Liv and Mia Tyler are celebrities who grew up with a famous parent, Steven Tyler. He's the frontman for Aerosmith and one of the previous American Idol judges from seasons 10 and 11. However, the two sisters opened up on allegations that their father would use the trademark scarves on his microphone to “hide” his drugs onstage.

Steven Tyler always knew how to give electrifying performances when singing hit songs like “Cryin’,” “Dude (Looks Like a Lady),” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Other than his high screams and wide vocal range, Tyler was also known for tying scarves on his microphone onstage. While Liv and Mia Tyler were talking on the podcast Sibling Revelry about how “wild” their father was with his “stamina” and being a “magical unicorn,” Mia also spoke about what the “Walk This Way” singer would allegedly really use his colorful onstage scarves for:

At the height of Aerosmith’s fame, Steven Tyler and bandmate Joe Perry were known as the Toxic Twins for their drug use on and off stage. Tyler’s drug use was negatively impacting his performances, to the point where in 1980, he collapsed onstage and didn’t get up for the remainder of the show. In 1988, the band, a doctor and manager Tim Collins staged an intervention for the “Angel” singer and he entered rehab, which followed a long road to recovery.

Podcast show hosts Kate and Oliver Hudson appeared to be in shock hearing of Steven Tyler’s alleged scarf use. Mia Tyler got real on how her father supposedly was able to hide drugs in that onstage fashion accessory:

It absolutely must have been “wild” to be raised by a legendary rock star like Steven Tyler. Some fascinating facts about Liv Tyler and her relationship with her dad is not even knowing the true identity of the "Sweet Emotion" singer until she was 11. The Lord of the Rings cast member thought her dad was her mom’s longtime partner, Todd Rundgren, until she ran into her biological father at Rundgren’s concerts.

From then on, the two began to spend more time together, with her acting debut being in Aerosmith’s “Crazy” music video. Back in 2022, the father-daughter duo even had an adorable outing at Disneyland Paris with the proud rock-n-roll dad excited to see his daughter on a poster outside of an attraction. What a pair the two are!

Mia and Liv Tyler’s claims about their father hiding drugs onstage in his scarves add another layer to how addiction was literally woven into the fabric of his life. The same accessory that helped define Steven's rock star image apparently had a deeper meaning. However, stories like this are important to tell to break the stigma of addiction and the importance of recovery.

Tom Hanks has built a career as an amazing actor and performer, and that’s enough reason to celebrate the man. But if you’re like me, you also appreciate his writing and directing efforts as reasons why he’s one of our greatest talents. Which is yet another excuse for me to celebrate his writing/directing debut, That Thing You Do, as one of the best ‘90s movies - especially when it inspires random thoughts like the ones I’m about to share with you now.

That Thing You Do On VHS For $5 Was A Solid Teenage Investment

There was once a product line known as “20th Century Fox Selections,” which involved special titles being on sale “for under 10 dollars” on VHS. That Thing You Do was one of them, and seeing as I worked electronics at K-Mart in my teenage years, this tape and I were bound to meet. That’s right: before I was even a professional entertainment journalist, my work put me in line to discover movies.

The Extended Version Is The Better Version To Me

Most “Extended” or “Director’s Cuts” either add some scenes here or there, or totally overhaul the picture into a sprawling, Ridley Scott-style epic. That Thing You Do’s superior extended cut is somewhere in the middle, adding 39 minutes worth of moments that help the movie breathe. It also does a great justice to Tina and Guy's breakup plotline, and shows us that Mr. White had a special man in his life, played by NFL legend Howie Long.

My Mind Is Still Blown That This Soundtrack Is All Originals

Tom Hanks needs to write a musical, a jazz record, or something involving melody. His pen is one of the several, including late Fountains of Wayne member Adam Schlesinger, who gave this movie its totally original sonic landscape. That’s right, even “Lovin’ You Lots And Lots,” a song that sounds like it should have existed during the ‘50s, was created specifically for this film.

That Thing You Do Is Insanely Quotable

I have certain lines and moments of That Thing You Do that I’ll either quote with friends and loved ones, or even out in the wild. Steve Zahn’s spiel about the pigging contest at one of the several state fairs The Wonders play is one that definitely comes up quite often. Also, whenever it’s a bad retail day, I love to think to myself that those cats, much like Telemart, don’t know squat about service.

I Still Can’t Believe The Bass Player Never Technically Had A Name

In all fairness, Ethan Embry gave his character a full name in “Tobias Player,” while only being credited as T.B. Player. I like it, as it totally works, and I could buy that member of The Wonders as a Tobias. Sadly, that answer came to us in 2016, and I don’t think it’s been officially canonized by Tom Hanks.

What Would The Wonders Journey Be Like If Chad Was Still In The Group?

Everything in That Thing You Do happens because of the fact that The Wonders’ original drummer Chad (Giovanni Ribisi) broke his arm while vaulting over parking meters in Erie, PA. If that didn’t happen, “That Thing You Do” wouldn’t have seen its uptempo rebirth - which was the move that pushed it all into place. It’s practically a temporal hinge point, and like Doc Brown, I wonder what would have happened if it opened the other way.

That Thing You Do Should Have Never Been “A Ballad”

Oh, James Mattingley II (Johnathon Schaech) - author of the best-selling book “Alone In My Principles.” He co-wrote this would-be “ballad” with Lenny Haise (Steve Zahn), and you can practically tell that this tune was straining against its initial definition. Score another win for Guy “Skitch” Patterson.

This Film Is Where Liv Tyler Officially Stole My Heart

Everybody can pinpoint where they developed those watershed celebrity crushes. For me, I fell hard for Ms. Liv Tyler when watching That Thing You Do presented her as the kind-hearted Faye Dolan. Between snappy mid-century fashions and her sincerity, it was hard not to want only the best for Jimmy’s soon-to-be ex.

The ‘Oneders’ Was Never Going To Work As A Band Name

Commonly mispronounced as “The Oh-need-ers,” the clever approach was just never in the cards when naming those boys on stage. Everyone knows that if you can’t literally make a name for yourself at the Mercyhurst Talent Show, you should probably go back to the drawing board.

Sean Whalen Is A Professional “That Guy”

Regardless of pronouns, well-regarded character actors that seem to pop up everywhere are “That Guy!” Sean Whalen’s heckling skills in That Thing You Do were a huge sign that he’d made it, because by that point he’d already “that guy’d” his way into movies like Batman Returns, Twister, and The Cable Guy.

RIP Adam Schlesinger

During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, songwriter Adam Schlesinger passed away, due to “Coronavirus complications.” While hearing “That Thing You Do” always brings me joy, it’s a bittersweet moment when remembering that the man behind that song was taken before his time.

Growing Up Is Understanding Tina Wasn’t An Evil Girlfriend

Initially, Charlize Theron’s Tina came off to me as a cold and aloof girlfriend who just didn’t get Guy. However, with time, wisdom, and the Extended Cut’s added context of Tina genuinely falling in love with her dentist, I came to realize that she and Guy were not a good fit. Still, she should have dumped him much earlier, rather than waste both of their time.

The Evolution Of The Wonders Is Cool To Witness

You can literally feel the song at the heart of That Thing You Do, and the group that sings it, evolve into their final forms. Through clever breadcrumbs like T.B. Player enlisting in the U.S. Marines, and just how “That Thing You Do” is played in each venue, the path to the Hollywood Television Showcase is one that teaches us a lot about these young, good men.

Holmes Osborne Is A Professional ‘Movie Dad’

Between 1996 and 2000, Holmes Osborne was the on-screen dad in That Thing You Do, Election, Bring It On, and Donnie Darko. An ace at playing an authority figure, I think this run qualifies Mr. Osborne as a professional “Movie Dad,” especially with the final turn for his paternal figure in this film seeing the straight-laced electronics store manager loosening up and embracing his son Guy’s dream.

That Thing You Do Should Have Never Lost The Best Original Song Oscar

Anyone who knows me knows that I have strong opinions on the Academy Awards, and my list of Best Picture losers who should have won is just part of that equation. But one of my deeply held grudges in Oscar history is the fact that “You Must Love Me” from Evita somehow bested “That Thing You Do” as the Best Original Song of the 69th Academy Awards.

That Thing You Do’s Cameo Game Is So Wicked

There is a seriously strong bench of performers that make up the world of That Thing You Do’s supporting and cameo cast. Just to name a handful of folks that show up at one point or another, we get to see Chris Isaak, Paul Feig, Peter Scolari, Colin Hanks, and Bryan Cranston make appearances. And if you watch the Extended Cut, former football player Howie Long shows up as the implied boyfriend of Tom Hanks’ Mr. White.

The Wonders’ Song Never Gets Old

I’ve never counted how many times “That Thing You Do” is played, both partially and in full, in Tom Hanks’ cinematic tribute to ‘60s pop. What I do know is that no matter how many times this tune comes on through streaming music, or even in the local supermarket, I will always smile and sing along.

T.B. Player Could Have Been A Preacher

While we know that Tobias “T.B.” Player eventually served two tours in Vietnam, "receiving the Purple Heart for wounds sustained at The Siege of Khe Sanh," he seemed cut out to become a preacher. Though he would go on to become a building contractor, his ability to cite scripture with Guy’s Uncle Bob (Chris Isaak) proved he was a man of some level of faith, and he had the gentle demeanor to pull it off.

The Scene Where The Song First Plays On The Radio Is An All-Timer

One of the definitive best movie music moments has to be when Faye and The Wonders catch “That Thing You Do” on the radio for the first time. Capturing the moment when everything changes for this band of friends, it’s also a scene that pairs such a feeling with a very summery vibe to it. Also, Steve Zahn dancing with a cardboard cutout never gets old.

Tom Everett Scott Is Really Good At Channeling A Young Tom Hanks

There’s a scene where Tom Everett Scott’s Guy is talking on the phone with his girlfriend Tina, and the performance during that moment feels like watching young Tom Hanks during his early career. It was probably unintentional, but the resemblance made That Thing You Do’s Guy even more of a lead to root for.

‘Boss’ Vic Koss Is Even More Of A Jerk In The Extended Version

“Boss” Vic Koss (Kevin Pollak) always comes off as a jerk when The Wonders hit Pittsburgh. But if you watch That Thing You Do’s extended cut, you get quite a bit more of his nasty energy to behold. Sure, Lenny shouldn’t have been messing with his Cuban cigars, but that wasn’t a license to treat The Wonders like trash.

That Thing You Do Belongs In The Criterion Collection

Everybody has those favorites of theirs that they wish would be given the full Criterion Collection treatment, flush with special features and insightful essays. I think it’s time to give Tom Hanks’ writing/directing debut that treatment, or at the very least a premium 4K re-release of the generous Blu-ray package that ported the Extended Cut and its extras. And if anyone is listening, I’d be glad to contribute an essay upon request.

I Want To Write An Entire Series Of Mr. Downtown Mysteries That Live Up To That Theme

If I had to pick a favorite track of That Thing You Do’s soundtrack, besides the titular ditty, I’d have to go with the theme from “Mr. Downtown,” sung by the dulcet tones of Freddy Fredrickson (Robert Torti). It’s a loving riff on Henry Mancini’s theme for Peter Gunn, which only makes me want to create a mystery series that fully fleshes out that fictitious TV series. Clearly I’m not alone here, as YouTube channel Arcade Productions has already taken a spin on such a project.

Mr. White Must See Himself In Guy Patterson

Tom Everett Scott kind of resembles a young Tom Hanks in his performance, and while it seems unintentional, I think it may have also served a secondary purpose. Between Mr. White and Guy bonding over sunglasses at a State Fair, and the considerate speech that Playtone’s mover and shaker gives to the young squire after The Wonders implode, it feels like past life experience is a motivator between mentor and student.

I Would Watch Weekend At Party Pier

A short sequence meant to lampoon the teen beach movies of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, Weekend At Party Pier is where The Wonders become Cap’t Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters. Yes, it looks incredibly goofy, but I would be very happy to see this frothy lampoon, directed on screen by the late Silence of the Lambs helmer Jonathan Demme, become an actual movie.

Lamarr Is A Five-Star Human Being And Ace Concierge

If you’re a serious practitioner in the hospitality industry, you know how to make people happy before they even ask. The Ambassador Hotel’s concierge Lamarr (Obba Babatundé) is someone who definitely fits that bill, as he takes care of the sickly Faye, makes killer dessert suggestions, and makes sure that Guy Patterson gets to appreciate jazz, and the love of his life, in the appropriate fashion.

When Can We See That Thing You Do As A Broadway Musical?

We’ve seen plenty of Hollywood motion pictures become Broadway musicals, and there are even more waiting in the wings to have their shot. But when will the Great White Way get with the program and turn That Thing You Do into an expanded, full spectacle musical that feels like a Wonders concert?

Darlene And Chad Totally (Probably) Got Married

While Guy and Faye are That Thing You Do’s predictable love connection, I’m now inclined to think that Chad and Guy’s sister Darlene (Dawn Maxey) wound up together in life. After being rebuffed by Lenny Haise after a spark of interest, and Chad becoming close to the Patterson family in Guy’s absence, this is one leap involving Chad that could have worked.

There Is Not A Universe Where Jimmy Deserved Faye’s Love

Jimmy was cheating on Faye with Diane Dane (Chaille Percival), and I’m tired of pretending otherwise. She sits on the man’s lap during the rehearsal for “My World Is Over,” Jimmy talks about her constantly, and you can tell he is smitten with her. Faye Dolan deserved much, much better than that; and he should have dumped her in Pittsburgh.

I Wonder How Many People Actually Used Jimmy’s Quitting Schtick After Seeing This Movie?

Johnathon Schaech’s Jimmy was That Thing You Do’s heel, and that’s a credit to the Arrowverse vet’s skills. So is the fact that his catchy, passive-aggressive hit single “I Quit (Mr. White)” is something that I could see viewers being tempted to implement when leaving a job at one point or another.

Did Tom Hanks Write Mr. White’s Liner Notes For The Mondo Vinyl?

On the back of Mondo’s long-awaited That Thing You Do vinyl release is a section of liner notes that are credited to “Mr. A.M. White,” who is presumably Tom Hanks’ character in the film. Seeing as the man created this world, I really want to know if he wrote those liner notes - in between making hit movies and writing novels like “The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece,” did he add this expansion of lore to the Playtone Galaxy?

I Still Want A That Thing You Do Legacy-quel

We saw snapshots of where all of The Wonders wound up after their disbanding at the end of That Thing You Do, and fans still hold those clues as canon. With the 30th anniversary of the film approaching in 2026, I really think it’s time to reconsider putting together a legacy-quel that follows the band in the ‘90s, and how their past climb to stardom is seen in the march to Y2K.

Remember Betty Ross, the daughter of Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross? I won’t blame you if you don’t, as she hasn’t been seen since 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, just the second of the Marvel movies in order. But 17 years later, Liv Tyler is finally returning to the superhero franchise for Captain America: Brave New World, and the upcoming Marvel movie’s director, Julius Onah, explained why was a “no-brainer”to bring her character back now.

Onah stopped by the The Official Marvel Podcast to discuss his work on Captain America: Brave New World, and during the conversation, he addressed why it was worth including Betty Ross in the story with these words:

Thunderbolt Ross also had a fairly-lengthy hiatus from the MCU, with the late William Hurt first reprising the role eight years after The Incredible Hulk’s release in Captain America: Civil War. Hurt played the character three more times for Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Black Widow, and now Harrison Ford has taken over the role. In Captain America: Brave New World, Ross is now President of the United States, and as has been frequently shown in marketing and advertising, we’ll see him transform into Red Hulk under mysterious circumstances.

While the specific reason for Betty Ross showing up in the next Captain America movie remains a secret, as Julius Onah explained, it seemed like an obvious move to have Liv Tyler reprise the role given Thunderbolt Ross’ prominent role in the story. When we left off with Betty at the end of The Incredible Hulk, she was lamenting having once again lost Bruce Banner from her life. It’s never been mentioned in any of Bruce’s post-Incredible Hulk appearances (i.e. for the entire time Mark Ruffalo has played the character), so I’d be lying if I said it’s a shame that the two of them won’t be back onscreen together. Maybe that’ll change if that rumored World War Hulk movie moves forward.

That aside, it’ll be good to see Liv Tyler back in the MCU, and hopefully Brave New World will touch on what she’s been up to all these years. I also can’t help but worry about Julius Onah’s phrasing about Thunderbolt Ross towards the end. Between the Red Hulk transformation and the other machinations at play, there seems to be a decent chance that he could be dead by the time the movie’s over. If that happens, it’ll be heartbreaking to see Betty’s reaction to this, because even if they’re not on the best of terms, that’s still her father.

