It’s uncomfortable saying anything negative about The Odyssey right now. In an age of mediocre sequels and uninspired live action adaptations, it feels necessary to exclusively put good vibes into the universe about a big budget event film with high art aspirations that’s doing its own thing. Most of us want more movies like it, and because of that desire, it’s more comfortable to just tell people, “The Odyssey is great! Go see it.”

The truth, however, is that The Odyssey is not great. It’s merely good, and the reason why it’s a step below great is because it has a major side character problem. More specifically, it’s filled with dozens of disposable side characters with one-note personalities who are merely there to advance the plot.

It’s Mostly A Problem Of Structure

I know The Odyssey is a long movie, but even for a long movie, a lot of stuff happens. We get the Trojan Horse and the destruction that comes afterwards. We get the bit with the cyclops, the bit with the sirens and the bit with Scylla and Charybids. There’s an extended sequence with Calypso and the Lotus Flowers. There’s the cattle of Helios and the entire fallout from that. There’s the stuff with Circe and Odysseus’ men and then the stuff with Circe and Odysseus himself. There’s the scene where he meets with the soldiers who have died, and the scene where they have to escape the man-eating giants.

And that’s just the stuff involving Odysseus while he’s on his extended adventure. We also get a parallel plot that runs throughout the movie that involves his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. She has to fend off the suitors who want to marry her and take her place, and Telemachus goes on his own side quest to Sparta to meet with Menelaus and try to figure out if his father is really dead.

Altogether, it’s too much plot for a single movie. It would have been an impossible task to get through all of this in three hours without abridging and trying to move through everything with a brisk momentum.

But That Doesn’t Change The Fact That These Side Characters Are Not Good

Most of The Odyssey’s runtime follows Odysseus’ quest to get home alongside his men. Unfortunately, we spend almost no time with those actual men at all. There are a few scenes of plot-driven banter and minor character development between Matt Damon’s Odysseus and Himesh Patel’s Eurylochus, but there’s nothing particularly memorable or noteworthy about their relationship.

They don’t have a fun rapport or any distinct conversations. And we get almost nothing from anyone else, apart from occasional reaction shots and maybe the odd bit of dialogue here or there. They have no quirks, eccentricities or memorable facets to their personalities. They’re just around to move the plot along.

Unfortunately, that’s a recurring theme with most of the characters in the movie, even the ones that should stand out. Take Charlize Theron’s Calypso. Odysseus spends years eating the Lotus Flowers and living with her on the island, but for the sake of runtime, we’re really just told about it. We don’t see them spending any real time together, and she’s not even given a fully developed personality. Theron has been nominated for three Oscars and has a long track record of doing really weird and memorable things with many of her characters, and yet, she feels so subdued here.

You could go down the list and say the same thing for side character after side character. Zendaya's Athena, Jon Bernthal’s Menelaus, Lupita Nyong’o’s Helen Of Troy and Mia Goth’s maid servant, are all, in theory, key characters played by acclaimed actors who should have a memorable impact on the movie, and instead, they’re just kind of there. Sometimes they deliver really emotional and weighty dialogue, but since we’re not given time to get to know their characters, they just feel like words moving along the plot.

I can’t imagine anyone leaving The Odyssey and saying, ‘you know what side character I really loved?’ Even the ones who are in the movie for a substantial amount of time feel so shallow and without. Robert Pattinson is, I guess, trying to be a little quirky with his portrayal of Antinous, who is the stand-in for the suitors that we see the most, but he’s still ultimately a stock villain from the sleazy handbook.

Samantha Morton’s Circe and John Leguizamo’s Eumaeus are getting a bit of positive buzz, but in my opinion, they still feel semi-neutered or at least like unrealized potential. Morton is in the movie for like fifteen minutes, maybe, and chooses to go a bit more understated than the set buzz had me believe, and almost all of Leguizamo’s scenes are just an old man getting picked on and looking downtrodden (apart from that wild puppy scene).

It’s A Missed Opportunity

Once again, none of this is to say The Odyssey is a bad movie or not worth your time. It’s a good movie that is worth your time. You should go see it because it’s (for the most part) an achievement in what’s possible and has a ton of scenes that work really well. There’s so much about the film that’s worth praising, but none of it has to do with character development, which is mediocre at best for Damon's Odysseus, as well as the other two leads Anne Hathaway (who makes the most of her one-note widow) and Tom Holland (who is decent as the one-note meek son).

I don’t know how Nolan could have possibly developed all these characters in three hours, but ultimately, he picked this story and this format. Maybe it should have been two movies. Maybe it should have been a miniseries. I don’t know what the answer was, but I think we should be honest that the path he picked has obvious limitations.

It sucks that the sirens were a three minute afterthought because there wasn’t time to develop their characters. It sucks that we didn’t get more from Theron or Bernthal or Nyong’o. It sucks that Morton’s Circe was only around for like ninety seconds before she showed her true intentions. All of these characters could have been the centerpiece of entire movies or episodes or at least hour long chunks. Instead, they’re underdeveloped. Instead, they’re part of a side character problem that can’t be overlooked.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is one of the biggest releases on the 2026 movie calendar, and I can already tell that the movie is going to get review-bombed once the major review sites like Rotten Tomatoes open up. The movie, which hits IMAX screens this weekend, was immediately controversial for all kinds of reasons once the cast list was revealed and the first trailer dropped earlier this year. Well, I’ve seen the movie, and I think the controversies are way overblown.

People Want To Hate This Movie

A couple of weeks ago, when Universal dropped the final trailer for The Odyssey, it was immediately hit with hostility. Internet denizens immediately “ratioed” the YouTube video–meaning downvoting it with the hopes of burying it in the algorithm. As of this writing, the trailer video is sitting on more than 780,000 downvotes (to just 83,000 thumbs up). Some of that might just be a herd mentality to get in on the fun, but there is plenty of evidence out there in comment sections and editorials that people are not happy with the movie Nolan has made. At least, the movie they think Nolan has made.

If you haven’t read much into it, there are a few different buckets of complaints that have people fired up. The first is historically based. This is a group of people who are critical of the armor worn by Odysseus (Matt Damon) and his men being incorrect for the Bronze Age, and the style of ship they are using to travel home from the Trojan War.

There is another bucket of people who are upset that the casting didn’t include more Greek actors, and, more pointedly, people who are upset that actors like Elliot Page and Lupita Nyong’o are in the movie at all. There is a third bucket of critics who don’t like some of the casual nature of the dialogue Nolan has used in his screenplay (and I actually fall into this category).

Let me tell you, all of these are all overblown.

Some Criticisms Are Just Not Right

Even before I saw the movie, I wasn’t all that concerned that these criticisms would affect how much I would enjoy it. After seeing it, I feel the same, with a small caveat. For starters, I think some of the criticisms are totally fair to discuss, like the armor, boats, and the dialogue, which I’ll get into. The casting “controversies” are not fair. This is a myth told by a modern filmmaker for a modern audience; as far as I'm concerned, anyone can play anyone.

The race and ethnicity of the actors is of zero concern for me. Less than zero. It’s no different than Kenneth Branagh casting Denzel Washington in his 1993 Shakespearean masterpiece Much Ado About Nothing. Is it period-accurate casting for Elizabethan England? Of course not, but Washington is one of the best actors ever, so I’m happy to see him in anything, especially doing Shakespeare. The same goes for all of the actors in the stacked cast of The Odyssey.

Others' Criticisms Are Fair In The Right Context

When it comes to the historical nature of some complaints, I have more sympathy. I’m not a historian or a classicist, but I do really appreciate it when movies based on real history take that responsibility seriously. That said, the inaccuracy of the armor worn by the Greeks and the ships they traveled on really didn’t bother me in the slightest. I knew it wasn’t period-correct for what soldiers wore in Bronze Age Greece, but they looked cool, and a movie should look cool!

It looks great, and it honestly is more what I think of as “ancient” armor. Frankly, just look at an example of Bronze Age armor, the kind that would be period appropriate, and tell me it’s not hilarious looking. The armor looks ridiculous to a modern eye, and using it probably would have been way more distracting for most people in the audience (all due respect to the historians in the audience). In that regard, the ships match the armor.

Now, when it comes to the dialogue, well, honestly, I’m kind of with the complainers here. I didn’t like some of the overly casual nature of some of the lines. One thing that has been particularly focused on by some critics is Telemachus (Tom Holland) calling his parents “mom” and “dad.” I didn’t think that was going to bug me, but it did. It really took me out of the movie at times. Again, this is a modern filmmaker making a movie for a modern audience, so I’m not expecting Ancient Greek or anything, but there is a formality to the society in the story, and using words like “mom” and “dad” just felt out of step with that formality.

Nolan’s use of more casual modern language might not be my favorite creative decision here, but it hardly ruins the movie. It didn’t even factor in when I woke up this morning and wrote down my thoughts about the movie after sleeping on it. The Odyssey isn’t a perfect movie, by any means, but it is still one of the best of the year, and certainly one of my favorites. There are some choices I can nitpick, and a couple of places here or there where Nolan’s ambitious decision to film exclusively in IMAX may have actually hurt the overall product, but it’s so grand in scope and vision that those things are easily dismissed for the greater good.

This Is All Overblown

It's worth noting that the actors who seem to have upset a lot of people, namely Page and Nyong’o, and to a lesser extent Travis Scott and Zendaya, don’t really have huge parts. Their collective screentime is minimal compared to Damon, Holland, and Anne Hathaway. More importantly, though, is that they are all legitimately great in their roles. Travis Scott’s role is an addition to the story that I really loved.

While we don't all have to agree with the artistic choices in this book-to-screen adaptation, like the casting, the language, and the costumes, I do really appreciate that Nolan and company are taking a big swing here. So please, don’t listen to the peanut gallery chirping from the sidelines without having actually seen the movie.

The Odyssey has been one of my most anticipated 2026 movies. That being said, I rolled my eyes at the runtime of two hours and 52 minutes after I got my ticket. Christopher Nolan’s latest film isn’t his longest movie – that would be Best Picture winner Oppenheimer – but objectively, that’s too long to sit in a movie theater. That is, unless the movie earns it. Well, did The Odyssey? I have thoughts.

Is The Odyssey’s Long Runtime A Problem?

Don’t get me wrong, some of the best movies I’ve ever seen are around three hours. But, right before I go out and see one, I get kind of stressed out. I usually like to get concessions for a movie like The Odyssey. Ugh, but when the moment comes when I have to use the restroom, it’s a tough call. I then have to make the decision to sit there in pain or try to figure out the right time when I can step away.

I’ll never forget when I went to see Dune: Part One. I ended up leaving to use the facilities when a certain character dies. It kind of messed up my first viewing. And then on the other hand, buying a premium movie ticket for something that ends up being both bad and long just sucks. Or, what if I end up sitting close to someone smelly or with a severe phone addiction?

There’s an easy fix for this. I think long movies need to have intermissions like they used to in the old days. Since that doesn’t seem to be on the table, I wince at long movie runtimes. In the case of The Odyssey, I’m very happy to report that I took no issue with it. Personally, I didn’t look at my watch until two hours into it, and the last hour was awesome. (Sure, it also helps that in-movie bathroom decision gods smiled on me that evening).

Personally, I wouldn’t have cut a single scene. If anything, I would have even sat through more! I’m thinking about going to see it again, and let me tell you, that’s very much a rarity for me to say these days. Critics have also been kind to The Odyssey, with the movie currently holding a 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

What My CinemaBlend Colleagues Thought About The Runtime

As I mentioned before, a three-hour movie only works for me if it earns it. And, there was definitely enough within the pages of Homer’s The Odyssey for Nolan to adapt. Plus, he had to make tweaks to the source material to fit into one movie as is. I was curious about what my co-workers thought about the runtime. Here’s what a few of them said:

• “I love long movies when they are well constructed like The Odyssey. Because of the nature of the source material, the movie flows really well from scene to scene, and I don't think it drags at all.” - Hugh Scott, Syndication Editor
• “The Odyssey kept my attention for the entire 3 hours with its fast-paced storytelling and stunning visuals. If I had my way, it would have been 5 or 6 hours and split into two movies in order to more fully develop the side characters.” - Mack Rawden, Editor-In-Chief
• “I get why it's not two movies so that Nolan could end on a high note, but I thought the runtime was too long. I would definitely have taken two movies.” - Jessica Rawden, Managing Editor
• “I'm always wary of long movies; however, I didn't check my watch once watching The Odyssey. Those three hours flew by, and I was left wishing there was more time to dive even deeper into the story.” - Riley Utley, Weekend Editor

Of course, there’s a range of opinions here regarding the specifics, but overall I think we have a consensus: The Odyssey’s runtime works! If you, too, found yourself unsure about venturing to see it because of its length, I hope this helps reassure you it’s worth it. I know I would have appreciated knowing this before heading into it.

Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is still a few days away from hitting the 2026 movie schedule, but for months it's been in the firing line for angry people on the internet. I know it’s best to stay out of the comment section, but sometimes I can’t help myself. It doesn’t take long when I do dip my toes in to see some of the major complaints that people have even before seeing the movie. I have to say, none of these are concerns of mine. I remain highly optimistic about this epic that is about to unfold for all of us seeing the movie next week.

The Casting Seems To Be The Focus Of Many Commenters’ Ire

There is no question that Nolan has assembled one heck of a cast. Matt Damon leads the movie as Odysseus. Anne Hathaway is playing his wife, Penelope. Tom Holland is playing Telemachus, his son. Joining them, we’ve got stars like Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton (who has apparently killed it with her performance), and Jon Bernthal, along with many others. It’s stacked. There are two or three cast members who have some people upset, and it makes no sense.

Lupita Nyong'o (Helen of Troy), John Leguizamo (Eumaeus), and Elliot Page (Sinon) have drawn the most wrath, and Travis Scott (playing a bard) has also taken some shots. Of course, it’s easy to see why these four have been in the firing line, and frankly, I think it’s all silly (and offensive, of course). The Odyssey is a myth. It’s not history. Historical accuracy should take a backseat to storytelling in this case. Helen of Troy wasn’t a real person, so why does it matter if the actress playing the character doesn’t look Greek or Spartan? Nyong'o certainly fits the description of being beautiful, and she is one of the most talented actresses in the world. That’s by far enough for me.

The Accents, Armor, And Ships Are Also Popular Complaints

The second most common whine is that the armor Odysseus and his men wear is not period-accurate. I’m all for historical accuracy in film; in fact, it’s often a deciding factor in whether I like a movie or not (I’m looking at you, Napoleon), but again, this is a myth. I don’t care that Damon and his cohorts are dressed in armor that doesn’t fit the age. That’s not the point of the story here. Let’s be honest, period-accurate armor looks rather ridiculous, and so making it look “cooler” is just fine by me. The same goes for the ships used by our hero and his men. Yeah, they look more like Viking ships than boats from ancient Greece, but again, this story is a myth, so why care?

Another popular refrain seems to be that all of the actors are using American accents in the movie, even the Brits. I have to say, again, why is this something people are mad about? They aren’t speaking ancient Greek in this modern telling of the myth, either. No one is upset about that, because everyone understands why the movie is in English, so what does it matter which accents are being used? Nolan apparently was looking for consistency, and so this decision makes total sense. This is seriously just complaining to complain.

Luckily for me, none of these creative decisions bother me in the slightest, and I can say that this is by far my most anticipated movie of the summer.

The global press tour for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey movie is in full battle mode, and can we talk about how much Charlize Theron is slaying every appearance so far? Because Zendaya is among the cast, she’s often the center of attention for every red carpet and photo call, but I’m loving the specific flair Theron is also bringing to the scene.

I’m still not even over Theron turning up at the world premiere in London by pairing a black dress with over-the-top gloves, and she’s now there's already another gorgeous moment in Paris to talk about. Check it out:

OK, this is too good. I’m in love with this lace gown from Dior that may not count as method dressing, but is definitely giving "goddess". Theron shared the dress with the caption “Mama’s not dead yet”. Here’s another peek at the stunner of a premiere ensemble:

Charlize Theron is somehow 50 years old, and heading toward 51 in less than a month, but she redefines what being middle-aged can look like. A few of her celebrity colleagues took notice as well in the Instagram comment section. Here’s how they hyped her up:

• Jennifer Lopez: "You are killing it 🤍"
• Ariana DeBose: "Very much alive🙌🏾"
• Misty Copeland: "🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾"

Theron plays the role of Calypso, who is a nymph, which is a type of goddess in Greek folklore. In The Odyssey, the character famously keeps Odysseus captive on the island of Ogygia for seven years while he’s trying to return home to his family after the Trojan War. Odysseus actor, Matt Damon, recently complimented Theron on her attitude on set when he worked with her on the big-budget film, calling her someone who “won’t complain, ever” and “seriously tough”.

Clearly, Theron is embracing the sultry and powerful energy of the famed character for the press tour, and I don’t doubt she’s got even more epic things lined up to wear as she continues to promote the movie with the cast.

Theron deserves some flowers for her press looks, but so does the entire star-studded cast of The Odyssey. Zendaya has also been in goddess mode, between wearing a flowy dress and emulating a marble statue with a white corset at the London premiere. The movie features an extensive leading cast of ladies, also including Anne Hathaway as Odysseus’s wife Penelope, Lupita Nyong’o as both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra and Mia Goth as Melantho.

Since The Odyssey has been screened by a select group of audiences, the movie has been earning a lot of rave first reactions for its massive scale, performances and adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek work. You can see Theron and the rest of the cast in The Odyssey when it hits theaters next Friday, July 17.

I think of myself as a fairly literate person. So, of course, I've read Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey.

That's why, when it was announced that Christopher Nolan's next project was an adaptation of the story, I had a pretty good idea of what we would be getting, as to how far one can deviate from such a classic tale. Then, I saw the first trailer. And the cast listing. I thought, wait, maybe I DON'T know what this movie will be like, because the vision I initially had in my head was not what I was seeing with every tidbit of information.

Which puts me in an interesting spot. As somebody who loves the original story, I didn't know what I thought of this new interpretation. The longer I've sat with it, the more I've come to love Nolan's tweaks to the story. Here's why.

Can I Just Say That I'm In Love With This Casting? And Yes, All Of It

Here's a thing that I think everybody should know, but I feel I have to remind people of: OPINIONS CANNOT BE “WRONG.” THEY ARE JUST OPINIONS. Believing otherwise would denote them as facts, which they are not. They are just somebody's personal feelings. So, when Elon Musk makes statements against Lupita Nyong'o playing Helen of Troy, you may disagree with him (I certainly do), but it doesn’t mean he's “wrong.“ That's just what he feels. As The Dude would say, “Yeah? Well, you know. That's just like, uh, your opinion, man.”

It is MY opinion that Lupita Nyong'o, who I think is beautiful, would make for an amazing Helen of Troy. Not only that, but I love that Nolan is pulling a Michael B. Jordan dual role by having Nyong'o play both Helen and her sister, Clytemnestra. That, I would say, is inspired casting. I also dig the possibility of Elliot Page playing Achilles (as we still, as of this writing, don’t know who Page is playing). Yes, people, today like to think of Brad Pitt from Troy as the best Achilles, but I think Page would be a pretty rad take on the figure. It's certainly different.

