If you look up what genre We Need to Talk About Kevin is in, you'll find it under “psychological drama.” However, much like I’d consider Mulholland Drive a horror movie, even though it’s categorized as a “mystery film,” I’d say the same thing about Kevin, as it’s straight-up horror.

In fact, I actually think WNtTAK is one of the greatest horror movies of all time that pretty much nobody talks about. Sure, I know most people wouldn’t put it on a list of the best horror movies of all time, but that’s only because many people seem to overlook “realistic horror,” such as If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (which is another great “horror” movie).

So, here’s why more people should, er, talk about We Need to Talk About Kevin.

I Think This Movie Hits Differently If You're A Parent

The premise of this movie is an uncomfortable one, especially if you’re a parent. It poses the question: What if your child is a sociopath? The movie plays with that idea and whether it’s really nature vs. nurture, but the film ultimately leans more toward the nature side. That is despite Tilda Swinton’s character, Eve, getting so mad at her child in one scene that she throws him against a wall and breaks his arm.

However, I’m getting ahead of myself. The book-to-screen adaptation is based on the novel of the same name by Lionel Shriver (a woman), and directed by Lynne Ramsay (another woman, which is cool, since this movie has a woman’s perspective), We Need to Talk About Kevin is about a mother named Eve who doesn’t know how to relate to her son, Kevin, (Ezra Miller), who seems…troubled. Kevin’s father (John C. Reilly) doesn’t believe his wife’s concerns, and even buys him a bow and arrow as a gift.

Tragically, Kevin goes on a school “shooting” with his arrows, killing several classmates. The film deals with Eve’s role in all of this, and how the town views her. It’s harrowing, thought-provoking stuff, and truly horrific, which I’ll get into next.

It's The Way That The Story Progresses That Is Truly Horrifying

What really sets WNtTAK apart from other horror movies is its nonlinear plot. We get a deeply depressed Eve basically wandering through life after what her son did to so many people, as the town blames her for giving birth to a monster.

We then see the story progress from Kevin’s youth and his relationship with his mother. Kevin never seems happy, and his mother doesn’t understand why, even despite her many efforts to connect with him. At first, she thinks it’s her fault, but then she starts to worry that perhaps it’s not actually her, but that maybe her son has a mental illness (In fact, this is actually a great movie about such a condition).

The scariest part, though, is watching Kevin’s progression, and how distant and sinister he becomes. I don’t want to spoil the movie for you just in case you haven’t seen it, but it ends on such a sour, disturbing note that you really get a sense that all of the events that occur were probably inevitable.

In The End, I Feel Like This Is A Mostly Untalked About Gem, And A Cautionary Tale

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a cautionary tale about…becoming a parent. I’m serious! Though many have wonderful experiences with having children and can offer sage-like advice, other parents really do go through hell with their kids.

It’s not enough for people to say, “Well, if you love and take care of your child, then they’ll turn out okay,” as that’s not always the case. Because sometimes, you can do everything you can for your children, and they still turn out hurting others.

WNtTAK is a horrific film that I think more people should talk about. Just keep this in mind, though: Much like parenting itself, it’s not for the faint of heart.

2027 will mark the 30th anniversary Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’s release, the book that launched what we now know as the Wizarding World franchise. That makes it all the more appropriate that in the same year, J.K. Rowling’s fantasy saga will also be adapted for the small screen. HBO’s Harry Potter TV show is still filming its first season, and 2025 was peppered with announcements about actors joining the series. Now there’s a new casting rumor for this upcoming book-to-screen adaptation making that rounds that really has my attention.

As we continue to linger in the early days of 2026, Deadline is hearing rumblings about Tilda Swinton being eyed to play Voldemort in the Harry Potter TV show. Voldemort, a.k.a. Tom Riddle, is, of course, the main antagonist of the original Harry Potter books and movies. Following Ian Hart voicing Voldemort in The Sorcerer’s Stone movie and Christian Coulson playing a teenaged Tom Riddle in The Chamber of Secrets, Ralph Fiennes portrayed The Dark Lord in The Goblet of Fire, The Order of the Phoenix and both parts of The Deathly Hallows. Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Frank Dillane also played younger versions of Tom in The Half-Blood Prince.

Gender-bending characters from existing source material has become common in film and TV adaptations in recent years, and Tilda Swinton, most recently seen starring in the Colin Farrell-led thriller Ballad of a Small Player, already has experience with this. She previously played a white female version of The Ancient One, who’s depicted as an Asian man in the comics, in Doctor Strange and Avengers: Endgame. So the prospect of Swinton playing Voldemort on this Harry Potter TV show isn’t unprecedented, and she also already has fantasy cred from playing the White Witch in the first two Chronicles of Narnia movies.

But like I’ve already said, this is just a rumor, so don’t get too excited. However, with the TV show expected to air early on in 2025, we’ll likely learn sometime this year who has been cast as Voldemort. If it does indeed end up being Tilda Swinton, I’ll definitely be interested to see how her take on the antagonist both differs from Ralph Fiennes’ version (besides being a woman), yet is still faithful to how he’s depicted on the printed page.

As far as actors we do know will be in the Harry Potter TV show, the core trio of Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger will be respectively played by Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton. The rest of the main cast will consist of John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Papa Essiedu as Severus Snape and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, and there are many recurring players who’ve been announced. That includes Warwick Davis reprising the role of Filius Flitwick from the movies.

Keep checking back with CinemaBlend for updates on how the Harry Potter TV show is coming along, including whether or not this Tilda Swinton rumor pans out. The idea of her being made up to have the same kind of snake face that Ralph Fiennes did in the movies sounds strangely fascinating. You can also stream the movies either either an HBO Max subscription or Peacock subscription.

Last year audiences were thrilled by the fictionalized look at the inner workings of choosing a new pope in Conclave — one of the best movies of 2024, in our opinion — and now director Edward Berger is back with an offering for the 2025 movie calendar. Colin Farrell stars in Ballad of a Small Player as a gambling addict who’s offered a lifeline when it comes time to pay his debts, and critics have shared their views as the psychological thriller hits streaming.

Ballad of a Small Player saw a limited run in theaters before premiering on the Netflix schedule on October 29, so as it hits streaming, let’s see if this is one we’ll be adding to our watchlist. Jacob Oller of AV Club gives it a C, saying its gambling fable is “garish” and “clichéd,” while Farrell’s Lord Doyle is underdeveloped, forcing the actor to overcompensate. The critic continues:

Barry Levitt of Empire gives it 2 stars out of 5, saying that while Colin Farrell is great and the film is a visual treat, Ballad of a Small Player is “an impenetrable story of redemption that’s both too obvious and too baffling.” Levitt writes:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire writes that it sounds like a decent premise on paper, but ultimately the movie is like its main character — defeated and desperate for a win. He also grades it a C and says:

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com gives it just 1.5 out of 4 stars, calling it one of the most over-directed movies he’s ever seen. Considering the work Colin Farrell and Edward Berger have each done in their careers, this one will not be held in esteem (through no fault of Farrell’s, however). Tallerico says:

Peter Debruge of Variety agrees that the movie becomes tiresome, as Colin Farrell is nearly smothered by Edward Berger’s direction — with either a high-def camera shoved into the actor’s pores or shot from so far away he’s nothing more than a speck, the critic says. Debruge continues:

The critics seem to agree that Colin Farrell gives it his all in Ballad of a Small Player, but as a follow-up to Academy Award Best Picture nominees All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave, this is a disappointment from director Edward Berger.

There were some positives, however, including the neon color palette, bold cinematography and music, so If you’re intrigued by the film, don’t let these reviews stop you. Ballad of a Small Player comes to Netflix on Wednesday, October 29.

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

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

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

Kate Hudson - Alex & Emma

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

Michael J. Fox - Back To The Future Part II

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

Jodie Comer - Free Guy

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

Rory Kinnear - Men

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

Lupita Nyong'o - Us

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

Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood

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

Scarlett Johansson - Astroid City

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

George Burns - Oh, God! You Devil

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

Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin - Big Business

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

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

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

Christian Bale - The Prestige

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

Mel Brooks - History of the World, Part I

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

Tilda Swinton - Suspiria

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

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Man In The Iron Mask

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

Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

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

Arsenio Hall - Coming To America

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

Armie Hammer - The Social Network

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

Graham Chapman - Monty Python And The Holy Grail

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

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

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

Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks!

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

Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap

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

Mike Myers - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

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

Peter Sellers - The Mouse That Roared

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

Margaret Hamilton - The Wizard Of Oz

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

Eddie Murphy - The Nutty Professor

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

Mia Goth - X

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

Richard Pryor - Which Way Is Up?

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

Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Cigarettes

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

Tom Hardy - Legend

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

Hilary Duff - The Lizzie McGuire Movie

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

Adam Sandler - Jack And Jill

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

Tilda Swinton has been a leading lady in big Hollywood movies for a while now, starring in Michael Clayton, Doctor Strange and Constantine, to name a few. After so many brushes with celebrity, it may surprise you to know that Swinton is still overwhelmed by the glamour of it all. The actress recently opened up about attending an event where Angelina Jolie was also present, and revealed she was too nervous to say hello. Well, apparently Jolie was feeling the same way.

Both actresses took part in The Hollywood Reporter’s annual roundtable discussion where some of the performers from the best films of 2024 discussed their acting process and what they’ve learned from Hollywood. Swinton was included for her work in Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, as well as her musical film The End. Jolie was also invited for her critically acclaimed performance in Maria. Swinton recalled a time where she initially bonded with Almodóvar because they both felt like outsiders at a big celebrity event. Swinton said:

Swinton has likely been invited to dozens of fancy star-studded events, so it’s surprising to hear she was so enamoured by the whole thing. She was too nervous to talk to anyone else and ended up standing in the corner for most of the night. Jolie then said that she wishes Swinton had come over and talked to her, as she often feels lonely at events like this. The Girl, Interrupted star, who is frequently candid about her Hollywood experience, explained:

Swinton clearly felt a kinship with the fellow actress in the moment, because it turns out they were both nervous and intimidated to talk to each other, so they refrained from talking at all. Swinton pointed out how human such a moment was, as people in general can be shy, no matter how famous or glamorous. She said:

I guess even famous people get overwhelmed by other famous people, showing how these events can still be awkward even when filled with the most charismatic and talented people in the world. This may have been a turning point for the two actresses, who seemingly have a lot in common. If they ever find themselves in a similar situation once again, they’ll likely be more keen on approaching each other and bonding over the shared experience. This goes to show that you never know what someone else may be feeling, even if they may seem like the most popular person in the room.

You can see Tilda Swinton in her new film The Room Next Door, which is now playing in select theaters nationwide. Fans can also see fellow introvert Angelina Jolie give one of her best performances in Maria, which is currently available to stream with a Netflix subscription. For more information on other buzzy titles heading to streaming and cinemas this year, make sure to consult our 2025 movie release schedule.

Great actors don't need a lot of makeup or total body transformations to improve their performance, but when you get the combination of a great and those things, the effect can be amazing. Sometimes the effect is so good the actors become completely unrecognizable, like the examples in this list where actors like Jared Leto and Gary Oldman were completely transformed for roles.

Jared Leto - House Of Gucci

It's fair to say that House Of Gucci was, at best, an uneven movie. It was a daunting challenge for everyone involved and none more so than Jared Leto. Leto played the legendary Paolo Gucci, and while his accent was a little shaky, his look and his mannerisms were completely on point. It's one heck of a transformation.

Charlize Theron - Monster

There is no more intense transformation for a role than Charlize Theron's performance as real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster. Theron completely embodies the monster that Wuoronos was, while also subtly allowing the audience to understand how the killer became the way she was. Theron rightfully won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the brutal murderer.

Christian Bale - Vice

Christian Bale is one of the best actors of his generation and he's never been afraid to alter his look for a performance. The Machinist is one excellent example, but even that transformation pales in comparison to the way he completely became Dick Cheney in Vice. Not only does he look just like the former vice president, but he nails his speech pattern and mannerisms as well. It's remarkable.

Lily James - Pam & Tommy

When Lily James was cast as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy it raised a few eyebrows. The actress seemed like a complete opposite in every way, especially her looks, as the blonde bombshell. Yet, when the movie came out, people were amazed at how well James pulled it off. No, it's not the best movie, but James was the spitting image of Anderson.

Gary Oldman - True Romance

One actor who is truly a master of disguise is Gary Oldman. He seemingly looks completely different in almost every role he plays. One of the most astounding transformations was early in his career when he played a pimp in True Romance. He literally looks and sounds nothing like himself in the film, to the point where if you didn't know it was him, you'd never guess.

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

You know when a film wins the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Best Actress, the role is going to be special. Such is the case for Jessica Chastain in The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Chastain is completely unrecognizable in the role of the wife of the infamous Jim Bakker and is simply incredible in the movie.

Margot Robbie - I, Tonya

Turning Margot Robbie into a street tough figure skater like Tonya Harding is no easy feet. Through a combination of incredible makeup work and even better acting, Robbie completely disappears into the notorious skater made famous for her part in attacking her rival Nancy Kerrigan before the 1994 Olympics.

Glenn Close - Hook

Steven Spielberg's 1991 Hook isn't generally remembered as the legendary director's best work, but it is chock full of fun cameos and one of the hardest to spot is Glenn Close. The actress plays one of the pirates on Captain Hook's ship and if you don't look closely, you'll never notice the multiple Oscar nominee under the beard and makeup turning her into a male pirate.

Tilda Swinton - Trainwreck

The most remarkable thing about Tilda Swinton's transformation in the rom-com Trainwreck is just how conventional she looks. Swinton has one of the most unique looks in Hollywood and most of the time that look is enhanced by the roles she plays, it's part of what makes her so great. Her "normal" look in Trainwreck is made remarkable by that,

Mike Myers - Bohemian Rhapsody

Mike Myers took a long hiatus from acting in the 2010s and when he returned in Bohemian Rhapsody, audiences had to do a triple-check to make sure it was him in the role of a record executive arguing with Queen about the song that the movie is named after. With sunglasses and a full blonde beard, Myers looked nothing like his normal sense and his performance was excellent.

Colin Farrell - The Batman/The Penguin

When the trailer first dropped for The Batman, people were astounded at how Colin Farrell looked as Penguin. When the movie came out and we all watched his performance, it was even more shocking (in a great way). When he took the role to HBO for the TV show named after the character, we were all completely lost in it, because he was just so great. Though he says the suit and makeup aren't worth it, we have a feeling he'll be back as the Gotham-based villain.

50 Cent - All Things Fall Apart

50 Cent has proven to be quite the actor. The rapper has branched out into producing, even. Perhaps his best performance was as the fallen football star in All Things Fall Apart. His body transformation to play a pro athlete in peak physical condition who falls victim to cancer is incredible

Sarah Paulson - Impeachment: American Crime Story

Sarah Paulson knows how to completely disappear into a role. She was as incredible as Marsha Clark in The People Vs. OJ Simpson and she was even more remarkable as Linda Tripp in Impeachment: American Crime Story. Seriously, if you didn't know it was her, you'd never guess. She looks more like Tripp than Paulson in every way.

Billy Bob Thornton In U-Turn

Billy Bob Thorton is one of the most fun actors to watch in everything he is in. Take, for example, his role in Sling Blade, in which he looks completely different from himself. Another fine example is as the mechanic in U-Turn with Sean Penn. If it wasn't for his distinctive voice, you'd never know it was him.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

For a while there, Eddie Murphy made it his job to look completely different in his movies like The Nutty Professor, but at no point in any of those movies did he transform quite like he did to play the Jewish guy who hung out in the barbershop in Coming To America. Even his role as the barber in the movie was more recognizable. We also have to give props to Arsenio Hall for his various roles in the movie as well.

Mia Goth - X

Mia Goth playing the elderly Pearl in X is fantastic. Though you can tell it's her as Maxine, if you just walked in on the movie as those scenes of her as the older Pearl was playing, you'd never know who it is.

Tom Hardy - Bronson

Tom Hardy has never been shy about taking on challenging roles that require him to transform completely. He changes so much, that you almost feel like you don't know what he actually looks like in real life. Bronson is one of his finest transformations as he looks way more like the notorious British prisoner than like himself in the movie. It's so much more than just a mustache, that's for sure.

Donnie Wahlberg - The Sixth Sense

Mark Wahlberg may be the more famous brother, but Donnie Wahlberg also has some incredible acting chops and his performance comes in his minor-ish role in The Sixth Sense. It's clear that the former (and current) New Kid On The Block lost a ton of weight for his haunting performance in the movie.

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

Murderer John du Pont of the famous du Pont family was a unique-looking guy. In Foxcatcher, Steve Carell completely embodies that uniqueness, It's almost unsettling how much Carell looks like du Pont and not like himself in the disturbing movie about the murder the scion of the wealthy family committed in 1997.

Cate Blanchett — I’m Not There

The legendary Bob Dylan has been played on screen a few times and remarkably the actor that pulled off his look and mannerism best is the amazing Cate Blanchett in I’m Not There. Of all the actors who play a version of the folk singer, Blancett is the most convincing and she looks nothing like herself in the movie.

Zac Efron - The Iron Claw

Early in his career Zac Efron was kind of typecast as the goofy good-looking guy. In 2023's The Iron Claw he completely upends that as he embodied the late Kerry Von Erich in the fantastic biopic about wrestling's first family, the Von Erichs

Renée Zellweger - The Thing About Pam

After a little bit of a career lull that included a four-year break from acting, Renée Zellweger returned in a big way in the late 2010s, culminating in an Oscar-winning performance as Judy Garland in 2019's Judy, which completely revived her career. Her best was yet to come because despite not getting the same accolades in the press, her performance as murderer Pam Hupp in The Thing About Pam was a complete transformation

Jared Leto - Chapter 27

Turning someone as good-looking as Jared Leto into someone as despised as the man who killed John Lennon is no easy feat. Leto's performance as Mark David Chapman is incredible and even though the movie has flown under the radar for years, it's worth seeking out just to see how different Leto can look from himself.

Missi Pyle - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

How do you take a beautiful woman like Missi Pyle and make her look like a deranged Eastern European dodgeball player? Ask the makeup department for Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. The work they did, along with Pyle's acting, was amazing. There's no way to know it was her in any way unless you double-check the credits.

Sebastian Stan - A Different Man

A Different Man tells the hilarious and heartwarming tale of a struggling actor with a condition known as neurofibromatosis. Sebastian Stan plays the actor under a whole ton of wonderful makeup and despite the obvious limitation that makeup puts on the actor, Stan puts in a career-defining performance.

Chris Hemsworth - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

While it isn't the most extreme example on this list, Chris Hemsworth's look in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is amazing. The only reason you really know it's him is that he uses his natural Aussie accent in the movie, which he doesn't do all that much these days. He's even won awards for the performance!

Ryan Reynolds - Blade: Trinity

Okay, we'll admit this isn't the biggest transformation on this list, but you can't deny that Ryan Reynolds has a completely different, more sinister look in Blade: Trinity. It's way different from what you expect from a standard Reynolds performance.

Nicole Kidman - Birth

Nicole Kidman is an amazing actress, but she's not one of those actors you expect to completely change her look for a role. Her part in Birth shows that she certainly can do that, and do it in spectacular ways.

Robert De Niro - Raging Bull

Robert De Niro famously put on a ton of weight for his role as Al Capone in The Untouchables. He also got completely jacked for Cape Fear. He did both for his incredible performance in Raging Bull. As a young Jake LaMotta he was cut and fit and as an older version of the boxer, he was flabby and overweight. Either way, De Niro looks less like himself and more like the real-life boxer. He certainly deserved the Oscar he won for the role.

Margot Robbie - Mary, Queen of Scots

Mary, Queen of Scots had a unique look that was only enhanced by the odd style of 16th Century Scotland. Still, Margot Robbie nails the look of the queen in a way that leaves the audience squinted to see if it's really the Australian actress.

Gary Oldman - The Darkest Hour

No one transforms quite like Gary Oldman. He's completely different in every role he plays and in The Darkest Hour, he completely embodies his role as Winston Churchill. It's not just the makeup, though that is perfect, it's also the voice and mannerisms he brings to the role that makes you believe you're actually watching the legendary prime minister.

Charlize Theron - Bombshell

Bombshell is one of those movies where you might think you're watching the real-life characters that the cast of Bombshell are playing. Charlize Theron's portrayal of former Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly tops the performances. It's pitch-perfect in every way.

