Anya Taylor-Joy’s style has always stood out to me because she’s consistently trying new things and she’s fearless when it comes to experimenting with non-traditional outfits. Case in point, ahead of her releasing projects on the 2026 TV schedule and the 2026 movie calendar, she did a photoshoot involving an outfit that featured a lion’s mane. Obviously, she pulled it off.

This outfit in question was featured in the photoshoot Taylor-Joy did for L'OFFICIEL USA. On its Instagram, a carousel of images was led with a photo of the actress wearing a white Calvin Klein minidress, Hodakova shorts, and a massive Mugler headpiece that looks like a mane. Take a look:

Let me tell you, Anya Taylor-Joy loves a headpiece or cool hat. When she wore a cool, sheer little black dress, she also rocked a gorgeous matching headpiece. And when she was promoting The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (which audiences loved, by the way) earlier this year, she had a pink fit on that featured a massive pink hat. So, it’s not surprising to me that she decided to go for the lion’s mane with this latest look.

Along with her affinity for a headpiece, The Queen’s Gambit star’s style has always been experimental. One time, she rocked a gorgeous late-night dress that was business in the front; however, it featured a big open back that was held together by rows of black ribbon. She’s also worn geometric structured dresses that left me speechless. And in 2024, she even rocked a spiky naked dress with a matching headpiece that was unlike anything I’d ever seen.

All this is to say, obviously she’d also be able to pull off a lion’s mane.

Now, looking to the future, this latest look has me very excited for the fashion moments we’re bound to see from Anya Taylor-Joy as she promotes her upcoming projects.

After kicking her year off with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, her next project will be the book-to-screen adaptation of Lucky. The series, which follows a con artist named Lucky (Taylor-Joy), will premiere for those with an Apple TV subscription on July 15. So, I’m expecting to see some fun and edgy looks from the actress during the press tour for this new show.

Then, she’ll end 2026 with Dune: Part Three. Notably, that film has a cast full of both acting and fashion icons. So, along with seeing Anya Taylor-Joy rock some stunning looks for this press tour, we’ll also get to see her standing alongside Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Timothée Chalamet, all of whom also have impeccable and unique styles.

So, all around, this lion look has me in awe over what Anya Taylor-Joy is rocking right now, and it has me very excited about what’s to come. So, as we look forward to the releases of Lucky on July 15 and Dune: Part Three on December 18, also make sure you keep an eye out for the actress’s photoshoots and premiere looks, because she’s bound to wear ensembles that truly only she can pull off.

You know, art is subjective, and to one person a painting of an actor looks like Zendaya and to another it looks like Jason Momoa. I know that sounds random, but that is a real thing that happened when Anya Taylor-Joy presented a painting to Jack Black. She said it was the Supergirl actor, while the School of Rock star thought it was a “topless Zendaya.” Now, Jason Momoa himself has been confronted with this painting.

Before we get to Momoa’s reaction, let me give you a brief history lesson. While Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black were promoting The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’s release on the 2026 movie schedule, they were asked to paint one of their past co-stars. Black chose his Jumanji co-star Dwayne Johnson, while The Queen's Gambit star picked her Dune: Part Three co-star Jason Momoa. However, the Bowser actor thought it was her other Dune co-star, Zendaya (even though the person in the painting isn’t wearing a shirt).

Then, a few weeks later, Jason Momoa was presented with this painting during an interview with ET. Here’s how he reacted:

As you can see in the video, Momoa was asked who the painting was of, and he did correctly guess himself, though not with much confidence. First, he said “Aquaman,” and then, because it seemed “Hawaiian” and there was a surfboard, he followed that up with Chief of War (which you can stream with an Apple TV subscription). Ultimately, he didn’t really land on an answer, saying:

When he was told it was him, he immediately said it was hard to tell because the painting didn’t have facial hair, which is valid. However, I would like to note that in the Dune: Part Three trailer, you can see that Momoa does not have a big beard like he normally does, and that’s the movie he worked on with Taylor-Joy. So, I see a potential reason why she didn’t include it.