John Leguizamo as the blind Eumaeus is another interesting choice. Plus, Travis Scott as a bard is just the icing on the cake. It's not like Nolan hasn't worked with Scott before, as the latter was in Tenet. So, if Nolan thinks the rapper works in the role, then I'm all for it.

Remember, many people initially thought that Heath Ledger wouldn't work as The Joker, and look how that turned out. So, let Nolan cook!

I Like That Elements Of The Fall of Troy Are Also Being Represented

Here's something people may not know. The Trojan Horse is never mentioned in The Odyssey's precursor, The Iliad. Like, at all. It is mentioned in passing in The Odyssey, but the Trojan Horse, which is often the key iconography in the fall of Troy, is not in The Iliad. Instead, it’s in Virgil’s The Aeneid. This is because Homer’s The Iliad doesn’t reach the end of the war, so we don’t get to see the Trojan Horse.

That said, we do see in the trailer that there are flashbacks to the fall of Troy, as well as the aforementioned Trojan Horse, and I really like this aspect of the film. The Iliad and The Odyssey are two very different epic poems. The Iliad is more of a war story and valor. The Odyssey, however, is a more fantastical story with witches, cyclops, and monsters, etc.

The melding of these two poems, even if only through flashbacks, will give The Odyssey an interesting tone that I’m looking forward to. I’m also interested to see how some of these characters fit into The Odyssey. For example, Benny Safdie plays Agamemnon, who is in the Underworld in The Odyssey, but very much alive during the war. So, I’d love to see those scenes from The Iliad and The Aeneid play out.

I have so many questions, and I hope the movie delivers when it comes to representing the other poems.

I’m Also Perfectly Fine With The Characters Speaking In Perfect English If It Makes The Story More Accessible To A Broader Audience

I’ve never really liked Mel Gibson as an actor, but I do love him as a director, and one of my favorite movies that he directed is Apocalypto. Aside from being a great chase movie, it is cool because the entire film is spoken in Yucatec Maya (I also think it’s cool that The Passion of the Christ is spoken in Aramaic, Latin, and Hebrew).

I like antiquity and accuracy. I also really like reading subtitles (Sub will ALWAYS be better than dub). However, another controversy (outside of the casting) that I’ve seen online for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is that the actors speak in English with American accents - including the English actors like Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson! I’m sorry, but is this really a problem? I love reading, and I would have no problem if the actors in this film spoke in ancient Greek or whatever, and we got subtitles, but I am NOT your typical moviegoer.

In fact, most people I talk to haven’t read a book in years, and don’t want to read it. Hell, if they did, they wouldn’t even need to watch The Odyssey because they would have already read it. That said, for The Odyssey to have the broadest appeal possible, I think it should be in English. Also, since Matt Damon is the star, I’d much rather he speak normally rather than having to adopt an English accent just to match some of the other actors’ speech patterns. The Odyssey is a really wonderful story that’s been told for literally thousands of years, and if this is somebody's introduction to the story, then so be it.

In other words, I don’t want accuracy or subtitles to be a barrier to entry. Sure, maybe characters shouldn’t be shouting, “Let’s go!” as they charge into battle, but modernizing The Odyssey doesn’t seem like the worst thing in the world to me, which brings me to my last point.

Hopefully, Nolan Can Do For This Epic Poem What He Did For Batman, Which Is Give It A New Approach

Was Batman the character dead before Batman Begins? Of course not. Batman is bigger than the movies. That said, was his cinematic presence on life support before Batman Begins? Probably, because even though I love it, a lot of fans thought Batman & Robin was pretty much the death knell for Batman's character on screen, given how silly it was.

Then, Nolan revitalized the character with Batman Begins, and Batman was cool again.

My point is that The Odyssey is a classic story, and it's been adapted before. Even so, I think it'd be boring if it were just the same story retold, and I'm hoping that Nolan can put his particular spin on it.

So far, I like what I see.

Like millions of people around the world, I spent five hours watching Marvel slowly roll out all those Avengers: Doomsday names in March 2025, and like a lot of people, I was bummed a few of the biggest MCU stars, including Ryan Reynolds, didn’t have a chair. While it may be true that we will see more additions as we work toward the release of the upcoming Marvel movie, I was shocked by some of the names left out of the excruciatingly long cast announcement.

That said, here’s a list of some of those beloved MCU actors I really hope we see when the Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Doomsday opens on the big screen in May 2026. It’s a long list (no, not as long as that video), so let’s get started…

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds, who has played Deadpool since the Fox days, has made a habit of teasing his return to the MCU ever since the release of Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024. I totally thought we’d see his name on one of those chairs in that seemingly endless lineup, which is why I’m so bummed the wise-cracking, R-rated, and lethal hero wasn’t included.

In an ideal world, Reynolds’ return would also include the likes of Dafne Keen, Wesley Snipes, Jennifer Garner, and Leslie Uggams (you can’t have Deadpool without Blind Al).

Tom Holland

With the Spider-Man 4 release date so close to the Avengers: Doomsday rollout, it would be shocking if Tom Holland doesn’t show up in the massive crossover film a few months before his new Web-Slinger adventure. The highly in-demand actor seemed like a shoo-in to be included in the gargantuan list filled with all his MCU buddies. There are rumors that Holland won’t be in the next Avengers film, but I’m not totally convinced at this point.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has been a part of the MCU since he showed up in Tony Stark’s house and revealed himself as Nick Fury way back in Iron Man. Since then, he’s popped up in all of the Avengers movies, so I was a little saddened and surprised by his omission from the absurdly long cast list for Doomsday. I mean, Fury is still alive on the Marvel Cinematic timeline after the events of The Marvels.

Chris Evans

Even though his version of Captain America retired during the Avengers: Endgame ending, Chris Evans has reappeared in the MCU (Johnny Flame in Deadpool & Wolverine), so I wouldn’t be shocked if some character played by the franchise mainstay shows up by the time it’s all said and done. Evans has been cagey about a possible return in the past, but not seeing his name on the back of a chair is a little disheartening, if I’m being honest.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo has been one of my favorite MCU actors ever since he took on the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in 2012’s The Avengers. He’s been there for all the major moments in the franchise since then, but now I’m starting to think his iconic character won’t be saving the planet, galaxy, universe, or multiverse with his old buddies next summer. This can’t happen. I mean, who’s going to give Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man an extra taco?

Benedict Cumberbatch

Is Benedict Cumberbatch bringing back Doctor Strange (third eye and all) for Avengers: Doomsday? I don’t know because the longtime Marvel staple wasn’t included in the longest line of chairs I’ve ever seen. The actor’s comments about his return to the MCU have been all over the place, with his most recent comments to Business Insider in January 2025 making it sound like he could possibly return.

Don Cheadle

Though the Armor Wars project seems to be up in the air, I thought Don Cheadle would for sure be a part of the upcoming Avengers movie. James Rhodes has been a part of the franchise since the very beginning, and Cheadle’s version of the character has had a part in three of the four crossover films to date.

Brie Larson

Another big name missing from the “Infinity Scroll of Chairs” was Brie Larson, whose Captain Marvel has long been one of the strongest heroes in the entire MCU. We last saw her in The Marvels back in 2023, so she’s due for a return at this point. The same can be said about co-stars Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani, who play Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, respectively. I’d be shocked if they didn’t appear.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye has had one of the craziest journeys in the MCU over the years. The underrated Avenger has been through it all, and I’ll be bummed if he’s not part of Doomsday next year. He famously wasn’t part of the Avengers: Infinity War cast, so maybe, just maybe, we’ll see him in Avengers: Secret Wars in a few years.

Charlie Cox

With Charlie Cox’s Matt Murdoch very much a part of the MCU again with the recent arrival of Daredevil: Born Again, I will be shocked if the actor doesn’t appear in Avengers: Doomsday. His name is on the rise (both the actor and character), so his absence could be felt a great deal.

Also, I would love to see Cox’s Defenders co-stars like Mike Colter, Finn Jones, and Krysten Ritter have some kind of role in what appears to be the biggest Marvel movie in years.

Halle Berry

Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and several other major players from the original X-Men movies were all announced for Avengers: Doomsday, but there was one actress whose absence really bummed me out: Halle Berry. Whenever the music would change and the camera would pan to the right, I kept hoping to see the Storm actress listed on a chair, but it never came.

The same can be said about Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, and Hugh Jackman, three other major names from the franchise who are oddly missing from the cast list.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy

Though Dave Bautista and Pom Klementieff seem to be finished with the MCU after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the rest of the actors should still be in play moving forward. With Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, Karen Gillan, and Vin Diesel being major parts of the last two Avengers movies, it will be odd not to see them in the upcoming Doomsday. I really hope that changes, as I’d love to see that ragtag group of space scoundrels save the day again.

The Eternals

After Captain America: Brave New World referenced Eternals earlier in the year, it felt like maybe this oft-forgotten MCU movie would be getting some attention again. However, none of the actors from the 2021 epic were included in the Avengers: Doomsday rollout. I guess we’ll have to wait longer to figure out what’s going on with the group played by Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, and Barry Keoghan.

Other Marvel Stars I Want To See In Avengers: Doomsday

On top of all these names and various groups, I would love to see even more actors from the Marvel Cinematic Universe show up in Avengers: Doomsday. From longtime staples like Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Hayley Atwell, and Scarlett Johansson (nobody stays dead forever, right?) to other fan favorites played by the likes of Benedict Wong, Dafne Keen, Lupita Nyong’o, Awkwafina, and Danai Guirara to actors introduced in post-credit scenes like Brett Goldstein and Charlize Theron, there are just so many familiar faces that could show up.

Will any or all of these actors show up in Avengers: Doomsday or its sequel? I really hope so.

Every year, I try to honor Black History by writing about something important that has occurred in the entertainment industry. And, I can’t think of any greater honor than winning the Academy Award.

Yes, there have been achievements in many different categories, including directing, writing, producing, scoring, etc, but today, my focus is going to be on Black actors.

Split amongst the Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor categories, there have been a total of 23 Oscars doled out to Black performers. So, here are all 23 of them, chronologically ordered.

Hattie McDaniel - Gone With The Wind (1939)

The very first Black winner for an acting Academy Award, Hattie McDaniel won it for Best Supporting Actress with her portrayal of Mammy in Gone With the Wind.

And, even though it's a racial stereotype role, McDaniel's character was often the most sensible and attention-grabbing character on the screen. It's a landmark victory for Black people in cinema.

Sidney Poitier - Lilies Of The Field (1963)

One of Sidney Poitier’s best movies, Lilies of the Field, which is about a handyman who helps a group of nuns build a chapel, was actually Poitier’s second nomination for Best Lead Actor.

His first was for 1958’s The Defiant Ones, which was a movie that he mostly shared with Tony Curtis. Lilies of the Field, however, was a leading role purely for Poitier, and he ended up becoming the first Black Actor to ever win the award. Great stuff!

Louis Gossett Jr. - An Officer And A Gentleman (1982)

In this romantic drama that also stars Richard Gere, Louis Gossett Jr. plays a hard-nosed drill instructor who really challenges his cadets.

Before there was R. Lee Ermey in one of my favorite Kubrick films, Full Metal Jacket, there was Louis Gossett Jr. berating his troops. He was the first Black man to win a Best Supporting Acting trophy, and it was justly awarded. He’s really good in this.

Denzel Washington - Glory (1989)

Denzel Washington’s first Academy Award was a supporting one for his role as a private in the Civil War drama, Glory.

As both a leader to the men in his regiment, but also a soldier who must follow orders, Washington’s character shows the duality of a Black man in uniform. Him deciding to hold up the flag for the charge is one of the most iconic scenes in late ‘80s cinema.

Whoopi Goldberg - Ghost (1990)

An EGOT recipient (though, not the only one on this list), Whoopi Goldberg received a Best Supporting Actress Award for her role as the medium, Oda Mae Brown, in the hit Ghost.

The romance between Swayze and Moore’s character is what defines this film, but it wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable without Goldberg’s humor, and seriousness when the moment calls for it.

Cuba Gooding Jr. - Jerry Maguire (1996)

For this sports comedy-drama, Cuba Gooding Jr. received a Best Supporting Actor award for his role as a cocky but steadfast wide receiver who wants to be shown the money.

Gooding Jr.’s performance is full of energy, and it makes this romantic comedy feel even sweeter when his and Tom Cruise’s characters share more than just a player and client relationship and actually become good friends.

Halle Berry - Monster's Ball (2001)

The only Black woman who has ever won Best Lead Actress, Halle Berry, took home the trophy for her role as a conflicted woman who takes on a relationship with the man who helped execute her husband.

Berry’s character is highly vulnerable, and the events of the movie are stressful beyond belief. Still, her character, as flawed as she is (everybody’s flawed in this film) weathered the storm, and earned Berry a Best Actress statue for her troubles.

Denzel Washington - Training Day (2001)

Washington’s second trophy came as the Best Lead Actor, for playing a cop in Training Day who definitely didn’t follow the rules.

Washington’s character was both charming and terrifying, often in the same scene. Say it with me, people: King Kong ain't got nothing on him!

Morgan Freeman - Million Dollar Baby (2004)

Morgan Freeman actually had a supporting role in two of Clint Eastwood’s best movies, those being Unforgiven, and Million Dollar Baby. And, both films won Best Picture.

However, it was in the latter film where Freeman picked up the Best Supporting Actor statue, for playing a grizzled former boxer and gym assistant. It’s a mostly quiet role, but a memorable one.

Jamie Foxx - Ray (2004)

In one of the best music movies of all time, Jamie Foxx scored a much deserved Best Lead Actor award for his role as the famous blind musician, Ray Charles.

Foxx even had his eyes glued shut for the sake of authenticity. Anything for the craft, right?

Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls (2006)

Another EGOT recipient on this list, Jennifer Hudson, scored a Best Supporting Actress trophy in her VERY FIRST ACTING GIG!

It’s little wonder why though. Hudson’s portrayal of Effie White in Dreamgirls is powerful. Going from lead singer to starting all over again, Hudson did a “Supreme” job (Do you see what I did there?) in her very first role.

Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Forest Whitaker’s best performance is by far his role as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.

In a role that netted him a Best Lead Actor award, Whitaker is utterly terrifying, but also somewhat funny, in the way that only Whitaker can be.

Mo'Nique - Precious (2009)

After watching Mo’Nique as the abusive mother in Precious, it’s hard to watch her again in one of the best Black TV shows, The Parkers. It just seems like such a smoke screen.

Anyway, Mo’Nique was awarded a Best Supporting Actress trophy for this performance, and I haven’t looked at her the same way since.

Octavia Spencer - The Help (2011)

Though The Help hasn’t aged well, Octavia Spencer’s role as a maid who was fired for using a guest bathroom is still one of her best performances.

Spencer won Best Supporting Actress for a role where she got to take a dump in somebody’s pie. It’s a feel good film.

Lupita Nyong'o - 12 Years a Slave (2013)

In her career-defining role in 12 Years a Slave, Lupita Nyong'o plays a violently abused slave.

It is one of the most brutal (and likely most realistic) portrayals of slavery ever put to screen, and Nyong'o won a Best Supporting Actress Award for her performance.

Viola Davis - Fences (2016)

In this adaptation of a play in August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Cycle, Viola Davis plays a wronged but loyal wife.

The third EGOT recipient on this list, Davis should have several Oscars, but this is her sole win, and it’s in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Mahershala Ali - Moonlight (2016)

Though only in Moonlight for one act, Mahershala Ali’s performance as a caring drug dealer was so powerful that he won the Best Supporting Actor trophy.

It would be his first of two Academy Awards so far.

Regina King - If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

In If Beale Street Could Talk, Regina King plays the mother of a young woman whose boyfriend has been convicted of rape, and she tries to convince the victim that it wasn’t him.

King won a Best Supporting Actress Award for her quiet, but searing performance.

Mahershala Ali - Green Book (2018)

In Ali’s second Best Supporting Actor win, the skilled performer played real-life pianist Don Shirley in this Best Picture winner.

Ali’s character in this film is completely different from that in Moonlight, but that sense of vulnerability still persists, which was worthy of the award.

Daniel Kaluuya - Judas And The Black Messiah (2020)

Playing the “Black Messiah,” Daniel Kaluuya portrayed the inspirational Fred Hampton in this riveting biopic.

He won Best Supporting Actor, beating out the “Judas” (Bill O’Neal) in this picture, played excellently by LaKeith Stanfield, who was also nominated.

Ariana DeBose - West Side Story (2021)

In this second adaptation of the famed musical West Side Story, Ariana DeBose won Best Supporting Actress playing Anita, who was portrayed by Rita Moreno in the first theatrical adaptation.

DeBose is absolutely magnetic in the role, firmly earning her win.

Will Smith - King Richard (2021)

Though the unfortunate slap is likely what many people remember most about this ceremony and Will Smith's award, his Best Lead Actor-winning turn really does deserve a second look.

Playing the tenacious father to Venus and Serena Williams, Smith definitely deserved the award for his work in the lauded film.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph - The Holdovers (2023)

And finally, the most recent winner, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, won Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of a quietly grieving mother in The Holdovers.

This film speaks to me as a teacher, yes, but also as a parent. I can thankfully only imagine the pain that her character Is going through.

That’s all of them! We’ll see if Zoe Saldaña, Colman Domingo, or Cynthia Erivo pick up a trophy at the 2025 Academy Awards.

While Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o isn’t on deck to appear on the 2025 movie schedule, she’s naturally a point of discussion thanks to all of the rumors surrounding Black Panther 3. Writer/director Ryan Coogler’s eventual return to the MCU is of particular interest to the world after Denzel Washington claimed his Marvel debut would be in that very picture. So someone asking The Wild Robot star about her thoughts was something that anyone could have called.

However, the answer that Ms. Nyong’o gave was one that we might all be able to take a lesson from. As she spoke with EW’s in-house podcast The Awardist, the actor who plays Wakandan spy Nakia was approached on two different fronts to discuss what’s going on with the upcoming Marvel movie in development. You can read below what Lupita Nyong’o had to share, and quite frankly, it’s refreshing:

I love to speculate as much as anyone else about what the future holds for some of my favorite franchises. The next Black Panther is a unique opportunity for such thoughts, as the rumored recasting of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa brings up a lot of possibilities for what could come next. While landing the fellow Academy Award winner and Gladiator II scene stealer would be a casting coup, in whatever role is being considered, Denzel Washington isn't exactly locked into this gig just yet.

Meanwhile, as Ms. Nyong’o said in this piece of her response to the matter, there’s a possibility that she might not even be in the next chapter. Which makes sense as Wakanda Forever’s ending saw Nakia revealing she had a secret child with the late Wakandan king. As an actor, why would you want to even imagine a movie that you may or may not be a part of?

We should also consider the emotional weight of this scenario, as Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing is still a subject that’s fraught with bittersweet memories. I’d like to think that applies to the part of this response, in which Lupita Nyong’o addresses that potential recasting head on:

There’s tons of excitement surrounding the potential that Black Panther 3 would bring to the world. But sadly, we don’t know much about it beyond whatever clues may be lying in the past, waiting for those with a Disney+ subscription to hunt them down. So really, we all have two options: either speculate a ridiculous amount and get our hopes up, or wait it out and take things easy.

