We’re living in a world of reboots and legacy sequels — which isn’t likely to change with 2026’s movie releases — but at least with Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s latest adventure, we can expect a remake that’s wildly different from the original. Anaconda centers around buddies who set out to film an amateur version of the 1997 cult classic, only to happen upon their own serpentine killer. Critics have seen the movie, and they mostly agree it’s not as much fun as it thinks it is.

Along with Paul Rudd and Jack Black, the upcoming action movie stars Steve Zahn and Thandiwe Newton, and adding to the meta-ness of it all, Ice Cube makes his return. Moviegoers’ first reactions praised it for its comedy and surprising amount of heart, but Matt Donato of IGN is definitely not a fan, giving the movie a “Bad” 4 out of 10 for making a mockery out of the beloved, perfectly cheesy 1997 original. For such an outside-the-box concept, Anaconda reads generic, with potty humor, overplayed needledrops and Tropic Thunder-esque pyrotechnics. Donato says:

William Bibbiani of The Wrap says the big-budget remake feels like it’s punching down at the actual Anaconda sequels and those who enjoy them. If you’re going to make a movie about how ridiculous the 1997 movie is, Bibbiani says, you have to actually be better than it and its sequels. Instead we get potty humor and side plots that go nowhere and aren’t fun. The critic concludes:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire rates the meta-sequel a C, calling it a “soggy first draft” that is so “shoddily made” that it completely undermines the fun that it’s meant to celebrate. Ehrlich does, however, enjoy that there are two jokes made at Jon Voight’s expense. The critic writes:

It’s not all bad, though. Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence says it’s OK for a movie to just be funny without digging too deep. The critic gives the movie a B, admitting that it’s far less scary than the original, purposely trading horror for laughs. Miller writes:

As a fan of 1997’s Anaconda, I’m pretty disappointed to read that critics aren’t enjoying this reboot. With 76 critics weighing in on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of this writing, only 50 percent have given the movie a positive score. However, there’s no denying Jack Black and Paul Rudd’s comedic potential, so if this is a title you’ve been looking forward to, don’t let the critics stop you!

Anaconda is in theaters now.

With the 2025 movie schedule winding down, there are a few releases I’m more excited to see than Anaconda, Paul Rudd and Jack Black’s new comedy. However, I’m really excited to see Steve Zahn in a new adventure film that gives me similar vibes to one of the actor’s funniest yet worst-rated movies: Strange Wilderness. The movie was panned by critics upon its release in 2008, but they don’t always get it right.

For the better part of the past 20 years, I’ve been one of this movie’s biggest supporters and one of the few people who saw it in theaters (or who’ll admit to it). That said, I think it’s about time we revisit this over-the-top comedy about a group of friends looking for Bigfoot…

Let’s Address The Elephant In The Room: Strange Wilderness’ RT Score

Though I remembered critics hating Strange Wilderness when it came out back in early 2008, I was shocked upon discovering it had a 2% score (35% on the Popcornmeter) on Rotten Tomatoes. I don’t agree with this extremely low rating, but I have to admit that I do love the Critics Consensus on the site, which reads: “Strange Wilderness is a laugh-free comedy that’s both aimless and overly crass.”

Admittedly, the story about Peter Gaulke (Zahn) trying to save the once-respected nature documentary series created by his late father is crass, vulgar, and utterly absurd, with its blend of 2000s dude-centric and stoner comedy. That said, what’s not to love about a group of friends setting out to find Bigfoot?

Though Not The Best Movie Of All Time, Strange Wilderness Is Hilarious

I’m not going to sit here and act like this is the best movie of all time, or even the funniest movie of 2008 (Tropic Thunder, Pineapple Express, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall all came out that year), but this dumb little comedy is outrageously hilarious. Rotten Tomatoes and its Critics Consensus be damned!

I don’t want to spoil too much about a 17-year-old movie (which was filmed way back in 2005, by the way), but there’s a scene involving a shark that still makes my friends and me fall over laughing whenever we bring it up. Zahn doing the impression of a shark laughing is peak comedy, if I’m being honest. However, that’s just one of the hilarious scenes, as this supposedly “laugh-free” movie is full of them.

Strange Wilderness Is Streaming For Free… With A Library Card

You can rent or buy a copy of Strange Wilderness with an Amazon subscription, but you also have the chance to do the funniest thing ever. This oft-forgotten 2008 movie is streaming for free with Hoopla, the digital platform accessible with a valid library card. Sure, there are better uses for your library card and the Hoopla app, but using both to watch one of the silliest and most asinine comedies of the past 20 years just feels oh so appropriate for a movie like this.

Stream Strange Wilderness on Hoopla.

Again, this isn’t the most well-received comedy available right now, but where else are you going to see a laughing shark, Justin Long with eyeballs tattooed on his eyelids, or an encounter with Bigfoot? There’s nothing rotten about that!

I wasn’t sure how to feel a few years ago when it was confirmed that another Anaconda movie was in the works. While I was delighted when it was revealed that Jack Black and Paul Rudd would lead the reboot, I was also a bit confused. I’ve since been waiting to see a trailer and, now, it’s finally arrived. Needless to say, both Rudd and Black seem to be at the top of their comedic game based on this footage. To be honest, though, I’m actually really eager to see more of one of their castmates.

The First Trailer For Anaconda Teases Big Laughs And Over-The-Top Kills

Anaconda, which is directed and co-written by Tom Gormican, centers on two friends – Doug (Jack) and Ronald (Rudd) – who are longtime fans of the original 1997 flick. Upon hitting midlife, the two finally decide to pursue their dream of making their own killer snake movie. As the trailer above reveals, the two pals don’t have the budget they desire, but they travel to the rainforest with some friends to shoot the film anyway. The production is precarious enough on its own, but it gets deadly when a massive snake enters the picture.

What this trailer teases is an incredibly meta movie that will seemingly pay homage to the snake-centered horror franchise while also carving out its own comedically bloody path. I really appreciate the slapstick elements that appear to be at play, and such material definitely lends itself to the humorously absurd plot Gormican’s film has.

As for the cast, the movie’s two leads won’t be alone, as there are some solid supporting players in the mix. There is one particular star, though, that I really have to take a moment to single out.

Let’s Talk About One Of The Supporting Actors In Anaconda

As great as Paul Rudd and Jack Black appear to be in the trailer, there’s a supporting actor that deserves attention. I’m talking about the great Steve Zahn, who’s long been putting in solid work across various genres within film and TV. That Thing You Do!, Happy, Texas, Dallas Buyers Club and War for the Planet of the Apes are just a few of best credits. I’d argue that Zahn has a tendency to steal the movies and TV shows he’s in and, based on this Anaconda trailer, I wouldn’t be surprised if he also runs away with the horror comedy.

In this killer snake romp, Zahn plays Kenny, a friend of Doug and Ronald’s who helps them make their movie. Kenny appears sporadically in the trailer, but they definitely provide a solid sense of his personality. Kenny seems to be a bit awkward (as many of Zahn’s characters are) and a bit overoptimistic, with the latter evidenced by his reaction to that meager budget. Zahn’s characters can also be quite squirrely, so I’m not surprised at all that Kenny would come up with the idea to use Doug as bait after believing him to be dead.

I have to mention, of course, that the movie also features tried-and-true stars like Thandiwe Newton, Selton Mello, Ione Skye and Daniela Melchior. All in all, what Tom Gormican and Sony have seemingly put together is a satirical horror film that gives off slight 21 Jump Street vibes. I’m eager to see Jack Black and Paul Rudd in action, but I’m also hopeful that Steve Zahn’s comedic chops are fully utilized as well.

Anaconda opens in theaters on December 25 amid the 2025 movie schedule. While waiting for the upcoming horror movie’s release, grab a Netflix subscription and stream the 1997 film of the same name.

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

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

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

The Extended Version Is The Better Version To Me

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

My Mind Is Still Blown That This Soundtrack Is All Originals

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

That Thing You Do Is Insanely Quotable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This Film Is Where Liv Tyler Officially Stole My Heart

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

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

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

Sean Whalen Is A Professional “That Guy”

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

RIP Adam Schlesinger

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

Growing Up Is Understanding Tina Wasn’t An Evil Girlfriend

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

The Evolution Of The Wonders Is Cool To Witness

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

Holmes Osborne Is A Professional ‘Movie Dad’

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

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

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

That Thing You Do’s Cameo Game Is So Wicked

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

The Wonders’ Song Never Gets Old

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

T.B. Player Could Have Been A Preacher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That Thing You Do Belongs In The Criterion Collection

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

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

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

Mr. White Must See Himself In Guy Patterson

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

I Would Watch Weekend At Party Pier

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

Lamarr Is A Five-Star Human Being And Ace Concierge

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

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

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

Darlene And Chad Totally (Probably) Got Married

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I Still Want A That Thing You Do Legacy-quel

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

Warning: spoilers for Silo Episode 205 - “Descent” - are in play. If you haven’t caught the latest chapter, you’ve been warned.