My favorite moment in the video, easily, comes right after that when Momoa learned that Anya Taylor-Joy painted this. He smiled so big, and then when he was told that Black thought it was Zendaya, he replied with:

Honestly, I don’t think he could have had a better response. He was so kind and clearly got a real kick out of it. Plus, I’d imagine it was really fun for him to hear that his Dune: Part Three colleague and his Minecraft co-star had this wild interaction that was centered around him.

Now, I hope Momoa gets the chance to show off his artistic skills and paint either Anya Taylor-Joy or Jack Black. All three of them have multiple releases this year, with Momoa specifically having parts in the upcoming DC movie, Supergirl, Street Fighter and Dune: Part Three, so the chance for him to paint them (or maybe even Zendaya for real) is out there.

Since Anya Taylor-Joy and Jack Black play the famed Nintendo characters of Princess Peach and Bowser in the latest 2026 movie release, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it’s only fair that they’d get to play some games of their own while promoting it. But, when the co-stars were asked to paint pictures of their co-stars, things hilariously went askew for Taylor-Joy (and it involves Zendaya).

While in Tokyo, Japan, to promote the Super Mario sequel that critics and audiences can’t seem to agree on, Taylor-Joy and Black were asked to paint one of their co-stars. Check out what happened when they guessed who the other had illustrated:

This is so, so funny! As shown in the video, Jack Black revealed the painting of his co-star first, which was Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who he has worked with on the Jumanji movies. It makes perfect sense he would pick him, considering he just wrapped on the fourth Jumanji with the actor just weeks ago. Taylor-Joy was stumped on who it was because she seemed to forget who was in the movie, but I totally see the School of Rock actor's vision here. The raised eyebrow definitely gives it away, too!

It’s when Anya Taylor-Joy showcased her painting that things went a little sideways. Black was given the hint that it was one of her Dune: Part 3 co-stars. So, when he saw her canvas, he suspected right away it was Zendaya. But, the Princess Peach actress got embarrassed by the guess, asking Black, “Why would she be shirtless?”

But it didn’t stop there. Black then went to Timothée Chalamet, which was wrong as well. Ultimately, Taylor-Joy pointed out that the subject was “clearly in Hawai’i,” given the surfboard and ocean in the background, leading them to the real answer: Jason Momoa! What a goofy moment between these two.

In defense of Jack Black, I totally see why he thought Zendaya. Taylor-Joy gave her painting’s face more female-looking features, which only makes it more hilarious that, for a moment, he thought she’d painted a topless Zendaya. Black sweetly agreed later on that the piece of art was actually “kind of a Momoa!” And, he would know, given he worked with the guy on A Minecraft Movie.

Anya Taylor-Joy had a hidden role in Dune: Part 2, where it was revealed she’d be playing Paul’s sister, Alia. Coming in Part 3, she’ll have a larger role, and yes, Jason Momoa will be back, even though Duncan Idaho died in the first part. This time, he’ll be a humanoid named Hayt, called a “ghola” in the Dune universe, created in Duncan’s image.

Dune: Part 3 comes out on December 18, and you can see The Super Mario Bros. Movie in theaters right now.

Hosting Saturday Night Live is famously a high-stress gig. A celebrity is thrown into a crazy machine where they become a part of a sketch comedy troupe for a week. The SNL host helps see every sketch from front to back, while also being the centerpiece for the whole show. It’s an honor to be asked to be a part of the production, but also a big undertaking. Now, as Jack Black gets ready to host the NBC mainstay for the fifth time this weekend, he opened up about the stressful experience.