Ah, the famed Venice Film Festival standing ovation. The famed standing ovation is often used as a metric for the quality of the highly-anticipated movies that premiere there. But, the amount of applause a movie gets doesn't always equal the overall quality of the films themselves. That being said, this week there were already two huge moments when it comes to standing ovations for two projects on the 2024 movie schedule: Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton’s drama The Room Next Door and Brad Pitt and George Clooney’s action comedy Wolfs.

Julianne Moore And Tilda Swinton Basically Won Venice With A 17-Minute Standing Ovation 

First of all, Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton seriously stunned the first audiences of The Room Next Door on Monday, September 2, when the movie had people standing and clapping for a staggering 17 minutes. It’s reportedly the longest applause for the festival this year (so far). Other movies like Angelina Jolie’s Maria (which the actress strutted to in a gorgeous gown) received eight minutes of applause while the Daniel Craig-led movie Queer got nine minutes.

The Room Next Door comes from beloved Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar in what is his first full-length English debut. The movie is about two old friends who reconnect after Moore’s character of Martha learns that Swinston’s character Ingrid is being treated for cancer.

It sounds like a deeply emotional film and one that I can't wait to see, especially after that standing ovation.

But, George Clooney And Brad Pitt Won My Heart By Dancing During Wolfs’ Venice Applause

That’s all well and good, but my favorite instance of Venice standing ovations I’ve seen this year has to be from Brad Pitt and George Clooney for Wolfs. The pair famously worked together in the 2000s on the Ocean’s movies and the Coen Brothers’ Burn After Reading back in 2008. Now, for the first time in years, they have come back together to work on Jon Watts’ Wolfs. Check out what happened when they received an extended applause:

What a great moment! The pair of big movie stars, who appear to be wearing matching suits, embraced each other after the movie’s runtime before they decided to go into a little dance with each other to celebrate all the audience's affection.

And, there are plenty of reasons for the actors to dance about the movie. Wolfs has been getting high praise from critics since its premiere, including through CinemaBlend’s own Wolfs review. Our site gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, with Mike Reyes writing that “Clooney and Pitt do not miss a beat, as their combined and individual resumes have given them the shorthand needed to make the most out” of the new flick.

So, yeah, I think the dance was warranted.

Wolfs is set to hit select theaters on September 20 before arriving to those with an AppleTV+ subscription a week later on September 27. The Room Next Door, on the other hand, is hitting select theaters on Christmas Day, before going wide in January 2025 – just in time to receive all the Oscars buzz after that long-standing ovation moment.

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

Nicole Kidman (Practical Magic, Bewitched)

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

Hugh Jackman (The Prestige)

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

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

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

Neve Campbell (The Craft)

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

Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus)

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

Jesse Eisenberg (Now You See Me)

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

Alexandra Daddario (Mayfair Witches)

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

Cher (The Witches Of Eastwick)

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

Nicolas Cage (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice)

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

Tia And Tamera Mowry (Twitches)

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

Meryl Streep (Into The Woods)

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

Steve Carell (The Incredible Burt Wonderstone)

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

Edward Norton (The Illusionist)

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

Lucy Lawless (Salem)

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

Guy Pearce (Death Defying Acts)

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

Angela Bassett (American Horror Story: Coven)

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

Sebastian Stan (The Covenant)

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

Michelle Pfeiffer (Stardust)

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

Debbie Reynolds (Halloweentown)

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

Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange)

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

Mila Kunis (Oz The Great And Powerful)

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

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

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

Selena Gomez (Wizards Of Waverly Place)

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

Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision)

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

Sam Neill (Merlin)

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

Rosamund Pike (The Wheel Of Time)

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

Julia Ormond (Witches Of East End)

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

Emma Thompson (Beautiful Creatures)

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

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

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

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

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

Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald)

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

Julianne Moore (Seventh Son)

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

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

Some of our best horror movies have been centered around characters who just so happen to be legendary creatures of the night: vampires. And, because of the enduring popularity of these mythological bloodsuckers, not only do we also have a number of TV vamps, but many famous actors who’ve portrayed some version of the famed, usually-human-looking beasts. Here for you now are 32 actors who’ve played a vampire.

Eddie Murphy (Vampire In Brooklyn)

So many vamps have been seen on screen that even a comedy and action movie legend like Eddie Murphy has played one. The 1995 horror comedy, Vampire in Brooklyn, saw the star play the last member of a group of Caribbean vampires, who hits New York to find a mate so that he can continue his family line.

Tom Cruise (Interview With The Vampire)

Who could forget the 1994 film that gave us Tom Cruise as the captivating and cruel (And blond!) bloodthirsty fiend, Lestat de Lioncourt, from author Anne Rice’s legendary novel series, The Vampire Chronicles? Of course, it also gave us Brad Pitt’s tortured vamp, Louis, and made a star out of young Kirsten Dunst.

Dakota Fanning (The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse)

While there are some obvious stars to add to this list, let us not forget that the cast of famous (and soon-to-be-famous) vampires in The Twilight Saga films was quite stacked. That roster included noted child star Dakota Fanning, who portrayed the villainous Volturi guard member, Jane, who was able to mentally create sensations of pain in those who she deemed worthy of punishment.

Evan Rachel Wood (True Blood)

Several vampire-focused TV shows have hit the airwaves over the past 20 or so years, so we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the HBO hit, True Blood. Many of its stars portrayed members of vamp-kind for most or all of the series’ seven seasons, but Evan Rachel Wood made an equally impressive (bloody) splash as the Vampire Queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne Leclerq, during her recurring guest appearances in Seasons 2-4.

Robert Pattinson (Twilight)

Back to Twilight! It’s not worth mentioning this franchise without bringing up lead romantic vamp Edward Cullen, as well as the man who brought him to life in five movies, eventuall live action Batman actor Robert Pattinson. Despite the fact that his love interest’s portrayer, Kristen Stewart, would have dumped Edward “immediately”!

Chloë Grace Moretz (Let Me In)

It’s possible that we don’t get creepier than kid vampires in movies and television shows, and that’s what we got with Chloë Grace Moretz’s Abby in the 2010 film, Let Me In. She befriends a young loner after moving into his apartment complex, but is (you guessed it) hiding nefarious purposes he could have never guessed, which end up taking his life in a most unexpected direction.

Salma Hayek (From Dusk Till Dawn)

This might be the shortest movie vampire appearance on the list, as 1996’s From Dusk Til Dawn saw Salma Hayek play the fanged exotic dancer, Santanico Pandemonium, only for about five memorable minutes that simply cannot be forgotten once witnessed.

Taika Waititi (What We Do In The Shadows)

Undead life isn’t always filled with glamorous globe-hopping adventure, gorgeous mates who can’t resist you and other perks, at least according to 2014’s What We Do in the Shadows, which concerns the rather mundane day-to-day lives of vampire roommates, of whom Taika Waititi’s uptight and nearly 400-year-old vamp, Viago, is among.

Theo James (Underworld: Awakening, Underworld: Blood Wars)

Another big screen franchise that depended on heaps of stars to populate its supernatural world is that of Underworld. Two sequels saw Theo James play the heroic vampire, David, heir to one of the main vamp covens, and lead Selene’s one steadfast ally during an important time in her journey.

Willem Dafoe (Shadow Of The Vampire)

Not many cinematic vampires are said to be based on a real person, but the one played by Willem Dafoe in 2000’s Shadow of the Vampire is. He portrayed a fictionalized version of the real Nosferatu lead actor, Max Schreck, whom the crew begins to suspect is an actual vampire because of his behavior and the strange goings-on surrounding filming.

Gerard Butler (Dracula 2000)

Speaking of vampires who are based on real people…Author Bram Stoker based his Dracula on Vlad the Impaler, and Gerard Butler played yet another version of the ever-popular character in a film from, yes, 2000. This tale sees the ancient vamp accidentally awoken by a group of thieves who find and steal his highly protected coffin, which had been watched over by generations of the Van Helsing family.

Wesley Snipes (Blade)

A Marvel character that will soon have another portrayer when the upcoming Blade reboot finally begins filming, the original action/horror trilogy famously saw Wesley Snipes take on the vampire/human hybrid titular lead, who’s a nearly unstoppable vamp hunter bent on taking down all members of the species who bit his mother and infected him with their supernatural blood while he was still in utero.

Colin Farrell (Fright Night)

If a scary and suave undead night stalker is your type, look no further than Colin Farrell’s Jerry Dandrige in 2011’s remake of the 1985 cult classic, Fright Night. He may have to eventually do battle with a couple of teenagers, but he sure looks darn good doing it.

Ethan Hawke (Daybreakers)

A movie that takes a more science-fiction approach to a world overrun by vampires is the 2009 film Daybreakers, which sees Ethan Hawke play a vamp hematologist who refuses to drink human blood and is looking for a synthetic option to their usual meal of choice that will stop humanity from being wiped out by his more brutal peers.

Luke Evans (Dracula Untold)

Again with Dracula? Why, yes! This time, Luke Evans plays a Vlad the Impaler who only becomes a vampire to have the strength, speed and ferocity to turn back an invading army in an attempt to save the people of his kingdom. Does it work out for him? Well, yes…and no.

Kate Beckinsale (Underworld)

There’s no mentioning the Underworld franchise without giving respect to the main heroine, Kate Beckinsale’s Selene. In the first film she’s a vampire looking to destroy the werewolves that killed her family, but she ends up uncovering a major secret about the two sets of creatures and falling in love with a human, instead.

Alicia Silverstone (Vamps)

This 2012 horror comedy sees Alicia Silverstone play Goody, an old vampire who tries to stay young and hip while helping her much younger bloodsucking buddy, Stacy (Krysten Ritter), get used to her powers as they try to abstain from the red stuff during their immortal and unholy (sorta) lives.

Pedro Pascal (Bloodsucking Bastards)

Ever wondered what working in an office that was slowly being overrun by vampires who care as much about the bottom line as they do about drinking blood would be like? Just watch Bloodsucking Bastards, where beloved The Last of Us cast member Pedro Pascal begins turning his employees into the titular immortals.

Jim Carrey (Once Bitten)

Jim Carrey’s first leading role came in this 1985 comedy, where he played a teen virgin turned into a vampire by an alluring, 400-year-old creature of the night, who seduced him so she could use his blood to keep her youthful appearance.

Paul Reubens (Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

In the 1992 horror comedy that eventually led to the long-running series of the same name, the late Paul Reubens starred as Amilyn, a vamp doing the bidding of a much more powerful bloodsucker who’s ruling his kind in Los Angeles.

Alexander Skarsgård (True Blood)

While HBO’s True Blood was positively filled with the undead, few of them made as much of an impact on audiences (and the lead, Sookie) as Alexander Skarsgård’s cunning and alluring (but sorta evil) 1,000-year-old Eric Northman. This also happens to be the role that really made Skarsgård famous.

David Boreanaz (Buffy, Angel)

When it comes to popular TV vampires, no one can discount the reign of David Boreanaz as evil vamp turned heroic vamp (and then sometimes evil vamp again) Angel, whom he played on Buffy the Vampire Slayer beginning with the first episode in 1997, through wrapping his run on the fifth season series finale of his own show, Angel, in 2004.

Sterling K. Brown (Supernatural)

Sterling K. Brown may best be known now for delivering heartfelt emotions as Randall Pearson on This Is Us, but for four episodes across Seasons 2 and 3 of the CW mega-hit, Supernatural, he played Hunter and dedicated vamp-hater-turned-vampire, Gordon Walker, to astounding, understandably cold-blooded effect.

Kiefer Sutherland (The Lost Boys)

Even though Kiefer Sutherland was certainly a star on the rise by the time he starred in The Lost Boys in 1987, his part as apparent vampire motorcycle gang leader David cemented his leading man qualities and turned him into a household name.

Rami Malek (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II)

Sure, Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the best Rami Malek movies to watch, but let’s not discount his turn as the powerful (and ancient) Egyptian vampire, Benjamin, in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part II, one of the few creatures of the night in the franchise who can directly manipulate things, with his specialty being controlling fire, water, air and earth.

Bryce Dallas Howard (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse)

Yet another actor you may have forgotten was fanged in the expansive Twilight franchise is Jurassic World star Bryce Dallas Howard. She took over the role of evil, vengeful vamp Victoria (who’s looking to kill Bella in retaliation for Edward killing her love, James) from Rachelle Lefevre, for the third movie, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Tilda Swinton (Only Lovers Left Alive)

As one half of the very old vampire couple at the center of the 2013 dramedy, Only Lovers Left Alive, Tilda Swinton is a wife forced to visit the husband (played by Tom Hiddleston) she’s long been separated from once she realizes his lengthy undead existence has begun to bring him down, as she tries to force him to reevaluate the value of living forever.

Bill Nighy (Underworld, Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans)

Every good vampire needs a parental figure to show them the ropes, and for Underworld’s Selene, that role was filled by Viktor, who was portrayed by Love, Actually star Bill Nighy. His Vampire Elder turned out to be more of a threat than the heroine ever expected, though, leading to some tense moments between Selene and her mentor.

Gary Oldman (Bram Stoker's Dracula) 

Back to Drac! One of the most popular films about the character is still 1992’s Bram Stoker's Dracula, which saw eventual Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban star Gary Oldman play Vlad Dracula.

Christopher Meloni (True Blood)

Where there is one vampire there are generally enough to have a whole hierarchy among their brethren, and as with the series True Blood, sometimes we get to see what that could look like. In Season 5, Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime star Christopher Meloni portrayed the Guardian, Roman Zimojic, who led the Vampire Authority and (ostensibly) set the rules for all vamps. Many, however, didn’t agree with his desire to have his kind fit in with human society, which caused a lot of problems for the calm, determined and deadly when challenged leader.

Nicolas Cage (Renfield)

If you guessed that this is yet another Dracula story, well, you’re sort of correct. 2023’s horror comedy, Renfield, stars Nicholas Hoult as the count’s titular long-time familiar, who’s tired of helping him kill innocent people and all the abuse he’s taken from the being who gifted him with immortality, as well as super strength and speed (when he eats bugs) 90 years prior. So, he gets help from a support group for people in codependent relationships in order to be able to live his own life again. Nicolas Cage is our Dracula here, and he’s a perfectly winking one, who still manages to be creepy and deadly.

Johnny Depp (Dark Shadows)

Johnny Depp has become known for his outrageous characters, and his Barnabas Collins is no different. The 2012 Dark Shadows film (which was based on the 1966-1971 gothic daytime drama of the same name) follows Barnabas after he’s cursed with vampirism in 1760, buried alive in a coffin, and then accidentally freed in the early 1970s. He rejoins the Collins family at the estate they still hold, while trying to keep his true nature a secret, but hijinks ensue as his past comes back to haunt them. 

This, of course, is just a small sampling of the famous actors who've portrayed vampires over the years, but if you decide to do a vamp movie/TV show marathon, you can start right here and have hours of entertainment.

Another star-studded movie is coming soon, titled The End. 

When it comes to great ensembles, there are plenty I could point to that would be excellent examples. I could point out the incredible Barbie cast or bring up the incredibly massive Oppenheimer cast, but when you have a great ensemble, usually, a fantastic film follows.

We are getting that now with The End, the latest film that will star Tilda Swinton and several other stars, and is described as a musical that's set during the apocalypse. Let's get into what else we know about this new movie...

What Is The End’s Release Date?

At the time of writing this, April 2024, there is no set release date for The End. 

If it does appear on the 2024 movie schedule, it would undoubtedly be in good company with plenty of other great films releasing. From the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine to the long-awaited Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, to much more, there’s much to look forward to. I could see The End being a part of that. 

But until then, we’re not sure when it’ll come out, so we’ll have to wait and see. 

The End Will Be An Apocalypse-Themed Musical

With a foreboding title like The End, we're left to wonder what this movie will be about. As it turns out, it's apocalypse story and it's also a musical.

According to Deadline in March 2023, The End follows a wealthy family trying to survive in the apocalypse while staying safe in a bunker two decades after the world ended. Besides the family, four other individuals reside in the bunker as well. 

The movie is both a comedy and a drama, as the wealthy family—who made their fortune through the oil industry— living in a bunker for decades with some other characters following the apocalypse.

The Cast Of The End

With any movie with a promising cast such as The End, the list of talent attached is one of the biggest things to anticipate. Let’s get into them below:

Tilda Swinton

Deadline confirmed in October 2021 that Tilda Swinton would star in The End. The actress has been in the industry for many years, appearing in various films from which you might recognize her. 

Some of Tilda Swinton’s best films include The Last of England, Edward II, Vanilla Sky, The Deep End, Michael Clayton, We Need To Talk About Kevin, and many others. She has also frequently appeared in several Wes Anderson movies and played the Ancient One in the MCU. 

George MacKay

The October 2021 Deadline article also confirmed that George MacKay would co-star with Swinton in The End. The actor has appeared in many movies, including Peter Pan, Marrowbone, For Those in Peril, and How I Live Now. 

He also appeared in one of Sam Mendes’ best movies, 1917, where he starred in the leading role. 

Moses Ingram

In the Deadline article from March 2023, it was reported that several other stars were confirmed. The first is Moses Ingram, an actress who gained fame for her role in The Queen’s Gambit, one of the best shows to binge on Netflix. She played Jolene in the limited series, and earned an Emmy nomination for her role. 

Ingram also played Reva Sevander in Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+ and appeared in the 2022 film Ambulance. She’s also set to appear in the new miniseries The Big Cigar. 

Michael Shannon

The second actor Deadline confirmed was cast in The End in March 2023 was Michael Shannon. Shannon is a known American actor who has appeared in several movies, including Shotgun Stories, Nocturnal Animals, Revolutionary Road, Midnight Special, Man of Steel, Groundhog Day, Bad Boys II, and many more. He’s also set to appear in the upcoming The Bikeriders. 

Shannon has also appeared on television shows, such as George & Tammy and Nine Perfect Strangers, one of the best Hulu shows. 

Bronagh Gallagher

Deadline also confirmed Bronagh Gallagher for The End. The actress has appeared in movies such as Wild About Henry, Holy Cross, Sherlock Holmes, Grabbers, Arthur Christmas, The Personal History of David Copperfield, and many more. 

Gallagher also appeared in the main cast of Brassic, a British comedy-drama series, and several other TV shows. She even had a guest role in Derry Girls, a great Irish TV show. 

Tim McInnerny

Deadline’s fourth confirmation for The End was Tim McInnerny, an English actor who has made a living on the stage and the small screen. You might recognize him from roles in TV shows such as Sherlock, Ten Percent, Gangs of London, Harlots, Game of Thrones, The Serpent, and Outlander. 

McInnerny has also appeared in movies like Stromboli, Peterloo, The Aeronauts, Eddie the Eagle, and more. 

Lennie James

Last but not least, we have Lennie James. The actor has built a name for himself over the last decade for his role as Morgan Jones in The Walking Dead universe but has appeared in various shows like Line of Duty, Low Winter Sun, Critical, and more. 

James has also appeared in movies like Lockout, Blade Runner 2049, and The Next Three Days, among others.

Talk about an impressive cast. 

Joshua Oppenheimer Directed The End

The original Deadline article from October 2021 confirmed that Joshua Oppenheimer directed The End. He released a statement regarding working with the cast in the March 2023 Deadline article:

Oppenheimer’s other credits include the documentary film, The Act of Killing, and the 2014 film, The Look of Silence. 

Filming Took Place In Ireland, Italy And Germany In 2023

The Deadline article from March 2023 confirmed that filming for the new movie occurred in Ireland. Per the site, cameras began rolling once the cast was announced. Deadline also said that filming would continue in Italy and Germany. 

We're not sure whether filming has ended yet, as no cast or crew has posted about it on social media, but if the film is expected to be released in 2024, we might get an update on that sooner rather than later. 

What are you looking forward to the most about The End? I can’t wait to see how they plan to make this apocalyptic film into a musical, of all things—but there’s a first time for everything. 

Though Tilda Swinton has an upcoming 2024 movie on the calendar with A24’s Problemista, news on another trippy endeavor would be heaven sent to her fans. Yes, I’m referring to that surprise Constantine 2 sequel that’s been in development since 2022; which Tilda was asked about in a recent interview. Her reaction spoke to whether or not she’ll be in the Keanu Reeves sequel, while also bringing up a fairly new rumor about what might happen in this new adventure. 