Well, readers, we’ve finally reached the halfway point of Silo’s second season run. There are still five episodes to carry us through the 2024 TV schedule and straight on into the 2025 calendar, and that's fantastic. However, this week’s developments have me quite worried when it comes to Steve Zahn’s mysterious character Solo. Even worse, those not-so-joyful feelings come from the fact that this instability could pose a threat to Juliette Nichols (Rebecca Ferguson).

Solo’s Breakdown, And What Triggered It

As it turns out, Solo isn’t the real name of the mysterious man in Silo 17. As we learned in “Descent,” this week’s episode of Silo, the mysterious bearded man that poor Juliette is currently in fear of is named Cole Myers. He also appears to be the I.T. shadow of this very location, as the former sheriff of Silo 18 learned through some keen sleuthing.

When confronted with the truth, “Solo” tells a cute little lie about how it was an accidental nickname. However, when further pressed for the truth, he flips.

The evidence that Juliette produces to prove he's hiding his true identity is a photo of the real Solo, along with a woman named Trina Samuels. That was enough to send Cole/Solo into a frenzy, where he screams that he’s both the I.T. shadow and Solo.

Where Silo Season 2 Currently Leaves Juliette, And Why I'm Worried

This sort of threat is bad enough on its own, especially when you consider that the ticking time bomb that is Silo 17 is going to be underwater at some point. But the end of “Descent” sees our hero both finding a blessing and a setback.

The good news is that Rebecca Ferguson’s amateur detective found that pristine suit helmet she was looking for. The bad news is, she has a pretty bad arm wound, and she’s now passed out from some unknown cause.

Picture it: Silo 17 - slowly filling with water, you just want to put together a protection suit to head back home to Silo 18. However, you’re now passed out with an illuminated flashlight, after trying to pull an Irish exit on the madman who was just screaming in your face.

That’s pretty much where Silo leaves Juliette, and for once it feels like there’s a greater threat than a dystopian paternalistic bureaucracy looming over her. So, yeah, I'm very worried...

Admittedly, things aren’t that much better in Silo 18 at this point, as Silo’s shocking fourth episode ending is still being felt by newly minted fugitives Knox (Shane McRae) and Shirley (Remmie Milner). Meanwhile, Sims (Common) has been named a judge by Bernard (Tim Robbins), in order to fill the vacancy of the late Judge Meadows. And to make this chaotic cocktail complete, Sheriff Billings (Chinaza Uche) is asking the right sorts of wrong questions, and Lukas Kyle (Avi Nash) has found some hidden tunnels that lead out of Silo 18.

This is the point where I thank creator/showrunner Graham Yost for nixing Silo’s potential alternating storyline strategy, as I don’t think I’d be able to sit through an entire episode without knowing how Juliette is going to get out of this mess involving Solo. Then again, there might not be a mess to be gotten out of.

We’ll see next Friday when Episode 206 - “Baracades” debuts for those with an Apple TV+ subscription! Until next time, good luck dealing with the suspense…and trying not to hum random Les Miserables show tunes to yourself after learning the next chapter’s title.

More so than with pretty much every other type of film, a great romantic comedy needs to have a strong cast (both the leads and supporting characters) with a lot of chemistry to make the story seem believable and work. The best romantic comedies of all time, like When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, and The Princess Bride, all have that in common. It’s too early to say if the new Netflix movie, Your Place Or Mine, will find a spot on that list in the future, but the cast, led by Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher, could put it in the running.

If you have watched, or are planning to watch the new romantic comedy, there’s a good chance you are wondering why certain members of the Your Place Or Mine cast look so familiar. Well, buckle up, because we’re about to go through all the major stars who appear in the movie, and break down where you’ve seen them before.

Reese Witherspoon (Debbie)

In Your Place or Mine, Reese Witherspoon plays Debbie, a single mom who swaps houses with her longtime best friend, Peter (Ashton Kutcher) for a week as a nice sea change that also leads to some major discoveries about the man she’s known for so long.

Witherspoon is in a league of her own in Hollywood, having not only won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, and scores of other accolades for performances in movies and shows like Walk the Line and Big Little Lies, but also as one of the Hollywood’s most prolific producers, having worked on book-to-movie adaptations like Where the Crawdad Sings and the upcoming Daisy Jones & the Six Amazon series. The ever-growing list of Witherspoon’s best movies includes something for everyone, with popular movies like Legally Blonde, Sing, and Wild appealing to multiple age groups. With multiple upcoming projects (both in front of and behind the camera), we haven’t seen the last of her yet. 

Ashton Kutcher (Peter)

Ashton Kutcher shows up in Your Place or Mine as Peter, Debbie’s long-time best friend, who couldn’t be any more unlike the single mother living on the opposite side of the country, or so he thinks.

Though this is his first romantic comedy in more than a decade, Kutcher appeared in his fair share of rom-coms in the early 2000s, including Just Married, My Boss’s Daughter, Guess Who, and What Happens in Vegas, to name a few. Over the course of the past decade or so, Kutcher has mostly worked in TV, appearing on shows like Two and a Half Men, The Ranch, and most recently, That ‘90s Show, reprising the role of Michael Kelso from the original That ‘70s Show. 

Jesse Williams (Theo) 

Next up is Jesse Williams, who appears as Theo, a book editor who catches Debbie’s eye while she’s trading places in New York City.

Longtime fans of Grey’s Anatomy (as well as Station 19) should instantly recognize Williams from his portrayal of Dr. Jackson Avery, a major part of the show’s cast dating back to the sixth season. Sticking with TV, Williams previously appeared alongside Witherspoon on the Hulu original series, Little Fires Everywhere, in 2020. His film appearances include movies like The Cabin in the Woods, Random Acts of Violence, Secret Headquarters, and multiple others dating back a decade-and-a-half.  Williams also portrayed one of the main characters in the 2018 PlayStation game, Detroit: Become Human. 

Steve Zahn (Zen)

Steven Zahn shows up as Zen, Debbie’s retired neighbor who has left his days in the tech industry behind to focus on putting his green thumb to use with landscaping.

For more than 30 years now, Zahn has remained an incredibly busy actor in film and TV, showing a wide range in the process. Whether it’s appearing in quintessential ‘90s classics like Reality Bites, That Thing You Do!, You’ve Got Mail, and Happy, Texas, Zahn was everywhere in the first decade of his career. He only got busier in subsequent years, landing roles in Riding in Cars with Boys, Shattered Glass, Sunshine Cleaning, and National Security, to name a few. More recently, he’s put on amazing performances in shows like The White Lotus (Season 1) and The Good Lord Bird, and in movies like Uncle Frank, and 8-Bit Christmas. 

Tig Notaro (Alicia)

Comedian Tig Notaro shows up as Alicia, Debbie’s best friend in Los Angeles.

Over the years, Notaro has gone from being one of the most underrated standup comedians in the industry to a talented actor with a long list of credits to her name. One of the biggest movies she’s been in at this point is Army of the Dead, Zack Snyder’s 2021 zombie movie in which she was digitally added to replace Chris D’Elia. Notaro has also appeared on shows like Star Trek: Discovery, One Mississippi (which she created), and multiple others. 

Zoë Chao (Minka)

Zoë Chao is another hilarious addition to the Your Place or Mine cast, taking on the role of Peter’s ex-girlfriend Minka, who ends up helping Debbie when she temporarily takes up residence in New York City.

Chao has been on a roll as of late with memorable roles in everything from Richard Linklater’s 2019 dramedy, Where’d You Go, Bernadette, to the 2022 Netflix original comedy Senior Year, with multiple others in between. Since 2022, Chao has also been a major player on the Apple TV+ original series The Afterparty, including the upcoming second season of the hilarious murder mystery. Her other TV appearances include Strangers, The OA, Love Life, and the Amazon original anthology series, Modern Love. 

Wesley Kimmel (Jack)

Rounding out the main portion of the cast is Wesley Kimmel, who takes on the role of Debbie’s shy and sheltered son, Jack.

The nephew of Jimmy Kimmel, the up-and-coming actor landed his first acting gig as the “Baby Bachelor” on a segment of his uncle’s talk show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, which he revisited alongside Witherspoon in early 2022. He has also appeared on shows like WandaVision and The Book of Boba Fett, the latter of which saw him play a young Tusken kid. He’s also appeared on Good Girls, The Rookie, and Crank Yankers in recent years. 