Black sat down with his The Super Mario Galaxy Movie co-star, Anya Taylor-Joy, to talk about the SNL experience with Entertainment Weekly. While Jack Black may have a lot of experience with the endeavor, as the upcoming Season 51 host is becoming an official member of the Five-Timers Club, he admitted he still gets nervous. He explained that the scariest part of the week is when the host is standing behind that iconic door, preparing to walk out at the top of the show, and the stress levels couldn’t be higher. He said:

Taylor-Joy echoed Black’s statement about the show, admitting that she also was a big ball of nerves when she was a Season 46 SNL host. The Queen’s Gambit star hosted back in 2021, and it was actually a big debut for her because she ended up hosting the season finale of the show.

While she has yet to host for the second time, Taylor-Joy said she felt like it might be easier the second time around, because she has a better understanding of the flow of the show. I’d personally love to see her host again, as I feel like she was getting her feet wet the first time, and it's an opportunity to see her comedy chops.

While Black may still get nervous waiting behind that door to go out on stage, it clearly does not throw him off. Not only does the comedy actor famously have boundless energy and confidence, but he also managed to take a nap between shows. He told his co-star that a woman named Donna, who famously helps the host with quick changes between sketches, brought Black a pillow to rest his head between dress rehearsal and air. To have that level of zen is pretty impressive and shows that Black probably isn’t intimidated by much.

If there’s anyone you’d trust to thrive under that kind of pressure, it’s Jack Black. Listening to him talk about the nerves right before walking on stage is enough to get me stressed out just thinking about it, but this is what makes SNL so exciting in the first place. Black being able to balance that kind of pre-show jitters with a pre-show power nap is a testament to his prowess as a performer and proves he is a next-level entertainer. I personally can’t wait to see what he brings to the Studio 8H stage for his fifth time hosting.

You can see Jack Black join the Five-Timers Club tonight on Saturday Night Live, which airs at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC tonight. If you miss it, make sure to stream it with a Peacock subscription, along with the other exciting SNL episodes from Season 51.

Voice acting is a talent often seen as less strenuous when compared to traditional live-action film acting, but any experienced voice actor will tell you that it can be a gruelling process. It’s something that Anya Taylor-Joy learned firsthand, as she has admitted to vomiting after a prolonged voice-acting session, though apparently not for the movie that we thought.

It was back when the previous Super Mario Bros. Movie was released that Anya Taylor-Joy told a story about throwing up after a prolonged voice-acting session. The way the actress said it, it sounded like it happened on her first day of voicing Peach, but the actress recently clarified with ET that it actually happened the first time she did voice acting. She explained:

Looking back at her original comment, she did say that the incident happened “the first time [she] ever did a session,” though it was within the context of a discussion of recording for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, so it’s at least understandable where the confusion came from.

And honestly, throwing up under such stressful circumstances isn’t that shocking. Speaking consistently for eight hours would exhaust anybody, and considering that at least some of the performance would have involved yelling and screaming, it could have really caused damage. Jack Black, who is part of the same interview and who has done more voice acting, admits he puts limits on the amount he will do in a day to avoid damage. He said:

A look at Anya Taylor-Joy’s career makes it pretty clear when the actual vomit incident took place, as she only has one other significant voice acting role in her career. She was the voice of Brea in Netflix’s criminally underseen The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. The series was a prequel to the cult classic, The Dark Crystal, from Jim Henson. It seems this must have been the role where she ended up throwing up.

The actress admits that she went in blind then that first time. She clearly didn't really know what to expect from voice acting. After that experience, she likely had a much greater respect for the craft, and I'd imagine she took better care of herself for both Mario movies and will continue to do so for future voice acting work.

Voice acting might look easy from the outside. Step into a booth, read a few lines, maybe do a couple takes, and you’re done, right? Not exactly. As Anya Taylor-Joy recently revealed, recording for The Super Mario Bros. Movie was a lot more physically demanding than she expected. In fact, it was so intense that the first time she recorded Princess Peach lines for The Super Mario Bros. Movie (which can be streamed now via Peacock subscription) she totally threw up. Yes, really.