As she spoke with Inverse, the Doctor Strange vet addressed the matter of whether or not the villainous Gabriel would be returning head on. What she had to say is a bit of a bummer, but the twist Ms. Swinton’s comments take at the end are worth the ride: 

If there’s anything new to be heard about this hotly-anticipated sequel, Tilda Swinton doesn’t know it. With director Francis Lawrence’s last major Constantine 2 update suggesting that the script is still being worked out, there probably isn’t much to know at this point. However, that doesn’t explain the juicy rumor that Swinton contributed to the conversation; which could mean some pretty huge things for the future. 

Here's a short short history lesson for those of you who haven’t seen director Francis Lawrence’s Constantine in a while. Gabriel the Archangel (Tilda Swinton) became mortal at the end of the movie, and John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) was sent back to Earth by Lucifer (Peter Stormare), just as he was ascending to Heaven. Our lone protector was free to roam the streets protecting our world from those who’d try to unleash Hell on Earth, and any other threat in that realm. 

Now what Tilda is suggesting above seems to be that there could be a scenario where Gabriel changes form into its former foe in Constantine 2. Which, I have to agree, is “beautiful,” seeing as the only reason Lucifer let John go back to the world of the living was so he could prove that his soul “truly belongs in Hell.” What better way to tempt Keanu Reeves’ titular hero than to make a mockery of him through his past nemesis, who could use his form to try and convince the right people that the Vertigo Comics antihero is indeed hellbound?

Of course, the downside to Constantine’s ingenious twist is that we wouldn’t be seeing Tilda Swinton play the role again. Say what you will about the previous PG-13-rated film, but as you can see with the names I’ve mentioned here, the casting was absolutely on point. This only becomes doubly true when you throw Rachel Weisz and Djimon Hounsou into the mix as well.

At the moment, Constantine 2 is still fighting to emerge triumphant and in front of cameras, so who knows what’s going to happen next? In the meantime, perhaps this second variant of Gabriel will be a way of allowing Keanu Reeves to go blonde, pleasing comic fans and the John Wick star all at the same time. For all of you nostalgia demons who want to revisit the good old days right about now, Constantine is currently streaming with access to a Max subscription. 

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

Harrison Ford - Nominated For Best Actor (Witness)

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

Eddie Murphy - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Dreamgirls)

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

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

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

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

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

Hugh Jackman - Nominated For Best Actor (Les Misérables)

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

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

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

Salma Hayek - Nominated For Best Actress (Frida)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Josh Brolin  - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Milk)

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

Sharon Stone - Nominated For Best Actress (Casino)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Diane Lane - Nominated For Best Actress (Unfaithful)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Robert Redford - Nominated For Best Actor (The Sting)

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

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

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

Micheal Douglas - Nominated For Best Actor (Wall Street)

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

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

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

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

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

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

David Fincher’s The Killer is the famed filmmaker’s first feature since Mank in 2020, but he apparently started working on this graphic novel adaptation long before that. It was way back in 2007 when he began developing Alexis Nolent and Luc Jacamon’s story of an assassin with a change of heart, and now his efforts have been seen by critics, as the film premiered September 3 at Venice Film Festival. Those critics are now weighing in on Fincher’s latest, and they seem to appreciate what the director has brought to the table.

Michael Fassbender stars as the titular assassin, leading an impressive cast that also includes Tilda Swinton, Charles Parnell, Arliss Howard, and Sophie Charlotte. The film will be available to stream with a Netflix subscription in November, so let’s take a look at David Fincher’s psychological action thriller, starting with GamesRadar’s Jane Crowther. She rates it 4 out of 5 stars, saying if you’ve ever wondered what Fincher’s James Bond would look like, this might be it:  

Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rates The Killer a perfect 5 out of 5 stars, calling Michael Fassbender the right pick for the leading role of a yoga-loving assassin in the “horribly addictive” thriller. Bradshaw continues: 

Rafaela Sales Ross of The Playlist grades it a B- and calls Michael Fassbender “eerily effective in his embodiment of utter emotionlessness,” but they note that for a story lifted from a graphic novel, the movie lacks visual playfulness. The critic writes:  

Lex Briscuso of IGN rates The Killer a “Good” 7 out of 10, writing that Michael Fassbender is smart and stylish in the title role, and the violence is captivating. The critic continues: 

Ryan Lattanzio of IndieWire says that while there’s nothing especially new here, watching a master filmmaker and actor operate in a revenge rampage story could never be a bad thing. The critic grades the movie a "B," writing:  

We still have a couple of months of waiting before The Killer makes its way to Netflix, but if you want to see David Fincher and Michael Fassbender work their magic, circle November 10 on your calendar. In the meantime, see what else is new and coming soon to Netflix, and you can start planning your next trip to the theater with our 2023 movie release schedule.  

Earlier this year, much of Hollywood debated the subject of Nepo Babies or stars who happen to have famous relatives. A number of high-profile celebrities, including the hosts of The View, weighed in on the controversy, arguing the fairness of the benefits that said individuals have. Now, months later, Honor Swinton Byrne, the daughter of acclaimed actress Tilda Swinton and playwright David Byrne, is speaking out on the matter. The up-and-coming actress dropped some honest thoughts, as she directly addressed the "connections" she's amassed, thanks to her famous mother.

Honor Swinton Byrne’s first starring roles came in the form of the A24 films The Souvenir Parts 1 and 2, in which she acted alongside her mother. And before that, she made her big-screen debut in I Am Love, which was also produced by Tilda Swinton. So it goes without saying that she's had a lot of resources at her disposal. That fact is probably why Byrne acknowledged her privilege head on while speaking with the U.K.'s Sunday Times about her career and mom:

One can't help but appreciate the 25-year-old's honest remarks. There's actually quite a bit of nuance to the Nepo Baby debate. On the one hand, one can't ignore the invaluable connections that one has. Yet on the other, you don't want to underscore a person's talent and how it helped them secure a gig.

Honor Swinton Byrne further discussed how landing the lead role in The Souvenir wasn’t even something she was expecting, as she originally planned to travel to Namibia to teach. The British actress decided to postpone her trip after meeting with director Joanna Hogg in Caffè Nero in Berwick-upon-Tweed. The star apparently had no idea that the meeting was about an offer for a role in the new movie. Tilda Swinton also revealed to W Magazine that she suggested her then-19-year-old daughter to Hogg after the filmmaker was unimpressed with the number of women who auditioned for the part. So all in all, while Swinton Byrne's mom got her in the room, her talent helped her stay there.

One of the early catalysts for this ongoing discussion was an interview involving Johnny Depp’s daughter, Lily-Rose, who defended being called a Nepo Baby. She argued that nepotism naturally plays some kind of role whenever kids want to go into their parents' profession. Italian model Vittoria Ceretti took issue with the comments, as she made note of her own struggles making into the limelight without any major resources. Sometime later, Lily Collins also defended her success by saying that just because she’s the daughter of singer Phil Collins, it doesn’t mean she used that as a means to break into the industry.

Jamie Lee Curtis, who’s the daughter of Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, felt the Nepo Baby discourse was hurtful. The Oscar winner argued that talent and dedication to one's craft is what will ultimately get them to where they want to be professionally. Kate Hudson also gave a candid answer , saying that there are some skills that kids just naturally inherit from their parents. And with that, a person is just naturally inclined to follow in their footsteps. Other celebrities have just embraced the term, like Hailey Bieber, who wore a “Nepo Baby” T-shirt to call out those who use the title in a negative way.

Honor Swinton Byrne isn't doing all that now, but she certainly doesn’t deny the “connections” she has as a result of who her mom is. She just seems to appreciate the opportunities she's been afforded, and one would assume that she'll aim to blaze her own trail in Hollywood.

You can currently watch her The Souvenir Parts 1 and 2 using a Showtime subscription, and take a look at our schedule of 2023 new movie releases for info on more recent and upcoming premieres.

It isn’t that uncommon for a director to build a troupe of actors and continually call on them for the latest and greatest projects. Greats like Martin Scorsese, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Christopher Nolan have done it a lot over the years, working time and time again with the likes of Robert De Niro, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Cillian Murphy, respectively; and so too does Wes Anderson.

In addition to each of his movies featuring a unique sense of style and humor, as well as his signature shots, Anderson’s work has largely featured the same group of actors (though some get off the bus while others get on) taking on various roles. Names like Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, and Owen Wilson quickly come to mind when this discussion is brought up, but who’s appeared in the most movies directed by the quirky and eccentric filmmaker? Well, funny you should ask… 

Bill Murray - 9 Movies 

In a June 2023 interview with Deadline, Anderson said he “can’t imagine not working with” Bill Murray again, and that the only reason the actor wasn’t part of Asteroid City was because he contracted COVID ahead of production. But, even though he didn’t appear in the movie CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg called a “meta, Looney Tunes-esque delight,” he’s still the most prolific of all of Anderson’s collaborators.

In fact, since first working with the filmmaker for his 1998 sophomore effort, Rushmore, Murray has appeared in all of his movies, both live-action and animated, outside of the aforementioned Asteroid City. This comes to a total of nine films. He doesn’t always have the biggest role, but more times than not, he steals the show.

Jason Schwartzman - 8 Movies

Jason Schwartzman, in addition to being on one of the greatest HBO shows that ended too early, has also been one of Anderson’s most called upon stars, including for Asteroid City. Since first landing the starring role in Rushmore (his feature film debut), the former Phantom Planet drummer has appeared in all but two of the director’s movies: The Royal Tenenbaums and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

Schwarzman isn’t always the main attraction, but more times than not, he serves as a nice addition in films like The Grand Budapest Hotel and Moonrise Kingdom. And, when he’s not around, the actor’s absence can be felt.

Owen Wilson - 7 Movies

The partnership shared by Owen Wilson and Wes Anderson is unlike any other on this list, as the Loki star has not only acted in seven of the director’s movies, but also co-written several of them. They first collaborated on the 1994 short film, Bottle Rocket, which would be turned into their respective feature film debuts two years later. The future “Frat Pack” member would also receive writing credit for Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, though he didn’t act in the former (maybe his spot in the Armageddon cast got in the way).

Since then, the Texas native has been in every Anderson movie save for Moonrise Kingdom, Isle of Dogs, and Asteroid City. His roles have ranged from the lead in The Darjeeling Limited to small parts in the likes of The French Dispatch.

Adrien Brody - 5 Movies

Unlike the first three actors on this list, Adrien Brody didn’t start working with the director until his fifth movie, The Darjeeling Limited. But ever since appearing in the 2007 comedy about three estranged brothers who embark on a “spiritual journey,” the Academy Award-winning actor has appeared in five of Anderson’s movies, missing only two: Moonrise Kingdom and Isle of Dogs.

Some of Anderson’s best movies have featured Brody in roles ranging from minor parts like Mouse in Fantastic Mr. Fox to unforgettable characterizations in the likes of The Grand Budapest Hotel, and everywhere in between. 

Anjelica Huston - 5 Movies

Anjelica Huston, with her Oscar, Golden Globe, and collection of other accolades, is another prolific collaborator of Anderson’s. Since playing Etheline Tenenbaum in 2001’s The Royal Tenenbaums, the actress appeared in four additional movies, the most recent being The French Dispatch, which featured her as the narrator for the movie’s introduction.

It should also be noted that Huston does appear in the Isle of Dogs cast, even though she plays a character listed as “Mute Poodle,” as Anderson couldn’t find a proper speaking role for the talented actress. 

Bob Balaban - 5 Movies

Although he is best known for his appearances in Christohper Guest’s movies, Bob Balaban is also a frequent collaborator with Wes Anderson, appearing in a total of five movies over the years.

Ever since he provided the narration in Moonrise Kingdom, Balaban has had some kind of role in Anderson’s films, including the 2023 release of Asteroid City. He’s not the first actor you probably think of when discussing the filmmaker’s work, but Balaban is prolific nonetheless. 

Edward Norton - 5 Movies

Just like Balaban and the actress who follows just below, Edward Norton has appeared in all five of Wes Anderson’s most recent films dating back to Moonrise Kingdom. These appearances have been all over the place, with the talented actor playing every type of character from a boy scout leader in the 2012 coming-of-age comedy to an inspector from a fictional European country in The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Norton most recently appeared in Asteroid City, in which he played Conrad Earp, the legendary playwright who crafted the stage production at the heart of the movie. 

Tilda Swinton - 5 Movies

Including her portrayal of a tenacious and determined social services worker in Moonrise Kingdom, Tilda Swinton has had a sizable role in five of Anderson’s movies. The talented Academy Award-winning actress has helped bring to life some of the filmmaker’s most unforgettable characters during that stretch, including writer J.K.L. Berensen in the first of three main stories in the 2021 comedy film, The French Dispatch.

Swinton brings a fun and unique energy to each of her performances in his movies, which is probably why the director continues to call up on her as often as he does.

Willem Dafoe - 5 Movies

Willem Dafoe first worked with Wes Anderson in 2004’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, which just happens to be one of the actor’s best movies. Since he played Zissou’s deeply devoted first mate, Klaus Daimler, nearly 20 years ago, Dafoe has gone on to appear in four additional Anderson pics, the most recent being Asteroid City.

Though his characters have been all over the spectrum of good and evil, Dafoe has been consistently great in each of his portrayals, creating some hilarious, heartfelt, and unforgettable moments, even when he doesn’t get a lot of screen time.

Jeff Goldblum - 4 Movies

And then there is Jeff Goldblum, who has appeared in a total of four Anderson movies. The partnership started with 2004’s The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, and has continued sporadically over the years. 

The iconic actor most recently appeared in Asteroid City, but we won’t go into the identity of his character so that we don’t spoil anything for those who have yet to see the movie.

These are Wes Anderson’s most prolific collaborators, but there are many other actors who have appeared in his various releases for the past quarter-century or so. Luke WIlson (3), Tony Revolori (3), Liev Schreiber (3), Fisher Stevens (4), Frances McDormand (3), Jeffrey Wright (2), and countless others have worked with the director on more than one occasion. We can expect this list to change in time, especially with The Phoenician Scheme on the way.

Unfortunately, it’s well-documented that Hollywood has a tendency to be sexist and ageist as told by various women in the industry over the years. As we continue to observe Women’s History Month this year, we’re looking at the actresses across movies and television currently working today that have carved out a place for themselves despite the status quo favoring younger actresses, whilst it's the norm for the male actors to enjoy careers well into their 60s, 70s and beyond. 

It was reported a few years back by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media that while characters over 50 make up a fifth of characters on television, only a fourth of them are played by women (via Buzzfeed). With that in mind, there’s a gender gap with opportunities being favored for older men much more than women. Thankfully, these actresses have found a way to thrive in Hollywood after turning 50.  

Michelle Yeoh 

Recently, at the 2023 Oscars, the ceremony actually celebrated numerous actresses that are thriving after 50, including Best Actress winner, Michelle Yeoh. The Everything Everywhere All At Once lead accepted the award not only as the first Asian actress to win in the category, but as a “beacon” of hope for more women her age to be seen in major roles. As she accepted the trophy, she said: "Ladies, don't let anybody tell you you are past your prime." 

Yeoh has been over 50 in Hollywood for over a decade now, and is enjoying an exciting era in her career by finding key roles in successful movies like Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, or finding empowering roles in recent TV series like Star Trek: Discovery and The Witcher: Blood Origin. 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Yeoh’s Everything Everywhere co-star Jamie Lee Curtis also took home an Oscar for the movie in the Best Supporting Actress category after over 45 years working in Hollywood. Curtis was a teenager when she found her breakout role in Halloween, but decade after decade she has continued to be cast in exciting roles, especially after turning 50. In Curtis’ fifties and sixties the actress has revived her role as Laurie Strode in a new Halloween trilogy, starred in Knives Out and has a wealth of roles on the horizon, including Borderlands and Haunted Mansion. 

Angela Bassett 

Curtis’ fellow nominee in the Best Supporting Actress category in 2023 was Angela Bassett, for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, who also remains a working icon into her mid-sixties. Aside from starring as Queen Ramonda in the Marvel franchise, the actress continues to lead the network series 9-1-1 along with appearing in multiple seasons of American Horror Story and recently being part of the Mission: Impossible franchise.

Helen Mirren

One of the most iconic actresses to consistently nab interesting roles for herself following turning 50 is Helen Mirren. The British talent hit the milestone in 1995, before she’d made some of her most beloved and best movies, like 2001’s Gosford Park, 2003’s Calendar Girls or her 2006 Oscar-winning performance in The Queen. Mirren has continued to play leading roles in the past decade, such as starring in the Red films, her incredible role in the Fast and the Furious movies along with leading 1923 and Shazam! Fury of the Gods within the past year. 

Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin

While I could certainly talk about Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in their own right, the fact that this pair got themselves their own hit comedy series, Grace and Frankie, in their late seventies (across seven seasons, no less) deserves to be celebrated. These two have modeled, brought life to and joked about the lives of older women who are best friends, and we’re so blessed it exists. The pair hit 50 in the late ‘80s and thrived, remaining booked and busy. Among the 2023 new movie releases, they are in back-to-back movies together, too, 80 For Brady and Moving On. 

Rita Moreno

One of Rita Moreno’s first roles was in 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. Seventy years later her career is still very much popping, between starring in Netflix’s sitcom, One Day At A Time, and voicing the role of Carmen Sandiego for the original animated series. This year, Moreno also starred in 80 For Brady and has joined the Fast and the Furious franchise as Dominic Toretto’s grandma. 

Sally Field

Speaking of 80 For Brady leads, Sally Field has continued to remain relevant and very much respected in Hollywood at the age of 76. From being nominated for an Oscar for her role in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln to bringing new life to Aunt May in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, or starring in critically acclaimed movies like Hello, My Name Is Doris and Spoiler Alert, Field has continued to impress after a massive first half of her career. 

Emma Thompson

In the nearly 15 years that Emma Thompson has been over 50, she has accomplished a lot. She gave a powerful performance as P.L. Travers in the sweet Saving Mr. Banks' movie alongside Tom Hanks, she gave Cruella a formidable foe of her own in the titular 2021 Disney prequel, and tackled the usually taboo topic of exploring sexuality past one’s “prime” and filmed nude scenes for Good Luck To You, Leo Grande. 

Ming-Na Wen

When Ming-Na Wen turned 50 back in 2013, she was just getting her start playing Melinda May on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, a badass and highly-skilled operative she continued to play for over 100 episodes. Since finding success with that series, which is now her most famous role outside Mulan, Wen has joined the Star Wars universe as Fennec Shand, a female bounty hunter and master assassin. 

Catherine O’Hara

Catherine O’Hara is well-known to an entirely new generation than those who grew up seeing her in movies like Best In Show, Beetlejuice or Home Alone, thanks to her beloved role in Schitt’s Creek as Moira Rose. O’Hara will go down in history as playing one of the funniest TV characters in a big role she found well after 50. 

Jane Lynch

Jane Lynch booked her most popular role of Sue Sylvester on Glee right as she was turning 50 and played the character for six seasons before finding all sorts of work in showbiz otherwise. She notably voices the role of Calhoun in the Wreck-It Ralph movies, along with having major roles in the hit shows The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Party Down and with hosting 75 episodes of the original celebrity game show, Celebrity Game Night. 

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

The Seinfeld star not only found herself a whole other well-loved TV show to lead and produce after 50 with HBO’s Veep, which she also won nine consecutive Emmy awards for, but she’s a major player in the Marvel universe now. Julia Louis-Dreyfus has been consistently quick on her feet on the comedy front and proved to be an impressive dramatic actress as well, with roles in films like Enough Said. 

Jennifer Coolidge

Then, there’s Jennifer Coolidge’s recent comeback for The White Lotus that has the actress literally everywhere right now. Along with the 61-year-old recently winning her first Emmy for her hilarious role as Tanya McQuoid, Coolidge has had loads of projects she has stolen the show in, in the past couple of years in particular, like Promising Young Woman, The Watcher and Shotgun Wedding alongside Jennifer Lopez.

Jessica Lange 

Four decades after Jessica Lange became a star for roles like her Oscar-nominated work in Tootsie and Frances, she is still a huge name, particularly thanks to her move to TV in collaboration with Ryan Murphy on his numerous shows. Lange always provides strong performances in her ever-changing American Horror Story roles, along with portraying Joan Crawford in Feud. 

Allison Janney 

Allison Janney is another actress who got wide recognition for being in one of the best-regarded TV shows of all time, The West Wing. After starring in 155 episodes of the drama, Janney has continued to explore all sorts of interesting characters across her career, especially after 50, whether it be in the sitcom Mom, winning an Oscar for her chilling mother role in I, Tonya or her booked 2022 that put an additional three movies under her belt. Janney is even more famous now than she was when she was a younger actress. 

