high schooler and Hellfire Club member who got into the Vecna action. After going through every Halloween Horror Nights haunted house at Universal Orlando this season, which included The Last Of Us haunted house, I have to talk about why the Stranger Things attraction was the one that had me in my feelings. (No shot at The Last of Us house mind you.)  

What Happens In The Universal HHN Stranger Things 4 House? 

For starters -- and spoilers -- let me briefly describe what goes on in the haunted house. Stranger Things 4 actually begins from the perspective of Eddie Munson as he experiences Chrissy’s death in his trailer. The scare actor I came across during opening night of 2023’s Horror Nights completely embodied Eddie as he screamed in horror and watched Chrissy’s limbs crack together on the ceiling. It really set the scene for the melancholic, but very awesome haunted house that pays tribute to various scenes from the fourth season. 

You can also look forward to seeing an amazing recreation of Eleven’s flashback moment with Henry Creel / Vecna, the gangs’ adventure into the Upside Down and Max’s viral “Running Up That Hill” moment. There’s also a gorgeous portrayal of Eddie Munson’s final moment in the Upside Down right before the “Master of Puppets” sequence alongside Dustin that doubtless Metallica would approve of. 

Why The Scary Attraction Had Me Emotional Again About Eddie Munson 

Look, I know a haunted house is supposed to make me tense and scared, and the Stranger Things 4 house does have those moments fans might want from an attraction like this. However, it's also a really beautiful tribute to a great television season -- and series -- that really made me feel like I was in the Upside Down and was going up against Vecna and such. It also meant there were a lot of emotions that emerged. Perhaps most of all, I walked away from the house in my feels about Eddie Munson himself. 

Thanks to Joseph Quinn’s lovable performance and how he so quickly became part of the Stranger Things crew, and how he sold a character I could really relate to and feel for before so valiantly and heroically sacrificing himself, it really hit me why and how he is such an instantly iconic character in the franchise. Ergo, while you might come for the haunts of Horror Nights, the Stranger Things 4 attraction also paid tribute to the series in a way that brought out real emotion in me. 

Plus, It's also just really awesome and fun and something cool to do while fans wait for Stranger Things Season 5. Plan to be there or be "scare." You can check out the Halloween Horror Nights website to learn how to get tickets to the seasonal event and catch up with Stranger Things with a Netflix subscription. 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, to the joy of its generations of fans. One of the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies is definitely Adam Shakman’s Fantastic Four, which will finally bring the titular team of heroes into the shared universe. There are a number of rumors about which actors might be playing the four titular characters, and fans are eager to hear any official announcement from the studio. Some epic Fantastic Four art transformed Joseph Quinn into the Human Torch, and wow. Eddie Munson lives!

When Disney acquired 20th Century Fox and its properties, it finally opened the door for the X-Men and Fantastic Four to join the MCU. Those of us who have been watching the Marvel movies in order have been missing those heroes, so fans are definitely hyped. Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn is rumored to be playing Johnny Storm/ Human Torch, and some fan art on Instagram has shown what he might look like in that role. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? My mind is blown (or in this case, on fire) seeing just how great Quinn would look like in his own Fantastic Four suit. While we wait to see if this casting actually comes to fruition, he can clearly pull off the costume. Only time will tell if the Eddie Munson actor ends up joining the MCU in such an epic way.

The awesome image above comes to us from the Instagram of a Melbourne based artist named Mizuri. They’ve got over 130k followers on the social media outlets, thanks to epic fan art they create about major franchises like the MCU and DCU. After seeing the rumors about the Fantastic Four cast, he helped increase fan excitement by imagining Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch. Flame on!

While fans wait for the studio to announce any/all of the Fantastic Four stars, Joseph Quinn isn’t the only name that’s been tossed around. The Boys’ Jack Quaid was another popular choice to play Johnny Storm, with the discourse getting loud enough that Quaid addressed them directly. The latest reports also indicate that Vanessa Kirby is playing Sue storm/ The Invisible Woman. 

For years, fans campaigned to see John Krasinski play Reed Richards/ Mr. Fantastic, possibly with Emily Blunt joining him as the Invisible Woman. Moviegoers eventually had that dream come true when the Office alum played a small but memorable role in Doctor Strange 2. But it doesn't seem like Krasinski is going to reprise his role in any significant way. 