Betty Ross isn’t the only The Incredible Hulk character who’s also making a long-awaited return in Captain America: Brave New World. Tim Blake Nelson is also back as Samuel Sterns, who was last seen smiling as a sample of Bruce Banner’s blood dripped into his open head wound. Now The Leader, this gamma-infused baddie appears to be the puppet master pulling the strings behind what goes down in the movie, and I’m also keen to learn what he’s been doing all this time.

There’s just one week to go until Captain America: Brave New World starts playing in theaters. As such I recommend firing up your Disney+ subscription to revisit both The Incredible Hulk and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as those projects will catch you up to speed before the movie’s release.

From warrior elves to dwarf princesses or queens and soldiers, there are quite a few incredibly empowering women in The Lord of the Rings franchise. Across the films and the prequel series Rings of Power, characters like Galadriel, Éowyn, Disa and more have displayed admirable and inspirational qualities, and they’ve proven time and time again that they are some of the strongest characters in Middle-earth.

Éowyn – Lord of the Rings

When I rewatched Return of the King, I was especially touched by Éowyn's story. All she wanted was to stand up and fight for her people, but the men wouldn’t let her. However, that didn’t stop her. With Merry by her side, the two defied expectations and found their way onto the battlefield.

Then, in an epic applause-worthy moment, Miranda Otto’s character found herself up against the Witch King. Not only did she defeat him, she also gave us this glorious and empowering line:

Witch King: No man can kill me. Die now.

Éowyn: I am no man.

It’s always amazing to see a woman find her strength and stand up for herself and others. Éowyn got to do that in these movies, and it was nothing short of inspiring.

Galadriel – Lord of the Rings and Rings of Power

Watching the Lord of the Rings movies, specifically Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel – who is played by the ethereal Cate Blanchett – is a powerful and graceful elf who occasionally assists Frodo and co, especially in the wisdom department. However, in Rings of Power, we get to see a totally different side of her.

Played by Morfydd Clark, who leads the Rings of Power cast, Galadriel is a tough warrior who is on the frontlines in the prequel series. While she was deceived by Sauron in Season 1, she showed off her resilience as she worked her way back to the elves. Then, in Season 2, she goes on an incredible journey of redemption as she works to do what she knows is right – take down Sauron.

Now, Galadriel, Gil-galad and Elrond are getting the elves together to fight the evil taking over Middle-earth, and it’s so empowering to see her leading this charge.

What I love about Galadriel is how strong-willed she is. Even though she’s down big time during Season 2, she never stops fighting and she’s so determined to try and do what’s right.

Nori – Rings of Power

While Nori has been assisting The Stranger (AKA Gandalf) on his journey to find his name and identity, she’s also on her own quest of self-discovery.

The Harfoot played by Markella Kavenagh is so caring, loving and kind. Throughout Rings of Power, we see her use those qualities to care for her loved ones and The Stranger.

Overall, though, I think Nori’s curiosity is what makes her extra empowering. She’s not afraid to ask questions, and she deeply considers topics she doesn’t know much about. For instance, when The Stranger arrived, while she and Poppy were scared in some ways, ultimately Nori approached him with an open mind and heart. He wouldn’t be where he is now without her, and this trio’s friendship and love for one another are inspiring.

Disa – Rings of Power

Sophia Nomvete’s Disa might be a princess of Khazad-dûm (for now), but in my mind, she’s a queen.

I adore Disa and Durin so much. They’re a healthy couple who love to bicker. They’re equal partners in their relationship, and they are both so strong, both physically and mentally.

For Disa specifically, she’s self-assured and strong-willed. As a stone singer, it’s her job to speak with and understand the caves and mines, and she’s very confident in her skills, so much so that she’s not afraid to stand up for herself and her fellow singers, which is always amazing to see.

On top of that, Disa is also a mother of Gerda and Gamil, and she’s caring for them, Durin and their other loved ones (like Elrond).

Overall, this dwarf is fabulous, funny and inspirational. Seeing her help Durin try to save Khazad-dûm is equal parts thrilling and awe-inspiring, because there’s nothing better than seeing a healthy couple working toward a common goal – even if said goal is as extreme as saving their civilization.

Míriel – Rings of Power

Queen Míriel has been through it. She lost her eyesight in Season 1 of Rings of Power, and then in Season 2, her throne was taken from her. However, that hasn’t stopped her. She has fought tooth and nail to save Númenor and those she loves, and through all of that, she’s proven her mental and physical strength time and time again.

Going into Season 3 of Rings of Power, Míriel is in a tough position as she’s been arrested by Pharazôn – despite passing the sea trial that everyone thought she’d fail. However, she knows she needs to do whatever she can to protect Númenor.

While speaking with CinemaBlend about Míriel and Elendil parting ways after she gave him Narsil and was taken into custody, Cynthia Addai-Robinson also told me her hopes for her character and her inner strength:

If I’ve learned anything about Míriel, it’s that no matter what happens to her, she’s going to fight for her people. And I can’t wait to see her continue doing that, despite the adversity she’s facing.

Arwen – Lord of the Rings

Liv Tyler’s elf Arwen is ethereal, beautiful, incredibly smart and very strong-willed. Throughout The Lord of the Rings, the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían, is seen supporting her love, Aragorn.

During the LOTR films, we see how driven Aragorn is to get back to her and their relationship. On the flip side, we also see Arwen defend her partner as her father nervously cautions her not to marry a mortal.

Ultimately, Arwen and Aragorn get married and rule together, and we love to see two incredible people in positions of power.

Overall, there are quite a few empowering women in the world of Lord of the Rings, however, there’s always room for more. Thankfully, with upcoming projects like the animated The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and Season 3 of Rings of Power, we’ll get even more of that. And I, for one, can’t wait to see more strong, powerful women in the wonderful world of Middle-earth.

Of all the mysteries of life, one that continues to confound us is what, exactly, lies beyond our planet. After thousands of years of peering into outer space as far as we could, we began to look for those answers in a very concrete way by sending people to the stars, and our movies have reflected our desire to know more, meaning that a number of humanity’s biggest and brightest stars have played space-faring individuals on screen. Here for you now are 32 famous actors who’ve played astronauts.

Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

Let’s start with one of the more harrowing views of space travel, Gravity, which garnered a number of Academy Award wins after its 2013 release. Sandra Bullock stars as Dr. Ryan Stone, who’s on her first space mission in order to help upgrade a telescope. But, things very quickly go wrong when she’s doing a spacewalk, and debris from a recently deactivated satellite hits the shuttle and leaves her stranded with many of her crew dead, Ryan floating through space, and desperate to find a way back to earth all on her own.

Brad Pitt (Ad Astra)

A space trip that doesn’t go too much better involves Brad Pitt’s Roy McBride in 2019’s Ad Astra. When Roy is tasked with traveling to Mars to see if the crew of a mission that was searching for other intelligent life, which was led 29 years earlier by his father, is still alive, he’s unwittingly thrust into a situation that’s far more dangerous than even standard space travel is known to be.

Ryan Reynolds (Life)

Noted comedic actor and big-screen superhero talent Ryan Reynolds has also donned a space suit for the very much not comedic Life, a 2017 ode to terror in space. After a probe returns to the International Space Station with soil samples from Mars, what is at first a dormant cell quickly turns into, well, life, and begins to cause a lot of horrific trouble for Reynolds’ engineer and the rest of the crew.

Halle Berry (Moonfall)

If you’re starting to sense a theme here, that outer space is dangerous, congratulations, because you really are paying attention. In the sci-fi disaster epic, Moonfall, Halle Berry’s NASA deputy director has to investigate when the moon begins to leave its orbit and come closer to Earth, threatening all of civilization. When she digs deeper into the mystery, however, she finds a government cover-up that goes back many decades and is forced to head back into space with a small crew to take care of the growing problem herself.

Michael Peña (A Million Miles Away)

Considering the incredible number of films we have where those who head into space are prominent characters, there are actually relatively few based on the lives of real people. A Million Miles Away stars Michael Peña as José M. Hernández, a Mexican-American engineer who served as a migrant worker when he was a child and went on to become an astronaut who worked aboard the International Space Station.

Viola Davis (Solaris)

There are many sci-fi films of the mind-trip variety and Solaris is no different. Viola Davis portrays one of the last surviving members of a space station crew orbiting the titular alien world, who must then try to help George Clooney’s visiting psychologist understand the truly strange phenomena that led to the death or disappearance of most of the crew. If you enjoy a twisty ending that leaves you with lots of questions, you’ll enjoy this one.

Mark Wahlberg (Planet Of The Apes)

You know this story; you love this story. Planet of the Apes saw Mark Wahlberg take over the role of an astronaut who crashes on a foreign planet, only to find that apes are now the dominant species, while humans are mostly without speech and used as slave labor. 

Chris Evans (Sunshine)

And here we have yet another space movie where a mission does not quite go as planned. Sunshine features stars like Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh and a pre-Captain America Chris Evans as the crew of a ship that’s been tasked with traveling to our dying sun to deliver a bomb in the hopes of reigniting it so that our planet can avoid another catastrophic ice age.

Adam Driver (65)

Ever wonder what Earth was like about 65 million years ago when dinosaurs still ruled the land? Well, that’s what alien astronaut Mills (Adam Driver) accidentally finds out when his ship is struck by a large field of asteroids and crashes on our planet, leading him to have to protect the only other survivor as they flee many dangerous beasts in an attempt to get to a faraway escape pod so they can return home.

Sigourney Weaver (Alien)

It’s possible we’d have far fewer of these “if it can go wrong on a space mission it will” science fiction films without what many consider one of the best horror movies of all time, Alien. The classic stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of a seven-person crew who unknowingly stumble upon the ultra-dangerous xenomorphs that would go on to become legendary in sci-fi horror, which quickly leads to pretty much nothing but increasingly bad times on their doomed mission.

Tom Hanks (Apollo 13)

We’ve hit upon another story based on some real-life adventures! In Apollo 13, Tom Hanks stars as Commander Jim Lovell who, along with Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), board their 1970 mission to the moon in order to become the third American crew to land there. However, trouble starts almost immediately.

Natalie Portman (Lucy In The Sky)

While not completely a true life story, 2019’s Lucy in the Sky is billed as being “loosely inspired” by the life of NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak. The plot concerns Natalie Portman’s Lucy, who has just returned from her first space mission, which had such a huge impact on her that she no longer feels connected to her family or life here. As she pushes herself to return on the next mission, she undergoes a mental breakdown that sends her life into a tailspin.

Glen Powell (Hidden Figures)

While the amazing biopic, Hidden Figures, focuses on three Black women (Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) who worked as NASA mathematicians during the height of the Space Race in the 1960s, we do still get an astronaut in this film. Twisters star Glen Powell plays John Glenn, who became the first American in orbit in 1962.

Robert Pattinson (High Life)

You’d think a movie called High Life would finally focus on some good times in space, but…nahhhhh. Robert Pattinson is a member of a crew of convicts on death row who’ve been sent to retrieve energy from a black hole, with the experiments of their commander leading to a child being born on board while crew members spiral out of control.

Tom Cruise (Oblivion)

Tom Cruise’s 2013 film, Oblivion, features him in a twisty plot that involves a post-apocalyptic Earth, evil A.I., even more evil aliens, and his character trying to figure out exactly what’s going on with his assigned mission. This is a good one that people hardly ever talk about.

Jodie Foster (Contact)

Based on the 1985 novel by Carl Sagan, Contact stars Academy Award winner Jodie Foster as a scientist who specializes in the search for extraterrestrial life, and finds a big clue toward that goal when she locates a radio signal that appears to be sent from a distant star, and is eventually chosen as the person to make first contact with the alien race behind the signal. Contact is an amazing film that is a must-see for sci-fi and space movie lovers.

Colin Farrell (Voyagers)

This movie is a real (space) trip. Voyagers stars Colin Farrell as the leader of a crew of very young adults who were bred away from humanity and had some of their hormones and emotions suppressed in the hope of keeping them manageable. But, when two of the crew realize what’s been done to them and convince everyone to stop taking the chemical, well, the proceedings get extremely emotional and tension doesn't let up for quite some time.

Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar)

By now, it’s probably pretty clear that our idea of space travel and exploration is mainly one of danger, especially from the unknown, and Christopher Nolan’s wildly successful Interstellar is certainly another addition to the film canon that shows us that. In it, Matthew McConaughey plays a former NASA test pilot who’s chosen to lead a mission through a wormhole that is hoped to lead to at least one habitable planet for humanity, which is dealing with a global famine that’s threatening an extinction event. 

Idris Elba (Prometheus)

Those Alien xenomorphs just won’t leave us alone, will they? In Prometheus, we get their origin story as a crew following an ancient star map searches for the beginnings of humanity, but instead finds…you know, a secret plot and lots of terror. Idris Elba portrays Janek, the heroic captain of the doomed spaceship.

Adam Sandler (Spaceman)

If you’ve ever gotten the sense that space travel can be kind of lonely, Adam Sandler’s Spaceman turns that idea up to 11. His astronaut is six months into a solo mission that sees him missing his wife and the unborn child he left behind, when he realizes he has a stowaway: an alien creature who can communicate telepathically with him, and seeks to understand humans while helping alleviate the astronaut’s loneliness.

Ryan Gosling (First Man)

This biographical drama sees Ryan Gosling play Neil Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the moon in 1969. The story follows Armstrong, his wife Janet (Claire Foy), and other astronauts and NASA figures as they prepare for the famed Apollo 11 mission that led to Armstrong making history.

Angela Bassett (Supernova)

Even two-time Oscar nominee Angela Bassett has taken a turn at playing a space explorer whose time there does not go as planned. When she and her crew answer a distress call from thousands of light years away during their deep space mission, things go from bad to worse at, well, the speed of light.

Matt Damon (The Martian)

Matt Damon famously starred in one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, playing astronaut Mark Watney, who’s forced to survive on Mars alone after being accidentally left behind when he’s presumed dead by the rest of his crew as they’re forced to evacuate. 

Bruce Willis (Armageddon)

Possibly the best non-traditional astronaut movie ever made, Armageddon stars good guy Bruce Willis as an oil driller recruited to go into space with a team of his mean so that they drill into a massive asteroid, implant a nuke in it and blow it up in the hope of stopping it from destroying the planet and human civilization as we know it. I got excited just writing that!

Laurence Fishburne (Event Horizon)

In space, no one can hear you scream. Unless you’re on a spaceship with other people that’s destined to run into loads of trouble, then, you know, all of those people will probably be able to hear you. There’s lots of screaming in 1997’s Event Horizon, which stars Laurence Fishburne as the captain of a rescue ship that goes to answer a distress call sent by a ship that disappeared several years prior. There’s a vivisection in this one. I’m starting to think we should just leave space alone.

Robert Duvall (Deep Impact)

You must remember Deep Impact, as it was released about two months before the more popular Armageddon, but featured a comet being on a collision course with our precious homeworld. Robert Duvall plays the pilot for the crew that’s dispatched to (you guessed it) drill into the comet and nuke it to smithereens. The mission does not go off without a hitch, and that’s why they call this a disaster movie.

Ethan Hawke (Gattaca)

In a society where most babies are created with genetic altering to make sure they have only the best traits of each parent, a man (Ethan Hawke) who was born without that practice poses as a man who was altered so that he can reach his dream of becoming an astronaut without all of the discrimination that people like him suffer in a society where people are expected to be “perfect” to have the best opportunities in life.

Sam Rockwell (Moon)

Ok, so maybe being in space, in general, isn’t always terrible. But it definitely seems like being alone in space for an extended period could be a bad sign for your future. Such is the case with Moon, where Sam Rockwell plays the lone human operating a mining facility on the titular celestial body, who comes to a startling revelation as he nears the end of his three-year work term.

Clint Eastwood (Space Cowboys)

Clint Eastwood has portrayed a number of (basically) good guys, so it makes complete sense that he would have stepped into the shoes of an Air Force pilot who retired long ago, but ends up leading a mission of other retired pilots to fix an old Soviet communications satellite that’s in danger of crashing to Earth.

Liv Tyler (Space Station 76)

As you’ve likely noticed, there are not a lot of comedies among this bunch, but Space Station 76 is definitely one of them. This “retro-futuristic” parody stars Liv Tyler as the newly arrived station’s co-pilot, who soon comes to realize that the apparently utopian lives of those on board are hiding some very real problems.