Julianne Moore 

A new role from Julianne Moore is never too far away these days. The 62-year-old actress has accomplished a lot over 50 and has even been in with the kids because of her key role in the Hunger Games franchise or starring alongside Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard in the recent indie, When You Finish Saving the World. Moore has starred in so many great movies just within the past decade that it can be hard to recall she’s also the same actress from Boogie Nights and Far From Heaven. 

Tilda Swinton 

We don’t have enough female character actors in the world, but Tilda Swinton embodies someone new so frequently that we can barely imagine what she’s like in real life. The majority of Swinton’s best roles have occurred since she turned 50, such as We Need To Talk About Kevin, or her numerous times working with Wes Anderson and Bong Joon-Ho. 

Viola Davis

Viola Davis is one of the most acclaimed actors of our time right now and it feels like she’s also just getting started. Recently, the actress did just about every stunt as a warrior and leader in The Woman King and has become the most-nominated Black actress in Academy Awards history. 

Meryl Streep 

I mean, it’s Meryl. What else do we have to say? The 73-year-old actress has always been magnificent on screen no matter her age and has proven her great talent and ability to be a chameleon on the screen again and again. Since turning 50, Streep has starred in all-time great movies like The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia, and Iron Lady, and looking forward, she's about to guest star in Only Murders In the Building. 

It’s great to see so many women have broken through and found roles for themselves after 50 in the industry. It really comes down to great roles being written for women of all ages for their opportunities to exist. 

Every once in a while, there comes a movie I am so hyped for that I literally count down the days until it gets here. For a long time, it was the Harry Potter series. Then I started to convert that energy to movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But as I’ve gotten older, I also have that same energy for a certain filmmaker whenever he releases a new project, and that’s Guillermo del Toro. 

A master of fantasy and horror, del Toro is one of my idols in the movie world, and someone I truly look up to in terms of what I believe is a great moviemaker. And now, he’s coming out with a new film on Netflix, his adaptation of Pinocchio that he’s been working on for years. And let me tell you – the cast is stacked. 

From people who have appeared in several del Toro movies before, to brand new actors, here is where you might have seen (or heard) the Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio cast before. 

Ewan McGregor - Sebastion J. Cricket

First up on the list, we have Ewan McGregor, who plays Sebastian J. Cricket in Pinocchio, and McGregor has been around in the business for years. Most people might know McGregor from his role as Obi-Wan in the Star Wars franchise, a role he reprised in 2022 in the Disney+ original series, Obi-Wan Kebobi, but McGregor has done so much more in the world of movies and television that you might know. 

For example, McGregor has an amazing voice, and he performed in the movie musical Moulin Rouge!. He’s also appeared in many other films, including Big Fish, Trainspotting (and its sequel), Black Hawk Down, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, The Ghost Writer, Angels and Demons, Christopher Robin, and more. He was also in Birds of Prey, as well as the Stephen King adaptation, Doctor Sleep. In terms of voice-acting, he played Lumiere in the 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, and was the main protagonist in the film, Robots. 

McGregor hasn’t done as much on television, but his starring roles are significant. He played two of the main characters in the third season of Fargo, and starred in Halston, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award. 

David Bradley - Geppetto

Gepetto is the man, the myth, the legend in Pinocchio who creates the titular boy, and he is voiced by David Bradley. Another of Hollywood's familiar faces, Bradley has been around in the industry for a long time. Some of his biggest roles include playing Filch in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as Lord Walder Frey in Game of Thrones, but he’s done so much more. 

Some of his biggest movies include The Intended, Harry Brown, The Young Messiah, Jolt, and others. In television, he worked with del Toro before in the animated series Tales of Arcadia, but has appeared in many other shows, like The Strain, Mount Pleasant, After Life, and Thieves Like Us, among other guest appearances. 

Gregory Mann - Pinocchio And Carlo

Of course, we have to have Pinocchio in Pinocchio, and he is voiced by Gregory Mann, who also voices Carlo in Pinocchio. Gregory Mann is a relative newcomer to Hollywood, with his only credit thus far being in the 2019 version of Cats, but I’m sure that as time goes on, you’ll get to see him more and more. 

Burn Gorman - Priest

Moving on, we take a look at Burn Gorman, who plays Priest in Pinocchio. Like many of the cast members on this list, he has been in many movies and TV shows – and has worked with Guillermo del Toro in the past. Gorman was a part of the Pacific Rim movies, and had a role in Crimson Peak. Some of his other films that you might have seen him in include The Dark Knight Rises, Fred Claus, Watcher, Enola Holmes, and Imperium. 

Gorman has also had a very recognizable career in television, appearing in shows such as Torchwood, Turn: Washington’s Spies on AMC, as well as The Man in the High Castle on Amazon. He also appeared in the Halo series on Paramount, was a part of The Offer cast, and was in The Expanse. Truly, all over the map, this one. 

Ron Perlman - Podesta

Next up is Ron Perlman, who plays Podesta in Pinocchio. Perlman is another actor who has done so much in the world of movies and TV, but he’s also a really good voice actor, too - with almost too many roles to even talk about. My personal favorite is when he voiced the Stabbington brothers in Tangled. 

Other than that, Perlman has made a lot of films. Some of his biggest roles are in the 2021 movie, Don’t Look Up, Drive, the Hellboy films, Alien: Resurrection, Quest for Fire, and several more. Perlman is also a frequent collaborator with del Toro, and has appeared in many of his movies, including Cronos, Blade II, Nightmare Alley, and Pacific Rim. 

In television, he had a main role in the Beauty and the Beast TV series, and was a big character on the popular FX drama, Sons of Anarchy. 

John Turturro - Doctore

Moving on, we take a look at John Turturro, who voices Doctore in Pinocchio. Another major player in the world of Hollywood, Turturro has appeared in many movies, including Do The Right Thing, Five Corners, The Big Lebowski, The Jesus Rolls, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the Transformers film series, and even 2022’s The Batman. 

In terms of television, most recently, Turturro took a role on the popular Apple TV+ series, Severance, but has appeared in many other shows including Monk, The Night Of and The Plot Against America. 

Finn Wolfhard - Candlewick

Candlewick in Pinocchio is played by Finn Wolfhard, someone who really got his start in Hollywood by playing Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things, a role he has continued to play to this day and will continue to do so in Season 5 of the show. However, Wolfhard has also appeared in several movies during his career so far, including the IT films, The Goldfinch, Ghostbusters: Afterlife (which is getting a sequel) and The Addams Family animated film. His career is still so new – but I’m sure we’ll be seeing a whole lot more of him as time goes on. 

Cate Blanchett - Spazzatura

Another star on this list, Cate Blanchett voices Spazzatura in Pinocchio. I could go on for hours about Blanchett and how brilliant of an actress she is, but we’ll be swift and say that she’s appeared in many amazing movies. For a highlight of what she’s done and what you might have seen her in, she was in The Lord of the Rings franchise as Galadriel, Elizabeth and its sequel, Hamlet, The Aviator, Blue Jasmine, Carol, Notes On A Scandal, and so many others. 

Blanchett also voiced a main character in the How To Train Your Dragon franchise, and was a part of many other recent films, too, such as Nightmare Alley, Cinderella, Ocean’s 8, and Thor: Ragnarok, where she played Hela, Thor’s sister. 

The actress has also appeared in a few television shows as well, such as Heartland, Stateless, and the miniseries, Mrs. America, but movies are where she frequently shines. And, I can’t wait to see what she does with this role. 

Tim Blake Nelson - Black Rabbits

Tim Blake Nelson voices Black Rabbits in Pinocchio, and Nelson has been in the business for some time. He’s worked on many films including Minority Report, Lincoln, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Syriana, Old Henry, and, like many others on this list, Nightmare Alley. And that’s just a highlight of some of his best. 

Nelson has also done some work in television. Most recently, in 2022, he was a part of the cast for Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, but he’s also worked on shows such as Watchmen and Lost Ollie. 

Christoph Waltz - Count Volpe

Christoph Waltz is a name I’m sure many of us are familiar with, since he’s such an amazing actor, and of course, he’s voicing Count Volpe in Pinocchio. Waltz has done so much in the industry. He’s primarily known for his breakout role in the Quentin Tarantino film, Inglorious Bastards, but has appeared in many other movies, including Django Unchained, Carnage, The French Dispatch, Spectre, and No Time To Die. He was also in Downsizing. 

Waltz has also done some work in television as well. While he primarily appeared on German television shows for many years, he’s also had guest appearances on American shows like Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, and had a role in Most Dangerous Game. 

Tilda Swinton - Wood Sprite And Death 

Last but not least, we have Tilda Swinton, who voices both the Wood Sprite and Death in Pinocchio. Swinton is certainly a star of Hollywood, and has appeared in many, many films where you might have seen her. Some of her best include Orlando, Caravaggio, The Last of England, War Requiem, Young Adam, Julia, Constantine, We Need To Talk About Kevin, The Chronicles of Narnia series, and so many more. 

She’s also appeared in several Wes Anderson movies, including The Grand Budapest Hotel, The French Dispatch, and Moonrise Kingdom. She also portrayed the Ancient One in Doctor Strange and Avengers: Endgame. In television, she’s had guest appearances on shows such as What We Do In The Shadows, Getting On, and What If…?

Truly, a cast of stars is here and they are bringing it in Pinocchio. And who knows? You just might have found a new show or movie to fixate on starring these incredible actors. So many amazing projects to pick from – where will you start? 

Telling a story is harder than it looks, especially if you’re going for a specific effect. The new movie release Three Thousand Years of Longing is a specific case where all the bells and whistles were available in order to make Idris Elba’s story sessions with Tilda Swinton bend to the will of George Miller’s visual feast. And yet, Elba himself made a pitch that was so simple, and so old school, that it enhanced the body of the picture, in which our main pair get caught up in the magic of storytelling.

During the press day for Three Thousand Years of Longing, I was granted the opportunity to speak with both Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba in connection with the film, which you can now rent on PVOD. Noting the electric chemistry between the actors in the latest vision from the man who's currently hard at work delivering his surprisingly long-awaited Mad Max prequel Furiosa, I was curious if the body of the anthology was filmed in long takes, or if the dialogue in the hotel room portions was limited to what was needed for the moment. 

That question yielded an answer that rendered George Miller’s cinematic offering even more impressive. Tilda Swinton confirmed that Three Thousand Years of Longing did indeed employ long takes of Idris Elba telling her stories of his Djinn’s exploits, which is impressive in itself. However, as she told CinemaBlend, Elba pitched Miller on a key idea that enhanced those scenes even further:

As a film, Three Thousand Years of Longing orbits around the central anthology of how the Djinn’s 3000 years leading up to the present day have taught him everything there is to know about wishing. Imparting this wisdom with Dr. Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton), a scholar who specializes in storytelling and myths, he tells three different stories over the course of their time in an Istanbul hotel room. 

For as much as the movie is a beautiful feast of spectacle, the entire concept revolves around two people in bathrobes having a conversation. Watching the trailer for Three Thousand Years of Longing, you can see how audiences might expect something a bit more fast paced and fantastical. What exists instead is more of a balance between far-flung cautionary tales and the more intimate moments between Elba and Swinton.

It absolutely works thanks to those stories being told so expertly on the part of Idris Elba. Knowing that The Suicide Squad actor suggested this shooting strategy shows how much of a handle he had on the role of the Djinn, as well as how much George Miller trusts his actors. That trust worked in a very special way for both Elba and Tilda Swinton, which they further explained in our interview: 

Tilda Swinton: That was really a work of genius, but yes, we shot in a way similar to working with a play. We shot with long takes, and that was useful, because we got a rhythm going, and we were able to establish a rhythm.

Idris Elba: It was designed to be a narration piece, with snippets of the room; but we shot the entire room. The narration is actually my performance in the room, even though you can’t see it. That was important for us to have, and it just brings a certain continuity to the emotion in the whole film. Which I think would have been different, had you cut to a narrator.

The Djinn could be one of Idris Elba’s career best roles, with Tilda Swinton’s performance also ranking highly among her work. It’s all thanks to a collaborative environment that saw some simple suggestions expanded into strategies that maximized the star power that anchored Three Thousand Years of Longing in the here and now. Sometimes the more traditional approach really does make a truly 'out there' tale of romance and fantasy even more fantastic to behold. 

As mentioned earlier, Three Thousand Years of Longing is currently available for PVOD rental, though you might be able to still catch it at a theater near you. Meanwhile, you can also pre-order Three Thousand Years of Longing in advance of its release on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD on November 15th. 

Or, if you're an eccentric millionaire that agrees with Tilda Swinton's movie theater plan, you could probably run the movie yourself for as long as you'd like. There are a lot of options in play here, and none of them require access to a Djinn. 

Tilda Swinton is a force to be reckoned with, whether she makes a physical transformation in movies like Trainwreck or brings her own magic as The Ancient One in Doctor Strange. Even though this British actress has won an Oscar for her performance in Michael Clayton, she has other things to focus on besides nailing her next award-winning role. The 61-year-old actress has plans to open up a multiplex chain, but would need the help of a billionaire multiplex owner to help.

The Chronicles of Narnia actress has had a busy few months going to Cannes for the premiere of George Miller’s Three Thousand Years of Longing, and then to Toronto for the The Eternal Daughter's premiere. Additionally, Swinton has a plan for how to support movies in her own way, telling Indiewire:

Wanting to experiment with movie theater exhibitions has been an aspiring venture for the London native actress for a while. In 2009, she traveled in a truck to the Scottish Highlands to bring classic films to small villages. The time is even more dire now to save movie theaters, as the early days of the pandemic shut down a lot of theaters and the fear of COVID-19 lowered attendance. These days though, more people have been going to see movies on the big screen. However, considering movie theaters and streaming services aren’t in competition with each other, Tilda Swinton believes there’s no reason why streaming giants cannot fund movie theaters by having more of their projects have big screen debuts. 

Swinton is also doing more to enhance the cinematic medium by being picky about the roles she takes on. She prefers director-driven projects like the upcoming movie The Eternal Daughter, where the Oscar winner reunites with director Joanna Hogg for the dual role of a middle-aged filmmaker and her mother who both stay at a remote gothic hotel. Hogg would write outlines for scenes and ask Swinton to improvise, which is challenging to do when you’re talking to yourself for two roles! But the talented actress has said she actually doesn’t believe in acting, but in being your most natural self for the roles you play.

Another director the We Need to Talk About Kevin actress enjoyed working with was Apichatpong Weerasethakul in Memoria, which was released last year about a woman enduring sleepless nights because of a mysterious sound. Tilda Swinton plans on developing another movie with the Thai director. Swinton may not have any idea when this project will happen, but she’s confident it will.

It’s a remarkable idea of Tilda Swinton to want to save movie theaters with her own multiplex. Maybe she can find help with the directors she works with or collaborate on an ad campaign like AMC Theatres is doing with Nicole Kidman. While Swinton's film festival movies have not made theatrical releases yet, you can watch her performance in Doctor Strange with your Disney+ subscription.

The famed director of films like Mad Max: Fury Road and The Witches of Eastwick, George Miller is back after seven years for another go in the fantasy realm. Three Thousand Years of Longing stars Idris Elba (in his second movie to hit theaters this month) and Tilda Swinton in the adaptation of the short story "The Djinn in the Nightingale's Eye" by A.S. Byatt. Critics have seen the movie and are here to tell us what to expect before it hits theaters August 26.

In Three Thousand Years of Longing, Tilda Swinton plays Alithea Binnie, an academic who happens upon a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers to grant her three wishes. The film’s mind-blowing trailer promises fans the excesses of sex, death, revenge and more, so let’s see what the critics are saying. We’ll start, of course, with CinemaBlend’s review of Three Thousand Years of Longing, in which Mike Reyes rates the film 3 out of 5 stars. He loves the pairing of Elba and Swinton and says this deserves to be seen on the big screen, but the review argues George Miller should have amped up the weird: 

Qina Liu of The Seattle Times is on the same page, with a rating of 2.5 stars out of a possible 4. In what is a “mesmerizing cinematic experience” — thanks to cinematographer John Seale, who also worked with George Miller on Mad Max: Fury Road — this critic could have done without the fourth act:

Lindsey Bahr of the Associated Press rates it 3 out of 4 stars and notes that the stories told by Idris Elba’s Djinn are “enchanting, brutal, sensual, grotesque,” and like other critics have said, this team makes it work. From the review:

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment also finds the film better than average, rating it an 8. The critic says Three Thousand Years of Longing highlights the power of storytelling, but it’s Tilda Swinton and Idris Elba who hold the movie together:

Linda Codega of Gizmodo also speaks of storytelling and the way this movie alternates between the main characters’ conversation and the fantastic centuries-old tales, saying the result is somewhat muddled: 

If this sounds like a movie you want to catch on the big screen, Three Thousand Years of Longing is set to hit theaters on Friday, August 26. You can check out what other movies Idris Elba has in the works, but it will be a while before we see George Miller’s next project. The Mad Max prequel Furiosa started filming in June but isn’t scheduled to hit theaters until May 24, 2024. So in the meantime, take a look at our 2022 Movie Release Schedule to start planning your next trip to the theater.

Stories of djinn, or “genies” as they’re more commonly known, have long represented some of the most fantastical tales of wish fulfillment in fiction. It’s a subgenre of its own, with a wide gamut of efforts catering to both children and adults, extolling the virtues of being careful what you wish for. Co-writer/director George Miller’s Three Thousand Years of Longing skews towards the more mature side of that spectrum, and it’s an exciting grown-up fairytale brought to life with the filmmaker’s aesthetic. However, the finished product could have benefitted from going weirder, as the adaptation of A.S. Byatt’s “The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye” feels a bit more reserved than one might expect. 

The mortal that Three Thousand Years of Longing follows is Alithea Binnie (Tilda Swinton), an academic who happens to come into the possession of a vessel that unleashes our story’s Djinn (Idris Elba). Tasked with granting the standard three wishes, the magical being tells an anthology of stories to the human currently in command of his fate, and that’s where the bulk of George Miller’s film is told. 

Even with these fantastical stories unfolding in great visual detail, Three Thousand Years of Longing doesn’t quite stick the landing, but it manages to put on a hell of a show while trying. 

George Miller’s first movie since Mad Max: Fury Road, Three Thousand Years of Longing is a solid, but slightly disjointed effort.

The heart of Miller’s first narrative since Mad Max: Fury Road exploded onto the screen in 2015, a strong anthological core holds for a majority of the movie. Idris Elba’s Djinn weaves stories for Tilda Swinton’s Alithea that warn her about the powers of his wishes with tales of his past, and it’s here that the novelty of the movie takes hold. 

With Swinton’s character being an expert in storytelling and possessing a very meticulous mind, her seemingly wish-less personality takes glee digging into Three Thousand Years of Longing’s cautionary tales. She challenges Elba’s storyteller throughout the film, and the rapport between the two fuels what unfurls, and vice versa. It isn’t until a shift late in the game that the rhythm of the movie falls apart, splitting the narrative into two almost completely separate pictures. 

The film continues past what felt like a logical endpoint, and George Miller and co-writer Augusta Gore inject some modern commentary into what is essentially the fourth story of Three Thousand Years of Longing’s anthology. If it were laid out a little better in the opening act of the film, the very pointed jabs at the real world could have been a great opportunity to get weird. Instead, certain decisions and plot points that really want to say something about our current state of affairs stick out like sore thumbs, failing to be woven properly into the overall fabric.

 Even with that stumbling present, it’s still a mesmerizing thing to watch, especially with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton holding the fort. 

Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton were made to carry a movie together, and their efforts here gladly prove that point.

The pairing of Elba and Swinton proves to be a tremendous casting call by Three Thousand Years of Longing. Teaming George Miller’s directing prowess with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton’s acting energies is a formula for success on paper, but seeing the results reflect that hypothesis is something that feels like a wish come true for movie-goers. 

It's through Idris Elba’s Djinn that the understated magic of Three Thousand Years of Longing works best. The djinn isn’t a fast talking or sneaky force of unlimited power, but more of a methodical showman. Elba tells each of these stories with pure, enthralling charisma. As far as djinns go, this is one you’d actually want to run across, as he’d do everything he can to make sure you get the most out of your wishes. 