But, this is just a portion of the cast, as other actors appearing in Your Place or Mine include Griffin Matthews (She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Vella Lovell (Mr. Mayor), and Shiri Appleby (Roswell, New Mexico). You can see all of these actors in action in Your Place or Mine, which is streaming for anyone with a Netflix subscription. 

Stream Your Place or Mine on Netflix.

Over the course of his career, Steve Zahn has well-earned his reputation as one of the industry’s most affable on-screen presences. From his wonderful turn as Lenny in Tom Hanks’ That Thing You Do, to his fantastic performance as Mark Mossbacher earlier this year in the HBO series The White Lotus, he particular excels at playing goofy, aloof characters who can effortlessly elicit smiles from an audience. That being said, no performer ever likes being stuck doing the same thing repeatedly, and in Michael Dowse’s new comedy 8-Bit Christmas he found an opportunity to do something different.

Set to be released on HBO Max this week, 8-Bit Christmas is based on the book of the same name by Kevin Jakubowski (who also adapted it), and centers on ten-year-old Jake Doyle (Winslow Fegley) – a boy growing up in the late 1980s who wants more than anything to get a Nintendo Entertainment System for the titular holiday. His passion is extreme, but he has a number of obstacles in his way, including a father, played by Steve Zahn, who just doesn’t get what the excitement is for.

There are some sillier aspects of the paternal role played by Zahn, such as the fact that he is constantly misplacing his tools as he moves from project to project fixing the house, but it’s certainly more serious than you might expect from the actor. When I spoke with him earlier this month during the virtual press day for 8-Bit Christmas, he confirmed that he was drawn to the part because it offered something different, and added that it contrasts with other family films he has made. As featured in the video at the top of this article, he told me,

From 2010 to 2012, Steve Zahn played Frank Heffley in the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid trilogy, but fans of that franchise are unlikely to conflate that role with John Doyle in 8-Bit Christmas. In the new film he plays a much sterner parent – though it’s also a performance that ultimately comes equipped with a lot of heartfelt emotion.

If you’re looking for some family friendly entertainment this week, 8-Bit Christmas arrives on HBO Max this Wednesday, November 24 – the film co-starring June Diane Raphael, Neil Patrick Harris, and David Cross in addition to the aforementioned Steve Zahn and Winslow Fegley. To discover all of the other new movies set to hit streaming and theaters between now and the end of the year, check out our 2021 Movie Release Calendar.

The White Lotus on HBO, which recently wrapped its first season with a big finale reveal, treated viewers to a satirical commentary on social issues like white privilege with its ensemble cast. The guests, played by comedy vets including Jennifer Coolidge, Connie Britton and Molly Shannon, arrived at the White Lotus resort in Maui under myriad circumstances, but what Steve Zahn’s Mark Mossbacher was going through seemingly forced the actor to expose a big part of himself.

Experiencing a testicular-cancer scare in the first episode of The White Lotus, Steve Zahn’s Mark gave his boys a look, and — penis in hand — asked wife Nicole (Connie Britton) if she thought his balls appeared unusually large. I’d imagine it would take some testicular fortitude to go full-frontal for that amount of time (long enough for scrutiny), and while Zahn confessed to The Wrap that it wasn’t actually him and his penis in that scene, he did get to sign off on the prosthetic he used, saying:

"That'll do," is the mightiest of responses for that kind of situation, no? But I digress.

Two hours in the makeup chair, though? I’d be interested to hear about that experience from the body double! Steve Zahn might have been more intimidated by the time-consuming process of applying the prosthetic, rather than the nudity itself. The actor has embodied many goofy, often-stoner roles in movies and TV shows like Reality Bites, Treme, Strange Wilderness and Out of Sight, and has partaken in his share of on-screen nudity — at least from behind. When asked why the body double didn’t just shoot the scene au naturel, Zahn said he was the wrong person to ask, given his background.

I’m sure Steve Zahn’s fans over the years would beg to differ. The longtime comedic actor joined the rest of The White Lotus cast in bringing a biting hilarity to the overarching darkness of the series in a way that doesn’t work for every show. Not unlike the way showing prosthetic dongs doesn't work for every show.

The White Lotus’ entire first season is streaming now on HBO Max, and the network has already announced a Season 2 for the anthology series, which will follow a new group of vacationers at a different White Lotus property. If you’re looking for something new after you’ve finished The White Lotus, check out more of HBO Max’s original series, and be sure to stay up to date on all of the upcoming fall premieres with our 2021 Fall TV Schedule.

Whether you are planning to watch or have already started the new HBO dramedy series after catching the sunny and strange first look at the show’s trailer, you probably want to know where you’ve seen the members of The White Lotus cast before they all arrived at a beautiful beachside resort that almost certainly has to take a turn at some point.

Outside of series leads like Alexandra Daddario, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, and Jake Lacy, the rest of the large ensemble cast is made up of some of the funniest names in Hollywood, with years of experience on the big screen and small screen alike. To help you make sense of it all, we’ve put together a quick (yet comprehensive) rundown of The White Lotus cast and where you have seen them before setting off for a holiday in the sun on the HBO limited series.

Murray Bartlett (Armond)

Armond, the fastidious resort manager of The White Lotus, is played by Murray Bartlett, who longtime HBO subscribers will most likely remember from the 2014 drama series Looking and the 2016 film continuation of the same name. If not there, then some may remember Bartlett from his days on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light, where he was a series regular from 2007 to 2009. Sticking with the television side of his career, Bartlett has shown up in episodes of Sex and the City, White Collar, Damages, and the Marvel Netflix show Iron Fist for a handful of episodes in 2017. The actor’s film credits include the 2013 Kristen Wiig comedy Girl Most Likely and the 2011 drama August.

Connie Britton (Nicole Mossbacher)

Prior to taking on the role of Nicole, the domineering leader of the Mossbacher family on The White Lotus, Connie Britton was already one of the most recognizable faces in show business. Starting with the movie side of her filmography, Britton has been in everything from the 2004 sports drama Friday Night Lights (she would later go on to appear in the TV adaptation of the same name but played a different character) to 2018’s underrated The Land of Steady Habits. Britton also recently appeared in the Academy Award-winning dark comedy Promising Young Woman. Britton’s career on television is just as, if not more, impressive with extended runs on Spin City, Nashville, and the aforementioned Friday Night Lights.

Jennifer Coolidge (Tanya McQuoid)

Tanya McQuoid, the wealthy lonesome traveler looking for love (and a great massage) on The White Lotus is played by comedy legend Jennifer Coolidge. Best known for her portrayal of Jeanine Stiffler in American Pie and for bending and snapping as Paulette Bonafonté Parcelle in the two Legally Blonde films, Coolidge is also a mainstay of Christopher Guest’s mockumentary films, giving hilarious performances in Best in Show and A Mighty Wind to name only a few. Coolidge has also been in her fair share of TV shows over the years, including The Secret Life of the American Teenager, 2 Broke Girls, and the Friends spinoff Joey.

Alexandra Daddario (Rachel)

Alexandra Daddario takes on the role of Rachel, a newlywed whose honeymoon doesn’t go according to plan when her mother-in-law unexpectedly shows up to make a mess of things. Prior to landing one of the leading roles on The White Lotus, Daddario made a name for herself on TV with All My Children and on the big screen in the Percy Jackson films which she followed up with multiple movies alongside Dwayne Johnson including San Andreas and Baywatch (her scene in Rampage was cut). Following one-off appearances on shows like The Sopranos, Law & Order, and Damages, Dadarrio found some success on True Detective Season 1 and American Horror Story: Hotel.

Jake Lacy (Shane Patton)

Playing Alexandra Daddario’s on-screen husband, Shane Patton, is former member of The Office cast, Jake Lacy. In addition to playing Pete Miller, aka “Plop” on the show’s ninth and final season, Lacy has become one of the most promising comedic actors in the past decade, giving outstanding performances in movies like Obvious Child (which was his feature film debut), Carol, and Miss Sloane, as well as on television series like Girls, Last Week Tonight, and Mrs. America. Lacy will soon appear in the Aaron Sorkin’s star-studded biographical drama about the making of I Love Lucy titled Being the Ricardos, in which he will portray television writer Bob Carroll Jr.