Alan Rickman (Galaxy Quest)

Here is another comedy that’s been a cult hit pretty much since its release in 1999. Galaxy Quest focuses on the cast of a fictional Star Trek-like series who are pulled into a hilariously real war between alien races, when the kind, gentle aliens have seen their show and believe it’s a documentary.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Cloverfield Paradox)

The Cloverfield franchise grew with this 2018 entry, which stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as an engineer aboard an orbiting space station where the plan is to test a particle accelerator in the hope of using it to provide the planet with infinite energy. You know what happens, right? Things don’t go as planned.

Many of our finest actors have pretended to travel in space for our entertainment, and this list gives you a number of amazing options should you decide to launch an astronaut movie binge session.

We’re just about a year from the release date for Captain America: Brave New World . And while many are likely looking forward to the first big screen outing for the new Captain America, the biggest questions are about a different Marvel character. Several cast members from Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk will be making their return to the franchise after years of waiting, causing many to wonder if we might see Red Hulk make his debut, and the image of a gift given to crew on the film has seemingly confirmed that we will.

Several rumors and fan theories have indicated that Harrison Ford, who is taking over the role of Thunderbolt Ross from the late William Hurt in Brave New World will transform into Red Hulk at some point during the film. An image has now surfaced on Reddit, of what was reportedly a gift for the crew on the set, a jacket that included the movie's title, and a logo that shows the Captain America shield being gripped by a massive, and very red, hand.

Captain America: Brave New World Crew Jacket Confirms Red Hulk and Reveals New Logo Art (Swipe) - Via u/mistaJ222 on r/MarvelStudios from r/MarvelStudiosSpoilers

While the source of the image is unclear, and the image itself could, theoretically, mean something else, this has to be called strong evidence that we are going to get Red Hulk, as many have surmised. It also would seem to imply that the Red Hulk will be a major antagonist in the story.

The Red Hulk rumors make a lot of sense considering that, while this will certainly be a Captain America movie, the Brave New World cast is very Hulk-centric. The movie will see the return of Tim Blake Nelson, who played scientist Samuel Sterns in The Incredible Hulk. That movie ended by teasing his transformation into the brilliant Marvel villain The Leader. Now, more than a decade and a half later, it seems that the loose end will finally be tied up.

The movie will also see the return of Liv Tyler as Betty Ross, which would also indicate that Thunderbolt Ross’ role in the movie will be significant if his daughter appears. One can easily see a plot in which The Leader is the one responsible for creating Red Hulk, and that Ross, likely not in control of himself,  does a lot of damage that Captain America has to try and prevent.

While the crew jackets were likely expected to be kept under wraps, one wonders if the logo of the hand and shield is really meant to be something only seen on these gifts. It could mean that the Red Hulk reveal is planned for early in the marketing campaign for Captain America: Brave New World. Perhaps the first trailer will at least tease the character, whether or not we actually see Red Hulk early or they hold off on that reveal for the actual film.

The 2024 release calendar only has one upcoming Marvel movie in Deadpool 3, which just saw its first trailer drop. But 2025 is looking to be very exciting for Marvel fans.

In Hollywood, there are plenty of celebrities we all know and love, but sometimes, we might not realize that there are other actors they are related to, such as famous parents who have been around for decades. From new up-and-coming stars to people who have been in the business for some time, here are some celebrities with famous parents that you should know about. 

Gwyneth Paltrow

First up on this list has to be Gwyneth Paltrow. While the actress has built a career for herself over the last few decades with roles in movies like Shakespeare in Love, Seven, and of course, her role as Pepper Potts in the Iron Man movies, Paltrow comes from fame and is the daughter of Bruce Paltrow and Blythe Danner, both of which worked in the industry. 

Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke may be an up-and-coming star, with her breakout role as part of the Stranger Things cast and only continuing to grow as an actor as time passes, but her parents have been around for some time. Hawke is the daughter of the actor Ethan Hawke and the actress Uma Thurman, who were married for a time back in the early 2000s. 

Anderson Cooper

While we all know Anderson Cooper now for his presence on the cable news network CNN, Cooper came from a large family that we all know well. His mother was Gloria Vanderbilt, who was a part of the famous Vanderbilt family. 

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has become a significant actress in the last couple of decades, specifically for her time as Rachel Greene in the Friends cast and many other great movie and TV roles. But Aniston also comes from Hollywood royalty, as her father was John Aniston, who was on the classic soap opera Days Of Our Lives for 37 years. 

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie's best movies have only evolved over the years, from her time as the classic Disney villain, Maleficent, to her critically acclaimed roles. Jolie's father is Jon Voight, an Academy Award-winning actor; and her mother is Marcheline Bertrand, a Hollywood actress.

Chris Pine

Chris Pine is another example of someone you would never expect is the child of another celebrity, but his father was Robert Pine, and his mother was Gwynne Gilford. Robert Pine is best known for starring in the TV series CHiPS, while his mother appeared in many TV shows during the '70s and '80s. 

Colin Hanks

Colin Hanks has appeared in various films and TV shows over the last few years, including Fargo, Band of Brothers, Dexter, and more, and he hails from famous actor Tom Hanks. In 2022, Colin Hanks was a part of The Offer cast on Paramount Plus. 

Margaret Qualley

Margaret Qualley is another actress who has been up and coming for some time now, appearing in films like Death Note, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, and more, as well as in TV shows like The Leftovers and Maid on Netflix. Qualley's famous parent is Andie MacDowell, a former fashion model and actress who has appeared in films like St. Elmo's Fire, Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. 

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz's best movies include The Batman, the Divergent franchise, and more, but she hails from a family of famous faces. Her father is the renowned guitarist/actor Lenny Kravitz, and her mother is a Hollywood it girl, Lisa Bonet. Zoe Kravitz is also the granddaughter of Roxie Roker, from the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. 

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson has appeared in plenty of movies, including the Fifty Shades of Grey series, and she is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. Johnson was known for his role on the TV show Miami Vice, and Griffith appeared in films like Working Girl, Something Wild, and more. 

Mamie Gummer

With a mother like Meryl Streep, it's no surprise that Mamie Gummer went into acting. Streep, known for many famous roles, was married to Don Gummer for several decades and had a few children with him, including Mamie Gummer. The actress has starred in the CW series Emily Owens, M.D., and appeared in films like Side Effects, Cake, and more. 

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones is the daughter of the famous musician Quincy Jones. Considered a legend in the music industry, Jones was a significant influence and worked with several prominent musicians, such as Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. Rashida Jones  is known for numerous acting roles, including her part in the Parks and Recreation cast as Ann Perkins. 

Riley Keough

Riley Keough is an actress who has appeared in movies like The Runaways, Magic Mike, Mad Max: Fury Road, and more. She is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, who was the daughter of Elvis Presley. 

Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler is a well-known actress for her roles in movies like Heavy, Armageddon, Ad Astra, Wilding, and more, as well as the Lord of the Rings movies. But you might not know that Tyler is the biological daughter of Steven Tyler, the frontman of the famous band Aerosmith. 

Lily-Rose Depp

The actress is the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. Lily-Rose Depp made a name for herself in 2023 with her starring role in The Idol cast on HBO. Depp has also appeared in other movies and roles, such as Tusk and A Faithful Man. 

Tracee Ellis Ross

While many know Tracee Ellis Ross as one of the main stars of the hit family show black-ish, Ross is the daughter of another famous face in Hollywood – Diana Ross, a legendary singer from the 1970s and beyond. Ross can sing like her mother, too, and recorded an album for the film The High Note in 2020.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard is known for many incredible movies and TV shows. She'll even be in the 2024 release of Argylle on Apple TV+ and is a well-known actress. However, her father, Ron Howard, began in Hollywood first and is a renowned director. Some of his biggest movies that he's directed include Willow, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and Frost/Nixon.

Jessica Capshaw

Jessica Capshaw is primarily known for her role in the TV shows The Practice and Grey's Anatomy, which has gone on for many years. However, Capshaw is also the daughter of actress Kate Capshaw, whom you might know from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, among other films. Jessica Capshaw is also the step-daughter of a famous Hollywood director you may have heard of – Steven Spielberg.

Jasmine Cephas Jones

Jasmine Cephas Jones earned much acclaim for her roles in the Hamilton cast and went on to star in the Starz series Blindspotting, but her father, Ron Cephas Jones, had been in Hollywood for far longer. While he has numerous movie and TV credits to his name, you may known him in recent years from his part among the This Is Us cast before he sadly passed away in August 2023. 

Lily Collins

Lily Collins is known for her starring role in the Emily in Paris cast and several other movies like The Blind Side and Mirror Mirror. Her father, Phil Collins, is a well-known musician and was the lead singer and drummer of the band Genesis. 

Jack Quaid

I knew who Jack Quad was before I knew who Dennis Quaid was, thanks to the young actor being in The Hunger Games franchise and then in one of the best Amazon TV shows, The Boys. His father, Dennis Quaid, has been in Hollywood for many years. Dennis Quaid's list of films include The Parent Trap, Breaking Away, Vantage Point, and more. Jack Quaid's mother is Meg Ryan, an actress known for her great romantic comedies and hilarious comedic timing. 

Harley Quinn Smith

Harley Quinn Smith is a young actress on this list who has appeared in movies such as Tusk and Yoga Hosers. Her father is Kevin Smith, a filmmaker who has made movies like Clerks, Mallrats, and more. He also directed both Tusk and Yoga Hosers. 

Laura Dern

Laura Dern is the daughter of Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. Bruce Dern has appeared in movies like Nebraska, Coming Home, and more, and Diane Ladd also appeared in films like Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, and more. Ladd is the recipient of three Academy Awards. 

Allison Williams

Allison Williams has appeared in the show Girls and horror movies like the Jordan Peele-directed film Get Out and M3GAN. She is the daughter of Brian Williams, a famous news correspondent for NBC Nightly News. 

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson is a well-known actress who has appeared in movies like Desert Blue, Almost Famous, Bride Wars, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, and more. Her mother is Goldie Hawn, and her biological father is Bill Hudson. Based on the post she shared honoring Kurt Russell -- her mother's long-time partner -- on Father's Day in 2022, it seems she has a very close family relationship with him. 

Liza Minnelli

When you think of Hollywood it girls, Liza Minnelli is bound to be one you think of, appearing in such movies as Cabaret, Stepping Out, The Act, and more. An EGOT winner, Minnelli is the daughter of director Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland, known for her starring role in The Wizard of Oz. 

Domhnall Gleeson

Domhnall Gleeson is primarily known for his roles in the Harry Potter franchise, where he played Bill Weasley, and appeared in Star Wars films and movies like Anna Karenina, Frank, and more. He is the son of Brendan Gleeson, a famous actor who has appeared in movies like 28 Days Later, The Banshees of Inisherin, Gangs of New York, and more. 

Kaia Gerber

Kaia Gerber is a well-known young model who has appeared in Fashion Week for the last couple of years. She is the daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, two famous models. Arguably, Crawford was one of the most popular models of the 1980s and '90s, and it's fitting that her daughter is turning out to be the same in the 2020s. 

Maude Apatow

While everyone knows Maude Apatow from the Euphoria cast, as her character in the show, Lexi, is a fan favorite, the actress grew up as the child of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann. Judd Apatow's best movies that he has directed include Bridesmaids, Trainwreck, and The King of Staten Island, among others. Leslie Mann is a famous actress in films like This Is 40, Knocked Up, Big Daddy, and more. 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis first appeared in the BC drama Quincy, M.E., and continued to gain popularity over time with her roles in the Halloween franchise and many other films. She is the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, two well-known classic movie actors. Curtis lets their legacy live on now, and even won an Academy Award for her acting in 2023 for Everything Everywhere All At Once. 

Hailey Baldwin

Hailey Baldwin is a model who is the daughter of Stephen Baldwin, an actor who has appeared in movies like Bio-Dome, 8 Seconds, and more. She is also the niece of famous actor Alec Baldwin. Her legal last name now is Hailey Bieber, as she is married to well-known singer Justin Bieber, but many remember her as Hailey Baldwin from her earlier years in the industry. 

Cazzie David

Cazzie David is a scriptwriter and actor. She appeared in The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and has written TV show scripts for Hannah Montana, Eighty-Sixed, and more. She is the daughter of comedian and actor Larry David and Laurie David. 

Wyatt Russell

Wyatt Russell has appeared in shows like Black Mirror, Under the Banner of Heaven and more, and also was a part of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier cast. The actor is the son of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Other celebrities have famous parents out there, but these are just some you might not realize were related to someone famous. And now, I need to figure out who else might be related to someone I never knew about—time to dive into some Hollywood history. 

While Mark Ruffalo’s Incredible Hulk has become an important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the fact that the only standalone Hulk movie in the MCU was one of the franchise's rare misses meant that those storylines and characters got left behind, and seemingly forgotten. But in recent years we’ve seen some of them come back, and now we know Liv Tyler will be back as Betty Ross, marking at least the third character from The Incredible Hulk to return…in a Captain America movie?

It was one thing when we learned that Tim Blake Nelson would be returning in Captain America: New World Order to reprise his role from the Hulk film and take his place as The Leader, a sequel tease from the second-ever MCU movie that never went anywhere. Then we learned that the newly recast Thunderbolt Ross, which sees Harrison Ford takeover after the death of William Hurt, would also appear. And now Liv Tyler is back. So fans have one question: Is this actually a secret Hulk movie? As one person shared on Twitter:

While Disney no has the rights to nearly all Marvel characters following the acquisition of Fox, there are still a couple of heroes outstanding. Sony still has the rights to Spider-Man, and the two studios have agreed to work together on those projects, but Marvel doesn’t have a similar deal with Universal Pictures, with whom they share the rights to Hulk. Marvel can make movies that Hulk is in, but they can’t make Hulk movies without Universal.

And it seems to a lot of fans like Marvel might be trying a weird end run to make a Hulk movie without calling it that. While Mark Ruffalo himself is not currently confirmed to be part of the cast of Captain America: New World Order, there are a lot of other characters from that original movie that now are, and it just seems odd that they all will be returning in a different corner of the franchise.

All the news that we’re hearing about the new Captain America movie has to do with these Hulk characters and as such Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson is starting to feel like an afterthought in what is supposed to be the character’s big-screen debut as the new Captain America. One certainly hopes he won’t really be overshadowed in his own story.

Of course, even in the comics, there were lots of times when a hero would take on a villain that was generally associated with a different hero, and that seems to be the sort of thing that we’re looking at here. The title of the new movie itself has a very political bent, and that’s very much the purview of Captain America more than the Incredible Hulk, so in the end we should expect this will still be a Captain America movie. Still, as CinemaBlend's own Eric Swann points out, if we're bringing back characters from The Incredible Hulk, let's just go all out.

Captain America: New World Order is still more than two years away, so there’s likely a lot more about the film that we will learn as production gets underway, which is likely to be happening very soon. Fans who have wondered what happened to characters like The Leader or Betty Ross will find out soon, and even if they don’t cross paths with the Hulk here, perhaps the new Captain America movie will set up that possibility down the road. 

We learned last year that Captain America: New World Order would bring actor Tim Blake Nelson back to Marvel to play The Leader, and it's looking like yet another key member of The Incredible Hulk movie will join him. Liv Tyler, who played Betty Ross in the Edward Norton-led Hulk movie, is returning to the MCU and will be a part of Anthony Mackie's first film as Captain America. 

Liv Tyler is reportedly set to reprise her role as Betty Ross, according to THR. Ross is a scientist and daughter to General Thaddeus Ross, who will be played by Harrison Ford in Captain America: New World Order. While General Ross and other characters from The Incredible Hulk movie have popped up in Marvel movies elsewhere, this will be Tyler's first time back in the MCU since that 2008 movie. 

Betty Ross has historically been Bruce Banner's love interest in Marvel Comics, though one has to wonder if that will be the case in Liv Tyler's return to the MCU. While Ross and Banner shared a peaceful moment before he went on the run. Banner, of course, re-emerged in The Avengers and many adventures that followed, but has not mentioned or shown any sign he's kept in contact with Betty since then. 

Liv Tyler's return as Betty Ross for Captain America: New World Order, paired with the other castings we've heard so far, does leave a big question mark on whether or not Mark Ruffalo will be in this movie. It seems like the film is setting up a lot of Hulk-adjacent characters to appear, so it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility he'll be worked into this movie. 

It may sound odd for so many Hulk characters to potentially appear in a Captain America movie, though Marvel fans know this is how the situation has been for a while. Disney can't do a solo Hulk film or give him top-billing in a movie without it being distributed by Universal, so Marvel has told his story through subplots in Avengers movies, Thor: Ragnarok and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Liv Tyler's casting could hint that we're in for another one of those stories in Captain America: New World Order, but we'll just have to wait and see. 