Meanwhile, Tilda Swinton’s Alithea Binnie makes the most out of being a captive audience. Showcasing vulnerability, cunning, and modesty, Swinton's role is one that her fans will definitely recognize as more on the grounded side of her skill set. And yet, just as Idris Elba knows how to command his role as the Djinn, Swinton explores the space of her human companion to beautiful and intriguing effect. 

Despite the odd pacing of the stories presented, Three Thousand Years of Longing is still a lush film with visual excitement and commanding performances.

Warts and all, Three Thousand Years of Longing is a movie that deserves to be seen theatrically. Though the stories may not mesh together as well as one would hope, the visuals and performances fill every corner of the screen. George Miller may not have gone as weird as one might hope, but this is still a film that is very much of a grand and lush scope that’s larger than life. 

If anything, this tale of loss, romance, and the intricacy of wishes stands as a signpost at a very important crossroads. Firmly planted between movies aimed at an adult audience and the spectacle that can still exist in such a medium, Three Thousand Years of Longing shows that huge, colorful epics don’t have to be limited to a general audiences approach. It’s that promise that makes the relative tameness of this movie, especially compared to Mad Max Fury Road, all the more frustrating. 

Alas, there’s always the winning team of George Miller, Idris Elba, and Tilda Swinton to fall back on. Should anything be taken from this exercise, it’s that this is a match made in heaven. Investing in this trio is putting creative minds of great quality together, and it could almost be assured that should they all collide again on another project, it’ll be something else worth taking in at the movies. 

Over the course of the past quarter-century, Wes Anderson has created quirky, whimsical, and unique films like The Royal Tenenbaums, The Grand Budapest Hotel, and most recently, The French Dispatch. And now the one-of-a-kind filmmaker will make another addition to his list of cinematic experiences with the star-studded and mysterious sci-fi romantic dramedy titled Asteroid City.

The movie, which will see several of Anderson’s most prolific collaborators share the screen with a few massive stars who are working with the idiosyncratic director for the first time, will be here before you know it, and we have all the details. Here is everything we know about Asteroid City, including its release date, cast, trailer, and much, much more.

What Is The Asteroid City Release Date?

The summer blockbuster season is a busy one in 2023, with massive action movies like Fast X and adventurous journeys like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny coming to the big screen. Between those massive franchises, audiences will get to see Asteroid City when it is released theatrically on June 23rd, Focus Features has announced. 

The Asteroid City Trailer Is Full Of A-List Actors And Whimsical Wes Anderson Tropes

There was a stretch of many months where we didn’t hear or see anything about Wes Anderson’s 11th movie, but that all changed in March 2023, when the debut trailer for Asteroid City was released into the wild. Clocking in at a little more than two minutes, the video offered an extensive look at the film’s A-list cast (more on them in a bit) and more whimsical Wes Anderson tropes than one can count. Check it out below:

On top of that, the Asteroid City trailer, with its symmetrical shots, dry dialogue, and a very pleasing color palette, also introduced prospective audiences to the mysterious story at the center of the upcoming sci-fi comedy that involves a strange desert town, a convention for young stargazers, and a family drama involving Tom Hanks with a killer mustache.

Tom Hanks, Jason Schwartzman And Scarlett Johansson Lead The Asteroid City Cast

Wes Anderson is no stranger to working with massive (and I mean MASSIVE) groups of actors with each of his movies, but Asteroid City may take things to new heights. The cast, which is led by Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson (the first time working with Anderson for each actor), and Jason Schwartzman (a longtime collaborator), is made up of a who’s who of Hollywood talent. 

Looking the Asteroid City cast list you will see names like Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Edward Norton, Bryan Cranston, Steve Carell, Maya Hawke, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Stephen Park, Hope Davis, Matt Dillon, Jeff Goldblum, and on, and on, and on. 

Asteroid City Centers On A Desert Town As It Prepares For A Junior Stargazer Convention And A World-Changing Event

Wes Anderson has made period pieces, he’s constructed character studies of dynamic families, and he’s tackled the meaning of art. With Asteroid City he will try his hand at science fiction, but with his own unique spin, of course. According to the official synopsis from Focus Features, Anderson’s upcoming movie centers on a town in the middle of the desert that is preparing for Junior Stargazer convention that will bring young space cadets from across the country to the idyllic town. But the out-of-towners aren’t the only visitors, as a world-changing event will soon bring some unexpected, and out-of-this-world guests.

Asteroid City Is The Sixth Wes Anderson Movie To Be Scored By Alexandre Desplat

French composer Alexandre Desplat has worked with Wes Anderson on every one of the director’s movies since the 2009 release of the stop-motion wonder  that was The Fantastic Mr. Fox and even won an Oscar for the score he wrote for The Grand Budapest Hotel. Well, Desplat and Anderson have worked together once again, as the composer wrote the score for Asteroid City. In November 2021, Film Music Reporter announced that Desplat was to team up with Anderson again on the mysterious feature film, though no other details were provided at the time. This was later confirmed with the March 2023 release of the movie’s poster, which listed Desplat, who also won an Oscar for his work on The Shape of Water, as the composer. 

And though Desplat and Anderson still have a lot of ground to cover to catch up with the iconic pairing of Steven Spielberg and John Williams, six collaborations in under a decade-and-a-half is quite a feat.  

Bryan Cranston Compared The Asteroid City Shoot To An ‘Actor Dream Camp’

Working on a Wes Anderson movie sounds like it’s a daunting yet fulfilling experience, especially when you get to share scenes with the likes of Tom Hanks, Edward Norton, Jeffrey Wright, and Scarlett Johansson, and that’s pretty much what Bryan Cranston had to say about the project. When speaking with Collider in 2022, the Golden Globe winner compared the Asteroid City shoot to an “actor dream camp,” explaining:

Despite the difficulties and high standards of a Wes Anderson production, the Breaking Bad star made it sound as if it was an incredible experience that he won’t soon forget. Also, the thought of playing guitar in a hotel lobby with some of the most interesting actors on the planet doesn’t sound too bad either.

Expect to hear more about both of Wes Anderson’s upcoming projects in the weeks and months to come. But in the meantime, check out CinemaBlend’s 2023 movie schedule for an up-to-date guide of all the big theatrical and streaming releases.

Wow, are these next few months a great time to be a cinephile! There’s something special about finding a distinct filmmaker you really love and catching their next movie. Wes Anderson is the kind of writer/director who has stayed consistent over the years with his style, yet found new ways to tell stories and use his aesthetics in different settings. His latest movie is The French Dispatch, and it stars a host of talented actors he’s worked with before like Bill Murray, Owen Wilson, and Tilda Swinton, along with some new faces to his movies, including Timothée Chalamet and Jeffrey Wright. Let’s see what film fans thought of the whimsical release. 

First of all, critics are loving The French Dispatch overall. It’s not a total surprise, seeing as how Wes Anderson movies have remained critically-acclaimed since the release of his first film in 1996, Bottle Rocket. From the reviews, it looks like the movie isn’t necessarily unexpected if you’re aware of the filmmaker’s style, but it also manages to stay endearing and fresh. Audiences also seemed to really dig The French Dispatch, considering what people are posting online about the release. Here’s what fans are saying about the artsy movie from The Grand Budapest Hotel director. 

It’s Another Winner For Timothée Chalamet Amidst Dune

The biggest movie in the world right now is Dune, which stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in a sci-fi epic. Funny enough, The French Dispatch first hit theaters on the same day as Dune in select theaters, before going wide to more audiences last weekend. It’s very rare for the same actor to double-head a movie theater’s offerings, but here we are! Audiences are of course taking notice of Chalamet’s big weekend. 

The actor is just 25 and becoming a worldwide star after previously finding roles in movies like Call Me By Your Name and Little Women. Apparently, he’s becoming a household name these days and people are taking notice as they see The French Dispatch: 

Timothée Chalamet is among a massive cast in The French Dispatch, also including Benicio Del Toro, Adrien Brody, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand and Henry Winkler. Even so, it sounds like the young actor is a real highlight of the movie. 

It’s also a rare possibility for audiences to go see Dune and The French Dispatch in the same day or week. Let the Chala-week continue at the movies, because both films seem like real winners. 

The Visuals Are Blowing Audiences Away 

Wes Anderson is well known for his distinct visual style, notably often centering his subjects in his images and making use of specific color palettes in his movies. It turns out Anderson did not shy away from the kind of visually gorgeous films people remember him for in The French Dispatch, considering how much people are gushing over it, right down to the posters. 

The French Dispatch is a “love letter to journalists” and set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional French city. Another fan remarked on the visual style of the movie after checking it out, likening the filmmaker to a ‘cartoonist’ who works in live-action. 

Anderson is a rare filmmaker in that you can always tell you’re watching one of his movies, but at the same time, each one of them has a slightly different aesthetic. The French Dispatch makes use of more pastel colors like sky blue, blush pink and bright orange. Even someone who didn’t necessarily like the movie had to take a moment to share their love for the cinematography, as well: 

And there we have it, another Wes Anderson movie that is a feast for the eyes. 

Fans Really Got Into The French Of It All

What’s pretty adorable about the social posts for The French Dispatch is how many people looked to make a day or event out of going to see the movie. There are tons of pictures of people in front of the movie poster and taking other people along to go see it. The movie is also influencing people to buy into the movie’s very French fashion.  

Wes Anderson is clearly an influencer of his day and you know a movie is good when people are basing their own looks on a film after seeing it. The French Dispatch employed a ton of awesome fashion looks throughout, and it seems like fans are grabbing onto that. 

And, there’s just something about the French language and culture that is just so much fun to emulate and be a part of. The French Dispatch seems to be so immersive to some audiences that they are joking about learning French, too. 

Alright, we talked about the performances, the visuals and how it’s affecting audiences, but what about their thoughts on the movie overall? It looks like it’s winning over a ton of people by that measure, as well. 

The French Dispatch Is Another Beloved Wes Anderson Feature

The messages about the movie itself are just delightful. So many people are loving The French Dispatch, and it shows. It may not be a huge blockbuster, but it’s touching a lot of people. One fan shared his love for the script and performances, especially singling out Jeffrey Wright for his performance. 

Another devout fan of Wes Anderson called The French Dispatch one of Wes Anderson’s best movies to date. He also called it quite emotional and even referenced a quote in it that stuck with him. 

We’ll end on one last Twitter user, who absolutely “loved” the movie for so many reasons. These comments make me want to jump out of my seat and buy a ticket right now. It’s great to hear The French Dispatch is another success for Wes Anderson.

The French Dispatch is playing in theaters now. Check out CinemaBlend’s 2021 new movie release schedule to see what else is next for fans to react to. 

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is ever-growing and has been making major steps forward in regards to inclusion and representation. But there were some speed bumps along the way, including the controversy about Doctor Strange’s casting of Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One. Marvel’s Kevin Feige recently admitted fault in the controversy, and now Swinton herself has responded to those comments.

Shortly after Doctor Strange hit theaters, there was conversation about Tilda Swinton’s casting as an example of whitewashing. The industry has continued changing and making positive steps forward in this regard, and Feige admitted it was a misstep to cast a white actor when trying to avoid stereotypes. Tilda Swinton has now returned to the dialogue, saying:

Well, there you have it. It seems that Tilda Swinton was pleased with Kevin Feige’s comments about her Doctor Strange role. Furthermore, she explained what it was like from the inside as discourse and opinions about her casting shifted in the public space.

Tilda Swinton’s comments to Variety shows how the conversation around the MCU’s take on The Ancient One has continued changing. In the comics, the character is typically an older Asian man. This was flipped on its head when the incomparable Swinton signed on, although many saw this as an opportunity that was taken away from an Asian actor. While she would go on to reprise her role in Avengers: Endgame, Kevin Feige and others have continued engaging in the dialogue.

Marvel fans can re-watch Tilda Swinton’s time in the MCU on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

In that same interview, Tilda Swinton also went on to speak about the time she reached out to comedian Magaret Cho in the midst of the Doctor Strange backlash. Their email exchange went viral at the time, and Cho mentioned she was dissatisfied with the correspondence. Swinton spoke about this, saying:

Since Doctor Strange first hit theaters back in 2016, there have been a number of years for the cast and crew of the Marvel blockbuster to reflect on certain choices--including casting. Phase Four of the MCU will continue to tell more diverse stories, with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings serving as a groundbreaking moment in regards to Asian representation in the MCU.

The next installment in the MCU is Black Widow on July 9th. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe does its best to honor the original Marvel Comics source material, as with any adaptation, creative liberties will be taken in each movie. Take Doctor Strange, for example. One of the ways that the 2016 MCU entry stood out from the comics was by casting Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, Stephen Strange’s mentor in the mystic arts. Because The Ancient One has traditionally been an Asian man, Marvel Studios was called out for whitewashing the role, and the company’s president, Kevin Feige, has now admitted that having a white woman play the role was the wrong decision.

While promoting Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the first MCU movie with an Asian lead, with Men’s Health, Kevin Feige acknowledged the misstep Doctor Strange took with The Ancient One in its efforts to not make the character a stereotype (among other reasons). In Feige’s words:

This is similar to what Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson said around the time the movie was coming out, with the filmmaker noting how he originally considered casting an Asian woman as The Ancient One, but was worried the character would then come off resembling “a straight-up Dragon Lady.” Five years later, Kevin Feige and the rest of the MCU brass are aware that this was the wrong way to go, and have made better efforts to provide respectful representation in Marvel Studios’ movies and TV shows without delving into stereotypical territory.

While the actor chosen to play The Ancient One in Doctor Strange was met with controversy, Tilda Swinton’s version of the character basically performed the same function as her comic book counterpart by introducing Strange to the world of magic. However, she was later mortally wounded by Kaecilius, the main antagonist, during their showdown in the mirror dimension. Swinton briefly reprised The Ancient One in Avengers: Endgame, when Hulk went back to 2012 to retrieve the Time Stone from her.

Of course, having a white woman played The Ancient One was just one of the many ways Doctor Strange shook things up with its characters. The magical blockbuster also cast Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, who is white in the comics, and rather than starting out as a villain, he was depicted as Strange’s ally until he decided that there were too many sorcerers in the world and embarked down a dark path. Then there’s Wong, who in the comics is Stephen Strange’s manservant and doesn’t have any magical abilities of his own. For the Doctor Strange movie, Benedict Wong’s version of the character was made the Master of the Mystic Arts who looked after Kamar-Taj’s library. Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius was also reimagined as a rogue sorcerer seeking to achieve eternal life from Dormammu, as opposed to simply being one of Mordo’s disciples.

With Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness seeing Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange traveling to other realities, perhaps he’ll come across one where The Ancient One is not only still alive, but an Asian man like in the comics. In any case, looking back to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, this will be an opportunity to see if Marvel Studios did indeed learn its lesson from Doctor Strange. Namely, the real Mandarin, played by Tony Leung, is serving as the movie’s main antagonist, and this is a character who has a dicey history with being depicted stereotypically, particularly in his earliest comic book appearances.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will work its magic in theaters on March 25, 2022, with Sam Raimi taking the directorial reins this time around, and characters like Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch and Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez being thrown into the mix. Look through our upcoming Marvel movies guide to learn what else the MCU is sending to the big screen.

Mad Max: Fury Road fans will have to wait a little longer for its much-anticipated spinoff Furiosa to begin production. This is due to director George Miller finally starting production for his much-delayed fantasy drama Three Thousand Years of Longing. He will be teaming up with Idris Elba and Oscar winner Tilda Swinton to bring the story to life.

Not much is currently known about the film’s plot, but George Miller has said it will center on more interior sets and dialogue compared to Mad Max. Despite being called the "anti-Mad Max," there will still be some action scenes, according to Miller. In addition to the secretive storyline, the supporting cast is being kept under wraps as well.

In fact, the production has already begun in Sydney, Australia with Idris Elba and Tilda Swinton set as the film’s leads. Even more surprising is that the film has already been shooting for 20 days of a 62-day production. The film is expected to take a break for Christmas before reconvening in early 2021. The drama is expected to wrap up in early spring with a planned September 2021 release, per Deadline.

But Mad Max fans will be in for a treat as many of Fury Road’s collaborators are part of Three Thousand Years of Longing’s crew. Director of Photography John Seale will be behind the lens despite retiring from filmmaking after finishing the Oscar-winning film. Seale is joined by editor Margaret Sixel, hair and makeup designer Lesley Vanderwalt and set decorator Lisa Thompson. All, who I might add, won Oscars for their work on the critically acclaimed box office hit. Other returning Fury Road staples include composer Tom Holkenborg (better known as Junkie XL), casting director Nikki Barrett, first Assistant Director P.J. Voeten, stunt coordinator Guy Norris, and Sheldon Wade, who collaborated on the film’s much-talked-about prosthetics.

Along with these Fury Road staples being a part of the fantasy drama, Miller recruited Babe production designer Roger Ford, The Matrix costume designer Kym Barrett and Marvel VFX supervisor Paul Butterworth. The film was announced in 2018 but has faced production and financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The production solved this problem by securing outside funding, but that meant the film had to nix filming in London and Istanbul.

Despite having to scale down the production, all isn’t lost as Miller’s producing partner Doug Mitchell described the Sydney sets as being “some of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen.” It makes sense as the story spans over thirty centuries.

After filming wraps on Three Thousand Years of Longing, Miller will start production on Furiosa with Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II set to star despite some drama surrounding the re-casting. Like Three Thousand Years of Longing, the Mad Max spinoff will film in Australia. As a Mad Max fan, I know the wait has been trying at times, but given Miller’s illustrious career, Furiosa will be worth it.

I tried this before with Silence of the Lambs, and I’m going to try it again. But this time, I’m focusing on the horror masterpiece, The Shining, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall.

Now, just like the last time, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining. In fact, I love The Shining! (Even though its author, Stephen King, hates it). But I also think a hypothetical remake of The Shining would be kind of rad. Especially if it had more diversity in it since diversity can make an already great story feel even more unique. And before some of you say, “What if Black Panther was replaced with white actors? Would that be okay?” Well, all I have to say is, sure, why not? That could be your list if you want it to be. (Adrian Brody as T’Challa, perhaps?) But here’s my list of what actors I would want to play in The Shining if I had a diverse cast in mind.

Jack Torrance – John Cho

Jack Torrance, played by the incomparable Jack Nicholson, is an author who just needs to get away from the world. He’s taken on a job as the winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel with the hopes of getting in some quality writing time. But he soon starts to go nuts (or does he?), as he begins seeing ghosts in the hotel who tell him to murder his family. He also has a love of axes and Johnny Carson, but a distaste for hedge mazes and ice cold climate. I can relate.

Nobody could replace Jack Nicholson, so I wouldn’t even bother to. Instead, I would want a quieter, more introspective Jack Torrance who might be questioning his own sanity before he even got into the hotel. And I think John Cho would be perfect for that role. John Cho can play quiet and reserved, but there can also be a lot of rage bubbling beneath the surface, as seen in the movie Searchingwhich is about a father who won’t give up hope looking for his missing daughter. It would be impossible to forget Jack Nicholson’s insane performance, so why not try a different approach? I would like a Jack who is trying to figure out if he’s going insane or not, only to submit to insanity anyway. Pretty cool.

Wendy Torrance - Janelle Monae

Wendy Torrance, played by Shelly Duvall, is the wife of Jack Torrance and the mother of Danny Torrance. But she doesn’t have much of a role in the movie besides screaming and occasionally swinging a baseball bat at Jack. Oh, and slicing a hand with a knife if she has to. I mean, I know she’s scared, but fight back more, woman. Fight back!

You know who would fight back? Antebellum’s Janelle Monae. Because here’s the thing. If I were to swap roles in a remake of The Shining, I don’t want the same thing as the original but with different actors. I actually want something different as a whole. And Janelle Monae has proven in Antebellum (especially in the third act) that she won’t take crap from anybody. So I think her presence would change the whole movie. She would definitely fight back. And I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Danny Torrance – Ian Chen

Danny Torrance, played by Danny Lloyd, actually has the shining, which is a telepathic ability to communicate with others. When he’s not “shining” with the Overlook Hotel’s cook, Dick Hallorann, he’s usually seen riding his big wheels around the hotel and running into ghost twins. Oh, and writing Redrum on the mirrors. Because a boy needs his hobbies.