Steve Zahn (Mark Mossbacher)

Mark Mossbacher, the subservient husband of Nicole who just so happens to be dealing with what appears to be quite an embarrassing health crisis on The White Lotus, is brought to life by Steve Zahn. Over the years, Zahn has been a fixture of one movie after another with memorable roles in everything from Reality Bites to That Thing You Do (where he almost died) and Dallas Buyers Club to Uncle Frank (oh, and we can’t forget Saving Silverman). The comedic actor who can also handle himself in more dramatic roles has also had a decent amount of success on television, with the HBO limited series From the Earth to the Moon and David Simon’s 2010 post-Katrina drama series Treme coming to mind.

Fred Hechinger (Quinn Mossbacher)

Fred Hechinger, who plays Quinn, the awkward video-game-obsessed teenage son of Mark and Nicole Mossbacher, is one member of The White Lotus cast with not a lot of years under his belt but boundless potential. Since making his debut in Bo Burnham’s 2018 coming-of-age story Eighth Grade, Hechinger has gone on to appear in movies like Let Them All Talk, News of the World, and The Woman in the Window. The young actor reached new heights in July 2021 with the release of the Fear Street trilogy in which he gives a commanding performance as Simon Kalivoda.

Sydney Sweeney (Olivia Mossbacher)

Taking on the role of the fourth and final member of the Mossbacher family, Olivia, is Sydney Sweeney. Prior to appearing in The White Lotus as cynical college sophomore who takes pleasure in running down everyone at the resort, Sweeney appeared on some of the modern era’s biggest television shows including The Handmaid’s Tale, Sharp Objects, and Euphoria. Sweeney has also made appearances in several feature films in recent years, including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which saw her bring to life Dianne Lake, aka Snake, one of the members of the infamous Manson Family.

Brittany O’Grady (Paula)

Brittany O’Grady shows up on The White Lotus as Paula, Olivia Mossbacher’s friend from college who joins the family on the peaceful retreat at the beachside resort. Prior to joining The White Lotus cast, O’Grady made a name for herself on The CW’s The Messengers before landing a main role on the Fox musical drama series Star, which showcased not only her acting skills but her singing talents as well. After that, O’Grady landed one of the lead roles on the Apple TV+ romantic comedy series Little Voice. The multi-talented star also appeared in the 2019 remake of Black Christmas.

Natasha Rothwell (Belinda)

Belinda, the down-to-earth spa manager who ends up becoming wrapped up in the life and needs of the wealthy Tanya McQuoid on The White Lotus, is played by comedian, teacher, actress, and former Saturday Night Live writer Natasha Rothwell. Prior to landing a role on the HBO limited series, Rothwell came up writing for shows like the aforementioned SNL, Netflix Presents: The Characters, and Insecure, acting on the latter two programs. Since then, Rothwell has been a part of shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, DuckTales, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and BoJack Horseman. You may also recognize the HBO fan-favorite from Love, Simon (and it’s TV follow-up Love, Victor), Wonder Woman 1984, and Sonic the Hedgehog. Rothwell will also be in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 2.

Molly Shannon (Kitty)

Showing up on The White Lotus as Kitty, the mother of Shane Patton who takes it upon herself to join her son and his new wife on their fairytale honeymoon, is Saturday Night Live alum Molly Shannon. Since appearing on a single episode of Twin Peaks back in 1991, Shannon has gone on to become one of the most iconic members of the SNL cast (and one of the few to get her own movie with Superstar), as well as give memorable performances on shows like Will and Grace, Scrubs, The Middle, and 30 Rock. Shannon’s film contributions are just as prolific with everything from the Hotel Transylvania franchise to Me and Earl and the Dying Girl under her belt. She even reprised her role from Wet Hot American Summer for the Netflix revival back in 2015.

In addition to all of these familiar faces and names, The White Lotus cast also includes Jon Gries (Napoleon Dynamite), Jolene Purdy (Wandavision), Kekoa Kekumano (Aquaman), and Lukas Gage (Euphoria) in recurring guest roles.

New episodes of The White Lotus air at 9 p.m. EDT Sundays on HBO and streaming on HBO Max. If you want to know what else is coming to your TV screen soon, check out 2021 Summer TV Schedule for all the latest info.

With the trailer for her upcoming action caper Die in a Gunfight having released only recently, True Detective vet and pants-optional actress Alexandra Daddario is doubling down on the promos with a sunny and strange first look at her upcoming HBO dramedy The White Lotus, which features a truly stellar ensemble cast. From Connie Britton to Steve Zahn to Molly Shannon to Jake Lacy, the talent isn't lacking in The White Lotus, so give the trailer above a watch-through to see this stunning resort vacation increasingly become a dumpster fire.

While there isn't anything in The White Lotus trailer that truly takes things over the edge, there's definitely an undercurrent of discomfort woven into things, with Murray Bartlett's resort manager Armond being the ringleader for all of that discomfort. In contrast to Alexandra Daddario and The Office vet Jake Lacy's early onset happiness as relatively new bride and groom Rachel and Shane, Armond is coming off of a life-altering trauma, and it looks like he's going to become completely unraveled as the season goes on. Not that Rachel and Shane's relationship looks extremely ironclad.

In fact, I'd already put money on the couple not making it through the end of The White Lotus' six-episode season, thanks largely to the arrival of Shane's mother Kitty, played with nerve-grinding perfection by SNL vet Molly Shannon. Of all the places one would wish for a demanding mother to show up, a Hawaiian vacation has to be at the bottom of the list, right around "colonoscopy." This is indeed the only proper reaction to have if one doesn't want to be rude by screaming "GET THE HELL OUT!" loud enough to cause volcanoes to erupt:

And who doesn't want to watch a married couple played by a demanding Connie Britton and a self-deprecating Steve Zahn, as joined by their introverted son (Fred Hechinger), their acerbic daughter (Sydney Sweeney) and her equally sardonic friend (Brittany O'Grady)? Or to watch Jennifer Coolidge get a massage and strike up a friendship (and maybe more) with the resort's spa manager (Natasha Rothwell)? Okay, that second one might not be on everyone's to-do list, since it's rather particular, but you can be sure Coolidge will draw more than a few laughs from it as a woman using her wealth to try and recover from her mother's death.

It should be interesting to see just how bright and happy The White Lotus is when things kick off, since audiences can be sure that only emotional turmoil and madness will be present by the time the six-episode season draws to a close. I'm guessing this first trailer is only tapping the surface of the dark places show creator Mike White (Enlightened) will take things. Will Molly Shannon's character be the only one who comes out of this thing unscathed? We'll just have to watch (through our fingers) to find out.

Of all the upcoming Alexandria Daddario projects on the way, The White Lotus may very well be the most unique standout, and not only because Steve Zahn's balls get some of the glory. Be sure to check it out when the show debuts on HBO on Sunday, January 11, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Alan Ball’s Uncle Frank, the latest original film to hit Amazon Prime Video, features an outrageously talented cast full of recognizable faces… but many of them are also stars that the average viewer might not be able to specifically name directly off the top of their head. Audiences likely recognize Paul Bettany, but others might have you saying, “I know them, they were in that thing,” while drawing circles in the air trying to think.

It’s in aid of that particular process that we are here to help. Rather than scramble around the internet and sift through full resumes, we’ve put together this feature to highlight the best known works of the Uncle Frank cast. There are a lot of names to discuss, so let’s dig in!

Paul Bettany (Frank Bledsoe)

There’s a pretty good chance that you already know who Paul Bettany is and probably isn’t the reason you’re checking out this article, but just in case you’re not entirely familiar with his resume we’ll clue you in. In Uncle Frank he plays the titular character, a gay man who hides his sexual identity from his conservative family, and it’s the smallest movie he’s done in a few years given that he’s been busy playing the android Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the villainous Dryden Vos in Solo: A Star Wars Story. He first caught the attention of audiences back in 2001 with his performances in A Knights Tale and A Beautiful Mind, and has starred in other major features including Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World, Wimbledon, and The Da Vinci Code.

Sophia Lillis (Beth Bledsoe)

At 18 years old, Sophia Lillis is one of the brightest up-and-coming stars in Hollywood, capturing a great deal of attention for her fantastic turn as Beverly Marsh in the adaptation of Stephen King’s IT. Shortly after that she played the younger version of Amy Adams’ character in the HBO miniseries Sharp Objects. Earlier this year Sophia Lillis starred as the titular female lead in the horrific big screen fairy tale Gretel & Hansel, and reunited with her IT co-star Wyatt Oleff for the excellent Netflix series I Am Not Okay With This. As you might have noticed, Lillis has developed a habit of doing period pieces, and Uncle Frank continues that trend, featuring her as a young woman growing up in 1973 who admires her Uncle Frank and becomes a conduit for his journey to come out to his family.