Liv Tyler's casting is just the latest interesting bit of information we've gotten about Captain America: New World Order. The movie is expected to be one of the last movies we'll see in the MCU's Phase 5, which may be why we're seeing so many characters added to the mix. Perhaps these returns will set up a bigger Hulk story for Phase 6 and allow Anthony Mackie's first film as Captain America to stand out with his performance. 

Captain America: New World Order arrives in theaters on May 3rd, 2024. Use that Disney+ subscription right now to revisit the previous Captain America movies, though you'll have to be subscribed to HBO Max to see Liv Tyler in The Incredible Hulk. 

On June 13, 2008, a little over a month after Iron Man launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the second entry in the superhero franchise arrived in the form of The Incredible Hulk. However, for years this Marvel movie held an outsider status within the MCU framework, with its events barely ever being touched upon or mentioned. Maybe this is because Universal Pictures handled its distribution rather than Paramount Pictures, or maybe it hard more to do with Mark Ruffalo taking over the Bruce Banner role following Edward Norton’s sole outing. Either way, despite The Incredible Hulk clearly being set in the MCU, you can be sure there are plenty of people who have skipped over this one for their MCU marathons.

Fortunately for fans of The Incredible Hulk, the MCU has finally been acknowledging its importance lately, namely through the Disney+ show She-Hulk: Attorney at Law and a big piece of news announced at D23. It’s a good start, but Marvel needs to keep this momentum going, and there are several ways to ensure that The Incredible Hulk occupies an even bigger position in the MCU mythology. But first, let’s go over the work that’s been done in this area already.

How The MCU Has Been Acknowledging The Incredible Hulk Lately

For a long time, the only direct references to The Incredible Hulk were in the One-Shot short film The Consultant, which built off of Tony Stark’s meeting with Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, and Bruce Banner mentioning that he “broke Harlem” in The Avengers. Sure, Thunderbolt Ross, played by the late William Hurt, returned in Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and Black Widow, but outside of him inquiring about Bruce Banner’s whereabouts in Civil War, his ties to the Hulk were never brought up.

Then Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings came along, which showed Abomination, now looking more like his comic book counterpart, tangling with Wong at the Macau fight club. Tim Roth is now appearing in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law as a Blonsky who can change back and forth between his human and monster forms, and is also apparently remorseful for his actions in The Incredible Hulk, to the point that he reached out to Bruce Banner and made amends with his former adversary.

But wait, it gets better! At D23, it was announced that Tim Blake Nelson will reprise Samuel Sterns in Captain America: New World Order. When we last saw Sterns in The Incredible Hulk, Blonsky, who’d just transformed into Abomination, knocked him aside, and some of Bruce Banner’s blood dripped into Sterns’ open head wound, causing his head to start freakishly expanding. This was a clear set-up for Sterns to become The Leader, and after more than a decade, that payoff is finally coming. Better late than never, right?

Now that we’ve covered The Incredible Hulk being spotlighted in Phase Four, it’s time to go over more ways this corner of the MCU can be showered with love.

Bring Back Liv Tyler As Betty Ross

Betty Ross is one of the most important characters in the Hulk mythos, as both Bruce Banner’s love interest and the daughter of Thunderbolt Ross, the man who has spent years trying to eliminate the Green Goliath. So following in the footsteps of Jennifer Connelly from 2003’s Hulk, Liv Tyler brought Betty to life in The Incredible Hulk, with the character reuniting with Bruce five years after his accident and ending up going on the run with him. 

Not only has Liv Tyler not reprised Betty Ross once since The Incredible Hulk, the character hasn’t even been mentioned. Our only update on her came post-Avengers: Infinity War in the real world, when the Russos revealed she was among the individuals Thanos snapped away. We don’t even know if Bruce Banner has had any contact with Betty in the years after The Incredible Hulk. It was one thing for Bruce to avoid Betty in the days when he couldn’t control turning into Hulk, but to not even bring her up among friends or even visit her once he became Smart Hulk is bizarre!

If Emil Blonsky and Samuel Sterns can get more time to shine in the MCU, then there’s no reason a friendly face from Bruce Banner’s past can’t too. Even if it’s just for a cameo, it would be nice for Liv Tyler to reprise Betty Ross so we can see how she’s doing these days and maybe learn a little bit about what happened to her after the events of The Incredible Hulk. However, if there’s an opportunity for her to have a major role in an upcoming Marvel project, perhaps she could transform into Red She-Hulk or Harpy so she’s able to contribute to the action.

Turn Leonard Samson Into A Gamme-Powered Being

Before Bruce Banner came back into Betty Ross’ life in The Incredible Hulk, Betty was dating a psychiatrist named Leonard Samson, played by Modern Family’s Ty Burrell. Samson didn’t get much to do in that movie, but this is another character who’s been a major player in Hulk’s world. In the comics, Samson exposed himself to gamma radiation siphoned directly from Hulk, resulting in him gaining the same physical enhancements Hulk has and his hair turning green. For the most part, Doc Samson has been an ally to Bruce over the years, but there have been instances where he’s turned to the dark side.

Leonard Samson is too important a character to be relegated to what was basically a cameo in The Incredible Hulk. Not only should Samson go through his own gamma transformation so he rock the green hair and put those dukes up if a threat comes his way, it would be interesting for this franchise to have an enhanced individual on hand for superheroes to go to for help managing their mental health. Also, while I would in no way be against Ty Burrell coming back to play Samson, the character also had so little screen time in The Incredible Hulk that I wouldn’t mind him being recast either.

Pit Smart Hulk Against His Actual Villains

It’s safe to say that Abomination and Leader are two of Hulk’s most notorious enemies, so for these two to get the spotlight so long after The Incredible Hulk’s release is welcome. That said, we’re not seeing Bruce Banner deal with either of them in his Smart Hulk form. She-Hulk: Attorney at Law sees Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters representing Blonsky on behalf of her law firm, and while there’s a chance that he could return to his villainous given that She-Hulk’s second episode showed Bruce Banner occupied with his own mission (more on that soon), the smart money’s on him and Blonsky not crossing paths before the season is done. As for Leader, he’s going to be Captain America: New World Order’s main antagonist, so it’ll be Sam Wilson bringing about his defeat rather than Hulk.

It’s great that Abomination and Leader are being put to good use in the MCU, but it’s weird that, as far as we know, there are no plans with them to collide with their chief enemy from the comics. Because Hulk has been relegated to a supporting/ensemble player in the MCU post-The Incredible Hulk, there weren’t really any opportunities to explore unique elements in his orbit until She-Hulk: Attorney at Law came along. If that’s finally starting to change, let’s get a rematch between Hulk and Abomination (if the latter’s redemption doesn’t stick) and throw him into a conflict with The Leader. Better yet, let’s bring in more Hulk villains from the comics, Zzzax, Tyrannus and Gargoyle.

Release Another Solo Hulk Movie

There had been talk after The Incredible Hulk’s release about making a sequel that would have used The Leader as its villain, but it became clear in the years to follow that delivering such a product was complicated. Although Marvel Studios is free to use Hulk in Avengers movies or in projects led by other characters, Universal Pictures holds the distribution rights to solo Hulk movies. However, that may soon be changing. As reported by TV Line, there’s speculation that in 2023, Marvel Studios will finally acquire these distribution rights. If this is true, this means we could finally get another Hulk movie after all this time.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’s second episode potentially laid the groundwork for such a story to be told, as Bruce Banner was shown aboard the Sakaaran spaceship that caused the car accident shown in the first She-Hulk episode that led to Jennifer being exposed to her cousin’s irradiated blood. This ship jumped to hyperspace, and we have no idea where Bruce is heading. It’s hard to say if She-Hulk will follow up on this given everything that’s on Jennifer’s plate, but there are plenty of people online hoping that this is setting up an adaptation of the World War Hulk storyline. Whether that’s the case or not, if any hurdles have been cleared for Marvel Studios to handle a Hulk movie all on its own, the company should take advantage of putting this character back onto center stage.

While we wait for updates on what’s next for The Hulk in the MCU, new episodes of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law premier Thursdays to Disney+ subscribers, and Captain America: New World Order is slated on the upcoming Marvel movies schedule for a May 3, 2024 release. If you’re interested in streaming The Incredible Hulk, you can do so with an HBO Max subscription.

Disney Parks are the place that fans all over the world go to see their favorite animated characters like Mickey and Minnie or live-action characters like Jack Sparrow. But at some Disney Parks you can also see Steven Tyler, both on attractions and apparently wandering the parks. A video was recently posted showing Steven and Liv Tyler visiting Disneyland Paris, which celebrates its 30th anniversary today and all Steven Tyler wanted to do was show off that his daughter’s face was on display.

Liv Tyler recently posted a TikTok video filmed by her and featuring her father, Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler, at Walt Disney Studios Park-- the second gate of Disneyland Paris. The resort actually contains, or at least use to contain, both famous members of the Tyler family, as Steven Tyler mentions here that the park has a version of Disney World’s Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster. But he’s not nearly as excited about that as he is that there’s a Liv Tyler poster on a wall outside another now defunct attraction. Check out how proud this dad is. 

This is just great to see. All the things going on at Disneyland Paris and the thing Steven Tyler is the most excited about is that his daughter’s face is on a poster outside an attraction. And you can hear Liv Tyler laughing the entire time. It’s just an incredibly sweet moment. 

While the post is recent, the video itself is not. The building that Steven Tyler is showing off housed Armageddon – Les Effets Speciaux, a special effects stage show focused on the film Armageddon. The film is technically a “Disney movie” in that it was distributed by Touchstone Pictures, one of the subsidiaries of Walt Disney Studios. 

Both the Armageddon show and the Paris version of the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster are gone, making way for the Disneyland Paris version of Avengers Campus. The special effects show is being replaced by WEB-Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, an attraction also found at Disneyland Resort. The Aerosmith-themed roller coaster is getting a facelift. The coaster itself will remain, but it will get a Marvel re-theme and become an Iron Man coaster.

This leaves one remaining Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. While the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster has dealt with some minor controversy, at the moment there are no official plans for this coaster to be replaced. Having said that, there have been a number of different rumors in recent years that indicated the coaster could get a re-theme. It’s one of the older attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at this point, and Aerosmith isn’t quite as hot as theory were when the ride was new. The attraction first opened in 1999, a year after the movie Armageddon opened and Aerosmith had a major hit with the song “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” in the same movie. 

Spoilers ahead for the Season 2 premiere of 9-1-1: Lone Star, called "Back in the Saddle."

The Season 2 premiere of 9-1-1: Lone Star hit the airwaves on Fox almost exactly a year after the series premiere back in 2020, but there are already big changes from the Season 1 status quo. One of those changes had actually been announced beforehand thanks to Liv Tyler's decision to depart Lone Star as Michelle Blake, with Gina Torres stepping up as new paramedic captain Tommy Vega. The big question wasn't if Lone Star would write out Michelle, but how and whether she could come back. Now, we have an answer.

"Back in the Saddle" actually introduced Gina Torres' Tommy Vega before explaining why Michelle was missing, with that update coming courtesy of the crew she left behind as they chatted at the firehouse. Rosewater started the conversation by complaining that Michelle had made an "incredibly selfish" decision to "quit," to which Gillian explained what he had apparently already heard several times but was news to viewers:

Rosewater still thinks that "she abandoned us," but the rest of the crew were supportive of the fact that Michelle was following her "calling" and "vocation," and that she made a choice when working as their paramedic captain didn't line up with her calling to dedicate her life to helping mentally ill people. So, all things considered, 9-1-1: Lone Star gave a pretty nice farewell to Michelle Blake, and definitely not one that means Liv Tyler can never reprise her role. No volcanos for Michelle, but maybe a return later!

None of the characters in this scene definitively said where Michelle is working or how long she'll be doing what she's currently doing to prevent her from at least dropping by for a visit. Michelle wasn't killed off or fired or left because of any bad blood, and the only bitterness about her seems to be Rosewater being annoyed that she left at all. The civil circumstances of Michelle's departure also meant that Tommy Vega got a pretty warm welcome, even if she had to prove to her new coworkers that she still has what it takes after being off the job since 2013.

So, will Michelle return? I can't help but compare Liv Tyler with her one season of 9-1-1: Lone Star to Connie Britton and her one season of 9-1-1, and Britton returned in 9-1-1 Season 3 to briefly reprise her role. Couldn't Tyler do them same with the 9-1-1 spinoff down the line? Of course, the whole reason why Tyler left 9-1-1: Lone Star was reportedly that commuting between her family in London and Lone Star production in Los Angeles isn't practical or safe in light of the COVID pandemic.

If Liv Tyler does return as Michelle, it might not be until well down the line when the pandemic doesn't pose the problems for travel that it does currently. The good news is that she wasn't written out in a way that prevents her from returning, even if just for a guest appearance, and Tommy Vega already seems like a great new character to fill in the gap left by Michelle.

See what happens next in the post-Michelle era of 9-1-1: Lone Star with new episodes on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on Fox, following new episodes of 9-1-1. For more of what's on the way in the coming weeks, check out our 2021 winter and spring premiere schedule.

9-1-1: Lone Star debuted on Fox as a spinoff of the successful 9-1-1, but there was no saying how the new show would do with so few connections to the parent series compared to other TV shared universes. When the show landed a couple of big-name actors in Liv Tyler and Rob Lowe to star and scored a second season coming off of great ratings in Season 1, however, the future seemed bright. Sadly, one star is now leaving the show ahead of Season 2. Lone Star is losing Liv Tyler.

Liv Tyler is leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star despite fans having every reason to expect that she would be back as Michelle Blake in Season 2, but Deadline reports that Tyler is leaving the show due to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on the world rather than any story reasons. Tyler lives in London with her partner and two young children, and she commuted between London and Los Angeles to work on Lone Star Season 1.

Attempting to travel back and forth between London and L.A. for Season 2 would have been risky for Liv Tyler's health and the health of those around her, and a potential travel ban could have meant she was either stuck away from her family or production would be stuck without its female lead. Tyler reportedly approached producers about leaving 9-1-1: Lone Star despite her multi-year contract over the summer.

While 9-1-1: Lone Star fans will undoubtedly be bummed to lose Liv Tyler so abruptly, Michelle Blake's story in Season 1 at least didn't end on a cliffhanger. Also, Lone Star will not be recasting Tyler's character, so it's entirely possible that she could reprise her role at some point. Connie Britton returned to 9-1-1 as a guest after her post-Season 1 departure, so the spinoff could conceivably do the same with Tyler once it's safe to travel again.

Series co-creator and showrunner Tim Minear's comments on Liv Tyler's departure suggest that she would be welcome back on 9-1-1: Lone Star. He said:

The good news is that 9-1-1: Lone Star already cast a character who could fill the void left by Liv Tyler's Michelle Blake. Former Suits star Gina Torres (whose Pearson spinoff was cancelled by USA after one season in 2019) is on board Lone Star as a series regular, and she'll play a paramedic captain by the name of Tommy Vega.

Tommy left the life of an EMT behind years ago to raise her twin daughters, but the COVID-19 pandemic will force her back into the workforce after her husband's restaurant fails. She'll have to return to the paramedic action after eight years, but she'll prove to still have what it takes when she come back.

911: Lone Star is reportedly aiming to begin filming Season 2 on October 12 for a midseason premiere on Fox, along with 9-1-1. For some viewing options sooner rather than later, check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule!

Since jumping into the public eye with an appearance in Aerosmith's "Crazy" music video in 1994, Liv Tyler has gone from front man Steven Tyler's daughter to a highly decorated actress who has helped lead franchises like The Lord of the Rings, as well as smaller projects like That Thing You Do, to a level of unparalleled success. And in those nearly 26 years under the spotlight, Tyler has become one of the motivated and interesting figures in show business.

There are just so many interesting things about Liv Tyler. For example, take her love and dedication for her children, meditation and the excitement that pours out of her whenever she speaks about one of her countless movie and television roles. And with her most recent appearance in James Gray's science fiction father-son drama Ad Astra getting another go with the movie's HBO premiere in June 2020, now's as good a time as any to take a look at some of the most fascinating facts about one of the most versatile and prolific actresses of our time.

Liv Tyler Didn't Know The True Identity Of Her Father Until She Was 11 Years Old

Just about everyone around knows that Liv Tyler is the daughter of rock and roll legend Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, but the actress' mother, Bebe Buell, hid her biological father's identity until Tyler was almost a teenager. As far as Tyler knew, her father was her mother's longtime partner, Todd Rundgen, but a chance encounter when the girl was 11 years old changed that forever.