The youngest (and brightest) child of Louis and Jessica Huang on Fresh Off The Boat, Ian Chen, at 14 (now) is a lot older than Danny Lloyd was in The Shining, but that’s okay. Ian Chen played a precocious, somewhat know-it-all character, and I think it would actually be pretty interesting to have a teenage Danny who thinks he might actually know what’s going on, but tries to doubt it, just like his father. Along with a mother who fights back, I think it would create an interesting dynamic of a wise teenager with the shining who doesn’t know what to do with his ability, or who to trust.

Dick Hallorann – Tilda Swinton

Dick Hallorann, played by the late, great Scatman Crothers, is the head cook at the Overlook Hotel, but he also has the shining, just like Danny. Ever since the Torrance family came to the hotel, though, he’s had a sense that the ghosts are becoming more and more powerful, and more and more bold as well. He tries to alert Danny about this, but gets an axe in the back for all his troubles. Aww, shucks.

Since Dick Hallorann was already played by a person of color in the original, I thought it would be interesting to gender swap the roles this time around. Instead of a black man, I want a white woman. And to fill that role, I would pick none other than Tilda Swinton. Ms. Swinton has already played a man’s role when she portrayed the Ancient One in Doctor Strange, as the character was a man in the comics. But I’m mainly thinking of Tilda Swinton’s performance in Snowpiercer when I envision her for this role. I see her as being somebody who outwardly seems crazy to Danny, but who actually reveals how sagacious and brave she is in the face of all these ghosts. I also don’t think this version would allow herself to be hit in the back with an axe. She’d already see him coming a mile away and could maybe even communicate with the ghosts. Reason with them, perhaps? Who’s to say?

Lloyd – Kunal Nayyar

Lloyd, played by Joe Turkel, was formerly a bartender at the Overlook Hotel, but died and took up residence as a ghost in the same position. He mostly likes to clean glasses and tell people to kill their families, so you know, all in a day’s work.

The Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar might seem like a terrible choice for the creepy Lloyd in the movie, but hear me out with this one. Lloyd’s quiet but firm approach in the original movie fit perfectly with the kind of hotheaded Jack Torrance he was dealing with. But I’m seeing a more cerebral Jack with John Cho, and this Jack would be the kind of person who actually needs to be eased into following his baser instincts, and I think humor would be a great way to ease him into that situation. Enter Kunal Nayyar, who can be hilarious, but also charming in his own way. I’d love to see a ghost who seems like he wants to be your friend, and will be, if you’re just willing to kill your family to become one with the hotel.

And that’s the list. I’m sure there are better choices that I could have made, but those are the ones that I came up with. But what do you think? Sound off in the comments.

Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange remains one of the most unusual origin-story movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even when you consider that movies like Thor and Ant-Man dabble in Asgardian politics or quantum physics, the mystical surrealism that Derrickson needed to master in order to bring the character to life on screen. And so it makes some sense that Derrickson’s favorite scene in the movie involves The Ancient One, and not Strange, as he just admitted.

Derrickson participated in a watch party on social media (sponsored by ComicBook) and commented on the movie as fans watched along. And when Doctor Strange got to the death of The Ancient One – spoiler alert, I’m sorry – the director admitted:

It’s a deeply emotional scene. The last lesson passed down from a teacher to a student. And Tilda Swinton ends up being the ideal choice to play an ethereal, knowledgeable being like The Ancient One on screen. There’s so much about her character that we still don’t know, and it’s kind of a blessing when we saw her resurface in Avengers: Endgame thanks to time travel. I also feel like she can contribute to the Doctor Strange sequel, because magic! But you knew, in this scene, that Strange would continue to learn from The Ancient One even long after she was gone, because her wisdom was that influential.

Contained in the scene is a moment that Scott Derrickson says is pivotal to Doctor Strange working as a film so they spent an inordinate amount of time on it.

And in case you had any doubt about how wonderful Tilda Swinton was, in person, Derrickson had this to add:

Now you want to see the scene for yourself, don’t you? Us, too. We got you covered.

All of this makes us depressed that Scott Derrickson is not at the helm of next year’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. His passion for the character is evident, but something happened behind the scenes, and Derrickson decided to move on. The rumors are that he will be replaced by Sam Raimi, who is a brilliant choice. But given the coronavirus delays ravaging the industry, we don’t know yet how Marvel’s production and release schedule will be affected. We will report more as we hear it.

What comes to mind when you think of a Wes Anderson film? If you said pastels, a twinkly musical score and one hell of a cast, then you’re absolutely correct in your beliefs. Should anyone question your Anderson acumen, then you have plenty of evidence to provide to back up your valid hypothesis, especially when the trailer for The French Dispatch features such stars as Timothee Chalamet and Bill Murray in its full cast list.

As luck would have it, we have that cast list provided below, which shows off the pretty extensive lineup that Anderson has assembled for The French Dispatch.

Before we dive into a deeper breakdown of the cast, it’s particularly notable that we have a classic Wes Anderson narrator at large in The French Dispatch. Anjelica Huston, a long time Anderson player, is the omniscient voice that will bring the entire package to live. And here are the players she’ll be commentating on throughout the film:

The Staff Of The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun

Bill Murray

One of the many veterans of the Wes Anderson Repertory Company is none other than comedy legend Bill Murray! In their latest collaboration, Murray will be playing the role of Arthur Howitzer Jr, the editor of The French Dispatch that ties the universe together. So basically, Murray is almost playing the exact same role he provides to the world at large.

Owen Wilson

Also rejoining the ranks of Wes Anderson’s frequent flyer club is Owen Wilson, someone who’s been in almost all of the director’s films. Herbsaint Sazerac is Wilson’s new character, a writer on staff at The French Dispatch who can be counted on for witty conversation and bicycle repair prowess, as well as sterling copy.

Jason Schwartzman

How could a Wes Anderson movie not have Jason Schwartzman attached, even in the slightest capacity? Another longtime friend and employee in the Anderson orbit, Schwartzman’s Hermes Jones looks to be the cover artist for The French Dispatch. Here’s hoping his quips are as crazy as his hair.

Elisabeth Moss

Rounding out the staff members of The French Dispatch who are displayed outside of individual vignettes is Elisabeth Moss, a newcomer to the wild and crazy world of Wes Anderson’s work. We don’t know her character's name yet, but it looks like Moss’ dry and wry sensibilities from Mad Men will make this follow-up to her work on The Invisible Man a nice change of comedic pace.

We’ll now move onto the three stories that The French Dispatch tells at the heart of its very last issue in print. With each story is a journalist from the staff at its heart, recalling events from various time periods and moments of turmoil in this film’s thematic structure.

Story 1: The Concrete Masterpiece, By J.K.L. Bernesen

Tilda Swinton

Providing the lecture that details the story within “The Concrete Masterpiece” is The French Dispatch’s journalist J.K.L. Bernesen. Artistically inclined, and ever fashionable, Berensen is brought to life by the impeccable Tilda Swinton. Her track record in the Wes Anderson Repertory Company stretches back to 2012’s Moonrise Kingdom, and has endured ever since.

Benicio Del Toro

Another first timer comes to the fold in The French Dispatch, as Moses Rosenthaler, the artist at the heart of “The Concrete Masterpiece” is played by Benicio Del Toro. Just watching his banter with co-star Adrian Brody is enough to convince even the most casual observer that Del Toro clearly belongs in this motley crew of acting talent.

Lea Seydoux

The muse for Rosenthaler’s work, and subject of a painting that’s of particular importance to The French Dispatch, is the alluring and mysterious Simone. Seen as both muse and prison guard, this part is played by Spectre’s Léa Seydoux. No stranger to Wes Anderson’s work, Seydoux previously worked with the director on 2014’s The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Adrien Brody

Seeking to purchase Moses Rosenthaler’s un-buyable “Simone, Naked, Cell Block J, Hobby Room (oil on sackcloth)” is the persistent art dealer, Julien Cadazio. As previously mentioned, this bickersome character is played by Adrien Brody, best known for his roles in Anderson’s previous films The Darjeeling Limited and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Bob Balaban and Henry Winkler

In order to aid his art savvy empire, Julien Cadazio has the help of two ‘business-partner uncles’ at his disposal in The French Dispatch. Playing one of those two uncles is comedic stalwart Bob Balaban, who, much like Tilda Swinton, has been an Anderson disciple since Moonrise Kingdom. The other Cadazio uncle is the big surprise though, as the legendary Henry Winkler is playing him, making his debut in the Wes Anderson three ring circus!

Story 2: Revisions To A Manifesto, By Lucinda Krementz

Frances McDormand

Story 2 of The French Dispatch, Lucinda Krementz’s “Revisions To A Manifesto,” focuses on two crazy kids who happen to be in love during a tumultuous student revolution. The journalist telling this story is played by Frances McDormand, last heard bringing the news to the Wes Anderson created world of Isle of Dogs.

Timothee Chalamet

It was only a matter of time before Timothee Chalamet and Wes Anderson crossed paths. Nature basically dictated it, and it’s only fair that Chalamet be the one to play Zeffirelli, a revolutionary student in The French Dispatch. Looking like a prodigious chess player to boot, this young man could put that knowledge to political usage as well.

Lyna Khoudri

Making her major motion picture debut with The French Dispatch is actor Lyna Khoudri. Playing Juliette, the girlfriend to Timothee Chalamet’s Zeffirelli, their pairing was destined based on their character names. With a motor scooter and a bad attitude, her fire matches that of her fellow activist and boyfriend.

Story 3: The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright

Jeffrey Wright

Our final story in The French Dispatch's catalog of whimsy is entitled "The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright." Wright, played by Westworld and No Time To Die actor Jeffrey Wright, is the resident food journalist at the film's titular magazine. Reporting on something called "Police Cuisine," he becomes embroiled in a story that looks like it leads to a hostage standoff, and a lot of symmetrical gunfire.

Liev Schreiber

Part of Roebuck Wright's story looks to be told through his appearance on a TV show of some sort. Cast as the presenter of that show is Isle Of Dogs voice actor Liev Schreiber, making this his second Wes Anderson film. We don't know his character's name yet, but The French Dispatch looks like it's going to make the most of pairing Schreiber with Jeffrey Wright.

Willem Dafoe

While not all of the star studded cast members of The French Dispatch may play larger than life characters, it's nice to see Wes Anderson continue to reward previous collaborators with spots in the lineup. Willem Dafoe is one such fixture in this cast, as his prisoner character doesn't have a name yet, and is only seen briefly in the film's trailer. A sporadic presence in Anderson's universe, Dafoe was most notably present in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou, but also in the casts for Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Mathieu Amalric

Cast as "a policeman with a kidnapped son,” Mathieu Amalric won't just be enjoying food alongside Jeffrey Wright's Roebuck Wright. As this third story centers around said kidnapping, Amalric's policeman will undoubtedly be excusing himself from dinner a little earlier than expected. This marks the actor's second Wes Anderson film, as The Grand Budapest Hotel was Mathiew Amalric's appearance in an Anderson picture.

Edward Norton

The voice on the other end of that phone Mathieu Amalric is holding was quite recognizable upon the first viewing of The French Dispatch's trailer. Edward Norton has one of those distinct vocal ranges that automatically pegs him in any film he shows up in, and as the kidnapper behind the insidious plot of "The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright," he's even easy to spot in a group of dissidents firing at will upon authorities. And before you ask, yes, Norton is another cast member that's been a part of the Wes Anderson Repertory Company since Moonrise Kingdom.

Saoirse Ronan

Rounding out the cast of characters partaking in the kidnapping of a policeman's son is a rather mysterious woman. So mysterious, we don't know her character's name. However, we do know that she's played by Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan, who was previously spotted in Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel. With The French Dispatch, Ronan looks to be playing against type, as a figure on the side of evil.

Stephen Park

Last, but not least is Stephen Park's Lieutenant Nescafier, the chef behind the gorgeous meal that "The Private Dining Room Of The Police Commissioner, By Roebuck Wright" looks to be serving. But Park's character also happens to be listed as solving a kidnapping in The French Dispatch. Which is pretty handy, considering how fast things shift from a table of smiling guests gushing over cuisine to exchanging bullets and phone calls.

The French Dispatch has a huge cast, three stories and a boatload of ambition to potentially become the next, best Wes Anderson film. We'll see if it pays off when the film opens in theaters on July 25. Though should that release date be delayed, due to the ever shifting release calendar affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we'll report such an update as it occurs.

Following his Best Picture win for 2017’s The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro took a year off directing as he moved his focus on producing projects such as Scary Stories To Tell In the Dark. Soon he’ll return to the helm of a couple exciting projects, including a stop-motion adaptation of Pinocchio. Now the cast hasn’t been officially announced yet by del Toro, but one actor close to the project has revealed an impressive lineup that’s attached.

Game of Thrones’ Walder Frey actor David Bradley told Polish website Na Ekraine (via The Playlist) that he is voicing the role of Pinocchio’s “father” Geppetto in the upcoming stop-motion movie. The 77-year-old actor is well-known for playing Hogwarts’ caretaker Argus Filch in six Harry Potter films and having roles in Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz and At World’s End.

David Bradley also said that he’ll be working with Ron Perlman, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton, and Ewan McGregor on Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Those are some massive names! Except word on which roles they will specifically play was not disclosed. Perlman is a frequent collaborator with Guillermo del Toro -- who has worked with him in the Hellboy franchise, Pacific Rim, and Trollhunters -- so it’s no surprise he might return to voice a role in Pinocchio.

Christoph Waltz is a two-time Oscar-winning actor for his roles in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. He recently starred in Alita: Battle Angel and he’ll soon reprise his James Bond role as Blofeld in No Time To Die. Tilda Swinton is an impressive character actress from Snowpiercer, Suspiria, and Okja just to name a few. Ewan McGregor is best known for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi and recently played Black Mask in Birds of Prey.

These are some exciting picks for Pinocchio for Guillermo del Toro’s update of the classic fairytale. The stop-motion film has been described as the filmmaker as a ”brutalist fable” that has Pinocchio living in the Mussolini era of Italy. Just as del Toro has brought his fascination with Frankenstein to his previous films such as Shape of Water, Pinocchio is apparently influenced by the movie monster as well. But this version is not a family flick.

Right now del Toro’s focus is mainly on Nightmare Alley, an adaptation of a ‘40s noir by William Lindsay Gresham. The movie about the team up between a conman and a female psychologist reportedly stars Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman, and Richard Jenkins.

At the same time, Disney is also working on a live-action remake of Pinocchio with Robert Zemeckis directing. Tom Hanks was previously attached to play the role of Geppetto in this version, but updates on the development of this movie have been scarce.

Stay tuned on CinemaBlend for more updates on Pinocchio.

Every trailer for a Wes Anderson movie feels like opening a surprise gift from an old friend. You never know what’s inside beforehand, and there’s usually a lot of anticipation before tearing the packaging and untying the bows. The first look at his latest film, The French Dispatch, is no exception, as it’s just as wild and exciting as you’d hope, and with some new tricks on display in the world of Andersonian chaos.

Brace yourself, and take a look below.

The overall framing device of the film fully titled The French Dispatch of The Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun is a special issue of that very publication. Focusing on three of their best stories in the past decade, the staff of The French Dispatch work tirelessly to put together these different but complimentary stories of uprising, high art, and cuisine into an easy to sell package.

Right from the start, The French Dispatch feels like a Wes Anderson film. From the presence of recurring cast members like Tilda Swinton, Frances McDormand, Adrian Brody, and, of course, Bill Murray, the patter that’s shown on screen is just as comforting as knowing that these folks are on the screen once again.

But the new and exciting angles that present themselves in The French Dispatch are quite exciting as well. With what looks like an anthology approach to the storytelling, these three stories are invoking different designs, aspect ratios, and tales of various disciplines. Which is also a great opportunity to bring new actors into the Wes Anderson fold.

Through stories titled “The Concrete Masterpiece,” “Revisions to a Manifesto,” and “The Private Dining Hall of the Police Commissioner,” we’ll see Elizabeth Moss, Léa Seydoux, Benicio del Toro, Jeffrey Wright, and Timothée Chalamet mix it up with the Wes Anderson Repertory Company, which also includes the returns of Owen Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Edward Norton, and Jason Schwartzman.

All that’s missing is an appearance by Jeff Goldblum, and while his name and likeness aren’t specifically invoked in this trailer, it’s hard to think he wouldn’t be present in some capacity for the comic madness of The French Dispatch.

The greatest impression this trailer leaves is the fact that Wes Anderson is still in an experimental mood, in terms of his visual output. Much like The Grand Budapest Hotel, there’s a hint of aspect ratios being played with, and a transition between color and black and white footage that makes The French Dispatch look as playful and chaotic as it sounds.

Since those are two things Anderson does really well, it looks like this new film is going to be a crowd pleasing return to form, as well as a good opportunity to bring those unfamiliar with his particular charms to the table. Though seeing as this film is somehow being released in the middle of blockbuster season, with Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, Jason Reitman’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and the Sony/Marvel film Morbius all surrounding it, consider us curious as to how that whimsy will play in the midst of such high budget traffic.

The French Dispatch of The Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun goes to print on July 24, 2020, as this film is clearly not afraid of any ghosts. But if you thought July was busy, wait until you see the rest of the calendar, thanks to our 2020 release schedule. No one’s playing around on the film market this year, and it shows.

In a month already filled with twists and turns for the MCU, the following news was announced: Kevin Feige is working on a Star Wars movie. Yes, the Marvel Studios chief at the helm of the jaw-dropping, universe-building, box-office dominating MCU over the years is brainstorming for a galaxy far, far away. Now the question is: who will he bring along for the light speed ride across the stars?

Per the initial report about Kevin Feige and Star Wars, he already knows who he wants to cast in the lead role. Could this mean he’s drawing from the expansive MCU family of actors we’ve previously seen don superhero suits and discuss Infinity Stones? If so, Kevin Feige has no shortage of talent to call up for the movie’s various roles. Here are our picks:

Annette Bening

Earlier this year, Captain Marvel enlisted the legendary actress Annette Bening to play the Supreme Intelligence and Dr. Wendy Lawson. The four-time Oscar nominee always brings a certain esteem to her performances, and her work alongside Brie Larson's Carol Danvers was a standout in the ‘90s set origin story. However, her role in the MCU doesn’t look like one that would continue past the first Captain Marvel movie, but we’d still like to see her do more in the sci-fi genre! She has major range – she could pull anything off really.

Winston Duke

The Star Wars franchise has always loved casting fresh talent in its movies, and Winston Duke is about as fresh as it gets! The actor found his big-screen debut as M’Baku in 2018’s Black Panther and has since charmed in Jordan Peele’s Us. Although Duke has been stealing scenes in major projects, it feels like we haven’t seen the full scope his talents just yet. He’s already a familiar name, but now Feige has the power to solidify Duke’s star status.

Chris Evans

Then there’s Captain America. Now, Chris Evans has just wrapped up a decade-long chapter of being in the spotlight as Steve Rogers. But even before that, he was finding roles in big movies such as Fantastic Four. He’s great in indies too, but Evans has always thrived in blockbusters. I can see Evans coming to Star Wars to take on something incredibly different than his boy scout role. He and Feige trust each other. Plus, he’s already shown his direct interest.

Laurence Fishburne

Is anyone else a bit disappointed Laurence Fishburne is in the MCU, but wasn’t given much to do? He had a supporting role in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp as Dr. Bill Foster. The Matrix star is an incredible character actor who has delivered great performances throughout his career, but we’re always itching for another powerhouse role from the 58-year-old actor. He’s established roots with Disney with the Ant-Man sequel, Black-ish and the upcoming Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur series, so now it’s time for him to stun in the Star Wars universe!

Danai Gurira

Ever since Danai Gurira graced the big screen for Black Panther, she speared a scar right into our hearts. She has this unique combination of commanding a powerful presence and injecting heart into scenes. She’s one of the most interesting new actors to join the MCU. Now, we know Black Panther 2 is happening and she could have a larger role in the sequel. Still, put Danai Gurira in Star Wars, Kevin Feige. She’d be an instant favorite!

Daniel Kaluuya

Ok, yes, this is list is stacked with Black Panther actors, but there’s so much talent there! Daniel Kaluuya didn’t really get a large enough role to really shine in the Wakanda-set epic either. He deserves a larger swing in the Star Wars movies. The Get Out actor earning an Oscar nomination for the breakout Jordan Peele horror movie. Whatever big plans Lucasfilm has for the franchise, the actor is in high demand following Get Out and it’d be smart to bring him in!