There’s no bad answers here, but I really appreciate that Lupita Nyong’o has chosen the latter option. Even in something as simple as working on or being a fan of a property such as this, it’s important to look after your own mind, and be open to whatever actually happens.

Thankfully, for Marvel fans, there are plenty of new thrills coming down the line, such as February 14th’s release of Captain America: Brave New World. And if the rumors surrounding that film’s plot are any indication, there’ll be plenty to chew over in the aftermath of that picture.

Awards Season is in full swing, and I'm personally trying to catch up on the 2025 Oscar nominees. That's what led me to watching the new Dreamworks flick The Wild Robot, which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). The Best Animated feature nominee was a great watch, with action and tender emotionality at its heart. And while I really enjoyed the movie, I also found it thoroughly terrifying for a number of reasons.

To be clear, a lot of these issues have largely to due with phobias of my own. So if I seem like a crazy person, that's probably why. Specifically, an irrational fever I have of possums, as well as raccoons and skunks. All three of these creatures go bump in the night, and are heavily featured throughout The Wild Robot. And that's saying nothing of the thrills that are actually included in the 2024 animated movie.

Throughout the movie's 102-minute runtime, Lupita Nyong'o's titular character Roz interacts with a variety of woodland creatures on the island she found herself on. But while Mark Hamill's Grizzly Bear Thorn was meant to be the scariest, I found myself much more freaked out by the smaller animals walking around on four legs. That includes a notable scene where Roz is attacked by a vicious group of raccoons, which is basically what I think is going to happen to me any time I walk past one of them in my day to day life.

Nothing scares me more than possums, and unfortunately for me they're certified scene stealers in the new Dreamworks film. The Wild Robot's cast includes the great Catherine O'Hara as a mother Possum named Pinktail. She and her various babies are utterly hilarious throughout the movie, engaging in gallows humor and trying (and failing) to successfully play dead.

Given my phobia of possums, this made The Wild Robot full of unintended jump scares for myself. And more confusingly, there was usually a solid laugh that came afterward. Talk about a rollercoaster of emotions.

Of course, the movie itself actually had plenty of scary moments. The subject and threat of death seemed to looming over Kit Connor's Brightbill. CinemaBlend's Wild Robot review overwhelmingly praised the movie, which is actually pretty action packed. So while I might have streamed the movie on a sleepy Sunday morning, I was treated to way more thrills than I could have anticipated... especially from the possums, raccoons, and skunks. Phobias don't usually make logical sense, although I have to assume that someone out there had a similar experience watching the Oscar nominee.

The Wild Robot is streaming on Peacock, and we'll have to see if it manages to snatch an Academy Award on March 2nd. Let's just hope Academy voters don't have the same phobia as me.

Some of the most extraordinary performances in movie or TV history have seen the actor completely disappear into a role, not only changing their appearance but also adopting a voice almost entirely different from their own. Take a look at some of the most impressive voice alterations that an actor took on to perfect their unique portrayal of a now iconic character (or characters).

Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)

One thing that makes the 1991 remake of Cape Fear one of the most amusing Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro collaborations is the actor's approach to playing Max Cady. The Academy Award-winning Italian-American dons a thick, over-the-top Southern accent but is still no less chilling as the sadistic, recently released convict seeking revenge on the defense attorney (Nick Nolte) who put him away.

Lupita Nyong'o (Us)

One of the scariest modern horror movie villains is Red (Lupita Nyong'o) from writer and director Jordan Peele's 2019 sophomore feature, Us. The Academy Award winner brilliantly differentiates the vengeful, "tethered" person from her above-ground double, Adelaide, and gives her an even more unsettling presence, with a raspy voice inspired by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which inhibits airflow and is commonly a symptom of traumatic experiences.

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

As he would with any other role, Daniel Day-Lewis went to great lengths to become the sixteenth President of the United States for his Oscar-winning performance in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biopic, Lincoln. He even made sure to match Honest Abe's voice, which was high-pitched and reedy (according to the Library of Congress), as opposed to the low bellow many previous portrayals mistakenly attempted.

Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes)

To this day, it is almost shocking to learn that most of the original Looney Tunes characters were brought to life by just one actor. Until he passed away in 1989, Mel Blanc provided the diverse voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and plenty more favorites under the Warner Bros. animation umbrella.

Austin Butler (Elvis)

The key to portraying Elvis Presley is nailing his distinct Southern drawl, which Austin Butler went to great lengths to perfect when he was cast as the influential musician in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. The work he put into the voice seemed to have a lasting effect on the actor, whom audiences could not help but notice continued to speak in the same accent during public appearances.

Seth MacFarlane (Various)

In addition to being one of the creative forces behind two of TV's longest-running hit animated shows for grown-ups, Seth MacFarlane is also responsible for bringing many of their most important characters to life. He voices Peter, Stewie, and Quagmire on Family Guy and plays Stan and Roger on American Dad – all of whom require him to be completely unrecognizable, while Family Guy's Brian is no different from his real voice.

Catherine O’Hara (Schitt's Creek)

What makes Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) one of the funniest characters on Schitt's Creek is the way she pronounces certain words with her over-the-top, posh accent. Classic examples include "baby" (beh-beh) and "enchiladas" (ahn-chuh-lah-dahs).

Jim Carrey (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

It is still sometimes hard to believe that it is Jim Carrey playing the title role in Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000. Not only is he covered head-to-toe with green skin and matching fur in the Christmas movie classic but the comedic mastermind disguises his voice with an accent that earned comparisons to Sean Connery, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

Eddie Murphy started a career staple of playing multiple roles in the same movie with 1988's Coming to America. He dons an African accent to play Prince Akeem and brings his voice to higher octaves as Randy Watson and Clarence, but he undergoes the most intensive alteration of both his appearance and voice when playing elderly barber shop patron, Saul.

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that won Oscars for Sound Editing and for Heath Ledger's astonishing, transformative performance as The Joker. No matter how many times you watch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, it is always shocking to hear that wheezy, menacing voice coming from the late Australian actor.

Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons)

If you have ever seen any of comedian Dan Castellaneta's live-action acting credits, it might shock you to learn that his most famous role is Homer Simpson. However, the Simpsons cast member provides the voice of plenty more characters than the infantile, Duff-swilling family man, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and Groundskeeper Willie.

Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu)

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to dramatically altering his appearance and his voice for the sake of scaring the living daylights out of audiences, having played Pennywise in back-to-back creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two. However, his transformation into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu was an even more challenging process, requiring a month-and-a-half of vocal training to perfect the vampire's dread-inducing growl.

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk The Line)

Joaquin Phoenix did all of his own singing when portraying Johnny Cash in James Mangold's acclaimed music biopic, 2005's Walk the Line. While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that year, the future Oscar winner told the late night talk show host that he worked with a dialect coach to replicate the Man in Black's deep baritone voice as authentically as possible.

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout)

For her Emmy-winning performance on the Hulu original true crime miniseries, The Dropout, Amanda Seyfried had the challenge of imitating the infamous low voice of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of the fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos.

Hugh Jackman (X-Men)

Many have been shocked to learn that Hugh Jackman is an Australian as his most famous role is the Canadian-native, Adamantium-clawed mutant, Wolverine. Of course, the Tony winner does more than just drop his natural accent for the X-Men movies but also incorporates a deep, nigh-animalistic growl.

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

When Stephanie Beatriz debuted in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she used her natural, higher-tone voice to play Det. Rosa Diaz. However, over time, the character's voice became progressively deeper until the actor settled on a low, more gruff tone that better suited the cop's hard-edged exterior.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

To play the lead in Christopher Nolan's beloved live-action Batman movies, Christian Bale pulled double-duty on changing his voice. In addition to dropping his Welsh accent when appearing as Bruce Wayne, he adopted a gravelly, identity-concealing growl when patrolling Gotham as the Dark Knight.

Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart did more to earn her Academy Award nomination for portraying Princess Diana in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, than donning a blonde hairdo and an English accent. The actor revealed to Howard Stern that she went so far as to dramatically evolve her vocal inflection by opening her mouth more widely than she normally would and, as a result, practically altered her physical appearance in the film.

Phil LaMarr (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Prolific voice actor Phil LaMarr, in addition to his transformative characters as a MADtv cast member, has made himself unrecognizable for countless iconic animated roles, such as John "Green Lantern" Stewart on Justice League or the title hero of Samurai Jack. However, no blip on his resume is nearly as surprising as the recurring role of foreign exchange student Bolbi Stroganofsky on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series)

There are two different kinds of Mark Hamill fans. There are those who know the actor as Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies and then there are those who know him as The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated Batman movies. The voice he puts on for the role – a wonderful mix of comically over-the-top theatrics and scintillating intimidation – has been recognized as the definitive portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the eyes of many DC fans.

Robin Williams (Popeye)

Robin Williams proved that he was the perfect choice to lead director Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He matched the brave, spinach-swilling sailor's fast-paced growl, as originated by voice actor Billy Costello, to a tee in the 1980 film.

Maggie Wheeler (Friends)

Maggie Wheeler stole the show from the Friends cast with her recurring role as Janice Hosenstein, who was famous for her signature catchphrase, "Oh. My. GAWWWWWD!" What sold the character was her thick, nasally Brooklyn accent, which the actor came up with when she auditioned to play the character, as she revealed to Access Hollywood.

Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)

Idris Elba earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Being raised by West African immigrants helped the English-born actor develop an appropriate dialect to play the influential South African President, as he revealed to Oprah Winfrey.

Mia Goth (X)

Mia Goth played dual roles in Ti West's acclaimed A24 horror movie, 2022's X – both of which required her to conceal her mousy English accent. She spoke with a raspy Southern drawl as young aspiring starlet Maxine Minx and sounded similar, but significantly aged up, when playing homicidal elder, Pearl.

Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Megan Mullally absolutely earned her two Emmy Award wins for her committed performance as Karen Walker on the classic TV sitcom, Will & Grace. The key to the spoiled socialite's scene-stealing presence was her ear-piercing voice, which truly sounds nothing like the actor in real life.

Ana De Armas (Blonde)

Cuban-born actor Ana de Armas is known for having a strong accent, which she concealed in order to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Her commitment to matching the Hollywood icon's dialect in the 2022 Netflix original biopic would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Billy West (Various)

Billy West could be called the Mel Blanc of his generation as he can claim to have played about as many memorable animated characters as the iconic voice actor behind much of the Looney Tunes line-up did. To list just a few of West's best-known credits, he was both of the title characters from The Ren & Stimpy Show, took over as Popeye at one time, led Futurama as Fry, and plenty more.

Nicole Kidman (Being The Ricardos)

Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Lucille Ball in 2021's Being the Ricardos was achieved with more than just makeup. The actor shed her Australian accent and added a smokiness to match the I Love Lucy star's natural voice but was also challenged to imitate the more high-pitched tone of the comedy icon's onscreen alter ego.

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)

Dr. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz easily boasts one of the most impossibly high-pitched voices in sitcom history. However, The Big Bang Theory cast member Melissa Rauch actually sounds nothing like Howard Wolowitz's bride, yet maintained the façade convincingly for 10 seasons on the hit CBS comedy.

Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Despite making "total sense" to the directors of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans of the original Nintendo video game series had some initial hesitation over Chris Pratt's casting as the older Mario brother. However, the actor wisely avoided the plumber's stereotypical Italian dialect from the games in favor of a Brooklyn accent that effectively masked his natural voice.

Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17)

Robert Pattinson plays the title role of Bong Joon-ho's 2024 sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with an entirely unrecognizable and, admittedly, kind of goofy voice. According to IndieWire, the English actor based the voice for his "expendable" character and his many clones off of comedian Steve-O.

Johnny Depp (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory)

Say what you want about Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but you have to admit that Johnny Depp did try something amusing with the role of Willy Wonka. To play the eccentric chocolatier, he adopted a high-pitched wheeze that almost makes you question if it really is the same guy who played Capt. Jack Sparrow under that top hat.

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

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

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

Kate Hudson - Alex & Emma

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

Michael J. Fox - Back To The Future Part II

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

Jodie Comer - Free Guy

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

Rory Kinnear - Men

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

Lupita Nyong'o - Us

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

Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood

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

Scarlett Johansson - Astroid City

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

George Burns - Oh, God! You Devil

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

Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin - Big Business

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

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

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

Christian Bale - The Prestige

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

Mel Brooks - History of the World, Part I

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

Tilda Swinton - Suspiria

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

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Man In The Iron Mask

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

Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

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

Arsenio Hall - Coming To America

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

Armie Hammer - The Social Network

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

Graham Chapman - Monty Python And The Holy Grail

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

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

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

Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks!

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

Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap

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

Mike Myers - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

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

Peter Sellers - The Mouse That Roared

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

Margaret Hamilton - The Wizard Of Oz

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

Eddie Murphy - The Nutty Professor

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

Mia Goth - X

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

Richard Pryor - Which Way Is Up?

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

Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Cigarettes

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

Tom Hardy - Legend

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

Hilary Duff - The Lizzie McGuire Movie

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

Adam Sandler - Jack And Jill

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

Lupita Nyong’o made a name for herself in the MCU playing a key role in the first Black Panther movie as T’Challa’s love interest Nakia and reprised the role in the sequel Wakanda Forever. While we know she can kick ass playing the War Dogs member, I can imagine her being a real force to be reckoned with playing Storm. If you want more proof of how awesome that would be, the Oscar-winning actress showed off what an excellent X-Men mutant she’d be dressing up as Storm for Halloween and now I have a new fan-casting request!

Celebrities really brought their A-game with great costumes for Halloween this year like Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco as Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter and Sophie Turner going full Matrix. And we can’t forget about Heidi Klum (who always puts effort into her Halloween costumes) dressed as E.T. But one Halloween costume that’s giving me major fan-casting vibes is seeing Lupita Nyong’o dressed as X-Men’s Storm at the opening of the Off-Broadway musical Teeth. Take a look at this chilling Instagram video of her below and I dare you to tell me she can’t pull off the Marvel character next:

Lupita Nyong’o’s mystifying video shows her washing her hands while slaying in her Storm costume. That black velvet tuxedo jacket, her white hairpiece, and those long, white nails show she’s not a superhero to mess with. Plus, those sold white contacts are a super scary nice touch to the whole ensemble. Even with a task as simple as washing her hands on her night off, the MCU actress still knows how to get into character.

I’ve got to say that the idea of Lupita Nyong’o being the next Storm for the MCU would be perfect. While Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp did a great job portraying the weather-channeling mutant, the Us actress would surely achieve the same results. It never made sense to me why Storm was always pushed aside as a side character. Considering she can control Mother Nature, an element considered beyond control by any means, Storm deserves to be the Wolverine of the MCU next with her own solo movie or origin story. Plus, Nyong’o and the X-Men member are both Kenyan descendants which is another reason she can give an authentic portrayal.

After Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine returned to Deadpool and Wolverine, this can open the door for other X-Men characters to make their way towards the MCU. After all, Patrick Stewart had a cameo as Xavier in Doctor Strange 2 and Ms. Marvel’s huge reveal in the season finale showed Kamala Khan was the MCU’s first mutant. Plus, The Marvels’ end credits scene revealed the return of Kelsey Grammer’s Beast and the character of Binary. With Mutants apparently making a slow introduction to the Marvel Universe, hopefully we can find Storm added to the mix.

Seeing Lupita Nyong’o dressed as Storm for Halloween is all of the proof we need that she must return to the MCU as the powerful Mutant character. With her versatile talent and natural Kenyan roots like the X-Men superhero, I believe she’d play the part flawlessly. For now, you can watch the Black Panther and X-Men movies available on your Disney+ subscription.

The fall months are upon us, and it won’t be long before the scary movies inundating the 2024 movie calendar turn into holiday fare. Fortunately for those who don’t plan their moviegoing ventures around any specific season — and particularly those with children — there’s also plenty of upcoming family friendly films hitting the big screen. One of those is The Wild Robot, a book-to-screen adaptation starring Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal. Critics have screened the animated offering, and it sounds like audiences are in for a pretty emotional experience.

DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot centers around the shipwrecked robot ROZZUM unit 7134, or Roz for short, voiced by Lupita Nyong’o. Roz eventually takes in the orphaned gosling Brightbill (Kit Connor), teaming up with a fox (Pedro Pascal) and Catherine O’Hara’s opossum to protect the orphan and prepare him for migration. CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg caught a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, and he says The Wild Robot might be the best animated movie of 2024. He writes:

If your expectations for The Wild Robot were already high, Ryan Scott of SlashFilm is trying to raise them even higher, without fear that he’s overselling it. The critic rates the movie 10 out of 10, warning that it will likely make you cry. Bring tissues and plan accordingly, Scott says, writing:

Chalice Williams of Black Girl Nerds says that writer/director Chris Sanders — the man behind Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon — has done it again, creating a classic film for a new generation. Williams continues:

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN rates the movie a “Great” 8 out of 10, marveling at how human a film can be with no human characters. Every moment is thoughtful, Adlakha says, resulting in a tear-jerking triumph. In the critic’s words:

Belen Edwards of Mashable says the beautiful animation is complemented by an amazing performance from Lupita Nyong’o and sob-worthy storytelling to create DreamWorks’ most stunning animation to date. Edwards continues:

The critics make this sound like a beautiful and emotional journey, and CinemaBlend’s Sarah El-Mahmoud echoed that excitement after watching exclusive footage of The Wild Robot. It has earned an impressive 98% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes ahead of its premiere, so if this Chris Sanders film sounds like one that you need to check out in theaters, you can do so starting Friday, September 27.

Post-apocalyptic movies and TV shows typically have the main hero be a tough, strong male lead, whether it’s Kevin Costner from Waterworld, Chris Evans in Snowpiercer, or Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator film series. But, what if the main hero was an everyday woman who was already struggling with a health battle? This hero exists in A Quiet Place: Day One, as played by the talented Lupita Nyong'o. After watching it for the first time, I think we all need to appreciate the apocalyptic horror film for having its main hero be a cancer patient.

It's Refreshing To See A Cancer Patient As A Hero In A Post-Apocalyptic World

In movies where the main character has cancer, a common trend is having their illness define them like in The Fault in Our Stars, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and 50/50. In the case of Sam from A Quiet Place: Day One, she’s a main character who just happens to have terminal cancer. However, she doesn’t use her cancer as an excuse to give up so easily against the aliens. At least, not before she gets her favorite pizza.

As supersonic-hearing aliens invade New York City, her illness takes a backseat as she’s in the middle of surviving them. Despite the battle of chronic pain she experiences throughout the movie, she’s not portrayed as fragile. Just like Sam does what she can to treat her cancer, she’ll do what must be done to protect herself and her new friend, Eric, so they can head to her hometown of Harlem one last time.