During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Taylor-Joy opened up about her experience voicing Princess Peach for the predecessor to the 2026 calendar release, explaining that going into her first recording session, she didn’t fully grasp just how taxing the work would be. Unlike traditional acting, where physicality is often spread out across scenes with frequent pauses and breaks, voice work — especially in an action-heavy movie — usually requires sustained bursts of energy with very little downtime. In her words:

That isn’t the kind of behind-the-scenes detail you usually hear about the best animated movies. But it does make sense when you think about it. Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t exactly standing still. She’s running, fighting, reacting, and constantly on the move. All of that has to come through in the voice alone, which means a lot of shouting and repetition. And apparently, a lot of hydration.

If that first story wasn’t surprising enough, Taylor-Joy also broke down one of the more unusual parts of voice acting: something called “efforts.” These are typically recorded at the end of a session to capture all the physical sounds that accompany action scenes. Think grunts, gasps, yells, and all those in-between noises that sell the intensity of what’s happening onscreen. And according to the Witch star:

"Efforts" sound a little ridiculous when you describe them, but they're also kind of fascinating. You’re essentially acting out an entire action sequence using nothing but your voice, with no set, no co-stars, and no physical movement to rely on, but just pure energy.

Hearing stories like this definitely changes how you think about voice performances in some of the greatest animated movies of all time. It’s easy to focus on the final product and forget how much work goes into making those characters feel alive. In Taylor-Joy’s case, that meant pushing herself physically in ways she didn’t expect, all to bring Princess Peach to life in a way that felt dynamic and believable.

And hey, we get to see Peach return to the big screen soon, and this time she might not be the only royal on the block, as fan favorite Rosalina is set to appear and could finally answer that connective theory so many Mario Galaxy fans have debated for years. All will be revealed in the upcoming sequel, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which lands in theaters on April 1, 2026.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is just around the corner, and Anya Taylor-Joy is doing her part to put butts in seats doing the press circuit and talking about reprising her role as Princess Peach. As the cast fields questions about Nintendo characters appearing and other things tied to the movie, the actress was hit with a curveball on TODAY I don't think anyone saw coming.

Craig Melvin is one of the best of the business, but even he can have an off day from time to time. This led to a bizarre question he asked Anya Taylor-Joy on TODAY tied to rumors she's playing Joni Mitchell, as he tried to work in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie at the same time.

Anya Taylor-Joy Was Asked To Compare Princess Peach To Joni Mitchell

Craig Melvin attempted a segue mid-interview with Anya Taylor-Joy, and decided to bridge the discussion about The Super Mario Galaxy movie to a Joni Mitchell biopic she's allegedly connected to. Given that Taylor-Joy's involvement is just a rumor, he would only get shot down asking her to confirm her involvement. So then he decided to go a different route and ask her about the connection Mitchell shares with Princess Peach. Without much hesitation, Taylor-Joy said the following:

Not long after that, Melvin just asked if Anya Taylor-Joy could confirm any involvement in the project, and was promptly shut down. I think it's going to live on as one of the most "wtf" questions asked during a press tour, especially based on all the things the world had to say about it.

Viewers Had A Lot To Say About This Moment

Had it not been for that question, I'm not sure Anya Taylor-Joy's interview would've gotten much attention. Now, the internet is abuzz with chatter about the moment, with many memes and honest reactions to the puzzling Today show moment:

• Honestly props to Anya for pulling that one out of the fire - @big_cheddars
• Wouldst thou like to live nonsensically - @JeffroP
• In defense, this is a question that has never been asked to anyone before. -@monokichan
• You can tell how he realized halfway through that he also didn't know where his sentence was going. - @FaultlineSurfer
• She did him a favor by not laughing in his face. - @earth_scor52590

I agree with all of that, and I'm so impressed that Anya Taylor-Joy was able to pull that response out of thin air on the spot. When you can improvise like that, it's no wonder that she's playing a big role in Dune and, of course, serving as the voice of the Mushroom Kingdom with her role as Peach. Hmm, I wonder what the connection is between those two?