Steve Zahn (Mike Bledsoe)

Steve Zahn plays the father of Sophia Lillis’ Beth in Uncle Frank, and is a wonderful addition to the cast because… well, he’s Steve Zahn. A great comedic character actor who always brings a special and specific energy to his roles, Zahn has been on cinephiles’ radar since 1994’s Reality Bites, and has scene-stealing turns in films like That Thing You Do!, Out Of Sight, and Riding In Cars With Boys. In 2017 he played the lovable Bad Ape in War For The Planet Of The Apes, and has been most active on the small screen, starring in shows and miniseries such as ABC’s The Crossing and Showtime’s The Good Lord Bird.

Judy Greer (Kitty Bledsoe)

Like Paul Bettany, Judy Greer (who play’s Beth’s mother in Uncle Frank) is another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe family, as she plays Scott Lang’s ex-wife Maggie in the Ant-Man movies, but that’s just one of many, many things that’s earned her acclaim and fans. Early in her career she was known for her supporting roles in romantic comedies such as The Wedding Planner, 13 Going On 30, and 27 Dresses, and she has had numerous parts in fan-favorite television shows including Two And A Half Men, It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and Arrested Development. In addition to her MCU work, her franchise resume also includes Jurassic World, the last two Planet Of The Apes movies, and 2018’s Halloween. Since 2009 she has also voiced the psychotic Cheryl Tunt on the animated series Archer.

Margo Martindale (Mammaw Bledsoe)

In Uncle Frank, Margo Martindale plays the matriarch of the Bledsoe clan, and it’s really a perfect choice given that few are better at playing southern maternal figures. Hell, it was just a few years ago that she won an Emmy for her season-long turn as Mags Bennett on the FX series Justified. If you don’t know her from that, her face may be familiar because you’re a fan of The Good Wife/The Good Fight or The Americans. Her extensive big screen career also goes back to the late 1980s, and includes greats like The Rocketeer, The Firm, Million Dollar Baby, and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Stephen Root (Daddy Mac)

If you were to show a movie fan a picture of Stephen Root and ask where they know him from, you’d probably get 100 different answers, as the guy is everywhere an excellent in everything. His most iconic role is probably as the nerdy firebug Milton Waddams in Office Space, but he’s also a go-to guy for the Coen brothers (with roles in No Country For Old Men, O Brother Where Art Thou, The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs, and The Lady Killers), and has a number of memorable performances in films like Dodgeball, Selma, and Get Out. He’s recently earned terrific acclaim and an Emmy nomination for his work on the HBO series Barry, and if his voice sounds familiar you might just be a King Of The Hill fan, as he voiced William Fontaine de La Tour "Bill" Dauterive for 13 years.

Lois Smith (Aunt Butch)

In a cast full of veteran stars, Lois Smith’s goes back the furthest, as she made her professional acting career in an episode of the serial Love of Life in 1951. Fans of Alan Ball’s work probably recognize her as Adele Stackhouse from True Blood, but her filmography is loaded with notable titles, including Twister, Fried Green Tomatoes, Midnight Run, Minority Report, The Nice Guys, and Lady Bird. Her most recent work has been on the small screen, playing a recurring role on the series Ray Donovan.

Peter Macdissi (Wally)

Peter Macdissi plays Frank’s secret long-term boyfriend in Uncle Frank, and like Lois Smith he is another Alan Ball veteran, having not only starred in three episodes of True Blood’s fourth season, but also his 2018 show Here And Now. He’s probably best known for playing Olivier Castro-Staal on the award-winning HBO series Six Feet Under, but his credits also include David O. Russell’s incredible Desert Storm-set war film Three Kings.

Uncle Frank is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Almost 25 years after writer/director Tom Hanks gave the world a music movie classic with That Thing You Do, the world has given the movie the love it truly deserves. A comedy about the ups and downs of becoming a one hit wonder, the men involved in The Wonders recently reunited for a charitable cause by providing a watch party commentary for the ages. And without this blessed reunion, we’d have never learned how Steve Zahn literally almost died while making the film.

Zahn took part in the That Thing You Do watch party, along with bandmates Tom Everett Scott, Ethan Embry (Tobias Player himself), and Johnathon Schaech. During the discussion, the group discussed a harrowing, but still kind of funny story, in great detail. What you’re about to read is a back and forth that took place between Scott and Zahn, as they recalled the event:

This particular moment happened during the shooting of the State Fair sequences that saw That Thing You Do’s cast playing deep cuts like “Dance With Me Tonight” to a huge crowd of extras, and making movie history in the process. But thankfully, that history didn’t include Steve Zahn getting taken out by a crane and instead, saw Zahn fighting through a 103 degree fever to perform one-liners about pigging competitions and how his “first boy-girl thing” happened to be connected to Diane Dane.

During their reunion, the men known as The Wonders also paid charitable tribute to the late Adam Schelsinger, the songwriter who gave the film its titular hit. His recent passing was the catalyst behind getting the film’s cast together again, leading to a night of reverent tribute and hysterical commentary.

With the recent trend of watch parties in isolation taking off, there are sure to be more reunions that divulge such interesting behind-the-scenes stories as the ones the That Thing You Do cast shared. But none of them are going to involve Steve Zahn, a Swiss crane crash, and a hit song that’s still melting hearts to this very day. Advantage: The Wonders.

That Thing You Do is available to stream through Cinemax and can be purchased or rented on Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. A MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund has also been established. Those interested can also donate through a high roller bid on a first pressing for the future Mondo vinyl release of the soundtrack.

To the majority of us, Steve Zahn will always be known as Lenny, the sarcastic guitar player from Tom Hanks' delightful directorial debut, That Thing You Do! But parents reading this may also recognize Zahn for his work as the beleaguered father Frank Heffley in a trio of Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. Which is why I found it so funny that, with Zahn's time in the Wimpy Kid franchise coming to a close, he's being replaced by fellow That Thing You Do! band member Tom Everett Scott.

Scott is poised to begin playing Frank Heffley in a soft reboot of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise, which will adapt The Long Haul into a family-friendly movie, due out later this year. When I sat down with Steve Zahn recently to discuss his work in War for the Planet of the Apes, we talked Wimpy Kid, where he revealed with joy what he loves most about his replacement:

His quote, while awesome, doesn't quite convey the enthusiasm that Steve Zahn has for Tom Everett Scott replacing him in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid franchise. Thankfully, we have video!

For three straight years, from 2010 to 2012, Steve Zahn held a cushy gig as the frazzled father in the backgrounds of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies. He and Rachael Harris held court as loving and supportive parents, but the problem with the series is that the young cast was destined to age out of the main parts.

Enter Jason Drucker, the young kid who has been cast as Greg in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, the fourth movie based on the books of Jeff Kinney, though one with an entirely new cast. In the process, Tom Scott and Alicia Silverstone have replaced Steve Zahn and Rachael Harris as the heads of the Heffley household. Zahn, adorably, couldn't be happier for his old band mate.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul hits theaters on May 19, while Zahn's War for the Planet of the Apes opens on July 14. Which ones are you going to see?

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

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

Tom Everett Scott

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

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

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

Liv Tyler

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

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

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

Johnathon Schaech

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

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

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

Steve Zahn

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

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

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

Ethan Embry

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

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

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

Tom Hanks

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

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

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

Charlize Theron

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

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

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

Giovanni Ribisi

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

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

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

Rita Wilson

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

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

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

Paul Feig

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

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

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

Bryan Cranston

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

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

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

Kevin Pollak

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

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

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

It’s been known for quite some time that Pixar’s upcoming The Good Dinosaur experienced a bevy of behind-the-scenes creative clashes. The studio made an abrupt director swap and overhauled the entire script, creating delays that cost the film its original 2014 release window. In the latest development, it has been revealed that the extent of its changes went even further, replacing nearly every member of its voice cast.

According to an official reveal, the voice cast that we knew of The Good Dinosaur is now as extinct as the film’s titular clade. Save for Frances McDormand, the vocal performances that previously included Lucas Neff, Neil Patrick Harris, John Lithgow, Bill Hader, and Judy Greer have been nixed. It’s actually a rather shocking revelation, especially considering that, apparently without this critical piece of context, the film’s debut teaser trailer hit just one week ago.

As of now, the official cast for The Good Dinosaur centers on 13-year-old Raymond Ochoa, replacing Lucas Neff as the film’s 70-foot-long Apatosaurus protagonist named Arlo. Coming from a quartet of brothers who are also working actors, Ochoa has made a number of live-action television appearances on shows like The Night Shift and Rizzoli & Isles. He is primarily known for voice work in notable animated features like Monsters University, Mars Needs Moms, and Disney’s A Christmas Carol, however, this role as the titular character in a major Pixar feature is clearly a step up in noteworthiness.