Brie Larson

It helps to be a big Star Wars fan if you’re going to make one of its movies. Kevin Feige is certainly a longtime one. So is Brie Larson. She has made it known in the past by posting awesome pictures of her at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge, wielding lightsabers and such. She’s good friends with Samuel L. Jackson (a.k.a. Mace Windu) and looks great in Jedi garb. Following a more restrained performance in Captain Marvel, it would also be nice to see what else she can do on a large scale movie!

Evangeline Lilly

It's time to help Evangeline Lilly complete a record. She’s been in the Lord of the Rings franchise and the MCU, so Star Wars would complete the trifecta! Since becoming a favorite on Lost, the actress has remained iconic with the blockbuster roles she’s accumulated and she’d be a solid addition in Star Wars too! She actually once admitted to approaching J.J. Abrams for a role in The Force Awakens. And hey, her Lost co-star (and LoTR’s Merry) Dominic Monaghan is about to be in The Rise of Skywalker.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell in space! Need I say more? The actor is a Disney legend, who got his start with the studio playing a teen in a variety of the studio’s films in the ‘60s and ‘70s. It’s always great to see him return to his roots for films such as Miracle, Sky High and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, but a turn to the Star Wars franchise would be nothing short of epic. He has the star power to get fans excited. Who knows? He could be the next Obi-Wan Kenobi type for a new generation.

Tilda Swinton

Lastly, the incomparable Tilda Swinton would be a magnificent addition to the Star Wars universe. She’s adept with disappearing into unconventional character roles perfect for the alien world often uncovered in Star Wars. Between her roles in Wes Anderson movies, Snowpiercer, Suspiria or Okja, it only seems like a matter of time before Tilda crosses over to a galaxy far, far away! While she has a vital role to play in the MCU as the Ancient One, there’s always room for more of her talent on the big screen.

There's so much talent in the MCU! Which is your favorite pick? Or what did we miss? Share your selections in the comments below!

This poll is no longer available.

The frame is centered and the picture has a vintage tinge – it must be time for another Wes Anderson film! Whispers of the quirky, Oscar-nominated director’s next project have been floating around, and now some official details have now been revealed. Anderson’s next film will be called The French Dispatch and feature an impressive cast of actors – including frequent collaborators Bill Murray, Owen Wilson and Tilda Swinton.

The French Dispatch will be a love letter to journalists and be set in a fictional French city at an American newspaper outpost. The collection of stories published in the titular “French Dispatch” magazine will be brought to life through Wes Anderson’s vision. Fox Searchlight officially announced its acquired rights, along with a 2020 release date.

Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Adrien Brody, Jeffrey Wright, Léa Seydoux and Timothée Chalamet have each been cast in roles in The French Dispatch. Additionally, French actors Mathieu Amalric (also in Grand Budapest Hotel) and Lyna Khoudri have joined, along with newcomer Stephen Park.

The movie is currently in production and will follow Wes Anderson’s second stop-motion film, Isle of Dogs, released in 2018. Fans of the filmmaker will be excited to hear Bill Murray will continue his streak and once again grace an Anderson film. It’s also no surprise Tilda Swinton and Owen Wilson are amongst the cast. The latter started out as his writing partner and star in his first movie, Bottle Rocket, and has appeared in many of Anderson's movies since then.

The upcoming release certainly marks tons of talented actors in first-time roles with the established filmmaker as well. Benicio Del Toro has yet to work with Wes Anderson between his work Paul Thomas Anderson, Denis Villenueve and so forth. It should be fun to see how Del Toro translates into Anderson’s aesthetic along with The Goldfinch’s Jeffrey Wright and 23-year-old Timothée Chalamet, who will soon be seen in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women and Villenueve’s Dune.

Fans of the filmmaker certainly can expect a certain tone and whimsy going into a Wes Anderson flick. The writer/director is an expert at bringing together ensemble casts and giving them sharp dialogue to work with. The French Dispatch looks like no exception.

The movie will be produced by Wes Anderson, Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson, a team who previously worked on Isle of Dogs, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Darjeeling Limited.

Other big names such as Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, Jason Schwartzman and Willem Dafoe have been attached to the cast, but are not among those who have been confirmed by Fox Searchlight.

The studio behind The French Dispatch has an Anderson-esque release coming soon in the form of Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit, which is getting Oscar buzz ahead of its release on October 18.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a fascinating place right now, as the events of Avengers: Infinity War have put the entire future of the behemoth franchise in jeopardy. The Russo Brothers' blockbuster exceeded expectations in regards to both action and story-- managing to service a massive group of beloved characters in the process. Fans were left to wonder what could happen in Avengers 4, and it looks like the upcoming Phase Three finale will bring back yet another dead character.

Earlier this week, actor Frank Grillo (aka Captain America villain Crossbones) revealed that he'd have a flashback role in Avengers 4, despite his character dying during the explosive opening sequence of Captain America: Civil War. And it turns out that Tilda Swinton will return as her Doctor Strange character The Ancient One, as Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige recently revealed:

Get your Cloak of Levitation ready, because it looks like The Ancient One is returning from the dead for Avengers 4. Now the question is, how significant will the appearance be? After all, she only filmed for one day.

Kevin Feige's comments from the Austin Film Festival (via Super Bro Movies) is just the latest casting news to comes from Avengers 4, after it was revealed that 13 Reasons Why star Katherine Langford will have a mysterious role in the upcoming blockbuster. But with both The Ancient One and Crossbones somehow returning for the upcoming movie, fans are left to wonder what macguffin could make this possible.

This latest report will add fuel to a popular fan theory claiming that Avengers 4 will involve time travel in some capacity. After Thanos successfully acquired the Infinity Stones, he was able to snap his fingers, and wipe out half the galaxy with the use of his Gauntlet. Audiences watched as countless heroes faded away to dust, with both the fans and surviving Avengers left to wonder what's next.

Obviously the MCU can't continue without characters like Black Panther and Spider-Man, but it's unclear if/how the fallen heroes will return. The answers may have come through Ant-Man and The Wasp's mid-credits scene, where Scott Lang was left in the Quantum Realm, which has been teased to have time and/or reality traveling capabilities. If Ant-Man starts going through wormholes, perhaps it'll transport him to a time where the Ancient One is still alive, before Thanos caused his own apocalypse.

It should be interesting to see how The Ancient One is used in Avengers 4, especially considering Doctor Strange was among the group of heroes who faded to dust during Infinity War's conclusion. Both set photos and Frank Grillo himself have confirmed flashbacks, so just about anything is possible.

We'll get some answers when Avengers 4 arrives in theaters May 3rd, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Tilda Swinton is an acclaimed actress who is known for ability to slip into new characters, almost completely disappearing into her roles. Swinton's presence helps carry weight in her films, with her next release being the upcoming remake of the horror classic Suspiria. Swinton is playing the terrifying Madame Blanc in Luca Guadagnino's version, but she's also got another role: elderly male psychologist and third protagonist Josef Klemperer.

Tilda Swinton's role as Josef Klemperer was kept under wraps for a series of months, before the actress finally confirmed the rumors. Now it appears that her transformation into the villainous psychoanalyst was more intense than just makeup, as it also had prosthesis... including synthetic male genitalia. Makeup artist Mark Coulier explained Tilda's role in her Suspiria look, saying:

Well, I didn't see that coming. While old age makeup and prothesis are used relatively often in the film world, no one could have predicted how strongly Tilda Swinton would feel about her fake genitalia. Or that she would have whipped them out on the set of Suspiria.

Mark Coulier's comments to The New York Times definitely give a glint into the perspective of Tilda Swinton, and how she functions as an actress. On one hand, Swinton's attention to detail regarding her prosthesis show how methodically she approaches her roles. But on the other hand, her penchant for taking out Klemperer's fancy parts while on set reveal she's down for some levity, and doesn't take it all too seriously.

As Suspiria was being filmed and edited, Tilda Swinton's role as Josef Klemperer was kept under wraps. But photos from the set revealed the character, and eagle eyed moviegoers put the pieces together. Still, both Tilda Swinton and director Luca Guadagnino denied her duel role in the film, claiming that unknown actor Lutz Ebersdorf was playing the role.

Alas, Lutz Ebersdorf doesn't exist at all, and Tilda Swinton will be playing 2/3 of Suspiria's lead characters. This bit of information will add to the hype surrounding the remake, as its trailers teased a horrifying world of art and witchcraft. Luca Guadagnino is fresh off of massive acclaim for Call Me By Your Name, so all eyes are on how his next release will be received.

Suspiria is based off of the iconic 1977 Italian classic film of the same name. The original is a jarring and horrifying supernatural experience, so there's a ton of pressure surrounding the forthcoming adaptation.

Suspiria will arrive in theaters on October 26, 2018. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Hollywood has been planning a remake of Suspiria for more than a decade, and during that time it has always existed as a controversial project. After all, the 1977 original from master Dario Argento has long been hailed as one of the greatest examples of the horror genre, and any cinephile could rattle off a long list of re-dos that totally fell on their face. Now that the film has been made and screened, however, any and all trepidation or concern can be entirely dismissed. As witnessed this evening during Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, director Luca Guadagnino has created a work that shares key DNA with its predecessor while still standing very much on its own, and coalesces as a stunning, horrifying nightmare that is as shockingly gorgeous as it is unsettling.

Written by David Kajganich, the new Suspiria takes us back to Berlin in the year the original was released, following a young woman named Susie Bannion (Dakota Johnson) as she moves from the United States to enroll in a prestigious dance academy. What she doesn't know, however, is that the school is covertly controlled by a coven of witches who channel their powers through their students in hopes of prolonging their existence and status. Because of her remarkable natural abilities, Susie is quickly taken under the wing of the commanding and respected Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton), but as she advances she slowly begins to start understanding the truth.

Dario Argento's original will forever be recognized for its breathtaking cinematography and insanely bold use of color, and while Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria molds its own aesthetic, it's no less jaw-dropping. And this is true within the film's many different modes. Simply moving through the dark halls and vast spaces of the academy is a haunting experience; while the cinematography and choreography for the dance sequences are exquisite and elegant while also fierce and violent. They make for a perfect appetizer for when the movie really sinks its teeth in and lovingly and horrifyingly embraces its genre. There's a masterful use of cutaways that disturb on a whole other level, and nightmare montages that turn your blood ice cold as you fully register the monstrous imagery that flashes across the screen.

It's not exactly a jaunt, as the runtime clocks in over two-and-a-half hours -- but while that may seem intimidating, it's an experience that earns its length. It's certainly a challenging experience, as it plays in abstractions and keeps exposition to an extreme minimum, but it's also anything but slow. At no point watching the film are you ever too far away from witnessing a sequence that will shake you, and every performance is utterly captivating. What's more, it will ultimately be a cinematic experience that you take with you even after the lights go up in the theater and you make your way home, as I challenge anyone to see the movie and not feel immediately compelled to keep the otherworldly engrossment going by diving into Thom Yorke's genius soundtrack (which, if there's any justice in the film world, will be winning an Academy Award come February).

We still have a long fall season ahead of us, with many brilliant filmmakers still waiting to debut their latest opuses, but it's hard to imagine that we'll see many -- if any -- greater than Suspiria. It's a film that earns the adjective "phenomenal" in every respect: an awe-inspiring achievement that exists to honor the original while delivering a whole new and deeply satisfying experience.

Luca Guadagnino made a splash recently with the arthouse homosexual romance Call Me By Your Name, which transcended its independent roots to become an Oscar contender, taking home a trophy for Best Adapted Screenplay. Guadagnino's films to date have been lush international excursions of the heart, so his next film is a bit of a headscratcher, though one that we find to be extremely intriguing. The director is remaking Dario Argento's 1977 Italian horror Suspiria, using his muse Dakota Johnson in the lead. And by the looks of this initial trailer, things are going to get quite unnerving.

Impossibly, Luca Guadagnino's Suspiria remake actually looks like it was filmed in the late 1970s, and kept in a secure case until the director was ready to show it to a modern audience. There isn't a single line of dialogue spoken in this clip, and yet the mood of the piece is conveyed through disturbing imagery and the use of Thom Yorke's original musical compositions. Yes, that Thom Yorke of Radiohead fame.

You can spot similarities and differences in Luca Guadagnino's approach to Dario Argento's original Suspiria, but the bones of the narrative structure appear to be in place. Susie (Dakota Johnson) is a talented ballerina who arrives at a world-renowned dance academy, to work under the tutelage of artistic director Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton). The director has said numerous times that this is not a straight remake of Argento's masterpiece, but more of an effort to capture the intense feelings that he had while sitting through Suspiria the first time. It's the type of movie that burrows under your skin, and stays there for some time. And while this initial trailer doesn't give away the whole game, there's enough unnerving footage in the back half to convince us that things are going to get very weird when Amazon Studios puts Suspiria in theaters.

This is the second bit of footage that Amazon has tipped regarding Suspiria. At CinemaCon in Las Vegas earlier this year -- during a luncheon, for God's sake -- the studio brought a clip of Dakota Johnson dancing, under the watchful eye of Tilda Swinton. In a separate room, another dancer was going through similar ballet moves. It was as if the two women were connected. And yet, as Dakota's dance routine intensified, the other woman found herself being injured by invisible forces. Her body was being ripped apart, and the gore was a spare-no-vomit-inducing approach to body horror.

So yeah, Suspiria will not be for the weak-willed or delicate stomached.

Amazon Studios plans to release Suspiria in theaters on November 2, where it will compete against Disney's Nutcracker and the Four Realms, an untitled Tyler Perry movie, and Fox's Queen biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody. Stay up to date on all upcoming movies by bookmarking our 2018 Movie Release Schedule.

John Wick 3 is still two years away from release, so we still have a ways to go before Lionsgate makes any casting announcements. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: in John Wick's world, you never have to wait long to run into someone interesting. Keeping that in mind, The series' main star, Keanu Reeves, has expressed interest in acting alongside Tilda Swinton again for the threequel. When the idea of reuniting with Swinton for John Wick 3 was suggested to him, Reeves said:

The two films Keanu Reeves spoke of were Constantine and Thumbsucker, both of which were released in 2005. The former starred Reeves as the DC Comics occult detective John Constantine, while the latter saw Swinton playing the mother of a teenager who was still sucking his thumb, and Reeves playing the orthodontist who treats the main character. Now thanks to People, Reeves is keen on sharing the silver screen with her again in John Wick 3. We'll have to wait and see if he can make this happen, although considering that Swinton had expressed interest in crossing paths with Reeves again back when she was promoting Snowpiercer, one would imagine she'd be on board with the idea. Fortunately for Reeves, he's already squeezed one big reunion into the John Wick series, as his Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne appeared in John Wick: Chapter 2 as The Bowery King.

Warning: SPOILERS for John Wick: Chapter 2 are ahead!

John Wick: Chapter 2 concluded with the main protagonist going on the run after killing Santino D'Antonio, the man responsible for most of his troubles in the movie, on Continental grounds. Since it's a big no-no to "conduct business" within any of the Continental hotels, John's offense could have been punishable by death, but Ian McShane's Winston was able to save him from execution. Instead, John was stripped of his underworld resources and given a one hour head start before the global contract on him was called in. With only a Marker, a dog by his side and his lethal skills, John Wick must now avoid or eliminate any assassin gunning at him so they can collect that reward. As for what kind of role Tilda Swinton could play in John Wick 3, while it would be interesting to see them as allies, the actress' talents could also be put to good use as the main antagonist.

John Wick 3 will be released in theaters on May 17, 2019. In the meantime, you can see Keanu Reeves next in SPF-18, which will be available on Netflix starting October 29, while Tilda Swinton can be heard in Isle of Dogs when it arrives on March 23, 2018.

It's an event every time Wes Anderson decides on a new project, which means that the trailer for said project stops traffic dead in its tracks. Prepare for Isle Of Dogs, Anderson's latest venture into the world of stop-motion animation, to do just that. The trailer has been released, and you can see it in its full majesty below.

In Isle of Dogs, our protagonist is Atari Kobayashi: a young boy with piloting skills and a can-do attitude who makes a journey to the titular location for one sole purpose. You see, Atari's looking for his dog, who's been whisked away to Trash Island, the proper name for the Isle of Dogs, all because of a quarantine that has exiled all of the dogs of Atari's home of Megasaki City. Naturally, hijinks ensue, and with a cast of talking dogs with some very familiar voices (for those who know and love Wes Anderson's work).

Already in the trailer for Isle of Dogs, we hear the distinct vocal stylings of Edward Norton, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Murray, and Tilda Swinton -- all veterans of the Wes Anderson repertory cast. However, we do hear some newer additions, as Scarlett Johansson and Bryan Cranston are two of the newer voices to join the cast of luminaries lending their pipes to this latest flight of Andersonian whimsy.

From the first look we've been given above, Fox Searchlight's latest pairing with Wes Anderson certainly looks to be dead center of the wheelhouse for the auteur. And yet, there's a difference in this new film, as Isle of Dogs feels like both the most personal, and possibly the most political film that Anderson has ever done. But, of course, there's still a heaping helping of visual flair, and dryly comedic prowess, that helps the audience remember that this is the same man who brought us Fantastic Mr. Fox not too long ago.

Of course, the biggest disappointment when it comes to Isle of Dogs is the fact that we have to wait so long to see it. Slated to release next spring, we're still a couple months away from seeing these scrappy dogs, and their equally scrappy human counterpart, embark on an adventure of a lifetime. But thankfully, that wait is a little easier now, thanks to a fantastic trailer that'll keep us happy for the time being. At least, until another trailer finds its way into our eager paws.

Isle of Dogs opens on March 23, 2018; and you can check out what else is releasing throughout that same year, courtesy of our handy 2018 release date guide.

This September, clowns will once again be at the forefront of nightmares as the adaptation of IT finally hits the screen. Bill Skarsgard plays Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the movie and he looks satisfyingly terrifying in the role, but that doesn't mean he didn't have competition for the part. Before Skarsgard claimed the role for himself, production was considering a list of actors to play the frightening villain. While we don't know everyone who was considered, we know they at one point sought out none other than Tilda Swinton for Pennywise.

When it came to casting Pennywise in IT, no stone was left unturned. As producer Barbara Muschietti tells it to Nerdist in a set visit to the movie, "literally hundreds" of people auditioned for the part. And they looked at anyone, regardless of gender or age to find just the right actor to bring their interpretation to life. Even experienced big name actors who don't audition anymore had to audition. Obviously, Bill Skarsgard took the gold with his own take on the shape-shifting clown, but Muschietti revealed that Tilda Swinton was one of the people they wanted to audition. Swinton's schedule didn't allow her to do that, but she was a top pick nonetheless.

And you know what? I totally get it. Tilda Swinton is pretty much the closest thing humans have to a shape-shifter; the Oscar-winning actress possessing some sort of otherworldly quality that allows her to transform for whatever role she has. She could absolutely be a child-eating clown if she wanted and it would have been an interesting direction to take Pennywise in. He'd likely be no less scary than Bill Skarsgard's interpretation, though, as, just based on trailers alone, Skarsgard seems to have been a good choice.

IT is based on the classic Stephen King novel of the same name. Taking place across three decades in the small town of Derry, Maine, a group of children in the '50s confronts the secret literal evil lurking beneath the town. A shape-shifting monster known only as IT is preying on children and the Losers' Club is the only thing capable of freeing Derry from IT for good. The film is directed by Andrés Muschietti and stars Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Bill Skarsgard.

IT is set to release in theaters on September 8, 2017. For all the latest updates on the biggest releases, make sure to keep checking in with CinemaBlend and we'll keep you updated on more information as it becomes available.

In just the past few years, Netflix has totally changed the landscape for television production. Various streaming services have begun producing exciting shows, resulting in a diverse and varied business that results in a ton of quality content over various outlets. And now the streaming giant has turned its head to the world of film, acquiring the rights to exciting new projects and releasing them straight to your TV, computer, or smart device. Perhaps the most hotly anticipated of Netflix's upcoming releases is the South Korean-American sci-fi adventure Okja, which recently premiered at the 2017 Cannes Festival. Unfortunately, the premiere didn't quite go as planned.

The issues began with Okja first started rolling. When the Netflix logo popped up, it was met with boos and vocal sounds of dismay. Some of the Cannes participants are staunchly opposed to Netflix's inclusion in the Festival, seeing as how their films won't actually be in theaters. The booing returned again when Netflix was listed in the opening credits, and grew louder when some technical difficulties caused both audio and visual issues.