Sam Is A Relatable Character, Too

According to the National Cancer Institute, about two million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year. That means that among the two million cancer patients who may have seen A Quiet Place: Day One, many may see themselves mirrored in Sam. She’s a poet who's had terminal cancer for the past two years and is spending the rest of her days in a hospice center. However, she’s bitter about how her last days are being spent and would rather be happy in her hometown of Harlem.

Cancer patients will be able to relate to the scene when Eric reads Sam’s poem about how life becomes a ticking clock waiting for time to keep getting shorter. Nyong’o herself felt that filming the sci-horror film was “therapeutic” for her after the death of her Black Panther co-star Chadwick Boseman, who passed away from cancer in 2020. She said it was through his dying so young at 43 that she realized how we live life with intent once we're aware of our mortality.

It's Also An Intense Plot Technique That Raises The Movie's Stakes

We see that Sam wears fentanyl patches to treat her chronic pain. When the alien invasion happens while she’s in New York City, the patches on her body get worn out and she’s forced to dispose of them. This means that not only does she have to outrun murderous aliens, but she’s in a battle with her own body in the process. It’s easy to worry for Sam if the side effects of her terminal illness will make her helpless towards the aliens.

Killer aliens threatening the existence of humanity allow the stakes for Sam's time on Earth to be heightened. Life just became more precious as each sudden sound made could be her and Eric's last.

It Challenges The Stereotypes Of On-Screen Cancer Portrayal

It’s very rare in the best horror movies of all time or the best action movies that you’ll get the main character as a hero who happens to have cancer. These characters appear more in tear-jerking dramas with the film’s plot revolving around their cancer battles.

In the case here, Sam knows there’s more going on in the world than her deteriorating health and chooses to focus on surviving an alien invasion without her cancer being a factor not to. Compared to the post-apocalyptic movie focusing on her suffering, we see Sam’s self-reliance navigating her and Eric through a dangerous alien-infested New York City. Instead of being a damsel in distress, Sam chooses to be a hero to Eric, helping him keep calm and prioritizing his safety over her own.

There's An Empowering Message Of Sam's Heroism

Sam could have easily let her cancer dictate whether or not she could survive an alien apocalypse. Instead, she decided to let the strength of her human spirit take over. Audiences seeing the hero of the Quiet Place prequel fighting cancer and aliens simultaneously can feel inspired and empowered knowing someone in a fragile health state still tackles life’s problems head-on.

Despite any physical pain that Sam was feeling throughout the movie, she still found the energy to do what needed to be done to save her and Eric without any excuses. She was able to escape aliens through the tunnels with him and created a distraction so that Eric could go on the boat with the other survivors. Doing all of this while battling cancer shows that bravery comes in many forms. We don’t always need to be physically tough beings to survive catastrophic situations. It's about persistence and doing what feels right to you.

Day One Has An Important Lesson To Cherish The Little Things

Sam’s life was already precious enough living with terminal cancer and not knowing exactly how much time she had. Now that an external force is looking to wipe out humanity in general, it just gives you an excuse to cherish the little things. Before the aliens came, Sam wanted pizza from her favorite pizzeria in Harlem. Then when aliens dropped down, she knew she had to get that pizza before she couldn’t have it anymore.

With Sam and Eric’s new reality being that they can’t make a sound without risking discovery from the aliens, they learn to appreciate what's no longer there. Sam can’t play the piano or turn on music without the aliens hearing. Having a conversation with Eric needs to be either under streaming water or in a whisper. On the bright side, it means the two survivors can focus on their bond without technology getting in the way. Eric helps Sam feel alive again, getting her pizza and entertaining her at a Harlem jazz club. It’s little things like these that can make a person smile.

What makes A Quiet Place: Day One’s hero so special is not just because Sam happens to have cancer. Despite all of the health challenges she battles, she still has a lot of fight and spirit left in her to outsmart vicious aliens. Audiences can see themselves in this sci-fi horror hero and find inner strength to overcome life’s external challenges and the battles within themselves. You can watch this generation’s new hero thwarting aliens in the prequel film with your Paramount+ subscription.

I had a strange angle during my Toronto International Film Festival screening of director Chris Sanders’ The Wild Robot. I don’t mean that I brought a particularly special perspective on the movie with me into the theater; I mean I literally had a strange angle viewing the screen. The world premiere of the new DreamWorks Animation release was held at Roy Thomson Hall (typically a concert venue), and I was seated in a balcony off to the left of the stage – meaning that I was looking down and to the side.

It struck me as an odd way to watch a movie as soon as I sat down, and that feeling lingered into the opening minutes after the auditorium lights dimmed. The impact was ultimately short lived. As I watched the story of ROZZUM unit 7134, the titular Wild Robot voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, I was so enraptured that I probably could have watched it upside-down without issue.

The Wild Robot is based on the series of books of the same name by author Peter Brown, and it’s a film that is as hilarious as it is both heartfelt and beautiful. There’s a bluntness to its comedic sensibilities that is laugh-out-loud funny, the journeys of the characters are wonderful, and the animation is striking and inventive. It rockets you across the emotional spectrum while wowing with its style.

The aforementioned ROZZUM unit 7134, eventually known simply as “Rozz,” washes up on an island and is quick to follow its main program: find a task, and complete it. The robot is quick to alienate the population of animals with its aggressiveness, and learning how to translate their languages doesn’t immediately help, but things ironically start to change when Rozz does something terrible: it lands in a nest, killing a goose and breaking a number of eggs.

One of the eggs ends up being undamaged, and Rozz becomes dedicated to protecting it. When the gosling, a runt named Brightbill (Kit Connor), hatches, a helpful opossum named Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara) explains that the robot must feed the bird and teach it to both fly and swim so that he can migrate before the winter. Partnering with Fink (Pedro Pascal), a fox who initially teams with the protagonist with exploitation in mind, Rozz works to raise Brightbill so that he can survive his first trip off the island.

The movie is for all audiences, but one of its best qualities is that it has a dark sense of humor that manages to be both shocking and delightful. The movie doesn’t tap dance around the concept of death, as life on the island is quite literally eat or be eaten. To give you a sense of this, there’s one point where Pinktail identifies herself as a mother of seven… but then quickly changes that number to six after an off-screen chomping sound.

It’s about more than just being comedically morbid, however. The Wild Robot has jokes about death, but the audience is laughing while simultaneously understanding the high stakes of the story. If Rozz can’t help Brightbill overcome his genetic shortcomings and not only learn to fly but have the endurance to travel long distances, nature will not spare him. Given the incredible sweetness in the relationship between the parent and child, you become invested in not seeing that happen.

That core bond in the film is magnificent, with Lupita Nyong’o and Kit Connor delivering performances that will swell and break your heart, but you also end up caring about all the fauna they have as neighbors – the voice cast not only including the great talents of Pedro Pascal and Catherine O’Hara, but also Bill Nighy as the leader of the goose migration, Matt Berry as a beaver tirelessly trying to gnaw through the largest tree on the island, Ving Rhames as falcon enlisted as Brightbill’s flying instructor, and Mark Hamill as the least friendly creature on the island: a massive grizzly bear.

With an aesthetic reminiscent of a painting come to life, fur and feathers having the texture of brushstrokes, The Wild Robot is enrapturing from the start as a couple of otters find Rozz in a broken crate that has washed up on the island’s shore. In addition to the style making you want to reach out and pet every wild fuzzy creature (regardless of temperament), the physicality of the titular character is outstanding. Rozz’s construction is constantly whirling and spinning with a combination of quick reflexes and her body instantly adjusting to her surroundings, and it’s a wonder (the environment visually taking its toll over the course of the story is also a powerful tool in cultivating affection for the protagonist).

Audiences will have to wait to see some of the best titles from the Toronto International Film Festival this year. Director Edward Berger’s phenomenal Conclave isn’t set to arrive in theaters until November, the excellent Florence Pugh-Andrew Garfield romance We Live In Time won't be out until next month, and Mike Flanagan’s fantastic Stephen King adaptation The Life Of Chuck is still looking for a distributor. The Wild Robot, however, is heading into wide release on September 27, and it may be one of the best things you see on the big screen this fall.

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

Emma Stone – La La Land 

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

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

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

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

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

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

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

Amy Adams – Arrival 

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

J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

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

Hugh Jackman – Logan 

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

Ben Affleck – Argo 

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

Jesse Eisenberg — The Social Network

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

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf Of Wall Street  

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

Brie Larson – Room

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

Daniel Craig – Knives Out

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

Ryan Gosling – Drive

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

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

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

Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea 

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

Chris Evans – Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

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

Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel 

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

Natalie Portman – Black Swan 

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

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buys Club

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

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

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

Brad Pitt – Moneyball 

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

Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther 

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

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya 

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

Florence Pugh – Midsommar

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

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

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

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

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

Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

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

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years A Slave

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

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

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

Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

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

Michael Cera – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

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

Matt Damon – The Martian

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

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

Audiences coming out of the horror prequel A Quiet Place: Day One have been singing the praises (though, in a silent fashion) of Lupita Nyong-o’s cat, Frodo. Most of the Quiet Place: Day One reviews have gone out of the way to credit the phenomenal feline performance, accepting the fact that dogs would be too loud and reactionary in the Quiet Place universe to survive very long. Not Frodo. This cat quickly figures out how to get by in the creature-laden world. And that’s because it wasn’t just one cat on the set of A Quiet Place: Day One. It was two.     

The film’s director, Michael Sarnoski, stopped by CinemaBlend’s official podcast ReelBlend to dig into massive spoilers for the brand new horror movie. And while it seems like we spent a LOT of time talking about the cat performance… well, that’s because the cat is a significant part of A Quiet Place: Day One, and a big reason – for me – the movie works as well as it does. It was during this conversation that Sarnoski explained that he chose two cats to play Frodo, and that he knew very early on that he did not want to have to rely on a CG cat, capturing as much of the cat in camera as he could. 

The Quiet Place team recruited from Birds and Animals UK, with Sarnoski saying they treated it as if they were casting a fellow actor. They landed on two cats, Nico and Schnitzel. And as Sarnoski explained about Schnitzel in particular:

OK, so, Michael Sarnoski employed two cats to play Frodo in A Quiet Place: Day One, for as he explained to ReelBlend, you might get a day where one of the cats is tired or disgruntled. It happens to the best of us. Over on Schnitzel's Instagram page, however (and yes, Schnitzel the Cat has an IG account), we now see that there was a THIRD “cat” – Frida. Prepare for some movie magic:

There’s something about the floating cat head in that image that gives me the creeps. They should have found some way to include that wizardry in the actual plot of A Quiet Place: Day One. It’s scarier, on its own, then the stalking monsters that react to sounds. Did you know that fans of the Quiet Place saga actually have a funny nickname for the monsters?    

So far, audiences have been supporting the prequel to John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place. By shifting the action to New York City, the series has jolted its box office returns, and possibly paved the way for A Quiet Place: Part 3. If Krasinski decides to return to the franchise after branching out with IF, I have two words of advice on how he can continue Sarnoski’s streak: “Four cats.”

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

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

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

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

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

SPOILERS are ahead for A Quiet Place: Day One.

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

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

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

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

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

The Relationship Between Eric And Samira Was A Real Highlight 

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

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

How I Hope Day One Influences The Storytelling In Part 3

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

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

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

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

Warning: Minor spoilers for A Quiet Place: Day One lie ahead.

Lupita Nyong’o has delivered numerous defining roles since her Oscar-winning role in 12 Years a Slave, which marked her feature film debut. As a whole, she's been celebrated for her powerful performances and captivating on-screen presence. Recently, she shared insights into her emotional journey while filming the recently released thriller A Quiet Place: Day One. The actress revealed that the experience was unexpectedly "therapeutic," as it helped her cope with the heartbreaking passing of Chadwick Boseman, her friend and Black Panther co-star.

The actress' connection with the late Chadwick Boseman was profound, both on and off the screen. His sudden passing in 2020 from colon cancer left a deep void in the hearts of fans and colleagues alike. In a recent interview with People, Lupita Nyong’o shared how the filming process for A Quiet Place: Day One helped her navigate through her grief. She shared:

The Us actress had a profoundly moving experience taking on the role of a woman battling an illness in A Quiet Place: Day One. In the new sci-fi thriller, the 41-year-old star steps into the shoes of Sam, a poet grappling with terminal cancer while simultaneously fending off an invasion of sound-sensitive aliens (who we have questions about).

The story begins with Sam in hospice care, surrounded by fellow patients and her beloved cat, Frodo. It’s a role that resonated deeply with Lupita Nyong’o and held significant personal meaning for her. Reflecting on the experience, she also shared:

These insights have not only reshaped the Star Wars alum's outlook on life but also influenced her acting approach. Despite Day One's mixed reactions from critics, the lead actress' performance has been widely praised. However, our own Eric Eisenberg felt the series has lost its momentum, giving the movie a two-star review. Still, it holds an 86% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes as well as a 74% audience rating on the site.

It's evident that Lupita Nyong'o's personal loss added depth and nuance to her performance. It's heartening to know that the filming process provided her with a therapeutic experience. This connection makes the A Quiet Place prequel even more of a must-see for me, and one would think that Chadwick Boseman would be more than proud of her work as well.

You can catch the Star Wars veteran actress in her new horror movie, A Quiet Place: Day One, which is now playing in theaters. Additionally, you can revisit her on-screen moments with late friend Chadwick Boseman in Black Panther, which is available for streaming with a Disney+ subscription.

And don't forget to check out our 2024 movie schedule to see what other upcoming horror movies are heading to theaters near you.

While some movies struggle at the box office, the horror genre's renaissance has proven just how profitable it continues to be. Some of the best horror movies returned with new sequels, while new franchises were also born. Prior to its release, A Quiet Place: Day One was one of the most highly anticipated upcoming horror movies, and the prequel is doing well in theaters. The movie's director Michael Sarnoski joked with CinemaBlend about the "terrible" sound affects he made for Lupita Nyong’o the cast.

A Quiet Place: Day One brought something new to the burgeoning franchise, thanks to its time setting and New York City setting. Reviews for Day One have offered some criticism, although its audience and critic score on Rotten Tomatoes is overall positive. As you can see in the video above, I had the chance to speak with Sarnoski and the cast ahead of the movie's release, where he opened up about making noises for the Quiet Place aliens to help performers on set. As he put it:

I don't know about you, but now I want to saw footage from A Quiet Place: Day One, so I can hear Michael Sarnoski's attempts at the alien's clicks and other noises. It would no doubt be quite funny, especially in juxtaposition to the actors' scared faces and just how tense the theatrical cut ended up being.

The first two A Quiet Place movies (which can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription) were helmed by John Krasinski. Sarnoski had some big shoes to fill, so it makes sense that he might go above and beyond to help get the best performances out of his cast. It turns out that Lupita Nyong'o loved his alien sounds, which resulted in the filmmaker having to do more of them. As he told me in our same interview:

While some fans still have questions about A Quiet Place's aliens after seeing all the chaos on Day One, the prequel offered some more context about how the world ended prior to the events of John Kranski's first movie. And it should be fascinating to see how the world of the horror franchise continues to expand moving forward.

A Quiet Place: Day One's ending offered more connections to the main franchise, specifically related to Djimon Hounsou's character. While we met him as an unnamed leader of an island community in Quiet Place 2, we learned his name and backstory in Day One. And as such, fans are wondering if Joseph Quinn's Eric and everyone's favorite feline Frodo were actually on that island when the events of the sequel played out. We'll just have to wait and see what comes next.

A Quiet Place: Day One is in theaters now. Check out the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater next year. 

The horror genre's renaissance is showing no sign of slowing down, to the joy of fans. And while the best horror movies have returned to theaters with new sequels, original concepts like A Quiet Place (which is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription) have also done well. A prequel titled Day One is in theaters now, and star Lupita Nyong’o explained to CinemaBlend how her pizza allergy affected the horror spinoff, being quoted saying "my workday would be over."

One might learn from reading an A Quiet Place: Day One review, there is a big plot point in the New York City-based movie about protagonist Sam wanting to get a slice of pizza, with the audience eventually learning why it's so important to her. As shown in the video above, I had the chance to speak with the cast and director Michael Sarnoski about the movie, where I asked about how much pizza talk was happening on set. Despite her character, Nyong'o couldn't get in on any pizza days, as she told me: 

Well, that's no fun. Despite Sam's mission to get a slice of pizza from the famous Patsy's Pizzeria in Harlem, the actress herself isn't as much of a fan thanks to her dietary restrictions. And while everyone else from the cast and crew were able to scratch that pizza itch when it was brought to set, her enjoying a slice would have definitely messed with the schedule for A Quiet Place: Day One.

When I saw an early screening of the new Quiet Place movie, I definitely had a craving for pizza. There's only so much talk about pizza during the movie for me to resist. And I can only imagine there was a ton of debate about toppings when filming for Day One was underway. At least, for everyone other than Lupita Nyong'o.

Sam's passion for pizza is something many east coasters understand, so it perfectly worked with the horror spinoff's New York City-based story. The trailers for A Quiet Place: Day One showed how horrifying the sound-based aliens would be in the Big Apple, but at least there's good pizza to enjoy. 

When speaking with director Michael Sarnoski, he revealed just how much specificity was taken with the pizza. And of course, just how many slices he ate throughout the process of writing and directing Day One. In his words:

Personally, I don't think there's such a thing as too much pizza. Unless you've got the same dietary concerns as Lupita Nyong'o, in which case it sounds like a slice comes with a fair amount of pain. Luckily there are folks like myself and Sarnoski to pick up the slack.

A Quiet Place: Day One is in theaters now. Check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the theater next year. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

When preparing to see the new installment of a film franchise for review, I always have an internal debate about whether or not I should revisit the previous movies so that they are fresh in my mind as the new story unfolds. In some cases, I decide to do it (just this week, I decided to rewatch both X and Pearl before screening and reviewing MaXXXine), but director Michael Sarnoski’s A Quiet Place: Day One is an instance where I opted to pass. I simply reasoned that the new feature is a prequel, and thus, it shouldn’t naturally be informed by events that transpire in the canon’s future.

In retrospect, this turned out to be a smart decision – but not for the reason I thought it would be: if I had A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place Part II fresh in my mind while watching A Quiet Place: Day One, I imagine I would have been even more bored and miserable recognizing that this franchise’s premise has truly been ridden into the ground.

The first sequel in this hit series was able to mostly get away with doing more of the same by essentially being an epilogue to the original, but the latest chapter has even less to contribute creatively and does so by doing the bare minimum when it comes to the characters. If there are still fresh ideas that can help build out this franchise, none of them are apparent here.

While John Krasinski isn’t back in the director’s chair for A Quiet Place: Day One, his finger prints remain with producer and “story by” credits – with the screenplay itself attributed to Michael Sarnoski (who directs the film as his follow up to the stellar 2021 drama Pig starring Nicolas Cage). Essentially expanding on the prologue from A Quiet Place Part II and moving the setting to New York City, the prequel explores the week or so when the world went to hell following the invasion of violent and sound-sensitive extraterrestrials (which somehow still don’t have a pop culture-friendly moniker after three movies).