Filling out the rest of the cast, we have Jeffrey Wright as Poppa, Arlo’s father, Anna Paquin as a T-Rex named Ramsey, Sam Elliott as a T-Rex named Butch, Steve Zahn as a pterodactyl named Thunderclap, AJ Buckley as a T-Rex named Nash, Marcus Scribner as Arlo’s brother Buck, and Jack Bright as Arlo’s adopted human pet/friend, Spot. Additionally, in what appears to be the only remaining original cast member, Frances McDormand voices Arlo’s mother.

This surprising cast replacement seems to be the culmination of what was a creative crisis at Pixar over The Good Dinosaur that saw previous director Bob Peterson removed, later replaced by current director Peter Sohn. Yet the project also proved to be exceptionally difficult for a number of big brass at Pixar, rendering it somewhat of a hot potato, passed around from one creative maestro to the next. In fact, the delays were so egregious that the deferment of its 2014 date caused the studio to actually sit out a whole year without a new release; something that they had not done since 2005.

Based on what was said last year by now-former cast member John Lithgow, the script went from simple alterations to the point of being rewritten entirely, requiring the voice cast to re-record their performances. How little did we know. In fact, Lithgow seemed to have every intention on returning to voice what he called a "completely reimagined" story and even expressed excitement over the new, completely altered script. Today’s reveal confirms that these encore performances never came to fruition.

Of course, Pixar has every intention making up for their 2014 inertia, starting with the buzz-worthy, psychologically satirical journey into the mind of a young girl, Inside Out, which hits theaters next week on June 19. Five short months later, The Good Dinosaur looks to prove the old adage, "better late than never," when their hypothetical world of extinction-avoiding dinosaurs hits theaters on November 25.

Friends fans may be gearing up for a massive 2015 binge-watch, as the beloved NBC comedy series is about to make its streaming debut on Netflix. Those die-hard Friends fans may already have a mental catalog of talented actors who've crossed the threshold of Central Perk, but if it's been a while since you've watched the show, you may be surprised to spot some familiar faces, who weren't so familiar back during the show's original run. It's with that in mind that we've compiled a list of actors to keep an eye your for as you make your way through ten seasons of Friends greatness.

Just to get this out of the way, this list excludes big guest stars eg. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, Christina Applegate, Reese Witherspoon, Noah Wyle, Morgan Fairchild, Teri Garr. etc -- as these are people you likely recognized when the show originally aired. We're also excluding those actors who appeared in more than two episodes, (but be sure to check out the last page for that little cheat sheet!)...

Spoiler alert: This list contains spoilers from the plot of Friends, so if you haven't seen the series yet, skip the text!

Mae Whitman

Long before she was playing Amber Holt in Parenthood and blanding it up as Ann Veal on Arrested Development, Mae Whitman dropped in for an episode of Friends ("The One Where Rachel Quits") to play the adorable Sarah Tuttle, a Brown Bird girl who breaks her leg, resulting in Ross having to help her sell cookies...

While Whitman was just getting her start as an actor during this time in her life, this was hardly her first role. By the time the Friends episode aired, she'd already played the president's daughter in Independence Day and little Michele in the Paul Reiser feature comedy Bye Bye Love.

Hugh Laurie

Remember the one where Rachel sat next to Hugh Laurie on a plane? Possibly not, as he wasn't nearly as well known in the U.S. when "The One with Ross's Wedding" aired in 1998, as he would go on to be thanks to House. See what "Man on Airplane" had to say to Rachel when she was explaining her plans to tell Ross she loves him as he's about to marry Emily...

The best part about the above clip is when he refers to Phoebe as "your friend 'Pheebs'."

Hugh Laurie has a lengthy list of credits in the 1980s and '90s, including Blackadder, so it's not as though he was a complete unknown when he sat next to Rachel on that airplane. Less than a decade later, Laurie would go to win two Golden Globes for his performance as Dr. Gregory House in Fox's House.

Kristin Davis

Kristin Davis dropped by Friends for "The One with Ross's Library Book" in 2000. In the episode, she plays Erin, a woman who dates Joey and hits it off with him pretty well. Of course, the relationship doesn't last...

Davis' inclusion on this list is borderline in terms of her fame. After all, Sex and the City was on the air for two seasons by 2000, and Davis also had Melrose Place and General Hospital under her belt by this time. With that said, Sex and the City was only still beginning to blow up at HBO, so it counts. Plus, Davis can boast appearances in both Friends and Seinfeld, which seems like a notable must-see-TV accomplishment (see also, Christine Taylor, Jennifer Coolidge, Jon Lovitz, Jason Alexander and a handful of other actors.).

Ron Glass

If you know Friends well enough then you know that Ross sometimes gets married. Just as often, he gets divorced. Following his third marriage -- his unplanned nuptials to Rachel in Las Vegas -- Ross went to see his attorney, who's played by Ron Glass. You may know him best for playing the wise preacher Shepherd Book in Firefly, but before that, he dropped in for two episodes of Friends, including "The One Where Ross Hugged Rachel"...

Ron Glass was hardly new to acting when he appeared in Friends. Prior to the 1999 appearances in the NBC sitcom, his credits included Barney Miller, Teen Angel, Mr. Rhodes and Rhythm & Blues, not to mention an appearance in 227, The Twilight Zone and -- Book would approve: -- Amen.

Steve Zahn

A year before Steve Zahn would go on to blow our minds as The Oneders guitarist Lenny Haise in That Thing You Do!, Steve Zahn appeared in Friends as Phoebe's figure-skating "husband." Watch him reveal the awkward truth about his sexuality in this clip...

Steve Zahn's acting career was on the rise when he appeared in Friends "The One with Pheobe's Husband." At this point, he had Reality Bites and Crimson Tide under his belt, and he was on his way to appearing in the mentioned Tom Hanks film, as well as You've Got Mail, Hamlet and the creepy Paul Walker horror-thriller Joy Ride. Much more recently, you may have seen him in Treme, Mind Games or playing the Dunphy's new neighbor in Modern Family.

Dan Bucatinsky

Maybe you know him as Cyrus' husband James Novak from Scandal, or Kevin 2 from Marry Me, but once upon a Friends episode, Dan Bucatinsky was just a "Waiter" in "The One with Phoebe's Birthday Dinner."

As recognizable as he may be for his on-screen roles, since Friends aired, Dan Bucatinsky has actually teamed up with Lisa Kudrow to produce a number of TV projects, including Web Therapy, Who Do You Think You Are? and most recently, The Comeback, in which he also plays the role; that of Billy Stanton, Kudrow's character's high-strung manager.

TJ Thyne

Blink and you'll miss T.J. Thyne's brief appearance in Friends. But you won't miss it because it's one of the funnier moments in Friends' milestone episode, "The One Hundredth," which has Phoebe going into labor with her brother's triplets. For about two seconds, Thyne plays Phoebe's doctor, Dr. Howser Oberman...

Playing a guy with a lot of education is something Thyne excels at. Just catch his appearances in Erin Brockovich or Angel for evidence of that. These days, Thyne is likely best recognizable as Dr. Jack Hodgins in Fox's Bones.

Dakota Fanning

Around the time that Friends was drawing to a close, Dakota Fanning appeared in the role of Mackenzie in "The One with Princess Consuela." Watch her in all of her adorableness she interacts with Joey...

Fanning was building up the credits at this point in her career, having already starred in the sci-fi TV miniseries Taken, as well as starring opposite Brittany Murphy in Uptown Girls. 2004 was also the year she starred in Man on Fire, so she was very clearly on her way up. In more recent years, she played Jane in some of the Twilight movies, Effie Gray, Every Secret Thing and The Last of Robin Hood.

Ellen Pompeo

Not long before Ellen Pompeo got her big break as Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy, she scored herself the part of Missy Goldberg in Friends. As you'll see in the clip, she plays a woman who knew Ross and Chandler in their college days...

At this point in Pompeo's career, she'd already appeared in Old School, Daredevil and Catch Me if You Can. In the year following her Friends appearance, Pompeo took on the part of Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy, which is where she's been for nearly a decade. The series remains a massive hit for ABC.

Penn Jillette

Penn Jillette may be the only person on this list that can credit himself a magician, juggler, comedian, musician, actor and author, who also happened to appear in Friends as... an encyclopedia salesman...