Yikes. The Wrap paints a pretty awkward picture for Okja's debut, which comes a month before its wide release. Ultimately, the film had to be stopped, restarting when the technical difficulties were conquered. Upon the second viewing, the Netflix logo was once again booed, although Okja was ultimately met with applause and more appropriate audience behavior by the film's end.

Wild, right? Okja actually has a fair amount of hype and fan excitement surrounding it, as its wholly original concept, use of CGI, and all-star cast entices moviegoers. Okja revolves around the titular giant pig-like creature, as well as its young friend Mija. When a shady corporation run by Tilda Swinton's Lucy Mirando attempts to capture and use Okja's DNA to cultivate more creatures for livestock, an adventure ensues.

Okja has a seriously stacked cast. Joining South Korean child actress Ahn Seo-hyun and Tilda Swinton are winners like Paul Dano, Jake Gyllenhaal, The Walking Dead alum Steven Yeun, and Breaking Bad/Better Call Saul's Giancarlo Esposito. Honestly, the mix of small and silver screen royalty is enough to make me thoroughly fascinated to see what type of journey Okja will take us on.

The only downside to Okja's Netflix release is how the CGI that brought the creature to life won't be able to be truly appreciated. These types of rendering are usually created with the big screen in mind, and in this case we'll be watching Okja's likeness through our computers and iPhones. This shift in thinking is surely the reason that the film's reception at the Cannes Festival has been so icy.

Okja is just one of many Netflix movies that will be released in the next few months. And with its TV schedule constantly expanding, there's no telling where the streaming service will head next.

Oh man, Okja is going to turn me into a vegetarian, isn't it? From the visionary mind of brilliant filmmaker Bong Joon-ho comes a Netflix original about a girl and her super pig, and the potentially corrupt meat-products executives who... wait. Super pigs? Just watch:

So, what do we have here with Okja? The title refers to the name given to the super pig adopted by young Mija (Seo-Hyun Ahn). It's a girl-and-her-pet movie. Until the execs at Mirando reveal that Okja is meant to be a revolutionary new food source. These super pigs provide a ton of meat. They produce every little environmentally-detrimental carbons. And, as Lucy Mirando (Tilda Swinton) points out, they taste fucking great.

Don't fear, though, because the trailer also hints at the presence of a pro-Okja task force, led by Paul Dano, who will rebel against the wicked Mirando Corp stooges and bring Okja the super pig back to Mija. Just, not without a fight.

It all sounds very sweet. And strange. Maybe like a Pete's Dragon, for a new generation. But this cast. This cast! Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, Paul Dano, Giancarlo Esposito, Steven Yeun, Shirley Henderson -- all under the watchful eye of Bong Joon-ho. As commenters under the trailer on the Netflix page joked, it's like the Breaking Bad and Walking Dead team up movie we never knew that we needed, until it arrived.

Now that it's here, though, we get the Full Tilda:

And Jake Gyllenhaal, looking like this, for some reason:

The groundbreaking news on Okja? It's coming to Netflix, and not to theaters. The latest from Bong Joon-ho, who dazzled audiences with envelope-pushing masterpieces like Snowpiercer and The Host, is entrusting Okja to the streaming service -- yet another massive win for Netflix as it establishes itself as a viable platform for big-ticket event films from visionary storytellers.

Okja actually will be making its debut at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, and is the centerpiece of an ongoing debate about films that stream on Netflix instead of coming to theaters. Industry experts, via THR, are taking sides over film festivals like Cannes giving slots (and a glaring spotlight) to films that go to Netflix. But films are films, right? Look for Okja reviews following the May 19 screening. And look for it on Netflix on June 28. Then head here for more on Netflix's TV and Movie premiere schedule.

Doctor Strange has been in theaters for over a month, during which time it has cemented itself as a critical and commercial success. However, the shadow of controversy has not faded away just because the movie's been released. Many of you will remember how Tilda Swinton being cast as The Ancient One was met with protests of "whitewashing" earlier this year, mainly because the character, although originally a man, was also of Asian descent, while Swinton is obviously white. One of the vocal opponents of the Doctor Strange casting decision was comedian Margaret Cho, but it's now been revealed that Cho had an email exchange with Swinton over the controversy this past summer, one which Cho left displeased.

Margaret Cho recently went on the TigerBelly podcast, and during her time there, she explained how she left her conversation about Doctor Strange with Tilda Swinton (at the time, it wasn't clear whether this took place over email, phone or elsewhere) feeling like a "house Asian," i.e. being asked by Swinton to keep their dialogue secret. She also didn't believe that Swinton didn't take away the right message. In response, Swinton's publicist has since provided copies of the email exchange to Jezebel and other outlets that paint a clearer picture of what happened.

You can click the link above to read the full exchange, but if you want the Spark Notes version, Tilda Swinton emailed Margaret Cho on May 13 asking her to explain her thoughts about the whitewashing controversy and what had been said about it, since Swinton doesn't use social media. Cho's responded by explaining how because The Ancient One was originally a Tibetan man, there were many who felt the role should have gone to someone of Asian descent. Cho also pointed out how there's a history of Hollywood whitewashing Asians and Asian Americans, which is why there have been protests for diversity. In her follow-up, Swinton stated how Marvel probably wanted to avoid stereotypes by casting an Asian man or woman as The Ancient One, while also noting how she wasn't specifically hired to play an Asian character. Cho responded by saying it was a timing issue and how this "anger" has been building for years, and also talked about how Swinton could acknowledge the issue in the future. Swinton then essentially ended the email exchange by mentioning her upcoming movie Ojka.

Judging from the now-public emails, it looks like this was a civil discourse, with both women providing their take on The Ancient One in Doctor Strange. Ideally Tilda Swinton walked away with a better understanding over why many fans were upset with the casting. Margaret Cho's recent comments make it clear she walked away unsatisfied, although given her comedic background, she may have been playing it up on the podcast for more humor. That said, none of this comes across as an argument as previously implied. Of course, Doctor Strange isn't the only blockbuster that's faced whitewashing controversy (looking at you, Ghost in the Shell), but at least the latest Marvel movie can be used as a learning experience.

Doctor Strange is still playing in theaters, and while a sequel hasn't been publicly announced yet, Stephen Strange is confirmed to return in Avengers: Infinity War.

If you grew up enjoying reading the Harry Potter novels or watching the movies, then chances are you had a fond opinion of Hogwarts, the British school where young witches and wizards were sent to learn about all kinds of magical weirdness. Well, not everyone shares the beloved view of the legendary fictional institution. Actress Tilda Swinton has a beef with Hogwarts due to its portrayal of boarding schools.

During an interview with The Scots Magazine (via Yahoo Movies UK), Swinton, who attended what was then called the West Heath Girls' School in Kent when she was young, explained how she doesn't believe children can "benefit" from attending boarding schools, which is why she doesn't care for movies that romanticize them, like the Harry Potter series. In her opinion:

Presumably we can also count movies like Dead Poets Society on this list of movies that don't meet with Tilda Swinton's approval when it comes to boarding schools. While I never attended such an institution, I can imagine they're nowhere near as glamorous as certain Hollywood stories make them out to be. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to establish more wizarding schools, both public and private, that would be as effective as Hogwarts. Yes, it would be amazing if the students could learn spell-casting during the day and go home to their family at night, but Hogwarts is better equipped to deal with such a large population of students, both in size and resources. Also, keep in mind that not everything is as peachy at Hogwarts as it looks on the surface. Remember, there was a Basilisk lurking beneath the school for many years.

For a brief moment, I considered whether Tilda Swinton would prefer students instead conducting their magical studies at Kamar-Taj, where her Doctor Strange character, The Ancient One, instructed people in the ways of the mystic arts. But the same problem is present: the children would need to remain at Kamar-Taj for most of the year to be properly educated, meaning they would be separated from their parents. In all seriousness, we can understand Swinton's issues with boarding schools, but as far as the Wizarding World is concerned, she needn't worry about Hogwarts being a main setting again. The current Fantastic Beasts series is following Newt Scamander (an adult), and while there's always a chance he could revisit the school he was kicked out of, as it stands now, his adventures are taking place in other locations around the globe.

Tilda Swinton can currently be seen in Doctor Strange, and she'll return next year for the South Korean blockbuster Okja.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains MASSIVE spoilers for Doctor Strange. If you have not yet seen the film, and don't wish to know any details about it going in, please save this page and click away to another one of our wonderful articles.

While Tilda Swinton proves to be absolutely amazing as The Ancient One in Doctor Strange, the sad truth is that her stay in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is... short-lived. Thanks to a battle with a super-powered Kaecilius in the mirror dimension, The Ancient One winds up taking a great fall in the middle of New York, and sadly the team of emergency room doctors led by Christine Palmer are unable to save her. Given how great Swinton's performance is, it's a sad moment in the movie -- but as co-writer Jon Spaihts recently explained to me, it was a necessary choice in the script. Why? Because the presence of a Sorcerer Supreme naturally has the effect of undermining the abilities of the titular hero.

The subject of The Ancient One's death in Doctor Strange came up when I sat down with Jon Spaihts for an interview earlier this month. We were discussing the importance of "Nerfing" the Eye of Agamotto a bit -- as it's comic book counterpart is far too powerful -- and he explained why the mentality behind that decision was equitable to why he and co-writers Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill needed to kill off Tilda Swinton's character. Said Spaihts,

Jon Spaihts is specifically referencing the early Doctor Strange comics from Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in the early 1960s. In those issues, many of the titular sorcerer's missions involved saving the seemingly-helpless Ancient One from attacks by the mustache-twirling Baron Mordo. In the film adaptation, the choice was made to make Tilda Swinton's The Ancient One anything but helpless -- but that's why she had to go.

To make his argument about killing off The Ancient One clearer, Jon Spaihts went the literary reference route, and compared the narrative/character issue to one that author Madeleine L'Engle had to deal with when writing the beloved novel A Wrinkle In Time. Spaihts explained,

In Doctor Strange, The Ancient One makes it very clear that her death is a fixed and unchangeable event -- evidenced in her never being able to see a future for herself beyond that specific point -- but we still hold out hope that Tilda Swinton's time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't over. When I spoke with the actress late last month, she seemed very eager to continue to dive into the morality issues the character introduces. Perhaps she could find her way back in an Obi-wan Kenobi/Force Ghost kind of way?

We'll have to wait and see what the future holds for The Ancient One, but for now stay tuned for more of our Doctor Strange coverage here on Cinema Blend.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange. If you have not yet seen the film and don't wish to know any details about it, please save this page and click away to another one of our wonderful articles!

At the end of the day, a good chunk of the plot in Doctor Strange centers around a particularly controversial decision made by The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). While she spent decades, if not centuries, telling her students/followers not to mess with the powers of the Dark Dimension and the dread Dormammu, she herself was using energy from the timeless realm to basically become immortal. It's this decision that not only leads Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and his fellow zealots to revolt, but it also has a big hand in Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) leaving Kamar-Taj. Looking at the scenario from The Ancient One's perspective, it's definitely a complicated matter -- but according to Tilda Swinton, there is very good reason why the morality question within it is left open-ended.

I asked the Oscar-winning actress about this spoiler-y topic late last month when she participated in the Doctor Strange press day in Los Angeles. After discussing how The Ancient One's behavior in the movie is meant to mirror the attitude of the titular hero, I asked how she personally felt about the divisive choices that The Ancient One makes in the movie. She responded in great detail, noting that an important thing to remember within the whole situation is that The Ancient One is ultimately still a human character. Said Swinton,

Continuing, Tilda Swinton noted that she thinks we have still not yet seen the full consequences of The Ancient One's decision to channel energy from The Dark Dimension, and that it's something that she's personally excited to see come into play as the franchise continues:

Much like the battle between Captain America and Iron Man that we saw play out in Captain America: Civil War, this is a morality question that comic book fans will surely find themselves debating for years to come. On the one hand, there is the argument that The Ancient One is definitely a force for good in our universe, and that her ability to save millions of lives came as an extension of her long lifespan. On the other hand, however, using the powers of the Dark Dimension herself while forbidding others from doing the same is the definition of selfish -- even if she does believe at heart that no other living sorcerer has the capacity to control it the way she has.

You can watch Tilda Swinton talk about The Ancient One's controversial decision in the video below:

Do you think The Ancient One was justified in her use of the Dark Dimension and keeping it from others; or do you find yourself siding with Kaecilius and see her as a hypocrite? Hit the comments section below, and be sure to stay tuned for more from our interviews with the cast and filmmakers behind Doctor Strange!

The version of The Ancient One played by Tilda Swinton in writer/director Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange isn't exactly what you would call a perfectly accurate representation of the character of the same name from the comics. In the source material, the Ancient One is an old Asian man who does a whole lot of sitting and meditating -- and Swinton's incarnation is not only a woman, but also far more spritely and active. It's something that the die-hard Marvel purists may take issue with, but there is a very smart explanation for the change: in order for The Ancient One to properly reach and teach Doctor Strange, Tilda Swinton decided that the best approach would be for her to have a personality that mirrors the hero's.

I had the wonderful opportunity to discuss this very topic with Tilda Swinton last week during the Los Angeles press day for Doctor Strange. At the start of my interview, I wondered if stepping into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as an actor was an experience similar to the titular hero's journey into the world of magic -- and what she discussed with director Scott Derrickson when first wrapping her mind around the role. Swinton mentioned that one of her key pathways into the character was actually understanding the personality of Dr. Stephen Strange, and flipping it as a means of provoking the surgeon-turned-magician as his teacher. Said the Academy Award-winning actress,

This is something that very much comes across in Tilda Swinton's performance in Doctor Strange, particularly when Benedict Cumberbatch's character comes knocking at the doors of Kamar-Taj in Nepal. Strange is a man who purely believes in science and believes that he has a full understanding of our universe, but in having an open mind and a more up-beat, optimistic attitude, The Ancient One is able to poke Strange in all the proper places until he himself can open his mind as well. It's a wonderful interpretation of the character, and Swinton is really excellent in the blockbuster.

You can watch Tilda Swinton talk about her portrayal of The Ancient One reflected the characterization of Doctor Strange in the video below:

We've been unrolling coverage of my interviews with the director and cast of Doctor Strange all week, but I am far from done. We have plenty more great stuff to come, so stay tuned for that, and look for the new Marvel Studios film in theaters starting November 4th.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe grows exponentially every time a new movie hits theaters. Whenever a new hero debuts, he or she brings an entire supporting cast of characters with them. But despite their supporting status, many of these side characters are definitely worthy of their own stories. With the release of Doctor Strange finally upon us, it seems that even Tilda Swinton wants to get in on the action with an Ancient One solo movie of her very own. The actress explained:

Tilda Swinton recently spoke to Screen Crush and admitted that she's definitely interested in doing a Doctor Strange prequel. She has apparently brought the issue up to Kevin Feige numerous times, and remained consistently vocal in her desire to give The Ancient One more of the spotlight. Doctor Strange will introduce the character as an already fully formed master of the mystic arts, but we've been dying to know how she got there in the first place. We're huge Tilda Swinton fans here at CinemaBlend, so we're totally on board with that idea.

That being said, Tilda Swinton still has to prove herself as The Ancient One before she can even think about a solo movie of her very own. Despite her obvious pedigree as an actress, many fans of the Doctor Strange source material felt taken aback by her casting. In the comics, The Ancient One is an Asian man, but the film has serious alterations to the character by turning Stephen Strange's chrome-domed mentor into a woman with Celtic origins. It's a move that hasn't gone unnoticed, and Swinton still needs to win over fans who lashed out against the changes.

Although it's not the most likely project, a Doctor Strange prequel centering on the life of The Ancient One would certainly represent a step in a new direction for Marvel. Despite the fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is incredibly complex and interwoven, it has not really delved into the realm of prequels yet. Sure, there have been films like Captain America: The First Avenger, and Ant-Man, which took the action back in time, but there has yet to be a Marvel film that fleshes out the backstory of an established character in true prequel fashion. For the sake of mixing things up, it definitely seems like an interesting potential move for the studio.

While there's no guarantee that The Ancient One will ever receive a prequel film, we look forward to seeing what Tilda Swinton does with the character in the Doctor Strange franchise. The character will make her debut when Doctor Strange hits theaters on November 4. Stay tuned for more details!

When it was first announced that Tilda Swinton would be playing the Ancient One in Doctor Strange, critics claimed that the role was being whitewashed since in the original comics, the Ancient One is Tibetan. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige and director Scott Derrickson have frequently spoken out about why they made the choice they did, and now Derrickson has revealed that only Swinton could have played the role in the first place. Here's what he said:

Preparing for the release of Doctor Strange, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed some of the cast and crew of the film, and one of the topics discussed was the casting of Tilda Swinton. Scott Derrickson insists that the role of the Ancient One was always written with Swinton in mind for the part. In fact, had she not signed on, they would have had to rework the character. The filmmakers wanted to do something unique with the Ancient One and veer away from the stereotype of the character. There's no denying that Swinton has a presence all her own that isn't easily replicated.

This Ancient One controversy has surrounded Doctor Strange since Tilda Swinton's casting was first announced. Swinton herself has come out to say that she was never approached to play an Asian character. The Ancient One in the MCU is a title that has been passed down throughout the ages. Swinton's version is just the latest to have the role by the time the film begins.

Leading to the release of Doctor Strange, Marvel was always going to have to deal with this backlash. This sort of casting is a controversial choice for any film. On one hand, you're avoiding negative stereotypes; on the other, you're depriving asian actors of a big film role- which is major considering how few leading roles are given to asian actors. But once the movie comes out and people see Tilda Swinton in action, perhaps opinions may change.

Doctor Strange is directed by Scott Derrickson and stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, and (of course) Tilda Swinton. After a car crash ruins his hands, Doctor Stephen Strange, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon, travels the world searching for a treatment. His journey eventually leads him to Nepal and the Ancient One, who promises to teach him the ways of magic, revealing to him a universe of endless possibility.

Doctor Strange is releasing in theaters on November 4, 2016.

When Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange hits theaters in November, we expect to see a lot of changes made between the pages of the classic Marvel comic and the silver screen. Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) will be an ally... at least, for now. A new villain named Kaecillius (Mads Mikkelsen) is being introduced. And Wong (Benedict Wong) isn't a lowly man servant anymore. He's practically a peer of the Sorcerer Supreme.

But few changes rank as high, on the seismic scale, as the casting of Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, the most powerful being who agrees to train Stephen Strange at the Kamar-Taj in Nepal and set him on his path to mystical and spiritual enlightenment. Why? Well, because, for decades, the Ancient One was portrayed as an old, Asian man -- three things that Swinton is not.

Recently, we were able to visit the set of Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange, where we learned all about the director's approach to the mythos of the Sorcerer Supreme. And few choices fascinated us as much as the casting of Swinton as The Ancient One. So we spoke to everyone about her upcoming portrayal, and this is what we think you need to know:

This Is Not The First Ancient One, And Likely Won't Be The Last

Instead of The Ancient One being a character, think of it as a title. The way that Marvel President Kevin Feige explained it to us:

And there's a reason she's seeking out Doctor Strange. Read on...

The Ancient One Really Needs A Successor

Tilda Swinton admits that the relationship between her interpretation of The Ancient One and Stephen Strange is vital because, even though she likely has been around for centuries, the time is coming where she is going to have to pass the mantle to another worthy sorcerer. In one of the trailers, the Ancient One admits that she has spent eons searching through the various realms looking for Strange, and Swinton explained to us:

This makes us wonder if The Ancient One won't be long for this world. Marvel has a tendency to kill off mentors, both on the big screen, and in its comics. Could Tilda be a one-and-done in the MCU?

This Looks Different, But It's Deeply Rooted In The Comics

Seeing a female, Caucasian Ancient One might have a number of Marvel diehards scratching their heads as Doctor Strange makes his way to the big screen for the first time. Not that Marvel hasn't opened itself up to bold casting choices in the past. But few main roles have been gender-swapped, like making Thor a woman in Ragnarok because of changes that have happened in the comics. And yet, Tilda Swinton told us on set that it's the fluidity of the comic medium that she thinks has allowed them to make these changes to The Ancient One, and that her approach to the movie very much is rooted in the comic book source material. She told us:

"Bouncy" is a good way to describe the approach to the world of Doctor Strange. After all, you saw what happened to the buildings when Kaecillius hit them, right?

As part of this reveal, Marvel allowed us to show off the official Tilda Swinton Doctor Strange character poster. Click to the next page, and tell me you don't want to see that gorgeous one sheet hanging on your bedroom wall.