Liv Tyler and her mom were at one of Todd Rundgen's concerts when they ran into Steven Tyler, and Liv immediately knew there was something going on. In a 2017 interview with The Guardian, Liv Tyler described the feeling of figuring out he was her father as being something bigger than herself, stating:

Over time, Liv Tyler started to spend more time with her biological father and realized they had a lot in common, including their looks and some of their idiosyncrasies that she hadn't shared with one anyone else.

Liv Tyler Made Her Acting Debut In Aerosmith's "Crazy" Music Video

One year before she showed up in films like Heavy and Empire Records, Liv Tyler was spending much of her time modeling or showing up in television commercials, but that all changed when she appeared in the Aerosmith music video for "Crazy" in 1994. Starring alongside Alicia Silverstone as two schoolgirls who skip class and go on a raucous adventure in a manner similar to Thelma and Louise, the video helped propel the young actress to superstardom seemingly overnight.

This was Liv Tyler's first major acting gig, as she wouldn't make her film debut until later that year with the psychological thriller Silent Fall. It's crazy to think about how quickly Tyler became a star after appearing in perhaps one of the most watched and important music videos of mid-'90s MTV.

Liv Tyler Kept Arwen's Ears From The Lord Of The Rings, But They Melted When She Left Them In Her Car

It's no secret that actors and actresses like to bring home costumes, props or other strange finds from movie sets, and it looks like Liv Tyler falls into that camp, but not to the best of results. While sitting down with The Late Show host and notorious The Lord of the Rings fanatic Stephen Colbert in 2018, Tyler explained that she took her character Arwen's Elven ears home from the set, but it didn't end as well as she hoped, stating:

Although Liv Tyler couldn't produce the melted ears for Stephen Colbert during their interview, she did bring the sword her character used in the movie, and even let the late night talk show host hold it for a minute before the conversation switched topics.

Liv Tyler Considered Quitting Acting Before Getting A Role On The Leftovers

Liv Tyler's performance as Meg Abbott, a mysterious woman seduced into joining the Guilty Remnant in the HBO series The Leftovers, is probably one of the best of the series, but before being cast in the role, the actress was considering stepping away from acting entirely because she didn't know how to make a place for herself in a world so heavily dominated by social media. Tyler went into great detail about the struggle in a 2017 interview with the Irish Examiner, where she had this to say about her thought process after her audition:

Since that fateful conversation with herself, Liv Tyler has gone on to star in shows like Gunpowder, Harlots and 9-1-1: Lone Star, as well as films like Wilding and Ad Astra.

Liv Tyler Had Long Admired Ad Astra Director James Gray Before Being Cast

Although she doesn't have much screen time in James Gray's 2019 science fiction drama Ad Astra, Liv Tyler's portrayal of Brad Pitt's Roy McBride's estranged wife Eve is one of the most captivating and emotional performances in the movie. And after hearing Tyler talk about her desire to work with imaginative director during a 20th Century Studios promotional interview, it's easy to see why she gave it her all:

So just imagine how excited Liv Tyler was when she got the call from James Gray about coming aboard for a role that was described as a presence and not fully defined from the outset. Instead of having a role with all her scenes and lines worked out, Tyler was able to work with Gray and the film's producers to bring the character to life.

Liv Tyler Believes Practicing Transcendental Meditation Has Made Her A Better Mother

There are countless ways of dealing with and managing stress, and for Liv Tyler, her method of choice is transcendental meditation, a technique that involves sitting with your eyes closed and repeating a mantra for around 20 minutes two times a day. Speaking at a charity event for the David Lynch Foundation in 2012 (via the National Association of Professional Women), Tyler spoke about her experience with transcendental meditation and the impact it had on her as a mother, saying:

It should come as no surprise that Liv Tyler finds ways of dealing with the stress and daily struggles of trying to balance parenthood with a busy film and television career. And with a career as busy, long-lasting and fruitful as the one Tyler has had over the course of nearly 30 years, it looks like she's found something that works.

Those are just six fascinating facts about Liv Tyler, her life and her remarkable career. Make sure to let us know in the comments if there were any facts about the actress that you think I missed. And if you missed the Lord of the Rings cast reunion, don't worry, because we have you covered here on CinemaBlend.

It has been nearly 20 years since audiences first met and fell in love with the stellar and expansive cast of The Lord Of The Rings. Over the course of three epic movies released in sequential years, the Middle Earth saga became one of the most beloved and successful franchises in cinematic history, partly thanks to the all-star cast. But in the years following the conclusion of Peter Jackson's crowning achievement, what have cast-members like Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, and Orlando Bloom been up to?

Well, quite a bit, actually. In the 17 years since the release of The Return Of The King, everyone from Viggo Mortensen to Andy Serkis have gone on to become household names after spring-boarding into stardom for their appearances in J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece. And while we will have to wait a little longer than expected to see the cast of the Amazon's Lord Of The Rings series in action, let's take a look back at the original cast and everything they've been up to since completing their journey.

Cate Blanchett (Galadriel)

Cate Blanchett's voice is one of the first audiences hear in the prologue of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, during which time her character, Galadriel, explains the creation and history of the Rings of Power. Throughout here appearances in the trilogy, the wise elf provides guidance to Frodo and other members of the fellowship. Over the past 17 years, the Australian-born actress has starred in dozens of feature films, stage productions, and television series, during which time she has won two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actress in The Aviator; Best Actress Blue Jasmine). In addition to a number of dramatic roles, Blanchett has also popped up in Thor: Ragnarok, Cinderella, Ocean's 8, and is currently working with Guillermo del Toro for Nightmare Alley, a psychological thriller co-starring Bradley Cooper.

Liv Tyler (Arwen Undómiel)

Liv Tyler was at the peak of her career when she starred as Arwen Undómiel in The Lord Of The Rings. Daughter of the powerful Elven leader Elrond, Arwen proves herself to be quite handy throughout the trilogy, including saving Frodo from the black riders and striking up a love affair with future king, Aragorn. Since she completed her role in Peter Jackson's trilogy, Tyler has had a great deal of success in her professional life, with appearances in films like The Strangers, The Incredible Hulk, and Ad Astra, as well as television series like The Leftovers and Harlots. Tyler also has a starring role in the Fox action procedural, 9-1-1: Lone Star, which also stars Rob Lowe.

Orlando Bloom (Legolas)

One of the nine key members of the Fellowship of the Ring, the Sindarian Elf Legolas was a vital character in the The Lord Of The Rings thanks to his cool, calm, and collected demeanor and his impeccable archery and swordsmanship. Brought to life by a young Orlando Bloom, Legolas quickly became a fan favorite. Just as one saga was coming to an end for the English actor, another began with the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise that only boosted Bloom's star appeal. Bloom's latest completed film, The Outpost, was supposed to premiere at the 2020 South by Southwest Film Festival, but the festival, and screening, was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to his movie roles, Bloom is also the star of the Amazon original series Carnival Row, which is currently in production on Season 2.

Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)

The de facto leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the main protagonist of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Aragorn proved time and time again why not all hope is lost for man. Brought to life by the superb acting prowess of Viggo Mortensen, the "King" is character worth remembering. Mortensen followed up his Middle Earth appearances with a long list of roles that includes A History Of Violence, Captain Fantastic, and Green Book, which netted Danish-American actor an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2019. Mortensen recently made his directorial debut with Falling, a drama in which he stars alongside Lance Henriksen and Laura Linney.

Andy Serkis (Gollum)

Andy Serkis became a massive star after his gripping and frightening take on Gollum in Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Over the course of three movies, audiences loved and hated this oddly sympathetic character, making Serkis a household name in the process. The English actor has continued to be one of the busiest figures in the film industry since the conclusion of the trilogy 17 years ago, including appearances in Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and The Planet Of The Apes reboot trilogy. The actor and motion-capture mastermind is currently directing the thrilling Venom 2 and starring in The Batman, both of which instantly become better with Serkis attached.

Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins)

Elijah Wood has been a name in Hollywood for about as long as I can remember. Even before he showed up as Frodo Baggins, nephew of Bilbo and carrier of the Ring, Wood was a major child actor and has continued to follow suit with some of the wildest roles in cinema. In recent years, Wood has shown up in everything from the 2019 psychdelic horror film Color Out Of Space to oddball dark comedy I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore, and just about every odd role in between.

Ian McKellen (Gandalf)

Throughout all of the Lord Of The Rings movies (and The Hobbit as well) Sir Ian McKellen kills it as the legendary wizard Gandalf (both grey and white). From the first time audiences catch an eye of Gandalf sitting atop a wagon of fireworks, it was easy to tell that there was a lot to love with this character. But it's not all fun and games with Gandalf, as the wizard proves to be powerful and stern throughout the journey to destroy the Ring once and for all. Much like Gandalf, McKellen has quite a track record, including his most recent appearances in The Good Liar, Ian McKellen On Stage, and Cats. Yes, Gandalf was in Cats.

Miranda Otto (Éowyn)

Introduced in The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Éowyn, a noblewoman from Rohan, quickly became one of the most badass characters in Peter Jackson's trilogy. Her role was expanded in The Return Of The King where she took on one of the nine Nightriders and gave the empowering line, "I am no man" as she cut him down. Miranda Otto, the Australian actress behind the role, has been quite busy in the years following her time in Middle Earth, including most recently in the Netflix series, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, where she portrays the young witch's aunt, Zelda.

Hugo Weaving (Elrond)

Elrond, one of the first of the Elves to be featured in the prologue of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, was one of the Elven leaders in Middle Earth who provided guidance and counsel for Aragorn and the rest of the Fellowship before and during the quest to destroy the Ring. Hugo Weaving, the man behind the role, is mostly known for the role of Agent Smith in The Matrix and its sequels, but the acclaimed actor has also appeared in V For Vendetta and Captain America: The First Avenger. Weaving is set to appear in three films in 2020: Measure For Measure, Loveland, and Lone Wolf, all three of which are in post-production.

Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee)

Sean Astin was already a star before he signed on to play Samwise Gamgee in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, mostly notably for his appearances in The Goonies, Encino Man, and Rudy to name a few. His take on Samwise, the friend and sidekick of main protagonist Frodo Baggins, brought a great deal of humor, charm, and surprisingly enough seriousness to the trilogy. Astin has remained busy over the years, including an amazing role as Bob Newby in Stranger Things. Astin is next set to appear in the American crime thriller Adverse at some point in 2020.

Sean Bean (Boromir)

Is there a movie/television show where Sean Bean doesn't die? Patriot Games, Goldeneye, Game Of Thrones, and countless others all feature some pretty gruesome deaths involving the English actor. Well, add The Lord Of The Rings to that list as Bean's character, Boromir, dies in the final moments of The Fellowship Of The Ring. This noble character was a far-stretch from some of Bean's previous roles and cutthroat and power-hungry villains, but laid the groundwork for his portrayal of the ill-fated Ned Stark in Game Of Thrones. Bean is currently set to appear in Posessor, a 2020 horror film from Brandon Cronenberg, the son of body horror legend David Cronenberg.

John Rhys-Davis (Gimli)

John Rhys-Davies is best well known for his role of Gimli, the foul-mouthed and strong-willed dwarven warrior who served as an instrumental member of the Fellowship of the Ring. The Welsh actor also known for his performance in Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, has appeared in dozens of roles following his time in The Lord Of The Rings, including his spin at the Brine King in the 2018 DCEU blockbuster Aquaman.

Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc Brandybuck)

Dominic Monaghan has been one of the most successful actors who achieved fame in The Lord Of The Rings. Featured in all three movies as the lovable and hilarious Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck, Monaghan, alongside Billy Boyd, brought some much-needed comedic relief to some of the trilogy's darkest moments. In the years following the release of The Return Of The King, Monaghan has starred in Lost, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. And since 2012, Monaghan has even hosted his own nature series: Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan.

Billy Boyd (Pippin Took)

Wherever Merry went in The Lord Of The Rings, Pippin Took was sure to be right by his side or not far behind. Pippin, the fun-loving Hobbit with the voice of an angel worked his way into the hearts of millions of the trilogies fans thanks to that charm and innocence. Billy Boyd, the actor behind the famous character has had a successful acting and music career in the years following his appearances in The Lord Of The Rings, including a couple one-off performances on the hit fantasy series Outlander.

Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins)

Actor Ian Holm had one hell of a career in the decades leading up to his portrayal of an older Bilbo Baggins in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, on the silver screen, on television sets around the world, and the stage. Holm would continue to add titles to his filmography in the years following his take on Bilbo, including Garden State, The Aviator, and The Hobbit, where he reprised his famous role. The English actor hasn't done much since he finished the filming of The Hobbit: The Battled Of The Five Armies, but at 88 years old, I don't blame him for taking it easy after all these years.

Well, that's what the cast of The Lord Of The Rings has been up to over the past 17 years. It's safe to say that each and every one of the actors who lent their talents to the legendary fantasy trilogy have been quite busy since then.

Rob Lowe is starring in the new 9-1-1 spinoff series, Lone Star, and you can get your first look at it now! If you thought that giant tsunami episode of 9-1-1 made it must-see television, wait until you see what the spinoff has in store. There is nothing chilly about the explosive teaser for Lowe’s new show!

Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star is set to premiere in the heart of winter, in January 2020, making it a midseason addition. The series will kick off with a two-night premiere beginning on Sunday, January 19 and it will conclude the following night on Monday, January 20. Are you ready to get a peek at Rob Lowe in 9-1-1: Lone Star? Check him out in the trailer below!

Rob Lowe has said he thinks he lost out on tens of millions by passing on the role of Grey’s Anatomy’s McDreamy, back in the day. But, he is getting another chance to take on a character facing life-and-death decisions in 9-1-1: Lone Star. Lowe looks more than ready for the challenge!

In a far cry from his game show days and the laughs of Parks and Recreation, Rob Lowe will play Owen in 9-1-1: Lone Star. As you can tell from the trailer, he gets told that it is “time.” Time for what?

Well, saving lots of lives, facing down explosions, and dealing with many high pressure situations. The scene in question may have to do with the decision that leads Owen to the Lone Star state. Rob Lowe’s Owen is a first responder out of New York, who decides to re-locate to Austin, Texas, with his son.

Rob Lowe’s character has been described as “sophisticated.” Owen appears to come into contact with more than just explosions. Some bad weather appears to be on the horizon as well. Is that a tornado I spotted forming at the end of the teaser? It would not surprise me.

Last month, 9-1-1: Lone Star cast Rob Lowe’s co-star. That would be The Leftovers and Lord of the Rings’ actress, Liv Tyler. You can see her in the teaser trailer along with Lowe. Based on the info provided about her character, it seems safe to speculate that prospective viewers are getting a chance to see some of her rock-n-roll nature come into play.

Liv Tyler’s Michelle Blake is the Chief Paramedic on 9-1-1: Lone Star. She also appears to be an avid line dancer! It is not all joy, though. Michelle’s younger sister, Iris, is missing under mysterious circumstances. At the 12-second mark of the 9-1-1: Lone Star trailer, Tyler’s Michelle can be spotted pounding on a door.

Does that have something to do with her sister? Given that she is in plain clothes and not in her uniform, it makes me think she is not on the clock. Will Rob Lowe's Owen help her solve the mystery? 9-1-1 fans will have to tune in and see!

The spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, will premiere over two nights. It begins on Sunday, January 19, and concludes the next night on Monday, January 20. New episodes of the original, 9-1-1, are airing Mondays this fall at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

The upcoming spinoff for Fox’s hit drama 9-1-1 has found Rob Lowe’s co-star, and the newly cast star is a familiar presence on both the small and silver screen! The mega-popular original series is coming back for its third season later this month, and the Lowe-led spinoff is set to premiere in January 2020, which means pivotal pieces needing to snap into place for 9-1-1: Lone Star behind the scenes.

Cue the casting of Liv Tyler! Yes, the Lord of the Rings and Leftovers star has signed on to star opposite Rob Lowe in 9-1-1: Lone Star. The spinoff will take place in Austin, Texas, hence the “Lone Star” reference in the title.

The series will follow Rob Lowe’s Owen, a New York firefighter described as “sophisticated.” Owen and his son have relocated to Texas’ capital, where he has to balance helping vulnerable people as well as solving the problems in his own life. Now that the backdrop of the series has been explained let’s dig into Liv Tyler’s 9-1-1: Lone Star character.

Liv Tyler will take on the role of Chief Paramedic Michelle Blake, per Deadline. She is described as a little rock ‘n’ roll, which could very well be an inside reference to Tyler’s father, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler. Michelle is said to sometimes behave like a bad girl, but that she is also always a boss. (The Steven Tyler comparisons continue.)