The great thing about Penn Jillette is that you never really know where he's going to show up. In the 90s, it might be Babylon 5 or Sabrina, The Teenage Witch. More recently it might be Celebrity Apprentice or Alpha House. In Friends, he had volumes of encyclopedias for sale and Joey just so happened to have a lot of time on his hands.

Jim Rash

When he appeared in "The Last One," Jim Rash wasn't the familiar face and Oscar winner that he is today. Back then, he was another plane passenger stuck sitting next to Rachel Green. Except, instead of hearing all about her plans to break up Ross's wedding, this flight had Rachel sharing Phoebe's fake warning about a busted phalange, which set Rash's character off into a full-on panic...

Anyone who knows Friends knows Phoebe loves the word phalange. And anyone who knows Community likely has no trouble recognizing Jim Rash now, as he plays the dean in the once-NBC series. Rash also nabbed himself an Oscar for penning The Descendants, so there's that too...

Remember how we said we were sticking to actors who only appeared in one or two episodes of Friends? Well, let's take a moment to celebrate some of the other very recognizable faces who appeared in longer arcs on the series.... Here are some familiar faces who appeared in bigger arcs in the series. Most are people who dated one of the lead characters on the show, though you'll also find Chandler's crazy roommate Eddie, and the the birth mother to Chandler and Monica's twins, Erica...

Jon Favreau (as Pete Becker)

Michael Rapaport (as Gary)

Hank Azaria (as David)

Paul Rudd (as Mike)

Aisha Tyler (as Charlie Wheeler)

Paget Brewster (as Kathy)

Adam Goldberg (as Eddie)

Christine Taylor (as Bonnie)

Anna Faris (as Erica)

Tate Donovan (as Joshua)

With its most recent Pilot Season currently taking viewers’ votes, Amazon Studios is quickly putting the pieces together for its next set of potential series. The Shield creator Shawn Ryan’s U.S. adaptation of the British psychological thriller Mad Dogs is one of those pilots, and it has locked down a good part of its friendly main cast, bringing in Think Like a Man Too’s Romany Malco, Treme’s Steve Zahn and British actor Ben Chaplin, who also starred in the original. Rest assured Mad Dogs will take these actors into some pretty wild directions, as Shawn Ryan series are known for larger-than-life consequences.

The darkly comedic tale involves four former frat brothers who take a trip out to Belize to reunite with an affluent college friend. What sounds like a picturesque vacation quickly enters a downward and deadly spiral where anything that can go wrong does go wrong. It’s like this show was inspired by my Charlie Brownish life, with 100% more Belize, psycho gang leaders and conspiracies.

Cobi (Zahn) is a comical 40-something financial adviser who tries too hard to act below his age by highlighting his hair and adapting an “Abercrombie style,” according to THR. Gus (Malco), a struggling antiques dealer, lost his career as an attorney in a malpractice lawsuit, and is currently on the wrong end of a divorce, which is damaging his relationship with his teen daughters. Joel (Chaplin) is the oldest guy in the group, with a personality that sounds manic-depressive, as he can be very funny but is also quick to get angry and melancholy. Here’s a shot of Chaplin from the miniseries World Without End, so you’ve got his image in your brain.

Cobi’s wife Helena was Joel’s old flame, and he’s also not in touch with his wife and kids, which makes this guy sound like a real put-together hombre. There are two main characters left to cast: the as-yet-undescribed Lex, and Milo, the wealthy friend living in Belize, whose fate hangs in the balance.

Ryan originally had Mad Dogs set up with FX, but took the Amazon deal when it came along. Cris Cole, the creator of the original series, wrote the script for this version and will be executive producing along with Ryan. Charles McDougall (The Office, House of Cards) will be handling directorial duties.

All in all, these are solid actors for a series of this fashion, where the characters aren’t major badasses but simply dudes trying to get the hell out of harm’s way. Malco did that for a few years on Showtime’s Weeds, and is now in the Kevin Hart game, co-starring with the actor in the BET spoof series Real Husbands of Hollywood and ABC’s recent comedy pilot Keep It Together. Zahn, who’s got an upcoming spot on Modern Family this season, was most recently in Dallas Buyers Club on the big screen and ABC’s shortlived Mind Games on the small screen. Chaplin recently guest-starred on an episode of HBO's Doll & Em, and has upcoming roles in Disney’s live-action Cinderella, Alejandro Monteverde’s ensemble comedic drama Little Boy and Clement Virgo’s historical drama The Book of Negroes.

Will Mad Dogs be good enough to make it to a full series? Discover and vote for yourself when Amazon debuts its next Pilot Season.

NSFW Warning: One F-bomb is muttered in the clip below, but you can take it.

If there are two things that are more fitting together than getting dumped and drinking liquor straight out of the bottle, it’s drinking liquor straight from the bottle and battling an evil succubus. While many films may feature the former, the only recent film where you’ll see a bunch of slightly nerdy people take on an evil succubus is in the comedy horror Knights of Badassdom, the long-delayed sophomore feature from Wrong Turn 2 director Joe Lynch. I feel I may start trying to slay things was an immersion blender if I don’t get my eyeballs on this movie soon.

We were granted the exclusive clip seen above, which features Ryan Kwanten’s non-geeky Joe suffering after getting his heart broken by Beth (Margarita Levieva). We know this because he’s playing a power ballad on guitar, and dudes only play ballads when they’re heartsick, yo. Eric (Steve Zahn) and Hung (Peter Dinklage) try to pick their friend up from his woe-filled slump by telling him he’s better off without her. You can tell Eric is into gaming because he refers to "warlocks" and "levels" in the same sentence. I’m assuming this scene leads into the guys talking Joe into accompanying them to their fully-formed LARP event happening later on. All in all, it’s exactly what I need out of a scene like this. Dinklage, buddies and light exposition.

Would it have been cooler if that picture frame would have exploded when it would have been hit? Sure, but they have to build up to that kind of mayhem, don’t they? What’s nice about this particular brand of lovingly made low-budget film is the set design is nearly always packed with details, and Joe’s room is a buffet of posters, lava lamps and CD stands. It’ll be great to focus on the costume details once everyone is in gear for a while. And this concludes my own adventure into geeking out.

The plot centers on this group of friends whose LARPing quest through the Middle Ages takes a hellish turn once an ancient spirit is accidentally conjured up. The Fields of Evermore become a host to many creatures and demons, and the human players have to find the best of themselves in order to defeat the dark enemy and save the world. Plus a bunch of rad CGI and R-rated heroic humor. It screams "cult movie" in almost every way, down to the kerfuffle over the film cut, but one hopes it becomes so popular and mainstream that the cult label can’t even be applied.

The film will hit VOD on February 11, but first comes its limited theatrical run, for which they’re utilizing TUGG, the service that encourages individual moviegoers to host screenings in their own cities. Head to their Facebook page to see if your city is already on the list. You’ll even get a discount on the Blu-ray or DVD if you attend or host one of the shows.

After you watch the other recent clip below, check out the intriguing Facebook quest game they’re running as a promotion.

Huzzah! For everyone who has shown godly amounts of tempered patience while waiting for Joe Lynch’s Knights of Badassdom to get a release date, the above announcement video is the first step towards celebrations of a massive scale. Will the joy be as boundless as star Peter Dinklage’s talent, or merely as big as a full-scale LARP experience? One thing’s for sure: you’d better wear some protection when heading out to theaters to catch this one, and I’m not talking about condoms.

It’s been a long and delay-filled road since Lynch wrapped production on the raunchy fantasy adventure back in 2010, as it failed to find a proper distributor until Entertainment One acquired the film in July to rousing cheers of, "It’s about time!" Though the clip, courtesy of the film’s official website, doesn’t introduce much new material, it’s still filled with enough guitar riffs, vengeful sneers and mighty roars to justify the anticipation that this fringe comedy has earned.

We’re introduced to the titular badassery of Dinklage’s Hung, Ryan Kwanten’s Joe, Summer Glau’s Gwen and Steve Zahn’s Eric; they’re part of a team of live action role-players (LARPers) who accidentally find themselves on the opposite end of genuine danger once a faux wizard casts a legitimate spell that unleashes a demon with a hunger for blood and souls. It is going to be amazing to watch these characters change from nerdy fanatics to certifiable heroes as they use their skills for more than just personal pride. Even though it’s the first script from Matt Wall and Kevin Dreyfuss, the subject matter would be ripe for cult fandom even if it didn’t already look so great.

The stellar cast is rounded out by Joshua Malina (Scandal), Danny Pudi (Community), Margarita Levieva (Revenge), W. Earl Brown (Deadwood) and Jimmi Simpson, who doesn’t do nearly enough comedy outside of his hilariously uncomfortable role on FX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Thy wait is over! Knights of Badassdom hits theaters on January 21, with a VOD release coming just a few weeks later on February 11. After relishing the trailer below, relive the 2011 Comic Con panel that played a good part in developing such a rabid fanbase. Let us know how excited you are for this movie by punching our comment board in the face!