Fantastic Four is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 2nd, 2025. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

When Gladiator hit theaters in 2000, it managed a very rare thing in Hollywood: Ridley Scott’s epic historical drama became a box office hit and a Best Picture winner. It’s one of those few movies that hit a stride with just about everyone. So, it’s no surprise a Gladiator sequel is on the way and that so many impressive actors are joining the cast. And, it's almost here!

Given the fact that Russell Crowe’s General Maximus Decimus Meridius died in the original Gladiator movie, he’s not leading the sequel. However, him saying he was “jealous” about Gladiator 2 filming without him has us wondering if he’ll cameo in a flashback or something. Regardless, check out the exciting cast members who have signed on to the Ridley Scott-directed sequel (many of which are featured in the Gladiator 2 trailer). The movie will open against Wicked this fall!

Paul Mescal 

Leading the Gladiator 2 cast as Lucius Verus is Oscar-nominee Paul Mescal. The Irish actor found his first leading role in 2020’s Normal People and has since been critically acclaimed in numerous films, including The Lost Daughter and Aftersun, the latter of which earned him a Best Actor nomination. Lucius was played by a young Spencer Treat Clark in the original Gladiator. He was the son of Maximus’ lover Lucilla and idolized Maximus. With that in mind, one should know the upcoming movie will feature a time jump of 25 years.

Pedro Pascal

The internet’s “daddy” Pedro Pascal is following up his success with The Mandalorian and The Last Of Us with a role in Gladiator 2. Pascal’s role in the Ridley Scott movie will reportedly be a former military commander forced to fight as a gladiator as punishment for defying his officers. The movie will be the actor’s latest big-budget movie role following his villain role in 2020’s Wonder Woman 1984 and ahead of his debut with The Fantastic Four cast.

Denzel Washington

Legendary actor Denzel Washington has reunited with Ridley Scott for Gladiator 2 after the pair worked together on 2007’s American Gangster with Russell Crowe. Scott wrote the “bad-ass role” with the actor in mind, and after Washington read the script, he was very much on board for it. The Oscar winner will play a former slave who becomes a wealthy merchant with a grudge against the emperors.

Connie Nielsen

Gladiator’s Connie Nielsen is set to return to play Lucilla, who was introduced as Maximus’ love interest, the sister of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus and the mother of Lucius in the original film. Apparently the actress was part of Ridley Scott’s plans for Gladiator 2 “from the start of development.” Nielsen is another Wonder Woman actress in the movie, as she memorably played Hippolyta in the franchise.

Joseph Quinn 

Stranger Things’ Eddie Munson actor, Joseph Quinn, is also among the Gladiator 2 cast, reportedly as co-Emperor Caracalla . Since the British actor went viral for starring in the latest season of the Netflix hit sci-fi series in 2022, he also recently led the cast in A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Lupita Nyong'o. Quinn looks almost unrecognizable in his Gladiator 2 role.

Fred Hechinger

While Barry Keoghan was initially cast in the role of Emperor Geta in Gladiator 2, the Eternals actor reportedly dropped out of Ridley Scott’s movie to star in a movie called Bird from American Honey filmmaker Andrea Arnold. Taking his place is The White Lotus and Thelma actor Fred Hechinger as co-emperor Geta.

Lior Raz

Israeli actor Lior Raz has also been cast in Gladiator 2. He’s known for his four-season Netflix series Fauda and is set to star in the upcoming Apple TV+ Tom Holland series, The Crowded Room. This is another cast member for whom we don’t know their place in the sequel yet but he was featured in a few scenes in the trailer.

May Calamawy

Egyptian-Palestinian actress May Calamawy, who has starred in three seasons of Hulu’s Ramy and the Marvel series Moon Knight alongside Oscar Isaac, is also going to be in Gladiator 2. Per Deadline, the actress’ unknown role has great “importance” to the story. Scott apparently did a wide search for the role, and Calamawy landed it after “multiple auditions.” We thought we spotted the actress kissing Mescal's character in the trailer, so perhaps she is his love interest.

Derek Jacobi 

Another returning cast member from Gladiator is Derek Jacobi, who will once again play Senator Gracchus, a member of the Roman Senate who opposed Commodus’s rule in the 2000 movie and helped out Lucilla and Maximus. Jacobi is an 84-year-old British actor who has appeared in projects like Good Omens and The Sandman in recent years.

Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Hounsou played the role of Juba, a Numidian tribesman who becomes Maximus’s closest friend, in the first movie, and the actor is expected to return for Gladiator 2 as the same character. Hounsou recently was seen as The Wizard in both Black Adam and Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and will star in Zack Snyder’s space opera, Rebel Moon this winter.

Peter Mensah 

Actor Peter Mensah has dabbled in historical epics like Gladiator, between his roles in the 300 films and Spartacus series. He had a role in Avatar and was a major character in cancelled series Midnight, Texas as well. Given his history in the action space, we imagine he’ll be part of it as a cast member with an undisclosed role in Gladiator 2.

Matt Lucas 

Bridesmaids actor Matt Lucas has also reportedly been cast in an unknown role in the sequel. The British-German actor is primarily known for his comedic and voiceover work. Along with Gladiator 2, he also was recently in Wonka movie starring Timothée Chalamet.

Gladiator 2 is set for a November 22, 2024 release date, only in theaters!

It’s been nearly a year since the last Stranger Things finale, and we’re still not over the death of Joseph Quinn’s Eddie Munson. In a glorious sequence, the teenage metalhead shredded Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” on his electric guitar in the Upside Down before a swarm of Demobats got to him. But we have to wonder whether or not the Duffer Brothers really killed off the fan-favorite character for good ahead of Stranger Things Season 5 or could Eddie be coming back?

Over the many months since the Season 4 finale, fans (us included) have had the time to ponder about the death of Eddie Munson. Let’s talk through the question of whether he's truly gone for good, based on what we know and have theorized. 

How Eddie Munson Could Have Survived

Quinn broke down Eddie’s final scene in Season 4 with CinemaBlend, and it was a tragic but very heroic moment for the Stranger Things character. While his fate looked pretty locked in considering we watched him being ripped apart by those Demobats, a popular theory that’s circulated the internet could explain a scenario where Eddie lives. 

Since the Dungeons and Dragons character known as Kas the Bloody-Handed – a vampiric lieutenant of Vecna – was named during Eddie’s game early in the season, some fans think the bats will turn Eddie into a vampire and he’ll return for the final season (via Mashable). One Reddit user even theorized how the use of the songs “Master of Puppets” and “Spellbound” are indicators of this plot point coming our way. 

Additionally, when Netflix revealed that the title of the premiere episode of Season 5 would be “Chapter One: The Crawl” on Twitter back in November, fans suggested it was referencing “Master of Puppets” and thus Eddie again since one lyric is “come crawling faster.” Lots of intriguing theories out there! 

Why Eddie Munson Likely Died

However, there’s also plenty of evidence pointing to Eddie Munson not rising from the grave before the end of the beloved Netflix series. The Duffer Brothers sounded pretty concrete about Eddie’s death when they spoke on the subject to the Happy Sad Confused podcast. As Matt Duffer shared: 

As Matt Duffer also said, the hope as writers was to create a character audiences would root for in Eddie so that when he died the impact would be there. As Ross Duffer elaborated: 

There we have it. Based on those answers, it sounds like Eddie Munson was always meant to appear in the show in Season 4 only. Of course, you never know what’s going to happen on Stranger Things. The final season, even though its production has been impacted by the writers’ strike, will certainly deliver a lot of shocks and surprises for fans. Here’s hoping the creators don’t kill off more fan-favorite characters, like Steve Harrington as fans fear! 

There's plenty of time before those of us with a Netflix subscription have to cry over the Stranger Things series finale. In the meantime, check out what's new on Netflix to binge next. 

More often than not, sequels take just a few years to follow after their predecessors, but it’s also become increasingly common for sequels to be made decades later. Gladiator 2 falls into the latter category, with the original Ridley Scott-led movie being released in 2000 and ending with Maximus Decimus Meridius. So naturally Russell Crowe won’t be appearing in this follow-up tale, but it’s been revealed that a key character will be back, and the production is also lining up a Stranger Things star.

First up, Connie Nielsen has closed her deal to reprise Lucilla in Gladiator 2. In the original movie, along with being Maximus’ lover and sister of Joaquin Phoenix’s Commodus, she was also the mother of Lucius Verus, who at the time was played by Spencer Treat Clark. With Lucius now being played by Paul Mescal and serving the sequel’s main protagonist, it makes sense that Nielsen is being brought back. In recent years, Nielsen as played Queen Hippolyta in various DC movies and starred opposite Bob Odenkirk in Nobody, and her other upcoming movies include Role Play and Caste.