Insights into the character's personality do not end there. Michelle is also “compassionate,” and “ruthless,” “brilliant and wry.” How does she work with Rob Lowe’s Owen? From the sound of things, 9-1-1: Lone Star is setting up quite the dynamic between the duo, and Michelle is the only in the station who can match wits with Owen.

Outside of work, Michelle is consumed by a significant mystery in her personal life – the disappearance of her younger sister, Iris. She vanished two years ago, but Michelle has yet to find answers regarding her sister’s disappearance. Even though it may cause her to destroy her own life in the process, Michelle remains determined to unearth the truth.

This is a super intense character, and you can bet loads of drama is destined to unravel on 9-1-1: Lone Star! The flagship series is coming back to Fox's primetime schedule with UFC vet Ronda Rousey and a giant tsunami, so there is that.

After hosting a game show for Fox, Rob Lowe is ready to get back to the scripted drama side of his career. Fans will have to tune in and see how he and Liv Tyler play off each other. The spinoff is giving their characters an exciting dynamic to start with.

Rob Lowe Thinks He Lost $70 Million Turning Down Grey's Anatomy McDreamy Role

Will Rob Lowe’s Owen help Liv Tyler’s Michelle find the truth about her sister? Something tells me that it is highly possible, but the Fox series holds the definitive answers.

The spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, will premiere January 19. It will air in 9-1-1’s timeslot (Mondays at 9 p.m. ET) while 9-1-1 is on hiatus. Fox’s 9-1-1 will premiere Season 3 this fall on Monday, September 23, at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is largely celebrated for its interconnected worlds, crossing over a vast amount of characters with each other. Fans saw the pinnacle of this in Avengers: Infinity War, which contained the largest number of main characters in any Marvel movie. Infinity War famously wiped the board clean in its epic ending, leaving plenty more room for other characters to share the spotlight. However, that doesn't mean that every major character is going to be in Avengers 4. Actually, there's a good chance that we see won't see certain characters ever again.

Not everybody gets to be as popular as Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, or Spider-Man. Plenty of characters have graced the big screen flying under the Marvel Studios banner and not all of them catch on with audiences. The reasons tend to vary but even Marvel has its misfires, and it's highly unlikely that any of these still alive, major, sides characters appear in Avengers 4.

Abomination

One of the rare villains to make it out of his debut movie alive, Abomination might as well be good as dead. The monstrous villain hasn't been seen or heard of since The Incredible Hulk, which is pretty understandable. Given how the whole Edward Norton thing shook out, Marvel really wants to forget this movie exists. While there are certainly plenty of ways Abomination could be utilized in the future, this guy hasn't seen the light of day since 2008, so don't count on him showing up. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time that Marvel brought back an almost forgotten villain.

Jane Foster

Thor: Ragnarok essentially ditched most of Thor's supporting cast in favor of a fresh start, and that included Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Jane was never really able to escape the fact that she was a love interest, with much of her screen time spent pining for Thor. This got especially bad in Thor: The Dark World where she was a damsel in distress for over half of the movie. There were also reports that Portman wasn't too pleased with the production of the movie, meaning she was probably okay that she never got a callback. That being said, Marvel has changed a lot since those early days, and Portman has expressed a willingness to return if she were ever asked.

Betty Ross

Another casualty of Marvel's selective memory when it comes to The Incredible Hulk. While her father General Ross has found new life in the MCU, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) still lives in obscurity. Not even Bruce Banner has mentioned her name in 10 years, but there isn't exactly a high demand for her to return. Betty mostly existed as a way to emotionally ground the Hulk, but that role has partially gone to Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), so Betty isn't too necessary these days. It'd be interesting to see her mostly just to find out what these Incredible Hulk characters have been up to.

Christine Palmer

This one might be a little unfair seeing as how her last appearance was just two years ago, but Doctor Strange didn't leave much open in the air for Christine (Rachel McAdams). The one-time lover of Stephen Strange is meant to be a representation of all that he will miss if he dedicates himself to the path of the mystic arts. Strange made his decision and thus there isn't anything for her to do anymore. If Jane Foster taught us anything, it's that people don't like characters who try to ground the more fantastical characters. Just let them be fantastical! It's hard to leave your mark as the normal character in a movie about reality protecting wizards, but Christine isn't a very memorable character.

Helen Cho

Helen Cho's first and only appearance was in Avengers: Age of Ultron, in which she was introduced as a brilliant scientist who had developed a cutting-edge nano-technology. This tech is then used by Ultron to create Vision's body. Cho doesn't do much in the film, but there is a faint sense that she was partly meant to be a recurring minor character. This is partly bolstered by the fact that Cho is the mother of Amadeus Cho, one of the smartest people in the world who takes on the mantle of the Hulk for a time. Amadeus hasn't appeared in the MCU yet, so Helen might still have a future but it seems unlikely that Avengers 4 is on the table.

The Leader

Talk about getting ahead of yourself. The Leader is one of the great hanging plot threads of the MCU. The villain was set up for a sequel to The Incredible Hulk that obviously never happened, leaving the character on the shelf to collect dust. The Leader is as smart as the Hulk is strong, but he still hasn't found a way to escape The Incredible Hulk. There's no chance that this guy, who didn't exactly light the world on fire, will factor at all into the events of Avengers 4.

Darcy Lewis

Human characters have always had it rough in the Thor movies, but Darcy managed to be a slight exception to the rule. She was the comic relief back when the Thor franchise didn't have much of that to go around. Then Thor: Ragnarok was entirely comic relief and Darcy suddenly became harder to justify keeping around. While she definitely had her moments, Darcy could be pretty annoying at times. There's only so much snark someone can take from an intern.

Justin Hammer

This one actually hurts, but it's unlikely that Justin Hammer makes an appearance in Avengers 4. Justin Hammer doesn't rank particularly high on the list of Marvel villains, but the character is memorable thanks to the fun performance from Sam Rockwell. The last time we saw Hammer was in a Marvel one-shot (remember those?) where he was in prison and that's likely where he still is. One can only hope that he dances his way to Avengers 4, but he really didn't make that big of a splash in Iron Man 2. That's not to say he wouldn't make a fun Ant-Man villain, though.

Lady Sif

If it was too hard to get Sif into Thor: Ragnarok then there's little chance she can get into Avengers 4. Leading up to the release of Ragnarok, there was a lot of buzz over whether Sif would be in the movie. Jaimie Alexander ultimately couldn't do it because of scheduling conflicts, but she probably lucked out considering every other notable Asgard side character was killed off. Sif is still out there in the galaxy somewhere, which means she's on the table for future MCU appearances, but like other Thor side characters, she's likely not a big priority.

Erik Selvig

As far as side characters go, Erik Selvig had a pretty good run. He got to be a science expert in both Thor and The Avengers, make a complete fool of himself in Thor: The Dark World, and then play a minor role in the least popular scene in Avenger: Age of Ultron. Selvig has been MIA ever since and while scientist characters are likely in hot demand to solve the Snap in Avengers 4, it feels like Selvig has run his course.

Trevor Slattery

Trevor Slattery is one of the most controversial characters in the MCU. Billed as being classic Iron Man baddie the Mandarin, it turned out that he was just a dopey actor named Trevor Slattery in one of the best-executed plot twists in the MCU. It left fans divided to the point where Marvel had to make a one-shot explaining that Trevor wasn't the "real" Mandarin. It's that controversy amongst fans that will probably keep Trevor from showing up again, even though it'd be pretty funny that of all people, he ended up surviving Thanos' Snap.

The Child's Play franchise is entering a weird phase. In one corner, there's a Child's Play TV series in development that will be a continuation of the original film series, and will have Brad Dourif reprising Chucky Ray and franchise creator Don Mancini involved. In the other corner, a Child's Play theatrical reboot is in the works over at MGM that is a complete re-imagining of the property. It will be a long time before we get to see how this reboot compares to the first Child's Play movie, but word's come in that Liv Tyler is being eyed for one of the lead roles.

Supposedly MGM is interested in bringing Liv Tyler aboard, and while nothing is set in stone yet, That Hashtag Show reports that if the actress signs on, she would play Karen, the mother of Andy, the boy who receives the Chucky doll as a gift. It's possible that those names will be changed for the Child's Play reboot, but either way, you can expect the mother to be one of the movie's important characters. So far all that's been revealed about the Child's Play reboot is that Polaroid director Lars Klevberg, Kung Fury's Tyler Burton Smith is writing the script, and IT producers David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith are attached to produce, while Aaron Schmidt is attached as executive producer.

Liv Tyler has plenty of film credits to her name, from the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Incredible Hulk to Empire Records and Armageddon. She most recently appeared on the big screen in Wilding, but in recent years she's primarily been acting in the television realm, having starred as Meg Abbot in the HBO series The Leftovers and currently starring as Lady Isabella Fitzwilliam in the Hulu series Harlots. Assuming she is cast in the Child's Play reboot, this will be a good way for Tyler to expand her horror cred.

Official plot details about the Child's Play reboot haven't been disclosed to the public, but supposedly this version of the tale will be contemporary and focus on a group of kids (Stranger Things-style) and a technologically-advanced doll that "enters their world." The original Chucky doll was most certainly dangerous (hence why he's been the star of seven movies), but assuming this information about the reboot is correct, then it sounds like new Chucky could be even more lethal than his predecessor. Although 1988's Child's Play rested comfortably in the horror genre, with each subsequent movie, the film series became more comical. It's unclear what kind of tone the reboot will strike, but I'm guessing it will be a more straightforward horror movie with some dark comedy elements mixed in.

The Child's Play reboot doesn't have an assigned release date yet, but production is reportedly beginning in September, so stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on the movie as they come in. For now, check out our 2018 release schedule to find out what movies hit the silver screen later this year.

As far as film franchises go, there are few quite as grand in scale and budget as The Lord of the Rings. Peter Jackson's trilogy thrilled moviegoers time and time again, bringing George R.R. Tolkein's beloved books to silver-screen with stunning results. As the films were being released and publicized, The Lord of The Rings truly dominated pop culture, so there are plenty of hardcore fans of the trilogy. One such fan is Stephen Colbert, who has a penchant for nerd culture in general. Colbert recently had actress Liv Tyler on The Late Show, where she brought him the ultimate nerd surprise: Arwen's sword from the movie. Furthermore, she went on to cradle Stephen and interact one of her biggest scenes, including speaking Elvin. Check it out.

I don't know about you, but my FOMO is through the damn roof. Just hanging out with Liv Tyler and her Lord of the Rings sword would have been a gift enough, but Stephen Colbert was able to go full Frodo and be saved by her magical powers. Sorry, Elijah Wood.

While Liv Tyler may have appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to talk about her Hulu series Harlots, Colbert isn't one to hold back when he was nerd royalty in the house. We've seen him endlessly geek out about the Star Wars franchise, and it seems he has similar enthusiasm for Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings franchise. When you have Arwen in your studio with her actual sword, you can't help but beg for some Elvin battle words.

Liv Tyler played Arwen in the original Lord of the Rings franchise. A connection between man and elves, Arwen had a forbidden romance with Aragorn, who would eventually go onto be King. While the character mostly had emotional scenes in the second and third movies, the original Fellowship of The Ring saw her personally save Frodo from the Nazgul who were chasing them. Manipulating the water around her, she's ultimately able to save the day and make a daring escape.

You can check out the real scene below, although there's something about the Colbert version that is more fun this time around.

Ok, maybe that was a little bit cooler. But only by a short margin.

While many fans love Liv Tyler for her work on The Lord of The Rings, she's been very busy in the past few years. She had a starring role in HBO's The Leftovers, and is now a regular on Hulu's Harlots. Be sure to check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

It's not exaggerating to say that Avengers: Infinity War is going to be the biggest Marvel movie yet, if not one of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters in general. Not only will Thanos finally be wreaking havoc after being teased as a threat since 2012's The Avengers, but the movie is including nearly every major Marvel hero introduced over the Marvel Cinematic Universe's lifetime. However, it's not just the heroes who will be brought into the action. Several of the heroes' allies have been confirmed to return, and now there's word that supporting Hulk character Betty Ross will finally be brought back in this epic tale.

In their report about Avengers: Infinity War supposedly shooting in Scotland, Telegraph mentioned that Liv Tyler is rumored reprise her role as Betty Ross, gamma scientist and Bruce Banner's ex-girlfriend. Ross' sole appearance in the MCU was in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, and she hasn't been mentioned in the nine years since then. While Bruce Banner/Hulk has long been confirmed to appear in Avengers: Infinity War, this is the first mention of anyone from his supporting cast being featured in the third Avengers flick. There's no word yet on if Betty's father, General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, will also return.

Betty Ross has been one of the Hulk key supporting characters since the Green (well, gray at first) Goliath's comic book debut, so it was only appropriate that she was included in The Incredible Hulk, the second MCU film out of the gate. In this continuity, Betty helped Bruce Banner with the Gamma Pulse experiment, which was part of the Bio-Tech Force Enhancement Project, an attempt to recreate the Super-Soldier Serum. Unlike her father, Betty continued to believe in Bruce after he became a fugitive, and after he came back into her life years later, she helped him stay hidden from the U.S. military and track down Samuel Sterns. Following the battle with Abomination, Bruce went on the run again, and the last shot of Betty was her reminiscing on her brief reunion with him.

Due to entanglements with Universal over distribution rights, The Hulk hasn't been given another solo movie since The Incredible Hulk, instead being a major player in the Avengers adventures and the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok. Although Thaddeus Ross' inclusion in Captain America: Civil War served as a reminder that Hulk's supporting cast is still around in this universe, Betty's return is long overdue. Since things didn't work out romantically with Black Widow in Avengers: Age of Ultron, maybe Bruce will be able to rekindle the spark with Betty in Avengers: Infinity War in the midst of the insanity with Thanos and the Infinity Stones.

Avengers: Infinity War will be released in theaters on May 4, 2018, and Avengers 4, which will be shot during the same production cycle, will arrive on May 3, 2019.

On October 4, 1996, That Thing You Do opened to what would eventually pan out to be a third place showing at the end of its first weekend of release. The film, which marked the writing and directing debut of Tom Hanks, would gross $34.5 million by the end of its run, ranking in as the 60th place film of the entire year. And yet, despite all of this, it's become a classic in every sense of the word.

The trials and tribulations of Guy "Skitch" Patterson and The Wonders have been shown on cable, sold many home video copies, and catapulted the film into the cult classic status it deserves. But what of the stars of That Thing You Do? Where are they now, and what have they been up to? Well, it's been a good couple of decades, so now's a great time to see what everyone's been doing since they did that thing that they did.

Tom Everett Scott

Guy Patterson was our everyman, our focal point to the madness that was the 60's pop scene that reigns in That Thing You Do. With his trademark shades, his sick drum skills, and the wit and wisdom that helped the band last as long as it did, he truly was Spartacus. He is our biggest fan, and it's all thanks to the talents of Tom Everett Scott, a man who's been working quite regularly since career started on an episode of Law and Order back in 1993.

Of course, his huge breakout hit was That Thing You Do, which almost wasn't his big screen debut, thanks to his resemblance to Tom Hanks himself. Fortunately, co-star and Hanks' wife, Rita Wilson, convinced those in charge to take the leap, and Scott went on to drum his way into our hearts for years to come. After the music died down, Tom Everett Scott found himself in high visibility projects like Boiler Room, Van Wilder, and Parental Guidance.

Though in the years after That Thing You Do, Scott worked a lot in TV, most notably in roles on ER, Southland, and Sons Of Anarchy, as well as a return to Law and Order as New York Governor Donald Shalvoy. Recently, you may have seen Scott in his roles on MTV's Scream, The CW's Reign, and CBS' Elementary, but you'll be able to see Scott this December in La La Land, a film that was inspired by That Thing You Do. Talk about coming full circle.

Liv Tyler

Guy wasn't the only person who helped keep The Wonders going, as his eventual wife, Faye Dolan, was also one of the many keys to success for the band. Though she was dating the super serious founder and lead singer / guitarist for the band, James "Jimmy" Mattingly, Faye always seemed like the right type of girl for Guy, even when he couldn't see it. And we have the talented Liv Tyler to thank for being the bedrock of the That Thing You Do cast, an opportunity that came after she'd established herself with her appearance alongside Alicia Silverstone in the video for Aerosmith's song "Crazy."

A few film roles into her career, Tyler had landed a double tap of musical comedies, as she had also played Corey Mason in the cult 90's classic Empire Records in the year previous to That Thing You Do's release. It was certainly enough to put her on the radar of Hollywood, especially in the case of Michael Bay, who would then cast Liv Tyler as the female lead in his 1998 blockbuster Armageddon.