As a frontman of the rock band 30 Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto is no novice when it comes to sporting eyeliner. But for his role in Jean-Marc Vallée's based-on-a-true-story drama The Dallas Buyers Club Leto was asked take his androgyny act a few steps farther, playing an AIDS-afflicted cross-dresser called Rayon. Inspired by the true story of Ron Woodroof, the film centers on the womanizing, drug guzzling, homophobic AIDS patient, who is forced to smuggle drugs into the United States illegally to get the medicine he needs to survive.

This drama recently drew headlines for the dramatic weight loss Matthew McConaughey underwent to play Woodroof, and now E! has a photo of Leto's look for the feature, which you can see below:

Rayon becomes an unexpected ally to Woodroof, and it's suggested helps him traffic the life-saving but illegal antiviral drugs across U.S. borders. To be frank, I'm kind of stunned at how busted the typically handsome Leto looks in drag, but it's worth remembering he is meant to be a person suffering from the HIV virus and eluding the law, which could explain the gauntness and slashed stockings respectively. But really, no one could make that mangy jacket look good.

With the film officially in production in New Orleans, we have word that Steve Zahn and Dallas Roberts have joined the cast that also includes Jennifer Garner as a doctor helping Woodruff find alternative treatments. Variety reports Roberts, who recently appeared opposite Liam Neeson in The Grey, will play Woodruff's defense attorney David Wayne, who famously fought for the FDA to allow AIDS patients to access to Peptide T and Fluconazole. Zahn, who is always a welcomed presence, will portray a Dallas cop who looks the other way on Woodruff's smuggling as he sympathizes, having a father afflicted with Alzheimer's.

The Dallas Buyers Club is slated to hit theaters in 2013.

If you saw Role Models then you know all about LARP. It’s an acronym for Live Action Role Play, which is what those people you saw in the park swordfighting while dressed up as knights were doing. Role Models proved watching grown men play let’s make believe can be a hell of a lot of fun on screen, and Knights of Badassdom promises to take that concept to a whole new level.

Here’s the first ever trailer for Knights of Badassdom, as it debuted at the San Diego Comic Con today. The movie stars the greatness of Peter Dinklage, Steve Zahn, Summer Glau, and True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten in the story of three friends to go LARPing and accidentally summon a real demon. Watch:

I’m in. I’ll follow Peter Dinklage anywhere, but I’m even happier about following him when it’s into something that looks this cool. They seem to have found a good balance between nerdy funny and absolute, actual badassness. I’d say the title’s pretty appropriate.

Knights of Badassdom doesn’t have a release date yet, but get more info on it through our Blend Film Database.

What’s it like being 19-years-old hanging out on a film set with a bunch of 12-year-olds? Sugar-packed, of course, but also a ton of fun. The majority of Devon Bostick’s co-stars in Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules might be nearly half his age, but Bostick had to watch his back; these were some pretty smart kids he was working with.

In Rodrick Rules, the sequel to last year’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Bostick reprises his role as Rodrick, Greg Heffley’s big brother who enjoys bullying his little bro day and night. When the sibling rivalry between the two peaks, mom (Rachael Harris) steps in and arranges a plan to entice them to work out their differences. “Mom bucks,” rewarding the boys for spending time together with monopoly money, might not be particularly effective, but leaving them home alone certainly is. Their night of freedom does bring the boys closer together, but only because they’ve got to work together to cover up the mess they make.

This time around, Wimpy Kid is a monumentally different film for Bostick. Whereas last year, we watched as Rodrick popped up now and again to give Greg a hard time, in Rodrick Rules, he’s as much of a primary character as Greg. While the opportunity to lead such a big production was a major milestone for Bostick, the hefty duty came with some concerns, too. However, with his friends by his side and the support of a cast and crew that’s practically become a family to him, Bostick seized the opportunity and had a blast doing so.

Hear all about his experience making Rodrick Rules, Bostick’s plans for the future and even a little something about The Hunger Games in the video interview below.

It’s quite clear that producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson know what to do when they have a potential franchise in the palm of their hands. The duo brought us the very first book-to-screen adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s beloved book, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, in March of 2010 and they’re already gearing up to release the second on March 25th, barely a year after the release of the original. Jacobson and Simpson clearly had a plan in mind should the first film be a success and, according to one of the film’s stars, Devon Bostick, the same is true this time around.

During our one-on-one interview with Bostick, who plays Greg’s bullying older brother Rodrick, Wimpy Kid 3 came up a number of times. He had no problem spilling details on what the third film would entail, but watched his words when the concept of being contractually obligated to doing another film arose. Still, Bostick is confident a third film will happen; in fact, he’s 90% sure of it and guaranteed that the producers are already working on the plan. Check out what he had to say about the potential of Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3 in the video below.

It's clear that Steve Zahn and Milla Jovovich had a blast making A Perfect Getaway. The pair of them, maybe a little loopy from endless interviews, maybe just happy to be back in each others company, enter a roundtable interview already in giggles, and proceed to rag on each other and joke around throughout the entire interview. After all the intensity and violence of A Perfect Getaway, it's quite fun to see the two of them joke around.

I can't tell you much about that intensity and violence, because halfway through A Perfect Getaway comes a twist that gives away everything. Instead, jut read about Zahn and Jovovich-- who play newlyweds Cliff and Cydney in the film--getting drenched by rain machines on the set, enjoying being typecast, and Jovovich refusing to get in on the action. A Perfect Getaway opens nationwide today.

When you first read the script and came to the twist, what was your reaction?

Steve: When I read the script, I was completely thrown by it. When reading scripts, usually 5-10 pages into it you're pretty clued in. The other thing I loved about it was nature, and the idea of the trail, and just 8 people. That's something I thought, 2 hours of 8 people, how do you sustain the suspense, how do you keep this going? And you really do it by simplifying.

Did you guys choose these character to subvert the roles you've played before?

Milla:Yeah, the main reason i went on board-- well, apart from the fact that the script was one of those super-quick reads, and you always know if it takes you 3 days to read a script, it's not the thing to do . A good script, you shoudl be able to read it all at once. For me personally, for most of the film I just get to be a nice, normal girl, which is probably the most screentime I've spent in my life being nice and normal. Even though it all takes a dark turn in the end, I got to sort of be myself.

Steve: The whole idea of, you know, people are used to seeing me in a certain way and screwing with it a little bit, that's why [I took it].>

Steve, I read something a while ago where you said you were tired of being pigeonholed as the funny flake.

Steve: No, I said the opposite. I've always said, I've never felt-- what a great thing to be pigeonholed in this industry, and isn't that a goal?

Milla: It's great, I'm actually working-- they found a place for me. It's wonderful.

Steve: Those are parts that I gravitated towards, because I always found them to be more interesting. That's the guy who, if I was watching the movie, I'd like that guy. You don't have to seek those roles as much, because they automatically happen, because you just get older. You're no longer the young pothead-- you're the dad who's an older pothead.

Milla: I'm 33 I'm a mom-- it's definitely relaxed me a lot. When I was in my early 20s, it was like [tortured voice] 'I'm being pigeonholed, and I'm an artist.' After you have a baby, if she's OK, if she's not sick, she's eating well. Everything else it's like, pigeonhole me, please! You want to pigeonhole me as an action person, go right ahead. If you want to as an actor, you can always do smaller independent film, play more of a character.

What were the challenges of filming outdoors, in the rain and in the jungle?

Milla: Definitely we had that rain. And that was hilarious too, because we had to match it, so they brought the rain machine. But rain machines don't ever do normal rain. In literally two seconds, you were in like a shower. Rain pouring down my nose, and I'm trying to talk.

Steve:Technically, it really was a tough thing. And you're in the jungle and everyone's in shorts and T-shirts, and you're in the third stage of hypothermia. They're like 'You're cold?' But it's so much better than sitting in a stage. And it's so much more fun.

Milla, is the physical stuff second nature to you at this point?

Milla: I didn't really do much of the physical stuff in this movie, that's one of the reasons I took it. I had just had a baby four months before, so I was like, 'David, I'm 165 pounds. I'm not the girl that you have seen in films, at all. I'll send you some pictures of what I look like, and you can decide.' And he said, no, I think it's better, you look more like a normal girl. But I was pretty adamant that I wasn't going to do any training, or kayaking. This isn't Resident Evil-- I can play my part and call it a day.