Lupita Nyong’o stars as Samira – a poet dying from an advanced cancer who finds herself in Manhattan on the eponymous Day One when her hospice goes on a day trip to a marionette show. When the alien assault begins, many die, but those who live quickly understand that they must stay as quiet as possible in order to continue surviving. While the military does flybys in helicopters informing people to head to the South Street Seaport for transport to safety, the comfortably doomed Samira instead opts to head north to Harlem so that she can have a final slice at her favorite pizza place.

Being a prequel should not give A Quiet Place: Day One a pass to not further expand on the world of the franchise.

Prequels are always challenging given that they are telling a story that the audience vaguely already knows, but the best ones are successful because they find ways to change one’s perspective on the narratives that follow it in continuity. A Quiet Place: Day One opts for a different tactic: it opts not to do anything substantial, seemingly as to not disrupt the revelations that are made in the other two films. The first movie illustrated the alien’s sensitivity to high volume, high frequency sound; Part II introduced the idea that they don’t do well in water; and Day One… contributes absolutely nothing.

This lack of innovation is bad not just detrimental for the narrative, but it’s something that also infects the atmosphere. To put it bluntly, A Quiet Place: Day One isn’t scary in the slightest. There is no sequence equitable to the birth in the first movie or the suffocating safe in the second, as the film instead is content doing the exact same setup over and over and over again: things are quiet, there is a sudden loud noise, chaos erupts, and characters have to run for their lives and try and find a new haven. There’s obviously plenty of that in the movie’s two predecessors, and this one just puts that track on repeat. It takes no time at all to feel tired, and as much as you want it to, there is never a scene that comes along to significantly shake things up.

Lupita Nyong’o is terrific, but A Quiet Place: Day One has significant character issues it can’t overcome.

While Samira’s fatal diagnosis does have an impact on the stakes surrounding her character/ predictability of the film’s conclusion, it can be said that she proves to be a worthy protagonist – with great credit belonging to the tremendous charisma of Lupita Nyong’o. The protagonist’s realist perspective and acceptance of her fate provide her with a caustic attitude that has an “I don’t give a shit” charm, and her unique perspective on life allows for her greatest goal to be something as seemingly trivial as a good slice of New York pizza. She is inarguably the movie’s greatest strength (along with her sweet emotional support cat Frodo, who doesn’t cause nearly as much trouble as you think he might going into the movie)

The big drawback is that A Quiet Place: Day One doesn’t provide Samira with any opportunity to execute a proper arc, and adding surprisingly little to the mix is Joseph Quinn’s Eric – a stranger whom Samira meets during her journey uptown. We get to know Lupita Nyong’o’s character because she is introduced at a point in the film when characters can still talk and deliver significant exposition, but Eric is mostly an empty vessel after he is introduced in the second act, and we get to know almost nothing about him beyond that he is a law student and that his family lives in Kent, England. Quinn’s emotional performance allows the audience to empathize with him in his most terrified moments (he proves prone to panic attacks), but we’re never given the opportunity to connect with him in any deeper way.

In retrospect, there isn’t anything offered or answered for fans in A Quiet Place: Day One that isn’t featured in the aforementioned A Quiet Place Part II prologue – and that’s a comparison of a 100-minute feature with a 12-minute sequence. It’s a major disappointment on just about all levels, and pretty much kills any interest in future stories from this world.

Lupita Nyong'o is no stranger to turning heads while rocking a fashion moment. Favorite looks of the Oscar winner include a stunning breastplate for the Tony Awards and her recent feathered top that was so uniquely beautiful. She is always pulling out all the stops, her recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers was no exception. The Black Panther actress rocked a 1920’s style flapper dress while promoting her latest film, A Quiet Place: Day One, and the look is totally to die for. 

In a new Instagram post by Nyong’o, the actress posed in her press tour look and she looks incredible. For the talk show appearance, she wore a custom black sparkly flapper dress by Mônot, paired with gorgeous hoop earrings by De Beers Jewelry. The shoes were also a moment, as she paired the ‘20s inspired outfit with a pair of modern black pumps. The look truly captures the essence of the flapper era while adding a contemporary twist. You can see the full styling from social media below: 

I absolutely adore this fashion moment from Nyong’o. Of course, the Us star’s looks are always great and so elegant, but I love that she is seemingly having fun with fashion for this press tour. The black color keeps things simple, allowing her bright personality to shine while being interviewed by the talk show host, while the fringe bottom has so much movement, bringing a youthful, but still effortlessly classy element to the ensemble. It suits her so well, and I’d love to see her rock more throwback looks in the future. 

Much like her dress, Nyong’o dazzled in the Late Night with Seth Meyers interview. She effortlessly promoted the movie while also telling great stories, including one about her developing a vocal injury and being on vocal rest for three months. I guess if you’re going to be on vocal rest, a movie about the importance of being silent is truly a great choice. Always the queen of style, she found a way to communicate the news of her silence to others by incorporating the message into her outfits. Thankfully, she is all healed up for the talk show appearance and was able to rock the flapper dress without a button or a sign.

The look also works perfectly with what she’s promoting. Trailers for A Quiet Place: Day One tease a terrifying new addition into the A Quiet Place franchise, offering a deeply serious and characteristically incredible performance by Nyong’o. However, much like the actress’s outfit, there is still something fun about the horror movie franchise. Audiences love being scared, and getting together with a group of friends to see a scary blockbuster summer movie is such a fun experience. The horror prequel is truly one of the most anticipated movies of 2024, and Nyong’o’s draw is a big part of that. 

You can see Lupita Nyong’o in A Quiet Place: Day One when it hits theaters on June 27th. It is one of the buzziest films of the year, so make sure you check it out on the big screen while you can. For more information on other exciting titles heading to cinemas in the near future, make sure to consult our 2024 movie release schedule. 

Lupita Nyong’o is returning to the horror genre by joining the Quiet Place franchise, and we couldn't be more excited. Now, she's out and about promoting her project on the 2024 movie schedule, and of course, she's doing it in style. To prove that, let's talk about the amazing feather top she wore that fans can't get enough of.

The Us star has been a true fashion icon from the start of her career, as I'm sure we all remember her wearing a beautiful blue Prada dress when she won Best Supporting Actress in 2014. Then, at the 2019 Oscars, Lupita Nyong'o rocked an incredible feather look to Vanity Fair's after-party by wearing a wonderful Oscar de la Renta one-shoulder gown. Well, the feather look has made its way back to Nyong’o as she wore a top made out of them on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote her new movie A Quiet Place: Day One. Take a look at the stunning actress in this Instagram reel below:

The actress looks so vibrant and free like a bird promoting her movie on Jimmy Kimmel Live! You can see Lupita Nyong’o wearing a sheer bodysuit with black feathers wrapped around her chest and wrists. Also part of the trendsetting ensemble were fitted black pants and high heels. Now, I wish I had an outfit like this hanging in my closet!

I’m not the only one falling in love with Lupita Nyong'o's fashion piece. Comments came pouring in from fans who could not get enough of her new look. Take a look at the glowing reviews below:

• So freaking beautiful and talented❤️❤️❤️ -@mahoganysilver__
• THIS fit 🔥🔥🔥🔥 -@a.claire.perspective
• Damnmmmm😍😍😍 -@findingpaola
• 😍Yessss🔥🔥🔥👏👏👏 you go girl! 🖤 -@myimperfectlyperfectjourney

It looks like the ayes have it when it comes Lupita Nyong'o style! As they should.

As for the movie she’s promoting, there's a lot of excitement surrounding it too. We know that A Quiet Place: Day One follows her character Samira as she witnesses a terrifying alien invasion in New York and tries to survive with other residents and her cat. As the title suggests, this prequel takes place on the first day the sonic-hearing aliens featured in A Quiet Place made their way to Earth.

Unlike the previous Quiet Place movies that were directed and written by John Krasinski, Michael Sarnoski will be the one to fulfill those behind-the-scenes roles. The American filmmaker is known for making his directorial debut with the 2021 drama Pig which starred Nicolas Cage. I can't wait to see what he brings to this franchise. And, much like how I felt when I saw her feather look, I'm very excited to see Nyong’o and her extraordinary talents in the post-apocalyptic film series.

The actress brought out her style and grace by wearing a mesh top made of feathers to promote A Quiet Place: Day One, and we are so here for it! As the press tour continues ahead of the upcoming horror movie's release on June 28, I'm sure there will be more looks like it, and we'll be sure to let you know about them.

While the animated movie of the summer is here with Inside Out 2, get ready to ugly cry about the bond between a robot and a gosling in this fall’s The Wild Robot. The DreamWorks flick based on the middle grade novel stars Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o as Roz, a robot who finds herself booting up her program in the middle of a deserted island and making friends with its woodland animals – particularly through stepping up to mother an orphaned gosling. While making the flick across three years, Nyong’o recalled the toll it took on her voice.

When CinemaBlend attended an event at DreamWorks Studios in Glendale, California back in May, Lupita Nyong’o spoke about her journey playing Roz alongside writer/director Chris Sanders. During the discussion, Nyong’o said this about finding the voice for the animated character:

Nyong’o was initially inspired by voice assistants found on our phones and other electronic devices when it comes to playing Roz, but wow, did she not realize how that would affect her voice. When the actress spoke to Entertainment Weekly, she expanded on how it damaged her voice further. In her words:

In the interview, Nyong’o clarified that she literally spent three months in silence after her doctor said she could “stave off surgery” simply by doing a lot of vocal rest. The actress decided to commit to that and was able to heal her voice by “just shutting up.” It’s tough not to think about the coincidence of the story in regards to her also being part of this summer’s A Quiet Place spinoff. She literally couldn’t speak, it just wasn’t because of an alien invasion!

During the DreamWorks event, Nyong’o also detailed how important it was for her to discuss Roz's arc with Chris Sanders. She knew she was in good hands considering the filmmaker is behind movies like Lilo & Stitch and How To Train Your Dragon, but she needed some convincing in regards to playing a robot who doesn’t have emotion. Nyong’o shared as an actor, her “currency” is emotion, but after their many talks, she arrived at the way she wanted to play the new DreamWorks protagonist.

The Wild Robot caught our attention as something exciting to anticipate during Universal’s 2024 CinemaCon panel and through its emotional trailer. The DreamWorks movie hits theaters on September 27. Check out what other 2024 movies are coming our way in the meantime here on CinemaBlend.

As DreamWorks celebrates thirty years in 2024, the animation studio is following up the release of Kung Fu Panda 4 with a brand new title in The Wild Robot. It’s one of this year’s upcoming book adaptations, as it brings Peter Brown’s middle grade novel to the big screen in stunning ways. Ahead of the new trailer being out, DreamWorks invited CinemaBlend to see exclusive footage of The Wild Robot and it offered us more insight into what to expect from the new movie. 

While the next DreamWorks movie wasn’t necessarily high on my radar before, it has since joined my must see list among 2024 movie releases. Check out the new trailer on YouTube below: 

Now, to share my experience seeing more footage at DreamWorks…

The Early The Wild Robot Footage I Got To See

On Wednesday, May 22, DreamWorks showcased a few scenes from the movie to press along with the new trailer (which is now out) at its campus in Glendale, California. Writer/director Chris Sanders, who famously co-directed Lilo & Stitch along with How To Train Your Dragon, treated us to the beginning of the film. He also brought its star, Lupita Nyong’o on stage to speak about her experience playing a robot named Roz, voiced by who finds itself turning on for the first time on a deserted island without a purchaser to provide its services too. In the footage, Roz is determined to carry out what it is programmed to do, and runs all around the island, making many misguided (and quite hilarious) encounters with its wildlife in an effort to find an objective. The scene leads up to Roz finding its objective in coming across an abandoned gosling egg and taking it in as its own. It was explained to us that Roz will go on to raise the little fella. 

The DreamWorks presentation then skipped around in the movie to a place where the gosling Brightbill, played by Heartstopper’s Kit Connor has grown up and is being taught how to fly by Roz. With a series of training expertly crafted by Roz, Brightbill finds his way into the sky. However, there’s pathos around him leaving Roz to be with his kind and the robot once again being without a purpose. When the scene ended with Brightbill parting with Roz, initially it seemed as if the animation studio had taken us much further in the movie than one might expect for a sneak preview, but then Sanders assured us that the scene was still from early in the film. This surprise had me even more excited by The Wild Robot because it changed up my expectations from what the narrative originally had me thinking it was. As the trailer even teases, there will be some robot action on the horizon somehow in the second half. 

The Wild Robot’s Animation Style Is A Standout For The Studio 

While I’ve always had a blast with DreamWorks movies, sometimes I can feel like I’m watching a computer generated movie a little too much when it comes to its visual decision making for the past three decades. So, I was pleasantly surprised to see the studiodoing something different for 2022’s The Bad Guys. This continues for The Wild Robot as the movie definitely sets itself apart from stylings of other movies from the studio with a rather photorealistic, but also rather original style. 

It already looks like one of the most gorgeous movies DreamWorks have ever animated, and I’m living for the new direction they are going in. I like how the studio is implementing new technologies to give audiences a great big screen experience with The Wild Robot that will make me and other audiences want to head to the theaters to see it. I admire the art style for looking like a watercolor painting in many instances as well. Every frame had me wanting to pause it and take a photo to place on a wall. 

The Upcoming Movie Tows A Nice Line Between Clever And Sweet 

In terms of The Wild Robot’s tone, I’m really digging it thus far! In the footage I watched of the beginning, the movie had one hilarious quip after the other, making for a very entertaining and fun watch. DreamWorks is taking a page out of Disney’s animation formula by having a ton of visual gags, but yes, some of the cleverness and edge this studio is known for is in there too. 

In the second scene DreamWorks showed us it was a lot more emotional. I didn’t even have the full context of Roz and Brightbill’s relationship and I was already verging on tears seeing the gosling all grown up. I can tell The Wild Robot is going to have metaphors for parenting between the main characters, and I’m ready to sob!! 

The Talent Behind The Scenes Is Also Promising 

As I watched Chris Sanders and Lupita Nyong’o speak about The Wild Robot, it struck me how much care was placed into the making of this movie. Now, Sanders is behind one of my favorite Disney movies in Lilo & Stitch and favorite DreamWorks movies with How To Train Your Dragon. I think the line that he weaves between the two of them is a real attention to story and authentic emotional beats that aren't necessarily easy to come by. During the event, Nyong’o spoke a lot about questioning Sanders about Roz’s intentions and the script, so I feel as if the actor’s involvement has only made it better. 

And then there’s a supporting cast that has Pedro Pascal playing a Fox named Fink along with Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Matt Berry and Ving Rhames involved as well. Inside Out’s release this weekend may be the most I’ve anticipated an animated movie in a while, but once I see that, The Wild Robot has shot to the top! It's too bad the movie will mark the last fully in-house DreamWorks film too, because this looks like it could be a big hit. You can look forward to its release on September 27.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

We've seen the  A Quiet Place: Day One trailer already, and while the marketing has been pretty effective for the movie so far, I had no idea coming into CinemaCon 2024 that Day One footage would be among the stuff that really has stuck with me. In fact, the Paramount CinemaCon 2024 panel ended  on Thursday afternoon, and I'm still thinking about one new scene the studio shared with us in new footage when it dropped footage revealing new details about what to expect from the prequel. 

It's a brief moment -- so there's no huge worry about major spoilers, but I will be talking about one very short scene. 

We know Day One will follow Lupita Nyong’o on the titular Day 1 of the invasion. People are learning the new rules in the new environment they are being subjected to. Her character, Sam, is the one who is mostly followed in the first trailer, as we see her evade creatures in New York. There are snippets of her running with a man played by Joseph Quinn and another man, played by Djimon Hounsou, but in general we didn’t know a ton about what would be coming. 

In the new look at the movie, we learn Quinn’s character Eric meets up with Sam while the two of them are still in New York and figuring out the rules. They make a pact – whispering of course – to get out of dodge together, and they start moving toward their goals. Eventually they decide to enter a large office building while still in New York, and this is the moment that really has me hooked about seeing the movie. Like, really, really hooked. 

We got to see a tense scene in which the two characters are trying to use a revolving door to get into an office building. Unfortunately, Quinn's character finds there's an obstacle: a briefcase is stuck where the door meets the frame and they can’t push through. Some monsters are approaching down the street and the tension is so palpable you can almost see it rather than feel it.  

The audience gets a brief reprieve when he quietly starts to push the door open inch by inch. It doesn’t budge and doesn’t budge, but then it does and the tension passes. … at least until the briefcase drops, making a loud sound. Maybe you could feel it coming while reading. I did too, but it didn't make it any less show-stopping to watch on screen.

I can't stop thinking about the short scene. It was maybe 10 seconds or so in a giant montage of footage ahead of the release of the upcoming 2024 movie, and it ties in with a moment in the trailer that dropped in which we see Eric and Sam running through an office building and creatures raining down on them through a glass ceiling. But this scene really gripped me and pulled me in in a way I wasn’t expecting.

That June 28th release date can't come soon enough. Definitely one of the movies you'll be wanting to watch this summer.

Look, I was already planning to see this movie, as I’m really interested in learning how people figured out noise was their enemy and eventually worked toward a future where ALS communication was the norm by the time we got to the Abbott family's story in the timeline. The posters lining the hallways here at CinemaCon amped that up a bit with taglines like "hear how it all began" and advertisements encouraging fans to "be quiet." The posters were great. The footage was better. The moment with the jammed door was the best. 

As the 2024 Oscar nominees and guests walked the red carpet before this year’s ceremony, it became abundantly clear that sparkles were going to have a major moment. From Zendaya's pink off-the-shoulder black and pink moment to Anya Taylor-Joy's angelic silver gown to America Ferrera's Barbiecore dress, dazzling outfits were the highlight this year, and we need to talk about it. 

Zendaya

After killing it on the Dune: Part Two press tour -- I mean she wore an incredible robot-inspired outfit at one point for heaven's sake -- Zendaya, one of our most fashionable celebrities, slayed the Oscars red carpet wearing Armani Privé and Bulgari jewelry, per E! News.

 Anya Taylor-Joy  

Keeping it in the Dune: Part Two cast, Anya Taylor-Joy also sparkled on the carpet wearing Dior Haute Couture, per Red Carpet Fashion Awards. The look featured gorgeous silver pedals down the skirt, and she complimented the gown with a lovely silver necklace. 

America Ferrera 

Taking a page directly out of her Barbie castmates' playbook, America Ferrera hopped on the Barbiecore trend, wearing a dazzling pink Versace chainmail dress, per People. 

Da’Vine Joy Randolph  

The Holdovers is no doubt one of Da'Vine Joy Randolph's best movies, and this Oscar winner rocked a sparkling Louis Vuitton powder blue gown, per ET, perfect to accept her trophy for her performance in the acclaimed drama. She truly shined!

Colman Domingo  

Nominated for Rustin, Colman Domingo walked the Oscars red carpet in a black Louis Vuitton suit. As always, he was super classy, and he added his spin to a classic look by rocking a sparkling bowtie that matched the buttons on his double-breasted suit. 

Issa Rae 

Wearing AMI Paris, per E! News, Barbie's Issa Rae took the carpet in a stunning black sparkly dress with a plunging neckline and a high slit. I think it's safe to say this is a look President Barbie would approve of. 