It wasn't until 2001 that her biggest role would land on her doorstep, as Tyler was cast as Arwyn, the elven princess who saved Frodo from Ringwraiths and had fallen for the half human ranger Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Since then, Liv Tyler has been in everything from Marvel's 2008 reboot of The Incredible Hulk to HBO's depressingly effective drama The Leftovers.

Johnathon Schaech

If That Thing You Do has a villain, it almost has to be the snide, sneering artiste that lead the band, James "Jimmy" Mattingly. Obsessed with his art, and singing his own material, Jimmy was never cut out for pop stardom, though if you read the liner notes to the soundtrack, he did eventually have another hit with a band of his creation. Not only does he consistently sour his bandmate's fun, he also breaks girlfriend Faye's heart by the end of the film.

Johnathon Schaech, on the other hand, seems pretty cut out for the business of show, as he's been consistently working since he first appeared in the TV movie, The Webbers, in 1993. Previous to That Thing You Do, Schaech's claim to fame was in his role as Leon, the man Winona Ryder's protagonist would romance while mulling over her boyfriend's marriage proposal in How to Make an American Quilt. But once pop superstar-dom kicked in, there was no turning back.

Schaech would go on to not only continue acting in films that varied from the Jessica Lange / Gwyneth Paltrow thriller Hush to the direct to video sequel Road House 2, as well as the horror remakes Prom Night and Quarantine, but he also became a fixture on television, as well as a writer! In fact, one of Schaech's more prominent roles in recent days has been as DC Comics anti-hero Jonah Hex on The CW's Legends Of Tomorrow. Still, after all that time, we can't get his unique method of quitting out of our heads.

Steve Zahn

Lenny Haise values three things in this life: being famous, pretty girls, and cracking jokes at both the right and wrong times to do so. Playing lead guitar and also singing lead vocals, he had ample opportunity to indulge in all three during The Wonders' one hit roller-coaster ride.

No one else in the world could have brought Lenny to life the way that comedic actor Steve Zahn did, and it's partially in thanks to the time Zahn had spent honing his craft in films like Reality Bites and Crimson Tide in the years preceding That Thing You Do. Though comedic statements about Generation X and drama aboard a nuclear submarine may not seem like the likely grist for the mill that brought us Zahn's hysterical performance, they certainly did something to put him where he needed to be for Tom Hanks' purposes.

In the years after That Thing You Do, Steve Zahn cemented himself as a go-to character actor, a skill he continues to trade on to this day. Highlights from his career include his role as George Clooney's dopey sidekick Glenn in Steven Soderbergh's Out of Sight, a part in the J.J. Abrams scripted Joy Ride, as well as the role of Frank Heffley - the father in the first three Diary of a Wimpy Kid films, and Tucker in Dallas Buyer's Club. He can next be seen in 2017's War for the Planet of the Apes.

Ethan Embry

In every band, there's an unsung backbone that almost always gets overlooked: the bass player. In the case of That Thing You Do, T.B. Player was our unnamed hero, who would go on to be a true hero, as he enlisted in the Marine Corps just before the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, he missed The Wonders' big break on TV because of it, but at that point the call to defend America has become his mission in life.

Ethan Embry, the man behind our low-key pop hero, had his first breakout role in the Ed O'Neill road comedy Dutch back in 1991, which is funny considering the two would reteam for ABC's Dragnet reboot in 2003. Much like Liv Tyler before him, Empire Records helped Embry maintain visibility in the Hollywood circuit, and more than likely helped him secure the role as the bass player who he thinks went by the name of "Tobias."

After serving under Tom Hanks' watchful direction, Embry would go on to score an even bigger hit in 1997, when he was cast as Preston, the head over heels protagonist who had a crush on Jennifer Love Hewitt's Amanda in Can't Hardly Wait. His career would go on to rack up other notable credits, such as parts in other films like Vegas Vacation and Timeline, as well as on TV shows like Brotherhood, The Walking Dead, and most recently the Netflix original Grace and Frankie.

Tom Hanks

Though simply named Mr. White, the man behind the colorful name is much more complicated, professionally and personally. Eventually promoted to President of Playtone Records, Mr. White was the manager behind The Wonders during their time as a member of the Playtone "Galaxy of Stars." He shepherd them through county fairs, recording sessions, and TV appearances, and all throughout he had each member of the band pegged to a tee. It's as if he'd written their story, and actively shaped it based off of his template.

Which is exactly what writer / director / co-star Tom Hanks did with That Thing You Do, a movie that came out of a 30 day writing spree inspired by his restless nature during the promotion of Forrest Gump. After almost two decades of acting in hits like Splash and Big, as well as taking part of prestige worthy films such as Philadelphia and Apollo 13, Hanks took the plunge and wrote this love letter to 60's Pop, while also directing it into existence.

Naturally, Tom Hanks continued acting after That Thing You Do, with roles in Saving Private Ryan, The DaVinci Code, and most recently Sully all keeping him active. As far as writing and directing are concerned though, Hanks has only one other entry on his hyphenated resume, the 2011 film Larry Crowne. Tom Hanks can next be seen as Robert Langdon in the latest Dan Brown adaptation, Inferno, arriving on October 28th.

Charlize Theron

While Guy and Faye always seemed like a natural item, one of the stumbling blocks that always held up the works was Guy's girlfriend, Tina Powers. A sort of vapid, disinterested woman, Tina never really bought into the whole project known as The Wonders, and before you could say "root canal," she ran off with her dentist - leaving Guy in the dust.

It's not the sort of role you'd give Charlize Theron lightly these days, but back when she was cast in this supporting role for That Thing You Do, Tom Hanks just knew she'd be an all-star. With two film credits to her name, Theron was a star that Hanks swore he'd always claim to have discovered, and with this film placing her on the track to greatness, he couldn't have been more right.

The year after That Thing You Do, Charlize Theron would star in the comedy Trial and Error, as well as the horror thriller The Devil's Advocate, with her high profile roles in films like The Cider House Rules and The Italian Job following in the years to come. But her super-stardom transcended into A-list home runs after her role as real life killer Aileen Wuornos in 2003's Monster earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Theron still mixes things up with her resume, as roles in Prometheus, Mad Max: Fury Road, and The Huntsman: Winter's War, and she can be seen causing chaos next year as the villain in F. Gary Gray's Fast 8.

Giovanni Ribisi

If it wasn't for the fact that Chad broke his arm while hopping parking meters, he would have still been the drummer for The Wonders during their Mercyhurst Talent Show gig. Though, if he'd been the drummer that night, That Thing You Do wouldn't have become the hit it eventually was, as it was Guy Patterson's up-tempo drumming that saved the single from obscurity and landed the band its first gig. Still, Chad got to get in real cozy with Guy's family, and eventually worked at the family's appliance store, so he was pretty well taken care of during his recovery.

Giovanni Ribisi, on the other hand, didn't need to break an arm to land his next couple of jobs, as Tom Hanks must have put in a kind word to sell him into his next big project, Steven Spielberg's war epic Saving Private Ryan. While Ribisi did have a couple TV movies, as well as a healthy dose of guest spots and recurring characters on shows like Ellen and Friends under his belt, That Thing You Do was his first big Hollywood film. It may have been a minor role, but it was one that lead to only bigger and better things.

Recently, Giovanni Ribisi secured a role in the Amazon dramedy series Sneaky Pete, after scoring a decade plus of work in memorable roles in Boiler Room, Flight of the Phoenix, Lost In Translation, James Cameron's Avatar, and all three of Seth MacFarlane's feature films. We'd call that broken arm a lucky break, if we do say so ourselves.

Rita Wilson

As far as cocktail waitresses go, The Blue Spot Jazz Club is lucky to have someone as beautiful and helpful as Marguerite is. Able to light your cigarette, fill your drink, or introduce you to Del Paxton himself, she's always smiling and always on the lookout. Lucky for Guy Patterson, and the third act of That Thing You Do, she was on duty the night he wandered through the doors in search of some jazzy inspiration.

Tom Hanks is lucky too, considering he gets to spend his life with the lovely woman playing this goddess of the gin joint, Rita Wilson herself. With years in TV shows like The Brady Bunch and MASH, as well as film roles like Cheech & Chong's Next Movie, Wilson would cross paths with her future husband twice: on TV in the show Bosom Buddies, and in the film Volunteers. Their marriage took place in 1988, and Rita Wilson would continue to work alongside her husband here and there, with Sleepless In Seattle being one of the most memorable points in their shared filmography.

After making sure Guy got back to his hotel room a-ok, Rita Wilson would continue to act in projects like Jingle All The Way, Law and Order: SVU, and Girls, while also becoming a producer under the Playtone Productions label. In fact, Wilson produced one of the most successful independent films ever, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, as well as its sequel, which was released earlier this year.

Paul Feig

During an extremely short appearance on Los Angeles radio station KMPC, there's a familiar looking guy that has on a bright purple shirt, chatting up yet another spin of that chart-breaking hit That Thing You Do. While the band doesn't get a word in edgewise, we know that the film's really about their story. Though that DJ would go on to tell a tale or two himself.

For you 90's comedy geeks out there, yes that is Paul Feig playing the role of KMPC's disc jockey in That Thing You Do, though at this point in history you may have recognized Feig from roles in The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult or the underrated Disney hit Heavyweights, as Feig's acting career was in full swing when he secured this role. However, it was his calling as a writer/director that would light the candle under his resume and send him screaming into the history books.

Perhaps Paul Feig's greatest creation, Freaks & Geeks, would come only three years after his fictional disc jockey days, which ushered in the era of Feig as a writer / director / actor in both the realms of TV and Film. Arrested Development, The Office, and even Mad Men are just a couple of the shows that would fall into his capable directing hands, with the coup de grace being his directorial efforts on the film Bridesmaids. The rest, as they say, is history.

Bryan Cranston

The second American to fly into space, a distinguished soldier, and pioneering astronaut in his time, Lt. Colonel Virgil "Gus" Grissom is a real life figure that makes a cameo during That Thing You Do's big "Hollywood Television Showcase" sequence. Though you may not have noticed back in 1996, the actor playing Lt. Col. Grissom was none other than award winning fan favorite Bryan Cranston himself!

With copious experience in TV, with shows such as Airwolf, Baywatch, and Seinfeld, as well as roles in films like Amazon Women on the Moon and Fletch Lives, Cranston secured a short, but memorable role in That Thing You Do which tied into another project Tom Hanks was working on. While Bryan Cranston played Gus Grissom in the film we're discussing, Hanks must have seen something extremely impressive in him, as he was then cast as Buzz Aldrin in Tom Hanks' HBO mini-series about the American space program, From The Earth To The Moon.

Of course, Cranston's most memorable roles would come further down the line, as 2000 brought him a six year run as Hal, the belittled father figure on Malcolm in the Middle, and 2008 would see Bryan Cranston take on his most iconic role yet - teacher turned Walter White on AMC's Breaking Bad. Though Cranston has still continued to keep up appearances in the movie world, and even managed to reunite with Tom Hanks for his other writing / directing effort, 2011's Larry Crowne. Bryan Cranston can next be seen returning to another franchise that did him well early on, as he's playing Zordon in the new Power Rangers reboot.

Kevin Pollak

Victor 'Boss Vic Koss' Kosslovich is not only the Three Rivers Mattress king, he's a hell of an emcee. At least, that's what he tends to think when he's on the stage. Off the stage he's got a bit of a temper, and isn't as cosy as one would think. Still, if you're looking to buy a mattress or introduce a Pop act in Pittsburgh, Boss Vic Koss is your man!

Playing the Boss himself is veteran character actor, and genuinely awesome raconteur, Kevin Pollak. A stand up comedian and actor of much renown by time That Thing You Do rolled around, Pollak was best known in the world of film for his role as Lt. Sam Weinberg in the film adaptation of Aaron Sorkin's A Few Good Men, as well as parts in both films in the Grumpy Old Men series, and Martin Scorsese's Casino.

In the two decades since That Thing You Do's road to cult success, we've seen Kevin Pollak crop up in supporting and leading roles in films like The Whole Nine Yards and Max Rose, as well as on TV shows like the CBS hit series Mom. Though if you're a child of the internet, you've probably heard him on his internet talk show / podcast, Kevin Pollak's Chat Show, which is available through the Earwolf network.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the cult coming-of-age film Empire Records. For those who were fans of the ragtag group of record store employees, it was an epic look into the 90s lives we all secretly wish we were living. Each character was their own brand of weird, yet cool, yet misunderstood, yet an all-around awesome person to be around. And who wouldn’t love a movie where the big move to save the day (and the store) culminates in an epic party?--with of course a rock band jamming on top of the roof, because we aren’t watching a 90s movie unless it ends on that note.

As the center of this film revolves around a group of teenagers, we’re left wondering what happened in their adult lives. Did Corey get to Harvard (and nix her drug habits)? Did A.J. become the quarter-glueing artist we would never understand? And what about Gina? She had to be a rock star at this point. Unfortunately, we will just have to leave it up to the imagination as to where our favorite characters ended up. As for the actors who portrayed them though, they had some interesting lives ahead.

Anthony LaPaglia (Joe Reaves)

Anthony LaPaglia had already had a number of TV and film credits under his belt when he appeared in Empire Records. But it was afterwards that the actor’s career started to really take off. He is widely recognized nowadays for his Golden Globe-winning role as FBI agent Jack Malone on Without a Trace, and also appeared on a number of Frasier episodes, which he scored an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for. In the past couple years, the Australian actor starred in the adaptation of Stephen King’s A Good Marriage and starred in a few TV pilots that unfortunately weren’t picked up, but LaPaglia still is going strong.

Renée Zellweger (Gina)

Renée Zellweger was at the very start of her career when Empire Records released in 1995. She had first appeared in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation the year prior, and her appearance in Empire Records gained her the critical acclaim and attention to help her score her roles in Jerry Maguire and Nurse Betty (which she won her first Golden Globe Award for). The actress had one of the more successful careers of the cast, taking home accolades including an Academy Award for Cold Mountain, BAFTA, and three Golden Globes. Zellweger slowed down, taking a five-year hiatus, but now just got back on the saddle and is set to star in upcoming Courtney Hunt film The Whole Truth with Keanu Reeves.

Liv Tyler (Corey)

As daughter to Steven Tyler, Liv Tyler was in her musical element in Empire Records. The young model-turned-actress had just begun acting the year prior to Empire Records. Tyler wouldn’t achieve critical recognition until later in the 90s for her leading role in Stealing Beauty. Following up with a few supporting roles, Tyler soon headed to the franchise film market, which she is now internationally recognized as the graceful elf maiden, Arwen Undomiel in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Throughout the years, Tyler has also appeared in a number of indie hits as well as a few big-budget films such as Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk. Currently, the actress stars in the HBO sci-fi series The Leftovers.

Johnny Whitworth (A.J.)

Johnny Whitworth was also at the start of his career when Empire Records hit the big screen. His debut movie Bye Bye Love was the same year as his role of A.J. in the cult film. Whitworth then had a number of on-and-off again appearances in CSI and minor roles in bigger budget films. It wasn’t until the 2012 sequel to Ghost Rider that Whitworth would gain recognition again though, and now he’s most known for his villainous role of Blackout in Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance.

Rory Cochrane (Lucas)

Rory Cochrane has had a steady stream of work over the years. He first became recognized in Fathers & Sons where he played Jeff Goldblum’s son. Soon after he scored his biggest role in the cult classic comedy Dazed and Confused in 1993 and followed by Empire Records. After that Cochrane had a long run in CSI: Miami as Detective Timothy Speedle and appeared in a number of critically acclaimed films in minor roles, such as the Oscar-winning Argo.

Robin Tunney (Debra)

Robin Tunney started her career with a number of recurring television roles on Law & Order, Class of ‘96 and Dream On. Before Empire Records she had a minor role in 1992 comedy Encino Man. Both her role in Empire Records and as a witch in The Craft would gain further attention which allowed the actress a steady stream of movie roles throughout the year. Now , in her most well-known role, she stars in police procedural The Mentalist as agent Teresa Lisbon.

Ethan Embry (Mark)

Ethan Embry has held a variety of comedy roles over the years. Throughout the 90s, he starred in a number of hit films outside of Empire Records including National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation and Can’t Hardly Wait. His critical acclaim came along with his role as Declan Giggs in the Showtime series Brotherhood. Critics praised the series, but it never attracted a large audience, and only lasted three seasons. Now, Embry has scored some minor roles here and there. He can be seen as a resident of Alexandria in the upcoming Season 6 of The Walking Dead.