Speaking of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, I do hope this latest movie gives the character more to do, as the first movie was light on Peach content. I am apt to believe Anya Taylor-Joy is as passionate about the character as she indicated in her words to Craig Melvin, as playing Peach did make her a gamer.

As for the Joni Mitchell biopic, there's been chatter about the movie happening for over a decade. There was even a point in which Taylor Swift was discussed as a possible lead, but Mitchell shot down the idea. I'd be curious to see how Anya Taylor-Joy does and what the music icon thinks about her in the role.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrives on the 2026 movie schedule on April 1st. I'm excited for its arrival and already putting money aside for my Yoshi popcorn bucket.

As far as the franchise goes, there are some familiar faces in Dune: Part Three and a few new ones, but Anya Taylor-Joy arguably exists somewhere in the middle. The actress is featured in Dune: Part Two making her debut as Alia Atreides, but she is only in the film very briefly as part of a dream sequence. Naturally, fans have been excited to learn more about the character ever since (especially those who haven’t read the books), and those same people should be quite enthralled and fascinated by her latest comments about the role’s intensity.

Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of attending a special early preview of the Dune: Part Three trailer in Los Angeles, and in addition to the event featuring a big screen look at the teaser, there was also a moderated Q&A with writer/director Denis Villeneuve and stars Zendaya, Javier Bardem, Robert Pattinson and Anya Taylor-Joy. Asked about the new character poster that features her screaming face covered in blood, she was asked about her part in the film, and she explained it thusly:

For those who need the refresher, Alia is not a normal person. Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica being pregnant when she went through the ritual to become a Reverend Mother in Dune: Part Two resulted in the in-utero fetus being enhanced with all the memories of past Reverend Mothers (which is why she was able to hold conversations with her mother before she was ever born). In the books, she is shunned by many as a freak and an abomination because of the skills and knowledge she possesses way beyond her years, but one person who is always there for her – because he shares her strange perception of time and reality – is her brother, Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides.

From Anya Taylor-Joy’s description, and understanding Denis Villeneuve’s deep passion for the source material (Frank Herbert’s Dune: Messiah), I have every bit of faith that the movie will deliver a special and faithful incarnation of Alia… but I do still have a question that pertains to a bit of math. Specifically, we have been told that Dune: Part Three takes place 17 years after the end of Dune: Part Two, which means that Alia is only 17 years old, and, with no offense intended in the slightest, Taylor-Joy can’t really pass for a high schooler at this point in her career.

Challenged to come up with a no-prize answer, I imagine the explanation is that the Water of Life that Jessica drank resulted in Alia’s physiology changing in addition to her mind, but I’m nonetheless curious if it’s a subject that the movie will address or just leave up for audience interpretation.

For now, it’s one of the many unanswered questions we have about Dune: Part Three, and fans around the world are salivating in anticipation of answers – particularly after that outstanding teaser trailer. We now have just a little over nine months until the epic blockbuster and trilogy conclusion arrives in theaters, as it is set to arrive in cinemas globally on December 18.

A new year is upon us, with lots of exciting things to come over the next 365 days — and I’m not just talking about the 20+ sequels that are set for release on the 2026 movie calendar. We’ve got Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding date reportedly in June, and Zendaya will turn the big 3-0 in September, as she and Tom Holland plan their own nuptials.

In fact, there are quite a few former child stars who were born in 1996 and will celebrate a milestone birthday this year. Let’s take a look at some of the celebrities who will be “30, flirty and thriving” in 2026:

Zendaya

After working as a fashion model in commercials and singing for KidzBop, Zendaya kicked off her career on the Disney Channel, starring in the 2010 sitcom Shake It Up. That has blossomed into a career that’s won her two Emmys and a Golden Globe for the HBO drama Euphoria, and as she approaches her birthday on September 1, she’s got a number of projects in the works, including Dune: Part Three and The Odyssey.