Gabrielle Union 

A power couple in real life and on the red carpet, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade attended the Oscars in fashion. Most notably, the Bring It On actress wore a Carolina Herrera PF24 dress, per E! News, that looked like it was made of diamonds. She paired them with Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Overall, these two shined on the carpet. 

Lupita Nyong'o 

Also wearing Armani Privé, per E! News, Lupita Nyong'o rocked a stunning light blue sparkly gown that was reminiscent of the dress she wore when she won her Oscar in 2014. 

The 12 Years a Slave star, who won in 2014, was there to help announce the Best Supporting Actress award by speaking about Da'Vine Joy Randolph (who was also wearing a matching dress). 

Emily Blunt  

Representing the Oppenheimer cast and celebrating her Best Supporting Actress nomination, Emily Blunt dazzled in a Schiaparelli gown, per People. Her champagne-colored dress was complimented with silver detailing and jewelry from Tiffany & Co. Plus, her hubby John Krasinski was styling right next to her in a matching suit. 

Michelle Yeoh

A year after Michelle Yeoh's historic Oscars win for Everything Everywhere All At Once, she sparkled on this year's red carpet in a custom Balenciaga Couture dress, per Harper's Bazaar. The two-toned sparkling gown was fit for a queen, and she paired it with black opera gloves and statement earrings. Overall, it was the perfect follow-up to her iconic look from the 2023 awards. 

Overall, these stars and more were literally and figuratively shining at the 2024 Oscars! 

It's a great time to be a horror fan. The genre's renaissance has brought some of the best horror movies back to theaters, while filmmakers also create wholly original properties. John Krasinski's A Quiet Place is in the latter category, with both the first movie and its sequel doing very well. Next up is a prequel A Quiet Place: Day One, and the movie's first trailer sees Lupita Nyong'o return to horror as the sound-driven aliens invade New York. And it looks like a terrifying and violent moviegoing experience.

What we know about A Quiet Place: Day One has been limited, which is why this first brief trailer (seen above) is so exciting. But the movie's marketing process has officially begun, and it looks like a wild ride. We'll just have to wait and see if Lupita Nyong'o's protagonist ends up having any connections to the Abbott family. 

This first trailer shows clips form the first two A Quiet Place movies, before going back to the first day those aliens showed up on Earth. Part Two showed the chaos that happened in the Abbott Family's small town, but the idea of the invasion happening in a major metropolitan area like New York City is truly the thing of nightmares. Just look at the chaos that occurs as soon as they show up in the trailer. 

This trailer is fairly short, so not much is revealed about the actual contents of A Quiet Place: Day One. But the setting is definitely a way to raise the stakes of the drama, and it should be fascinating to watch society crumble before our eyes. One can only imagine how difficult it will be for Nyong'o's protagonist Sam to survive. After all, New York is known for being a rather loud place. 

Footage for a Quiet Place: Day One premiered at CinemaCon back in April, but this is the first time that the general public has been able to watch all the chaos ensue. Fans are waiting to see how the prequel is tied to the main franchise, and there's already one major connection: actor Djimon Hounsou will be back as the Man on the Island. 

While the footage for this prequel is limited so far, the Day One cast is definitely something to be excited about. In addition to Nyong'o and Hounsou, Stranger Things breakout star Joseph Quinn also has a role. Another familiar name in the project is Hereditary's Alex Wolff.

Since A Quiet Place: Day One will arrive in theaters this summer, smart money says audiences will be treated to more footage in the coming months. Hopefully that includes more about the story, and the all-star cast.

A Quiet Place: Day One is currently expected to hit theaters on June 28th. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your moviegoing experiences.

It's almost hard to believe, but it's been already been 3 years since Chadwick Boseman died at the age of 43. In the time that has passed, audiences and his loved ones have collectively mourned, while Black Panther: Wakanda Forever served as a touching tribute to his legacy. His co-star Lupita Nyong’o just shared a sweet birthday message for Boseman, and Michael B. Jordan and more have voiced their approval. Get your tissues, folks.

Boseman's death shocked his colleagues and the general public, as he had privately been battling with colon cancer. This is especially true for the cast and crew of the Black Panther franchise, and Lupita Nyong'o has penned a number of tributes to her late friend and coworker. The latest of these came from an Instagram post, which showed a polaroid of the actors together promoting their Marvel movie. Check it out below:

How sweet is that? Clearly there's a ton of love shared with the cast of Black Panther, which has continued in the years since Boseman passed away. And in addition to real-life tributes to the beloved actor, smart money says his legacy will continue being honored in upcoming Marvel movies. Because while Wakanda Forever was a moving meditation on grief, other characters from the shared universe haven't reacted to King T'Challa's death yet. 

A number of Black Panther cast members have responded to Lupita Nyong'o's post in the comments section. Chief among them is Killmonger himself Michael B. Jordan, who shocked audiences when returning in Wakanda Forever. He posted a series of emojis to celebrate Boseman's birthday, which you can see blow.

Another member of the ensemble that also sounded off in the comments section is actor Winston Duke. While M'Baku might be ruling Wakanda, the Us actor still has love for the previous King. Like Jordan, he posted a series of emojis to Boseman's birthday post, namely: 

While it's been a few years since Chadwick Boseman's death, the sense of loss and mourning is seemingly still fresh for his loved ones. That includes the cast of Black Panther, who had the daunting task of filming Wakanda Forever after his passing. Lupita Nyong'o in particular is open about her feelings on social media, posting on both his birthday and on the anniversary of his death. 

Those of us who have been watching the Marvel movies in order saw the way the fandom embraced Boseman the minute he debuted in Captain America: Civil War. He was a real-life hero to young people, and his legacy will no doubt be felt for years to come. 

The next MCU movie hitting theaters is Deadpool 3 on July 26th. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Fans have rallied around Lupita Nyong’o since she announced her split from her partner, Selema Masekela, after having been with him for over a year. The Oscar winner eventually reciprocated the love by thanking them for their post-breakup support. As Nyong’o starts to truly step into her post-relationship life, she opened up about embracing change after sharing her headline-making breakup post.

The Black Panther star has kept fans up to date about her new life by way of her Instagram. So it was only right that she shared the next step in the post-breakup process. She decided to debut the newest addition to her family: a cat named Yoyo. The 40-year-old actress -- who admitted to previously being afraid of cats -- revealed just what led her to add the furry creature to her life, saying:

Lupita Nyong'o is fascinated and enamored by her new four-legged friend. One also can't help but get the impression the cat has been a source of comfort for her in the aftermath of her relationship. It's wonderful to see that's she's decided to embrace what life had to offer rather than sitting at home and dwelling on less-than-positive thoughts. Nyong'o has always been a positive force while in the limelight, and many would surely agree when I say she deserves all the positivity life has to offer.

What's unclear, though, is whether or not this pet adoption was already in the works before the star parted ways with her ex or after. Regardless of whether it was mere coincidence or not, Yoyo has appears to have made the Us star’s world a little brighter. And don't just take my word for it. Look at the Hollywood A-lister’s adorable post, which features some sweet pics of her and the little fur baby:

It's quite lovely seeing the actress and her pet cuddling up and admiring each other. The photo with an unbothered Yoyo lying near the Emmy winner while she's in full couture is a particularly sweet representation of their growing friendship. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star’s rundown of his personality was cute and insightful. All in all, the presence of so many details shows she’s becoming a true cat mom. 

As Yoyo continues to purr his way into the actress heart, she was recently spotted at a Janelle Monae concert with Joshua Jackson following his recent divorce announcement from Jodie Turner-Smith. Of course, neither actor has commented on the romance speculation that's since been swirling around them. Otherwise, up until the breakup, Lupita Nyong'o had kept a low profile as actors across Hollywood remain on strike. As for what she has coming up, Nyong'o joined the A Quiet Place franchise, as she's starring in the spinoff movie, Day One. It's unclear what she'll ultimately work on after the ongoing SAG-AFTRA labor dispute goes on. But when she returns to work, I wouldn't be surprised if her new cat accompanies her to set.

In the meantime, watch some of Lupita Nyong'o's best movies across multiple streaming platforms. Also, look over our schedule of 2023 new movie releases for info on flicks headed to theaters soon.

Lupita Nyong’o won her first Oscar for 12 Years a Slave and chilled us displaying a hauntingly raspy voice in Jordan Peele’s Us. In the real world, though, things have been tough for the Mexican-Kenyan actress after she and her partner split after a year together. After receiving a ton of support from her fans during this devastating time, Nyong’o made sure to thank them.

This year when the cameras were off, celebrities were going through a struggling time keeping their love life afloat. To name a few, Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas recently got divorced as well as Hugh Jackman and his wife splitting up after 30 years. Unfortunately, Lupita Nyong’o was next in line to experience heartbreak after she and her partner, TV host and sports commentator Selema Masekela, broke up. However, tragedy can follow compassion as the Us actress received plenty of support from her fans. As reported by People, she took to her Instagram Story to thank them. 

Breakups have a tendency to make you feel alone in your experience. Fortunately, it takes the kind words of many people to remind you that support flows during hard times. Lupita Nyong’o said that her fans dedicated their time to sending her resources like songs, poems, books, and quotes to help her through the pain which I find incredibly thoughtful of them. She also posted examples of the comments she received from her fans on her Instagram story that really touched her. As you can see in her initial Instagram post announcing her breakup, social media users gave the talented actress credit for telling her story and sending her all of the strength she needed to heal. 

Other celebrities chimed into her post to wish her the very best like A Wrinkle in Time’s Ava DuVernay who told her “Miracles are all around you.” Vanessa Hudgens thanked her for sharing about her breakup. Marlon Wayans gave Nyong’o a sweet message sending her hugs and the smart advice about taking the opportunity to love yourself again. With so many people commenting and sending thoughts to the Black Panther actress, she’s clearly not without love in her life.

Lupita Nyong’o and her then-partner Selema Masekela first publicly confirmed their relationship in a December 2022 Instagram post. When The Jungle Book actress celebrated his birthday with him back in August, he called himself the “luckiest man alive.” It’s a real mystery what led to the breakup of the two. When Nyong’o spoke about her breakup in her social media post, she spoke of “deception” and the need to dissociate herself from “someone I no longer trust.” Whatever the reason for the breakup, it’s plain to see that the split took an emotional toll on her. 

The Golden Globe nominee may be hurting from her breakup, but it’s sweet to know she recognizes the love she’s received from her fans. With so many upcoming movies Lupita Nyong'o has going on like the television series Americanah and her return to horror in the A Quiet Place franchise, Nyong’o has got a lot to keep her busy. Make sure to watch the 2024 movie release A Quiet Place: Day One in theaters on March 8th. 

Breakups are never easy, but there is surely an added level of complexity when you’re someone in the public eye. It’s even more difficult when the end of the relationship seemingly comes from nowhere. Such is the case with Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o who has announced on Instagram that she has had to “publicly disassociate” herself from Selema Masekela, who she had been with for about a year.

Nyong’o opens the post by acknowledging that this may not be the best time to publicly share personal details, with much worse things currently happening in the world. However, she felt it was important to make a statement regarding the end of the relationship that has clearly not ended on the best of terms. The statement reads in part...

Lupita Nyong’o never mentions TV host Selema Masekela by name, but references “deception” that has taken place and says she can “no longer trust” the person from whom she has had to separate herself. She doesn’t go into any further detail, so it’s unclear exactly what happened, though it seems likely that details, at least in the form of rumors will be along shortly.

Responses to the post have been overwhelmingly supportive, with a few major names speaking out in what is clearly a difficult time for the actress. Director Ava Duverney posted words of encouragement to the actress, saying…

It certainly does seem to be a season for celebrity breakups for one reason or another. Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas have recently filed for divorce, as has Hugh Jackman who had been with his wife for 30 years. Brittany Spears is also getting divorced. Whatever the reasons and whatever the length of the relationship, it’s never easy to go through this.

Although in those cases, it at least appears from the outside that the couples simply grew apart, as many do. Here it appears there was something more going on as Lupita Nyong’o is clearly accusing her former partner of something, which has caused the split. Selema Masekela has yet to make any sort of public comment about the split. He’s also removed comments from his Instagram account. 

Here is Lupita Nyong'o's full statement.

One hopes that Lupita Nyong’o will find some peace moving forward from whatever it was that made her need to move on from this relationship. She certainly has a lot of support from both friends and fans. 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is massive, and it's full of beloved franchises. A few stand out as fan favorites, including James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The cosmic heroes are beloved by the fandom, in no small part thanks to what the cast brings to the table. Guardians has the perfect cast, but Chadwick Boseman and other eventual Marvel stars were once looked at for roles. Let’s break it all down.

There have been a number of stories about how James Gunn and Kevin Feige cast the first Guardians movie over the years, with some actors sharing their stories. Case in point: Always Sunny actor Glen Howerton auditioned to play Star-Lord. In a piece by Vanity Fair, it was revealed that more familiar names went in for cosmic roles, only to be cast in other Marvel franchises down the line. Black Panther icon Chadwick Boseman originally went for the role of Drax, which would eventually go to Dave Bautista. The late actor’s co-star Lupita Nyong’o also auditioned for Gamora, before eventually being cast as Nakia.

It’s hard to imagine any other actors playing the members of the Guardians, but obviously Kevin Feige and company had to cast a wide net to find the perfect cast. There’s no question that Boseman and Nyong’o are talented enough to play those cosmic roles, but they were probably best used occupying Wakanda in the Black Panther franchise. 

In that same story by Vanity Fair, it was revealed that another beloved Marvel actor had originally auditioned for another role. Karen Gillan is pitch perfect as Nebula in Guardians, but she originally tried out to play Sharon Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a role that would end up going to Emily VanCamp. I suppose everything happens for a reason, as all of the actors mentioned have been great in their eventual roles.

Of course, the powers that be at Marvel likely had no idea just how popular the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise would become over the years. Despite James Gunn’s movie dealing with a lesser known group of heroes, Gunn’s unique POV and sense of humor helped it stand out among the rest of the MCU’s projects. The box office performance of Guardians 3 shows just how much the fandom loves the cosmic team, especially while other projects like Ant-Man 3 struggled to perform. 

Unfortunately, it’s unclear if/when we’ll see these heroes again. The ending of Guardians 3 saw the team all survive and go their separate ways. While title cards confirmed that Star-Lord will be back, there’s no telling when the rest of the heroes will return to the screen.

The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is The Marvels on November 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood are also some of the most often snubbed by the Oscars when it comes to Best Actor and Actress Academy Awards. Legends like Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and many others have somehow had some of the most successful careers in film, but have only been nominated for one Academy Award in the acting categories. 

Harrison Ford - Nominated For Best Actor (Witness)

Harrison Ford is a national treasure, most everyone will agree. Everyone, it seems, except The Academy, as he has only ever nominated once, for 1985’s Witness. This actor has been in two of the biggest franchises in history, plus the two Jack Ryan movies and so much more. He should’ve been nominated for The Fugitive at least. 

Eddie Murphy - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Dreamgirls)

Another icon of the late 20th Century and early 21st Century is Eddie Murphy, who has only been nominated once, for Dreamgirls in 2007. This is probably more testament to the Academy's apparent lack of appreciation for some of his best comedic performances because I dare you to find better ones in history than Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop or Coming To America. 

Gwyneth Paltrow - Nominated For Best Actress (Shakespeare In Love)

Gwyneth Paltrow will likely be a polarizing name on this list because the actor herself tends to be, but she’s had a number of wonderful performances over the years. Roles in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Emma, and The Royal Tenenbaums are all worthy of more consideration than she’s received over the years. She's earned just one nomination for Shakespeare in Love, for which she also won. 

Taraji P. Henson - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button)

Taraji P. Henson has been nominated for more than thirty acting awards across her sterling career. Somehow, only one of those was for an Academy Award. Her lone Oscar nomination was for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 2008, and it’s frankly astounding that’s the only one. At a minimum, she should have been nominated for Hidden Figures alongside her cast-mate Octavia Spencer. Hopefully, this changes with her role in the upcoming remake of The Color Purple. 

Hugh Jackman - Nominated For Best Actor (Les Misérables)

Hugh Jackman is one award away from achieving EGOT status. The “O” is missing and shockingly he’s only been nominated once for an Oscar, for his performance in Les Misérables. The multi-talented Jackman has won so many awards, but is shut out yearly at the Academy Awards. The Oscars may not show much respect to comic book films, but everyone else does, and saying he should have been nominated for Logan isn’t a stretch, nor is saying it about his performance in The Greatest Showman.

Jamie Lee Curtis - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Jamie Lee Curtis is one of the most versatile actors of her generation. Horror, comedy, drama, she does it all. And yet, she has little to show for it in terms of Oscar nominations. She finally was nominated (and won) for Everything Everywhere All At Once but where were the nominations for My Girl and A Fish Called Wanda?

Salma Hayek - Nominated For Best Actress (Frida)

It’s been more than two decades since Salma Hayek was first nominated for an Oscar, for 2001’s Frida and she’s not been nominated since. Hayek is an icon and one of the most beloved actors today, yet never seems to get the attention of the Academy. This is likely in part due to the discounting of action films, which have become Hayek’s bread and butter, but that doesn’t mean her performances in movies like Traffic and Beatriz at Dinner weren't worthy of attention.

Matthew McConaughey - Nominated For Best Actor (Dallas Buyers Club)

When Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club after being nominated for the first and only time, he led his speech with his trademark “Alright, alright, alright” and while his role in Dazed and Confused is a classic, he certainly deserved nominations for other roles, like how about a nod for his supporting role in The Wolf Of Wall Street or his performance in the vastly underrated Mud?

Samuel L. Jackson - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Pulp Fiction)

If there is anyone on the list that should be a perennial nominee, it’s Samuel L. Jackson. His lone nomination came from his unforgettable and meme-able turn in Pulp Fiction, but he’s an actor who steals every scene he's in, in a good way. Just his roles in Quentin Tarantino films alone, like Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight, are worthy of nominations, but it hasn’t happened, sadly. Thankfully for all of us, Jackson was given an honorary Oscar in 2021 for his contributions to film, which is some consolation. 

Uma Thurman - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (Pulp Fiction)

Speaking of Pulp Fiction, the Tarantino classic also led to Uma Thurman’s one and only Academy Award nomination. Despite being one of the biggest stars on the planet, Thurman seems to have no luck getting the attention of the Academy. One role that really stands out is in the under-appreciated Prime. 

Benedict Cumberbatch - Nominated For Best Actor (The Imitation Game)

One has to believe that more nominations will be coming for Benedict Cumberbatch. Thus far, his only acknowledgment from the Oscars was for his wonderful performance as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. There are plenty of other roles he could have been nominated for, especially as William Bulger in Black Mass and Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate and that’s just the roles in which he’s played real people! 

Mark Wahlberg - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (The Departed)

In 1990, no one would have expected “Marky” Mark Wahlberg to appear on any kind of list like that, but almost 35 years later, it’s astounding his only Oscar nomination has been for The Departed (one of our picks for the 100 best movies of the 2000s). You have to question why he was ignored for Boogie Nights, for sure. The Fighter is another clear snub, though he was technically nominated for Best Picture as a producer of the film. 