Deadline also shared that Joseph Quinn, who delivered his breakout performance as the doomed Eddie Munson in Stranger Things Season 4 last year (which you can view/revisit with a Netflix subscription), is in negotiations to play Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator 2. Quinn’s other credits include Game of Thrones, Les Misérables (the 2018 miniseries) and Overlord, and he’ll appear next year in A Quiet Place: Day One, which just screened exclusive footage at CinemaCon. 

Connie Nielsen and (hopefully) Joseph Quinn join a cast that also includes Eternals and The Banshees of Inisherin’s Barry Keoghan, as well as reunites Denzel Washington with Ridley Scott, as they previously worked together on American Gangster. While Keoghan is expected to play Publius Septimius Geta, who co-ruled the Roman Empire with his brother Caracalla from 209-211 AD, it hasn’t been disclosed yet who Washington is playing. While no specific plot details have been officially disclosed, Russell Crowe has said it will chronicle Lucius Verus becoming emperor of Rome.

Along with Ridley Scott once again sitting back in the director’s chair, David Scarpa wrote the script, and the sequel is also bringing back behind-the-scenes Gladiator vets John Mathieson as director of photography, Arthur Max as production designer and Janty Yates as costume designer. Gladiator was a massive hit in 2000, propelling Russell Crowe to worldwide fame and earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor. Additionally, it won Best Picture, Best Costume Design, Best Sound and Best Visual Effects, and was nominated in seven other categories. Whether or not Gladiator 2 will reach such critically acclaimed heights remains to be seen, but so far the cast is shaping up nicely.

Gladiator 2 is slated to hit theaters on November 22, 2024. If you’d like to watch Gladiator, it can currently be streamed if you’re subscribed to Paramount+ with a Showtime add-on. If you’re curious about the feature films coming out later this year, then look through the lineup of 2023 new movie releases.

Every year, Google releases the most searched actors of the calendar year. The list often reflects pop culture touchstones, as well as rising stars gaining traction. This year, the top searches were unsurprising, as they reflected major events reported on by the media. Johnny Depp, who was engaged in a very public defamation trail with his ex-wife Amber Heard, topped the list at number one. He was followed by Will Smith, who became an object of much controversy when he slapped Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars. However, as we go further down the list, it is much more surprising. 

The first four slots were taken up by individuals involved in the controversies above, with Amber Heard and Chris Rock ranking respectively at #3 and #4. However, there were some definite surprising standouts. Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn came at #6, while the rest of the cast remained off of the list. This was particularly surprising considering the actor’s character, Eddie Munson, only totaled about 42 minutes of total screen time throughout the entire season. However, Eddie is a stand-out amongst fans, so maybe his placement on the list is valid. 

Coming at #9 was Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller. While Teller certainly made waves this year, including becoming a fan favorite on TikTok and even hosting SNL, the actor was not the star, nor the most bankable actor in the blockbuster hit. Tom Cruise feels like a much more obvious actor for audiences to latch onto, yet Teller seems to have been the one to peak the interest of Google users. 

Another surprise addition is Ashley Judd, who came in at #10. The Emmy-nominated actress did not have a major starring role in a movie at all this year, but she did make an appearance as herself in the film She Said. The film follows the journalists who worked to investigate the allegations around Harvey Weinstein, sparking the #MeToo movement and a major Hollywood reckoning. Judd was at the forefront of the movement and worked to expose Weinstein, so it made sense for her to be included in the movie. 

The rest of the list includes Julia Fox, who dated Kanye West earlier this year and has since been very active on social media talking about the controversies; Jada Pinkett Smith, who was the subject of the joke Chris Rock made that prompted the slap; and Ezra Miller, whose various controversies, allegations directed against them and trouble with the law looms over the future of the DCEU. You can check out the full list, as well as other Google-compiled lists from this year, via USA Today. 

Who knows what the next year may bring, and you never know who will make a splash with audiences. For a preview into what movie fans may be searching about in 2023, check out our 2023 movie release schedule. It includes exciting projects like Barbie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, so there is a lot to look forward to in the coming months.