Tom Holland

Also celebrating a full three decades is Zendaya’s fiancé, Tom Holland, who will have his big day on June 1. Holland transitioned to film from dance and theater in 2012, when he starred in The Impossible with Naomi Watts. He then broke big in 2016 when he made his first appearance as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War. This year, he will star in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and will be reprising his role as Peter Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld had her breakthrough performance in 2010, when she starred in the Coen brothers’ True Grit and earned an Academy Award nomination. In addition to turning 30 on December 11, the Sinners star will welcome her first child with husband Josh Allen this year. The NFL star will also celebrate the big 3-0 on May 21.

Hailey Bieber

I can only imagine that self-proclaimed nepo baby Hailey Bieber (of Baldwin family fame) will do it big when she marks her 30th trip around the sun on November 22. The model, who shares a son with husband Justin Bieber, began modeling as a teenager and has become quite a successful influencer and skin care mogul.

Paul Mescal

Paul Mescal’s career has really taken off over the past few years, including his latest role in Hamnet, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for the upcoming awards show. He’ll know whether or not he won by the time he turns 30 on February 2.

Mescal got his start in the theater before transitioning to TV in 2020 for Normal People. He will star as Paul McCartney in the upcoming Beatles movies, The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event.

Normani

After coming to fame as part of Fifth Harmony, Normani will celebrate her big day on May 31, nearly a year after the release of her first solo studio album, Dopamine.

Lili Reinhart

We likely know Lili Reinhart best for portraying Betty Cooper in the teen drama Riverdale, but the actress, who will turn 30 on September 13, had roles in movies like The Good Neighbor, The Kings of Summer and even an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit before that.

Abigail Breslin

It’s crazy to think Abigail Breslin is only 30 years old, since she’s been on our screens forever. Or, maybe I should just feel incredibly old since the little girl from Signs will have a big birthday come April 14. Breslin’s career since then has included Oscar and BAFTA nominations for Little Miss Sunshine and roles in Zombieland, Scream Queens and even an episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

Dove Cameron

Another former Disney kid will celebrate three decades of life, as Dove Cameron — who got her start playing the titular dual roles on Liv and Maddie before starring in the Descendants movies as Mal — turns 30 on January 15.

Bella Hadid

Bella Hadid, who has been modeling since she was 16, will mark her 30th birthday on October 9, undoubtedly surrounded by her famous family members — including fellow model Gigi Hadid — and celebrity friends.

Skyler Gisondo

Known most recently for his role as Jimmy Olsen in 2025’s Superman, Skyler Gisondo may be best recognized as the nerdy neighbor Eric from Santa Clarita Diet. He’s compiled around 75 credits as he turns 30 on July 22, dating all the way back to episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond in 2005. This year he’ll star opposite Ariana Grande in Focker In-Law, the latest in Ben Stiller and Robert DeNiro’s Meet the Parents franchise.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Getting her acting start in her late teens, Anya Taylor-Joy has starred in projects like The Queen's Gambit — for which she won a Golden Globe — and The Menu. This year, in addition to turning 30 on April 16, she’ll reprise her role as Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Three.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh has become quite the celebrated actress since making her debut in 2014. At 30 years old (as of January 3), Pugh has been nominated for an Oscar for Little Women with other credits including Midsommar, Don’t Worry Darling, Oppenheimer, We Live in Time, and the second and third Dune movies, to name a few. She also managed to find time to terrify people with her nipples.

Sophie Turner

It’s kind of hard to believe Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones is hitting the big 3-0 in 2026 on February 21. The HBO epic was her first screen credit, but she’s gone on to other projects and is set to star as Lara Croft in the upcoming Tomb Raider series.