Halle Berry - Nominated For Beat Actress (Monster's Ball)

When Halle Berry earned her one Oscar nomination for 2001’s Monster’s Ball, she was the odds-on favorite to win. She had become one of the biggest stars of the 1990s and now was her time to shine. She won, of course, but sadly, it would be the last time Berry would be nominated, so far, at least. It’s a shame because there are plenty of roles she’d be deserving of a nomination, like Frankie & Alice, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Laurence Fishburne - Nominated For Best Actor (What's Love Got To Do With It)

This could be the most shocking on the list. At first thought, you might guess Laurence Fishburne was nominated for his amazing work as Furious Styles in Boyz n the Hood or Professor Phipps in John Singleton’s other masterpiece, Higher Learning. Alas, the Matrix star has only one nomination, for playing Ike Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, and he didn’t win. 

Josh Brolin  - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Milk)

Josh Brolin has been a favorite since he was a teenager in The Goonies. He’s also starred in some powerhouse movies, like Sicario and, most of all, No Country For Old Men. No Country won a slew of Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Javier Barden, and yet Brolin wasn’t even nominated. It frankly doesn’t make sense. Brolin’s lone nomination came from his wonderful performance in Milk, but that was the year that the late Heath Ledger won for The Dark Knight.

Sharon Stone - Nominated For Best Actress (Casino)

You could argue that while Sharon Stone was brilliant in Casino, it wasn’t even her best performance, though it’s the only time she’s been nominated. She wasn’t nominated for Basic Instinct, despite winning the Golden Globe for the role, nor for the underrated The Muse in 2000. At least we have Casino. 

Tilda Swinton - Nominated For For Best Supporting Actress (Michael Clayton)

2007's Michael Clayton was awash in acting nominations, including George Clooney for Best Actor and Tom Wilkinson for Best Supporting Actor. The only winner of the night, though, was Tilda Swinton for Best Supporting Actress. Over her incredible career, Swinton has been honored for other roles, like her parts in The Deep End, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and even Snowpiercer, but this remains her only Oscar nod. 

Liam Neeson - Nominated For Best Actor (Schindler’s List)

Long before Liam Neeson re-invented himself as an action star in summer blockbusters, he was a character actor carving out a nice career in film. Then came the epic Schindler's List. He was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor in a movie, though he lost out to Tom Hanks for Philadelphia. In the 30 years since, Neeson has not been nominated, not even for fantastic turns in The Gangs of New York, Michael Collins, or Rob Roy. For shame.  

Lupita Nyong'o - Nominated For Best Actress (12 Years A Slave)

Lupita Nyong'o burst onto the Hollywood scene with her heartbreakingly beautiful performance in 12 Years A Slave. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress and has since been racking up the accolades everywhere... except the Oscars. Despite well-received turns in Us and Queen of Katwe, not to mention her roles in the Black Panther films, she hasn't again been nominated. 

Sean Connery - Nominated For Best Supporting Actors (The Untouchables)

Sean Connery was one of the biggest movie stars in the world, and yet he was virtually ignored by the Academy for his whole career. Setting aside his brilliance as James Bond, Connery should’ve earned nods for The Hunt For Red October, and The Name Of The Rose, at least. Instead, his only nomination came for The Untouchables, which, thankfully, he won. 

Alec Baldwin - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (The Cooler)

Another fantastic performance in The Hunt for Red October that didn’t get recognition is Alec Baldwin’s as Jack Ryan. Baldwin could’ve been nominated for either of his two on-screen performances in 1992, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Prelude To A Kiss, but again he was snubbed. His only nomination came for his role in The Cooler.

Diane Lane - Nominated For Best Actress (Unfaithful)

Diane Lane found her footing in film in the late 1990s with outstanding performances in movies like A Walk on the Moon and The Perfect Storm, either of which could've been award-winning. Instead, it wasn't until 2002's Unfaithful that she got the recognition she deserved when she was nominated for Best Actress. 

Bill Murray - Nominated For Best Actor (Lost in Translation)

The Academy has missed out on great performances by one of the best comedic actors the world has ever seen in Bill Murray. Stripes, Ghostbusters, What About Bob?, and Groundhog's Day are some of the most beloved comedies of all time, and Murray was never recognized. Nor was he for his brilliant turns in Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. Murray's sole nomination came, deservingly, for 2003's Lost In Translation. 

Jennifer Connelly - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (A Beautiful Mind)

Jennifer Connelly has been wowing audiences for decades, including in 2022's massive hit Top Gun: Maverick. It appears though, that she has not been wowing the Academy, as she's only ever been nominated for one Oscar, which she won, for her role in 2001's A Beautiful Mind. Other roles have earned her other awards, like her parts in Requiem For A Dream and The House of Sand and Fog, but to date, nothing from the Academy Awards. 

Kathleen Turner - Nominated For Best Actress (Peggy Sue Got Married)

Despite massive hits like Body Heat, Serial Mom, and of course, Romancing The Stone, Kathleen Turner has only earned one Oscar nomination, for the vastly underrated Francis Ford Coppola film from 1986, Peggy Sue Got Married. Surely this icon of the screen deserves more. 

Robert Redford - Nominated For Best Actor (The Sting)

It’s astounding that the great Robert Redford has only one acting nomination in his whole career, for The Sting. Though he defined what a movie star is, Redford never received Oscar attention for roles in All The President’s Men, All Is Lost, Out Of Africa, and Three Days of the Condor, among many others. The list is endless here. He has been nominated twice for Best Director, for Ordinary People and Quiz Show, and won for the former. Redford also received an Honorary Oscar in 2002.

Catherine Zeta-Jones - Nominated For Best Actress (Chicago)

At the 75th Academy Awards, Chicago was the biggest winner of the night, garnering 13 nominations and winning six of them, including Catherine Zeta-Jones for Best Actress. Alas, this, so far, is the only time the Welsh actress has even been nominated, despite powerhouse roles in Traffic and Entrapment. At least she shares this dubious distinction with her husband Michael Douglas. 

Micheal Douglas - Nominated For Best Actor (Wall Street)

Gordon Gekko in Wall Street is one of the all-time great cinema villains and Michael Douglas richly deserved the Academy Award he won for playing the part in 1988. An actor with a slew of amazing performances from Falling Down, to Traffic, to Fatal Attraction and more, with only one acting nomination. He was also nominated/won for Best Picture in 1976 as the producer of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. 

Lauren Bacall - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (The Mirror Has Two Faces)

Lauren Bacall was one of the true icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in such films as The Big Sleep, Key Largo, and many, many more over her career. Shockingly, it took until 1997 for the Academy to recognize her work when she was finally nominated for a Best Supporting Actress role for The Mirror Has Two Faces. She did finally receive a well-deserved honorary Oscar in 2000. 

Kevin Costner - Nominated For Best Actor (Dances With Wolves)

Dances With Wolves was the darling of the Oscars in 1991. It was nominated for 12 awards, winning seven, including Best Director for Kevin Costner and Best Picture, which Costner won as a producer. It was also the one and only time Costner has been nominated for an acting Academy Award. There are so many other iconic parts he should’ve gotten more credit for, like JFK, Bull Durham, The Untouchables, and Hidden Figures, just to name a few. 

It just goes to show that even being a huge box office draw, and a megastar doesn't mean you'll get recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Oscars are incredibly hard to win and even being nominated is an honor, they say. Still, for everyone on the list, you'd think they'd have more than one.  

On August 28, 2020, Chadwick Boseman passed away at the age of 43 due to complications from colon cancer. Because the actor had kept his condition a secret to all but a select few, his death came as a shock to not just the public, but many within his professional sphere. This included his Black Panther co-star Lupita Nyong’o, and three years after his passing, the actress has penned a heartwarming tribute to her late colleague/friend.

Taking to her Instagram page, the 12 Years a Slave actress started off recalling how learning about Boseman’s death left her was confusion “so profound that it took months to trust the feeling of joy again.” She then provided background on the picture she shared of the man who played the T’Challa to her Nakia, saying:

Following her first two turns as Maz Kanata in the Star Wars movies The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, Nyong’o lent her talents to 2018’s Black Panther as Nakia, a Wakandan spy who shared a romantic past with T’Challa. With Boseman having debuted as the feline-themed superhero two years earlier in Captain America: Civil War, the 18th MCU movie put T’Challa front and center ahead of Avengers: Infinity War, and along with Boseman and Nyong’o sharing quite a bit of screen time in Black Panther, they also were around each other a lot during the promotional circuit. The way the former presented his “suave flare” while they were in South Korea is one of the many treasured memories the latter has of him.

This isn’t the first time Lupita Nyong’o has written a tribute for Chadwick Boseman, as she shared on the one-year anniversary of his death that his memory “remains this alive in me.” As for this year’s tribute, the actress also known for movies like Queen of Katwe and Us, concluded her post with these words:

After Boseman died, Marvel Studios decided not to recast T’Challa for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with the character instead dying offscreen of a terminal illness. Nyong’o reprised Nakia alongside familiar faces like Letita Wright, Danai Gurira and Winston Duke, with the sequel seeing Wright’s Shuri inheriting the Black Panther mantle during a conflict with Tenoch Huerta’s Namor. Although Nyong’o acknowledged in April 2021 that it would be “hard” to continue without Boseman, she said a few weeks ahead of Wakanda Forever’s release that she felt not recasting T’Challa was the right choice, and she had neither the “presence of mind,” nor the “objectivity to argue” with those who felt otherwise.

All of Chadwick Boseman and Lupita Nyong’o’s MCU appearances can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription, and if word comes in that the actress will play Nakia a third time, we’ll let you know. Until then, Nyong’o will next be seen in A Quiet Place: Day One, which is slated on the 2024 movies calendar for a March 8 release.

Over the course of Taylor Swift’s U.S. leg of the Eras Tour, we’ve seen tons of celebrities in attendance. Emma Stone, Laura Dern and more supported her on opening weekend, and people like Paul Rudd and Aaron Rodgers went to see her in New Jersey. However, Los Angeles might take the cake when it comes to celebrity sightings as Alexandra Daddario, Brie Larson and a whole murderer’s row of celebs showed up for the pop star’s first show in the City of Angels. 

Alexandra Daddario and her friend looked like they were having the best time at the Eras Tour based on the photo she posted on her Instagram story. While they didn’t go all out with the outfits, I noticed that the actress was wearing a New York hat and her friend was rocking a red lip, which is very 1989 of them. Along with that, The White Lotus star also had an adorable friendship bracelet on, check it out:

Brie Larson was also at the event with Casamigos, and she appeared to bring a plus one too. The actress and her friend were both smiling ear-to-ear in the photo she posted to her IG stories, and you can just tell they had a blast at Taylor Swift’s concert:

Along with posting her own selfie, Larson also uploaded photos and videos of other celebs who were in the same box as the Academy Award winner. It really was an overwhelming ensemble of award-winning celebs as she posted images of Emmy-winner Sarah Paulson and fellow Oscar winner and Marvel star Lupita Nyong’o. 

Sarah Paulson’s friendship bracelet game seemed to be on point, and her outfit was adorable. Meanwhile, Lupita Nyong’o was living it up in her Lover era as she exchanged handmade jewelry with her fellow actress.

We also know the Black Panther star put in the work to make her friendship bracelets, because she posted this amusing TikTok before heading to SoFi Stadium.

Along with these fabulous actresses, there were tons of other famous folks at Swift’s first concert of six in Los Angeles. Taylor Lautner (the girl) went for a second time after going with her husband in Kansas City. Vanessa Bryant and her kids got the real star treatment as he daughter received the “22” hat. Also, Community’s Danny Pudi attended with his daughter. You can see the actor’s adorable Instagram story below:

While many celebrities are seen in a VIP tent or up in a box, Pudi was in the stands with his daughter. Last weekend, we saw Josh Gad attend the Eras Tour in the same way as he posted a fun photo from the stadium seating too. 

The first night of Swift’s LA stop truly had a stacked cast of celebs in attendance, and I assume this will happen again as she plays five more shows in the home of television and movies. So, make sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend, because we’ll be keeping you posted on the Eras Tour and all of Taylor Swift’s upcoming projects. 

Fashion-forward celebrities often use their appearances on the red carpet to make a statement, and lately many actresses have been freeing the nipple with see-through tops and sheer gowns, combatting the notion that women should be ashamed of their bodies. Lupita Nyong’o has always been one to watch in regards to her fashion, and she took that line of thinking to a new level at the 2023 Tony Awards. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actress wowed onlookers in a silver breastplate molded from her own body, calling the moment “a shameless out-of-body experience.”

Lupita Nyong’o is often known for adorning bright colors at big events, but during the June 11 celebration of Broadway, that wasn’t the case. She paired the metal-hued breastplate with black pants and matching tuxedo jacket, and the statement of beauty and power was only complemented by her Dora Milaje-esque shaved head featuring a tattoo-like design. You can see the full look below: 

The Academy Award winner — who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2016 for Eclipsed — highlighted the designer behind the epic look, Pakistani artist Misha Japanwala, saying on Instagram that her statement on shamelessness is a reclamation of a word that has been used against the actress “in an effort to insult and shame me into silence.” Lupita Nyong’o called the casting and molding process an act of resistance, saying:

The look truly is a celebration, and it’s a different spin on other amazing see-through outfits that we’ve seen since Florence Pugh went sheer in a bright pink Valentino last year. You can see even more pics of the ensemble — and more on what she and the designer hoped to relay with the bold look — on her social media post: 

The silver breastplate was certainly a talker at the Tony Awards, and as you can see from the comments, it attracted the attention of some others well-known for their fashion statements, including Janelle Monae. They wrote: 

• Janelle Monae: Phenomenal
• Naomi Campbell: YES DIVINE @lupitanyongo ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥
• Jurnee Smollett: How many times can I like one picture!?!? My beauty. You look stunning. Thank you for being you. That’s all. Love you so.

Lupita Nyong’o never fails to impress with her fashion choices, always leaving us wondering what she’ll wear next. While we wait for that opportunity, you can see her in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription, and you can check out the 2023 Tony Awards, which can be seen with a Paramount+ subscription.

The MCU continues to be a powerful force in the entertainment industry, with those of us who have watched the Marvel movies in order continuing to keep up with every new TV show and movie. Black Panther definitely stands out as a fan favorite franchise, with the fandom appreciating all things Wakanda. Nakia actress Lupita Nyong’o recently shaved her head, then totally made a Dora Milaje comment. Clearly she knows how much fans love those spear-wielding warriors.

The Dora Milaje are an elite group of all-female warriors from Wakanda who serve the country’s royal family all over the globe. Their intricate fight choreography and spear work are thrilling to watch on the small and silver screens, and the Dora are also known for their uniform appearance– including a shaved head. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o recently went bald, and made an A+ Black Panther reference while sharing the look on Instagram.

How stunning is that? There’s definitely no debating that bald is beautiful, and Nyong’o is living proof of that. And while Nakia never came a member of the Dora Milaje, it looks like the actress who portrays her is ready to join in on the fun. Get this woman a spear!

Lupita Nyong’o debuted her bald look to her whopping 10.7 million followers on Instagram, and the comments are filled with messages of support. Some are praising the actress’ beauty, while others are thanking her for helping them accept their own hair journey. And then there’s the Marvel fans out there who are commenting “Wakanda Forever” in response to her caption.

The 12 Years a Slave actress recently had her second MCU appearance in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Fans were thrilled about finally seeing Nakia again, after she was noticeably absent throughout Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Black Panther 2’s ending revealed that she and T’Challa actually had a son, who could presumably have a serious claim to the throne. Shuri decidedly didn’t want to rule, so it should be fascinating to see what comes next.

Of course, Nyong’o is also involved in another iconic franchise. She’s going to play the lead in A Quiet Place: Day One, which recently debuted its first footage at CinemaCon. While John Krasinski is writing that project, he won’t be behind the director’s chair. But given her acclaimed performances in Jordan Peele’s Us, horror fans are ready to see her back in the genre as a bonafide scream queen. 

Guardians 3 is in theaters now, and the next MCU movie following suit is The Marvels on November 10th. As for A Quiet Place: Day One, that’s expected to arrive March 8th, 2024. In the meantime, check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

John Krasinski struck gold with the original A Quiet Place and created one of the best horror movies of all time back in 2018. The movie wasn't based on an existing franchise, but after becoming a solid hit it quickly became one. It spawned a sequel and now the third move in the new series is underway. The prequel/spinoff A Quiet Place: Day One recently began filming and John Krasinski was on hand to celebrate with some behind-the-scenes shots. 

John Krasinski was on set for the beginning of production, which is potentially interesting because as far as we know, he’s not directly involved in the filming of the new movie. After directing the first two installments of the series, Day One is being helmed by Michael Sarnoski, director of Nicolas Cage’s well-regarded Pig. And while Krasinski wrote or co-wrote the screenplay for both previous films, he’s only credited with the original story idea for this one. But he was on hand to watch the new film get started. 

A Quiet Place: Day One is being called both a prequel and a spinoff. Based on the name alone we can see the elements of the prequel. While no specific plot for the new movie has been revealed, we can pretty easily guess that the movie will deal with the initial alien invasion that brings the vicious creatures attracted by sound to earth. We got a short flashback scene of this in A Quiet Place: Part 2, but the new movie will seemingly deal entirely with the event.

However, it will see the event through the eyes of entirely new characters. A Quiet Place: Day One will star Lupita Nyong’o alongside Joseph Quin and Alex Wolff. No other cast has been announced thus far, and we have no information on what characters these three will be playing. 

While the first two films have taken fans through a story about discovering and attempting to spread information about a way to fight back against the monstrous aliens, the new movie will start over at the beginning, with humanity only just discovering what these creatures are and how they work. And since we’re dealing with new characters, and humanity is very fragmented following the invasion, we could learn a great deal more about the creatures. One assumes the heroes of this film will find some way to fight them, or at the very least successfully avoid them.

And the events of this film could lead to the next one. A Quiet Place: Part 3 is already planned for a 2025 release, so the prequel/spinoff may provide details that prove important leading into the next film, and assuming the characters of the prequel survive, they could cross paths with Emily Blunt, making the next film required viewing for fans of the main series. 

Spoilers ahead for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

Throughout Phase Four, perhaps the most hotly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie was Black Panther 2. Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster finally released in theaters, and was a massively successful critical and box office hit. His sophomore effort in the MCU was a powerful meditation on grief, which expanded the universe in a number of fascinating ways. Nakia actress Lupita Nyong’o recently shared cool photos from the set, and it’s almost like we’re in Wakanada.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever put the women of the franchise in the spotlight, and marked the first time Lupita Nyong’o has appeared in the MCU since the original film. The movie’s mid-credits scene seemingly set up big things for her character, and the Oscar-winning actress offered fans a peek into the set over on Instagram. Check out her personal photos with the cast below,

Do you hear that sound? It’s countless Black Panther fans out there cheering “yibambe” from the comfort of their homes. Ryan Coogler’s franchise is one of the biggest fan favorites of the entire MCU, with the passing of Chadwick Boseman only adding to the emotional weight of Wakanda Forever. And while the cast has been open about feelings of grief while filming, this photo dump by Lupita Nyongo’o shows the joy of making the movie as well.