Maxwell Caulfield (Rex Manning)

Before Maxwell Caulfield embodied Rex Manning on Empire Records he had already appeared in a number of popular films from Grease 2 to The Supernaturals to Gettysburg. The British-American film, stage and TV actor has had a variety of roles over the years, gaining the most attention on-and-off broadway and most notably in his West End stage debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago.

Debi Mazar (Jane)

Debi Mazar had a minor role in Empire Records but her impact was substantial. The American actress has also become a TV personality starring in a Cooking Channel series. But Mazar also has had an impressive acting career. Known for her Jersey-girl-esque roles, Mazar has played a number of minor roles in films ranging from Goodfellas to Batman Forever. Mazar has also become popularly recognized by her recurring supporting role on Entourage.

Brendan Sexton III (Warren)

Brendan Sexton III may have also had a minor role in Empire Records but that same year, the young actor’s film debut in Todd Solondz’s Welcome to the Dollhouse was a highly acclaimed performance. The following year, he went on as the lead in Hurricane Streets followed by Desert Blue. He mostly stayed in indie film land with his choice of work, but did appear as a main character on Season 1 of The Killing.

James ‘Kimo’ Wills (Eddie)

As brownie dealer with an extensive music knowledge on Empire Records, James ‘Kimo’ Wills didn’t get too show off too much of his acting chops, and following the film made a small career with roles in the films Lush and White Oleander as a comic book store clerk. On Monk he appeared in Season 1 as a "First Slacker".

Coyote Shivers (Berko)

Coyote Shivers appeared in a couple more films after Empire Records, but his focus lied in his music career, which he’s produced three studio records with different bands. At one point he apparently toured as an opening act for the band KISS during their reunion tour.

Casting news for Damon Lindelof's HBO pilot The Leftovers continues to trickle in. Following word that Justin Theroux would play one of the lead characters in the small screen adaptation of Tom Perrotta's novel, Liv Tyler has also boarded the project, playing the role of Meg. That'll be a shift to television for Tyler, who's made a name for herself as an actor in films like Empire Records, the Lord of the Rings trilogy and somewhat more recently, The Incredible Hulk.

The Leftovers takes place in the wake of a strange global occurrence during which a sizable portion of the world's population just ups and vanishes. This "Rapture," which may or may not be the actual biblical rapture, has left the rest of the population to grieve the absence of their loved ones and wonder why they might have been left behind. From what I remember of the book, the tone is dark, but not apocalyptic, with the biggest change on earth occurring in people's beliefs. Some people have joined a cult-like group called the Guilty Remnant, which is full of people who have taken a vow of silence, believing the "Sudden Departure" was God's judgment. And others are following a so-called prophet going by the name Holy Wayne, whose popularity seems to be growing. And then there are people who are really just trying to resume their lives, or what's left of their lives, in the hopes of finding some semblance of normalcy. Justin Theroux's character Kevin is among the latter group, having taken over as Mayor of his small town after his wife Laurie leaves him to join the Guilty Remnant.

THR says Tyler will play the role of Meg, another new member of the Guilty Remnant. In the book, Meg befriend's Kevin's wife Laurie, who helps Meg adjust to cult life after she leaves her fiancé to join the group. If the Lindelof's pilot adheres to the book in reflecting the habits of the cult members, both Meg and Laurie will smoke often and they won't have much to say, at least when they're out in public, staring down people who need a bit of extra judgment in their lives. It's kind of a dark role, as is probably the case for anyone involved in the Guilty Remnant, but it would certainly be an interesting one for Tyler to tackle. It'll also be interesitng to see who's cast to play Laurie.

In addition to Tyler and Theroux, the cast includes Carrie Coon (The Playboy Club), Ann Dowd (Compliance) and Amanda Warren (The Adjustment Bureau), as well as Christopher Eccleston, likely best known for playing the first of the modern era Doctors in Doctor Who. THR says Eccleston will play Matt Jamison, a tabloid editor who was once a reverend.

The project is still in the pilot stage, and there's no guarantee that HBO will push this one to series. But on the bright side, The Leftovers now has one familiar - and very pretty - face attached to star.

Space: the final frontier. In film this setting has been most often used to explore imagined versions of mankind's future for better or worse. But in the directorial debut of playwright and acting coach turned filmmaker Jack Plotnick, space—or more specifically a space station—is the setting he's chosen to explore the isolation and malaise of suburban life in the 1970s.

Space Station 76, which claims to be like The Ice Storm in space with a Ricky Gervais brand of uncomfortable comedy, is set in a version of the future that has a familiar '70s aesthetic, and Plotnick told THR:

The script was based on a play Plotnick co-wrote with some fellow actors. As a first-time filmmaker, Plotnick's budget for the film was low; however, he called on his connections from years of theater and acting coaching to wrangle a pretty solid cast that includes Liv Tyler, Matt Bomer, Patrick Wilson, Marisa Coughlan, Jerry O’Connell, Kali Rocha and newcomer Kylie Rogers.

Tyler, who has downloaded numerous tutorials and purchased books from Plotnick's website, stars as a newly appointed assistant captain on the space station whose arrival sparks conflict among the crew. Wilson plays the captain who is described as both bitter and suicidal. Bomer portrays a technician with a robotic hand, while Coughlan has the role of his manipulative wife. Presumably the rest play other crew members (human or robot), but details on their roles have not been revealed.

The film recently wrapped in Los Angeles after an under-the-radar 20-day shoot. (This means while Wilson was winning fans at Comic Con promoting The Conjuring, he was slyly hiding his latest spacey role.) There's no word yet on when Space Station 76 might land in theaters, but you can check out more about the film on its trippy website. Seriously, scope out this site. It's so strange it defies description.

There has been a flurry of activity in the casting department for the cleverly titled independent drama Robot and Frank, which Jake Schreier will direct from an original screenplay by Christopher Ford.

Earlier in the week, Variety reported that Liev Schreiber, Jeremy Strong and Liv Tyler had been cast in a picture that already had lured two heavy hitters in Frank Langella and Susan Sarandon. Next, the trade added that James Marsden has agreed to join the ensemble, and would be playing the role of one of Langella’s sons. (Unfortunately, unlike in Richard Kelly's The Box, it’s unlikely Langella will once again present Marsden’s character with a box, a button, and a life-changing offer.)

A press release distributed by the newly formed Park Pictures Features decribes Robot as a family comedy set in the future that follows a curmedgeonly old loner named Frank (Langella) whose daily routine involves visiting his lone friend, a librarian (Sarandon). Tired of seeing their father all alone, though, Frank's children (Tyler, Marsden) set him up with a caretaker robot (voiced by Schreiber), and an unlikely friendship between man and machine eventually forms.

That's an admirable ensemble for a family film, and if anyone can sell the emotional bond between a lonely soul and a soulless machine, it's Langella. Park Pictures also confirmed that Frank is the first of several planned features on the narrative feature company's to-do list, which also includes a new project from British director Ringan Ledwidge, an adaptation of Sam Lipsyte's best-selling novel The Ask, and an adaptation of David Foster Wallace's short story, Little Expressionless Animals.

Next year Sam Worthington will star as Nick Cassidy, a former cop who threatens suicide as he stands on the edge of the roof atop a Manhattan hotel. The trailer for that movie, however, is not the one you will see below. That movie will be called Man on a Ledge, while this one is simply The Ledge. Who knew that suicide jumpers were so in nowadays?

Premiering at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Charlie Hunnam stars as Gavin, a man stuck on a ledge and ready to jump. When confronted by a police officer (Terrence Howard) trying to talk him down, he explains that he is not there by choice. After having an affair with the wife (Liv Tyler) of a fundamentalist (Patrick Wilson), he is faced with either killing himself, or letting her die.

Check out the trailer below or in HD over on Yahoo!

One of the challenges of turning The Hobbit into a movie is that most of the characters from Lord of the Rings weren’t born, around the time this story takes place. That’s not a problem from a storytelling standpoint, but it probably is from the studio’s standpoint, since execs are always keen to bring in audiences by promising to show them more of the people they’ve already come to know and love.

One way or another they’re finding ways to bring in members from the Lord of the Rings cast into The Hobbit, and many of them have already been confirmed as participants. But one character, perhaps one of the few characters who’s actually alive during the time period involved and in a position to take part in the events of The Hobbit, won’t be back. Liv Tyler says nobody’s said anything to her about showing up in New Zealand to reprise her role as Arwen, and that makes her “kind of sad”.

While technically Arwen isn't in The Hobbit book, many characters which aren't in the book will show up in one of the two Hobbit movies, particularly in the second one which will use material outside of The Hobbit. Yet talking to Collider about The Hobbit the former Ringwraith-defeating Arwen says not only hasn’t she heard from anyone about it, she didn’t even know that filming had begun on the movie yesterday. Watch their full interview with her below, in which she also talks about Strangers 2, but mostly she talks about The Hobbit and seems sincerely bummed out that Arwen won’t be involved. Aren’t we all?

What happens when Rainn Wilson plays a superhero? About what you’d expect. The new trailer for Super contains that obligatory scene where a middle-aged man wanders through a comic book store pulling titles off the shelf, acting amazed that there are these things called “superheroes” and seeming as though he’s never heard of this “bat man” before. It gets better from there as Wilson puts on a costume and goes out to battle crime by dropping bricks on its head and engaging in other wholly violent, utterly heinous activity.

Check out the new trailer for Super below or in HD on Yahoo.

Watch for more on Super next week on Cinema Blend as we report from SXSW.

Early on in Super Ellen Page's enthusiastic comic book store clerk Libby professes that she's always wondered why regular people didn't get out there and become superheroes themselves. That may be true, but apparently Hollywood has only started to wonder about it recently, as evidenced by Kick-Ass and Defendor and now Super, three movies playing on the theme that with no power comes no responsibility. And while Super is even darker and weirder and more cynical than Kick-Ass, its tonal inconsistencies and a whopper of a terrible ending hamper it all the same. The TIFF Midnight Madess crowd ate it up when I saw it last night, but I suspect they had the same experience I did of coming home and realizing how much of the film didn't work once all the pieces were in place.

To start with the good, Rainn Wilson is excellent in the central role of Frank, a sad sack whose wife (Liv Tyler) runs off with local drug kingpin Jacques (Kevin Bacon) and is left with pretty much nothing in her wake. It's not a love of comic books or desire for fame that leads Frank to rename himself the Crimson Bolt and hit the streets fighting crime, but a religious revelation complete with a bright light from the sky and a very graphically depicted lobotomy of sorts. It takes him a while to find any crime to fight-- he spends a lot of time hiding behind a dumpster in a dodgy neighborhood, waiting for something to happen-- but once he does he doesn't discriminate, beating with a wrench everyone from petty drug dealers to a guy who cuts in line at the movies.

Even more prone to violence is Page's Libby, who styles herself as Boltie and picks for her first evildoer a guy who may or may not have keyed her friend's car a few years back. Her manic love of violence makes Frank seem downright reasonable by comparison, and as the two take on increasingly more significant bad guys in preparation for that final battle with Jacques, they develop into a bizarre but oddly effective and affectionate superhero team. But just as writer-director James Gunn relishes shocking the audience with extreme, unexpected violence, he takes Libby and Frank's relationship into some dark territory as well, getting you on board to root for these nutjobs and then testing your association with them over and over again. Page is incredibly funny and downright unhinged as Libby, but the characters gets so crazy at times that she slips away from being a human being at all.

Even with limited CGI and not particularly strong action directing skills, Gunn keeps Super at a brisk and entertaining pace, and deftly balances the extreme violence with the feeling that Frank, on some level, speaks for us all. But at the same time a lot of things don't pay off, from the costumed Christian TV superhero (Nathan Fillion) who inspires Frank to Liv Tyler's utterly valueless wife character to the fact that the city eventually accepts Crimson Bolt and Boltie as heroes, even though their violence is always disproportionate to the actual crimes. The movie never quite manages its constant shifts between extreme violence, physical comedy and pathos, particularly when it takes a hard turn toward the sentimental in the final scenes that's neither earned nor in keeping with what came before it. It's as if Gunn came up with a lot of good ideas and then put the movie together before he realized he couldn't follow through on them.

Especially on the heels of the underperforming Kick-Ass, it's unclear what kind of future there can be for Super, which doesn't yet have a distributor. Not only is it far more violent and cynical than that film but it treats its characters far worse, allowing only hollow redemption for some and none at all for others. That cynicism isn't necessarily a bad thing-- the movie worked for me overall, though others I saw it with were generally appalled-- but it's a tough sell outside the bloodthirsty midnight movie crowd. I enjoyed the time I spent with Super for the most part, but I may wind up just glad I caught it before it gets stuck in distribution limbo.

More Cinema Blend coverage from the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival right here.

Walking out of Comic Con, some of the best footage that I got to see belonged to James Gunn's Super. Shown on Friday in Hall H, the day when everyone had somewhere else to be other than the Convention Center (there was not a single soul standing in line), the panel revealed the first look at the amateur superhero film starring Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, Nathan Fillion, Ellen Page, and Kevin Bacon. Sadly, it will still be a while until they release the first trailer, but, until then, Gunn has us covered.

The director took to his website and has posted the first two stills from the film. The first shows Wilson decked on in his Crimson Bolt outfit, and the second is from early in film when Wilson meets Tyler while working as a waitress. After the two get married, Tyler becomes addicted to heroin causing Wilson to have a nervous breakdown and assume his superhero identity. There is also a video from the panel, courtesy of ScreenCrave, showing Rainn Wilson and Nathan Fillion beating the crap out of each other. Certainly good use of your time.

Check out the photos and videos below.

Liv Tyler and Patrick Wilson are two actors I tend to love despite myself. They don't exactly make consistent choices-- I will never forget Wilson's sex scene as Nite Owl in Watchmen, nor the animal crackers scene in Armageddon-- but they always manage to stay likeable despite themselves. Hopefully they'll continue that charming streak in The Ledge, a new psychological indie thriller the two have signed on to star in, alongside Terrence Howard and Charlie Hunnam. Hunnam will play a man preparing to jump off a high ledge, with Howard as the cop trying to talk him out of it.

The film's director Matthew Chapman told THR, "The Ledge examines the different and sometimes dangerous beliefs people adopt as a means of surviving emotional trauma." Producer Mailer added in a jab at a certain glasses-requiring movie technology: "As more and more films succumb to the visual wizardry of 3D, The Ledge explores the fourth dimension: the interior life of tortured souls hovering over the precipice of emotional nullity. This film is the reason why I became an independent filmmaker and why I continue to suffer in the trenches of independent filmmaking."

The star-studded indie-comedy The Romantics is swapping Liv Tyler for Katie Holmes, according to Variety. No word on why Liv was bumped in favor of Mrs. Tom Cruise, but I’d maybe it has something to do with the fact that not only is Katie now starring in the movie, she’s also taken over as executive producer. Sorry Liv, she’s the boss and she wants a part. See ya.

The Romantics is about eight friends reuniting around a wedding. Anna Paquin is already on board to play the bride and Katie Holmes is her maid of honor. Also already involved are, Malin Akerman, Elijah Wood, Adam Brody, Jeremy Strong, Josh Duhamel and Optimus Prime. What? I just assume he goes wherever Josh Duhamel goes. Admit it, this would be a better movie if he did.

Spike TV is rounding up a bevy of big stars to celebrate the world of the genre films and television. Megan Fox, Hugh Jackman, Tobey Maguire, Quentin Tarantino, Liv Tyler, Sam Raimi, Elijah Wood, and Stan Lee (who never seems to have anything better to do) are all set to appear on your TV set October 27th for Scream 2009.

So what in the name of all that’s strange and unthinkable are the Scream Awards? It’s kind of like the Saturn Awards, but with hotter girls and far fewer nerds. It’s on the Spike channel after all, there’s every reason to expect Stan Lee to be forced to fight Jack Kirby in the Octagon. Apparently this is the fourth such event Spike TV has put on, but no one seemed to pay much attention before. Maybe that’s because they didn’t have Megan Fox’s ass to trot out in front of the camera. Also in general, it seems to more intent on embracing horror end of genre entertainment, which is of course, a more socially acceptable type of nerdity. They’re Eli Roth’s kind of nerds, guys who like decapitated arms and rape scenes instead of dudes who like to play with space ships. Wait, that’s socially acceptable? So that’s what’s wrong with the world.

If you’re interested in making in making sure that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is rewarded for its giant testicles, then you can influence the who wins by heading over to Spike and casting a vote for your favorite genre entertainment.