Lupita Nyong’o shared these images from the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with her 10.2 million Instagram followers. The set of photos really shows just how beautiful and detailed the Marvel sequel’s costumes were. Although this should perhaps come as no surprise, as costume designer Ruth Carter won an Academy Award for her work on the first movie, becoming the first Black woman to win in that category ever. Carter certainly pulled out all the stops for the sequel, which featured the introduction of Namor and the deep sea world of Talokan.

One of the epic new looks introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever were the super suits worn by Danai Gurira’s Okoye and Michaela Coel’s Aneka as Midnight Angels. The first photo from Lupita Nyong’o’s post featured the latter actress, who made her MCU debut in the new blockbuster. We also see a selfie with M’Baku actor Winston Duke, as well as the Dora Milaje sitting and having a break in full costume. 

Nakia returned to the MCU in a big way with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, especially in the movie’s mid-credits scene. During that emotional scene it was revealed that she and T’Challa secretly had a son, who could potentially have a claim to the throne. We’ll just have to wait and see how this twist influences the franchise moving forward, and if/when the denizens of Wakanda return to the MCU via a crossover movie like Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Fingers crossed we get to see them back in these epic costumes.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is still in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2023 movie release dates to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year. We’ll just have to see if any future Marvel movies end up performing quite as well as Ryan Coogler’s sequel. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is finally here and, thankfully, it's proven to be an exciting and emotional movie that serves as a worthy follow-up to its predecessor. One of the things that makes Marvel’s latest box office hit such a spectacle is its series of amazing action sequences, many of which involve water. With this, the cast and crew had to train in order to ensure that they were prepared for the task at hand. Lupita Nyong’o had to commit to swimming training as well and, based on a video she shared, she did so in an intense way. Seriously, you have to see this footage to believe it.

Those who’ve watched Lupita Nyong’o’s work surely know that she commits when it comes to a role. (After all, there’s a reason that she’s an Oscar winner.) Just last year, Nyong’o also did wire work while filming The 335. When it came to her preparation for the Black Panther sequel, she sought out the help of fitness expert Mark Roberts and wellness organization XPT, as she shared on Instagram. In that same post, she included a clip that sees her swimming vicariously and using weights… underwater. Take a look at the impressive display down below:

I’m somewhat exhausted just watching the actress put in so much work. But seriously though, you have to admire that kind of dedication. Those who’ve seen the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe film will probably agree when I say that one definitely needed to be able to swim in order to complete some of those impressive scenes. Kudos to all of the stars for getting the job done in that regard. 

Like many of her colleagues, Lupita Nyong’o experienced a lot of feelings going into production on Black Panther; Wakanda Forever due to the absence of leading man Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away in 2020. Nyong’o called the experience “therapeutic,” saying that the mere fact that the movie was even being made against all odds “restored a sense of hope” in her. All in all, the star seems to have enjoyed the film shoot and getting to reunite with her co-stars. There’s also another aspect of the experience that was truly special for her – one that didn’t require as much work as her swimming regimen. 

The Mexican-born star was able to speak Spanish in Wakanda Forever and, without giving away specifics, that comes in very handy for her character, Nakia, during the movie. The actress herself considered it a “straight gift” for her to be able to utilize her native tongue. Of course, it also goes without saying that many who are Spanish-speaking will be excited to see those scenes as well. 

Now that she’s finished with her Marvel press tour, Lupita Nyong’o will likely set her sights on her next production, the A Quiet Place prequel. Details on that production are relatively scarce though, based on previous installments in the franchise, it’s possible that there will be a level of physicality involved in Nyong'o's role. I’m not sure if the producers will require her to swim per say but, if they do, they should know that they certainly have a star on their hands who knows her way around water.

To see her moves, check out Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is now playing in theaters. A threequel has yet to be announced, but those curious about future Marvel fare can check out CinemalBlend’s schedule of upcoming Marvel movies.

Over the years, Lupita Nyong’o has been part of a reclusive and closed-off African kingdom with seemingly infinite power and technological advances, a galaxly far, far away, and a brutal plantation of the American South, where she has provided decorated and award-winning performances the likes of which will not be soon forgotten. During that same stretch of time, the Academy Award winner has also face-off with doppelgängers, fought zombies, and provided the narration for a documentary on one of the most beloved lovable losers in comic strip history.

In honor of the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which sees the actress reprise her role from one of the best Marvel movies to date, we have put together a list of Lupita Nyong’o’s best movies and how to watch them in a variety of ways. There are a lot of movies to break down, so let’s get this show on the road…

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)

Although Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is still playing in theaters and doesn’t have a release date for either its home release or eventual debut on Disney+, leaving it off the list of Lupita Nyong’o’s best movies would be a disservice to the actress’s portrayal of Nakia as it would be to Ryan Coogler’s emotional tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.

Without giving too much away for those who have yet to watch the 2022 movie, Nyong’o’s take on Nakia the second time around is not only as captivating as the first go-around, it’s far more brilliant in every possible way. Whether it’s moments where she’s still coming to terms with the death of her king and lover, investigating Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía), or fighting alongside Shuri (Letitia Wright), Nyong’o is, once again, a shining star.

Black Panther (2018)

Following the death of his father and the king of Wakanda, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) ascends to the throne as the sworn protector of his people and protector of their secretive nation. But, when a ghost from his family’s past arrives in the form of vengeful and revolutionary Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Michael B. Jordan), the titular hero of Black Panther prepares to fight his toughest and most personal fight yet.

Brought in early on in the movie (during the incredible nighttime rescue mission), Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia quickly shows T’Challa (and the audience) that she is more than capable of handling her own in a fight. The same can be said about the “War Dog” when it comes to matters off of the battlefield, as she proves time and time again in one of the MCU’s best supporting performances.

Stream Black Panther on Disney+.
Buy/Rent Black Panther on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

12 Years A Slave (2013)

Nearly five years before playing one of the fiercest heroines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Lupita Nyong’o made a name for herself as the incredibly strong-willed Patsey in Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave. The movie, which follows Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as he goes from a free man living in the North to being kidnapped and sold into slavery, remains one of the most grueling yet inspiring Oscar winners in the past decade.

12 Years a Slave immediately turned Nyong’o into a massive star with her Oscar win and stunning on-screen performance. At the center of some of the movie’s most heartbreaking scenes while also being in some of the more tender, her take on the character is an absolute triumph.

Stream 12 Years a Slave on HBO Max.
Buy/Rent 12 Years a Slave on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Us (2019)

Two years after the critical and commercial success of Get Out, writer-director Jordan Peele continued his unique brand of socially-concious horror movies with the 2019 thriller Us. In the movie, Nyong’o plays Adelaide “Addy” Wilson, a woman who goes with her husband and two kids on a vacation, only instead of peace and relaxation, the family encounters an unnerving discovery.

Much like Get Out and Nope three years later, Us is full of complex characters, themes, and a mysterious ending that will leave you going back to watch it a second or third time. This is due to Peele’s mastery of horror, suspense, and social commentary, as well as because of the performances, especially those of Nyong’o.

Buy/Rent Us on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

A little over three years after Disney’s 2012 acquisition of Lucasfilm, audiences received their first live-action Star Wars movie during the 2015 holiday season. The first installment of a new trilogy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduced a new crop of heroes and villains with a story that that could be described as equal parts sequel and reboot.

Many new faces were introduced (and familiar fan-favorites brought back) throughout the movie, including Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata, a friend of Han Solo who helped Rey (Daisy Ridley) on her own hero’s journey as well as one of self-discovery. The character with a mysterious past was brought back in the two subsequent titles, but her grand introduction and wonderful motion-capture performance by Nyong’o was at its best early on.

Stream Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Disney+.
Buy/Rent Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Jungle Book (2016)

Jon Favreau’s 2016 remake of The Jungle Book brought the story of Mowgli (Neel Sethi) to life like never before with a combination of live-action and CGI characters and elements. Much like the original novel and 1967 musical animated comedy, the movie saw the young orphaned boy go from an unlikely member of a pack of wolves to one of the key figures in the survival of the animal kingdom by taking on the feared Shere Khan (Idris Elba).

The voice cast of The Jungle Book is one of the most impressive of the Disney “live-action” remakes, and includes the likes of Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, and Lupita Nyong’o, who takes on the role of Mowgli’s adoptive wolf mother, Raksha. With a more prominent role than the character had in the 1967 version, and Nyong’o made the most of it with a strong, fierce, and nurturing performance.

Stream The Jungle Book on Disney+.
Buy/Rent The Jungle Book on Amazon.

Little Monsters (2019)

The 2019 horror comedy, Little Monsters, follows Dave Anderson (Alexander England), a struggling, and recently dumped, musician who goes with his young nephew on a school field trip as an attempt to get closer to his teacher, Miss Audrey Caroline (Lupita Nyong’o). And, while his wish does come true, Dave finds himself trapped in a gift shop with his nephew, Miss Audrey, and the rest of his class as a horde of zombies attempts to eat them as an afternoon snack.

A ridiculous premise and even more ridiculous execution, this offbeat zombie movie is full of thrills, chills, laughter, and heart as its story unfolds. Everyone is in on the gag too, as the performances by the cast, which also includes Josh Gadd as a children’s show host, are out of this world. Nyong’o is especially great with her blend of absurdity and sincerity throughout.

Stream Little Monsters on Hulu.

Queen Of Katwe (2016)

The 2016 sports drama, Queen of Katwe, which is based on a true story, follows Phiona Mutesi (Madina Nalwanga) as she goes from a young girl living in a Ugandan slum to one of the most inspirational stories in the world of chess.

This uplifting biographical drama also has a great deal of wonderful supporting characters, including Phiona’s mother, Nakku Harriet, played by Lupita Nyong’o. Throughout the movie, Nakku is the embodiment of motherly love and support, as she helps her young daughter’s dreams come true, and never stops supporting her, even when the odds seem insurmountable.

Stream Queen of Katwe on Disney+.
Buy/Rent Queen on Katwe on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Non-Stop (2014)

Released in 2014, the Liam Neeson-led action thriller, Non-Stop, sees the Taken star take on the role of U.S. Air Marshal Bill Marks, who finds himself in the middle of a hostage situation after an unknown passenger sends a text message saying they will begin killing passengers if a large sum of money is not wired to an offshore account.

The down-on-his-luck marshal isn’t alone in his fight, as flight attendants Nancy (Michelle Dockery) and Gwen (Lupita Nyong’o) play key roles in the tense situation. Although Nyong’o doesn’t get a whole lot of time to shine in Non-Stop, she makes the most of it and provides a memorable performance.

Stream Non-Stop on HBO Max.
Buy/Rent Non-Stop on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Who Are You, Charlie Brown? (2021)

The 2021 Apple TV+ documentary Who Are You, Charlie Brown? not only explores the impact and significance of the beloved comic strip and its primary character, but also the man who created it all, Charles Schulz. But, this isn’t just some documentary with talking heads (though, there are some), as it also includes a new animated story created solely for the release.

One of the best options for anyone one with an Apple TV+ subscription, this touching documentary also features soft and soothing narration by Lupita Nyong’o, who turns something great into something enchanting.

Stream Who Are You, Charlie Brown? on Apple TV+.

East River (2008)

And then there is Marc Grey’s 2008 short film, East River, which marked the onscreen debut of Lupita Nyong’o. The 17-minute short, which features no dialogue, follows a man (Tommaso Spinelli) as he aimlessly wanders around Brooklyn, encountering people and situations as his personal journey unfolds.

Nyong’o comes into the picture partway through the film as a photographer who strikes up a relationship with the central figure. If anyone wants to see how her career in film got started, East River is a good place to begin.

Stream East River on Vimeo.

With only a decade-and-a-half of appearing on the big screen, it’s safe to say this is just beginning for the incredibly talented Lupita Nyong’o. Her next confirmed role is an appearance in A Quiet Place: Day One in 2024, but it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see her in any of the upcoming 2023 new releases before then.

Lupita Nyong’o is officially leading the A Quiet Place prequel film, Day One. The John Krasinski helmed horror franchise has experienced massive success and now will be stepping back to explore new facets of the film series. However, it looks like Black Panther actress won’t be doing it alone, as a certain Stranger Things breakout star will be joining the actress in the franchise.

According to Deadline, Stranger Things’ Joseph Quinn is currently in negotiations to star opposite Nyong’o in the much anticipated project. The spinoff film will be directed and written by Michael Sarnoski, who is best known for the Nicolas Cage film, Pig. This differs from the previous A Quiet Place iterations, which were helmed by John Krasinski. It is rumored this film will center around different characters than its predecessors, so Emily Blunt and Krasinski likely won’t reprise their roles.

Joseph Quinn became a fan-favorite actor after appearing as Eddie Munson in Season 4 of the popular Netflix sci-fi series, Stranger Things. While the character sadly dies at the end of the season, Eddie Munson was such a stand out character that many fans have been theorizing on how he can come back in Season 5. Unfortunately, the Duffer Brothers have squashed any rumors of a return. Quinn has also starred in projects like Game of Thrones and the BBC One series Les Miserables. 

Along with A Quiet Place: Day One, Quinn has also been cast in a UK independent film titled Hoard, which will be a directorial debut for Luna Carmoon. Like Stranger Things, the film will be set during the 1980s and will co-star BAFTA-nominated Hayley Squires and Saura Lightfoot Leon. Due to his newfound popularity, this is likely just the beginning for Quinn, who might just become one of Hollywood‘s biggest stars. 

While plot details of A Quiet Place: Day One are still very much under wraps, what we do know is that the film will take place on the first day of the alien invasion that prompts the events of the first two films. For context, the first film takes place on Day 89, and the subsequent film takes place after the events of its predecessor. However, A Quiet Place 2 does feature a flashback scene from Day One of the invasion, so this may act as a sneak peak for what’s in store for the upcoming prequel.

A Quiet Place: Day One isn’t set to hit theaters until March 8, 2024. In the meantime, fans of the franchise can catch the first two films with a Paramount+ subscription. In addition, Joseph Quinn fans can check out our feature on where else to catch the actor's previous performances. For more information on other films hitting theaters in the near future, check out our 2023 movie release schedule. 

After the shocking death of T’Challa’s Chadwick Boseman, this meant that the women of Wakanda for the Black Panther sequel would be taking over the reins of the franchise. Ever since the first Black Panther, it’s been apparent that Lupita Nyong’o’s character Nakia had changes made to her character allowing her to be more than T’Challa’s love interest. This Mexican-born actress got the opportunity to show off her Spanish-speaking skills in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

We first heard Lupita Nyong’o speak a different language in the last Black Panther movie when she introduced audiences to her never-before-seen Korean skills in a scene that took place in Busan, South Korea. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, reported the Kenyan-Mexican actress speaks Spanish in it as her character digs information from mutant superhuman Namor. Speaking to EW, she called this opportunity “a straight gift.”

The 12 Years a Slave actress was born in Mexico City to two Kenyan parents in 1983. At the time Nyong’o was born, her father was a visiting lecturer in political science at El Colegio de México in Mexico City. After growing up in Kenya, her parents sent her to stay in Mexico when she was sixteen to learn the country’s native language. During those seven months, Nyong’o took classes at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México's Learning Centre for Foreigners. Clearly, those Spanish lessons paid off well and must have been a real treat for her to present to audiences her multilingual skills on the big screen.

Another person who would have been happy to hear his co-star speaking Spanish in the Black Panther sequel would have been Chadwick Boseman. Director Ryan Coogler told EW that the Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom actor encouraged there to be more diversity in the franchise, particularly indigenous American representation. He was so happy about the idea that audiences would never see this representation coming. This proves that even in death, Chadwick Boseman continues to be an inspiration to the Black Panther cast.

Despite having to “reshape” the Black Panther sequel after the unexpected death of the last film’s Marvel hero, the sequel went forward with some amazing results. Critical reviews have said the movie has done a great job moving forward despite the death of T'Challa. Critics gave the sequel props for not having this Wakanda native’s death take over the entire story and still providing a focus on the individual journeys of the remaining Wakanda leaders. It didn’t shock anyone that it was hailed as a box office champion its opening weekend at $175 million in North America. It broke records for having the biggest opening weekend ever for a November release and the third-biggest worldwide opening during the pandemic era behind Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home. I’d like to think Chadwick Boseman would be very proud of the sequel’s success.

We already knew Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o had a real mastery of the craft of acting. Now, audiences will get a glimpse at her Mexican heritage when she introduces her Spanish-speaking skills in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. See for yourself this new Marvel movie in theaters now.

Lupita Nyong’o has reached the point in her career where she’s being namechecked in songs. It was bound to happen as Nyong’o has been a movie and fashion staple (and a popular meme) for almost a decade. While rappers like Jay Z have referenced the Oscar winner, she received the ultimate namecheck when Beyoncé mentioned her in the 2019 Lion King soundtrack song “Brown Skin Girl.” Like many Beyoncé devotees, the Black Panther star was thoroughly surprised. She recalled finding out she was namechecked in the pop superstar’s track and explained the importance of the song.

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star not only got mentioned in the song but was featured in the “Brown Skin Girl” video alongside fashion model Naomi Campbell, who is also namechecked in the song. It was a pleasant surprise to see her in the visual. After appearing in the music video, Nyong’o revealed to Vogue she didn’t know Beyoncé had shouted her out until an interviewer brought it up. The award-winning actress opened up about her initial reaction to the Grammy-winning song, saying: 

There’s nothing like being a Beyoncé fan and hearing her reference you in her music, like when she sang "Pretty like Lupita" in her song. The namecheck proved once again the pop singer is a pop culture junkie like the rest of us.

Seeing the Us star dance and sashay in the video was the right move. Black is King was a cultural event when it was released in 2020 (currently available with a Disney+ subscription). It elevated the Lion King soundtrack from just music to a beautiful musical narrative. And Nyong’o got to be part of the award-winning film.

While the music video was an event, the visual combined with the song was important to Black women, especially those of a darker complexion. The song’s message touched millions of women, including the Oscar winner. Nyong’o explained how important the song was to her.

The song helped to boost the pride and self-confidence of dark-skinned Black women who felt ignored and underappreciated by the larger culture. It’s hard to know Nyong’o didn’t feel seen at that point in her career. However, her revelation wasn’t surprising given that lighter-skinned Black actresses seem to be favored over their dark-skinned counterparts for work and pay. The complexion issue is nothing new as Black actresses have been sounding the alarm for a minute. For example, Viola Davis spoke about her experiences dealing with beauty standards as a Black actress as well.

Thankfully, the Black Panther star seems to be in a better place now. Lupita Nyong’o returned as Nakia in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is currently in movie theaters, and is part of a larger line-up of upcoming Marvel movies. The Oscar winner is reportedly returning to the horror genre in the A Quiet Place spinoff A Quiet Place: Day One. Until then, you can watch the first Black Panther currently streaming on Disney+ before watching the sequel.