Noah Centineo

Noah Centineo’s recurring role as Dallas on Austin & Ally kicked off his career with the Disney Channel in 2011. He continued with small roles with the House of Mouse until joining The Fosters in 2015 and ultimately landed the role of Peter Kavinsky in the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movies and the XO, Kitty spinoff. He’s also recently starred in The Recruit and has a couple of projects in the works for 2026, not including whatever is in store for his 30th birthday celebration on May 9.

There are a surprising number of celebrities hitting their milestone three-decade birthday this year. We may have known a lot of them from work they did as a child actor or teenager, but their careers will continue into their 30s. In addition to keeping your eye out for them on the big screen, be sure to also check out the 2026 TV schedule to find some of the thirty-somethings there.

It wasn’t always a forgone conclusion that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series would be a trilogy, but thankfully, we are getting a third movie during the 2026 movie schedule. Dune: Part Three, as it’s simply titled, will be a continuation of the previous movies. Tickets are even on sale now (as of the end of May 2026) for select IMAX theaters around the world in anticipation of the conclusion to the trilogy.

The upcoming book-to-screen adaptation based on the second novel in the Dune series by author Frank Herbert, Dune: Messiah, is getting closer. We've seen the first trailer (more on that below), we know who is reprising their roles from the previous Dune movies, which you can catch with an HBO Max subscription, and who is joining the cast. Here's everything we know about the movie.

When Will Dune: Part Three Be Released?

Warner Bros. has announced that Dune: Part Three will be released on December 18th, 2026. The movie was shot in IMAX, according to Variety, making this the first Dune movie to be filmed with the large-format cameras, though the other two were released in the format after post-production work.

In fact, because it was shot in IMAX, it appears to have an advantage going into opening week. You see, it's not the only big movie getting released on December 18th. Avengers: Doomsday is also dropping that very same day, setting up a fascinating duel at the box office that we rarely see these days.

A big part of that duel (which some fans have dubbed "DunesDay") will be which will be on the most IMAX screens, and it seems that, at least at the moment, Dune: Part Three has the advantage because it was shot in the format, and Doomsday was not. Recently, theater owners have bristled at both movies competing for audiences and screens, but no one appears to be budging, and tickets for select screenings of Dune Part Three in IMAX are now on sale.

The Dune: Part 3 Trailer

As is the case with any good trailer, there is a lot to unpack (blonde Robert Pattinson??), and a lot of questions that we probably won't have answers for until DunesDay. Are Paul and Chani really back together, because they were definitely NOT at the end of the last installment? If they are, where does that leave Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh)? Those are just the most basic questions!

Who’s In The Cast?

Much of the cast is returning from the first two movies, plus there are a few exciting additions to the cast.

Timothée Chalamet As Paul Atreides

Timothée Chalamet is returning as Paul “Muad'Dib” Atreides in Dune: Part Three. Chalamet led the first two movies as the central character in the Dune series, so of course, he’s back for this one. Since starring in Dune and Dune: Part Two, Chalamet’s star has only grown brighter, and it’ll be great to see him back in this role that I think he performed outstandingly.

In February 2026, Chalamet opened up about how excited he was to make this third movie after gaining more and more confidence after the previous two. He spoke with Matthew McConaughey at an event for CNN and Variety:

"Taking a big swing" is exactly what fans of the books want to hear, and it hopefully means big things for the adaptation.

Zendaya As Chani

Like Chalamet, Zendaya will be back reprising her role as Chani, Paul’s Fremon lover. While she had a pretty limited role in the first movie, she was a huge part of Part Two, and that will continue here.

Florence Pugh As Princess Irulan

Princess Irulan has a big role in the book Dune: Messiah, so Florence Pugh, who appeared in the second Dune movie, will likely have more to do here.

Robert Pattinson As Scytale

CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg theorized Robert Pattinson could be the character Scytale, and now, after the trailer, it's confirmed. Pattison appears with blonde hair in the trailer, and he looks as menacing as Scytale should. With the caliber of cast members that Dune has, a big name in the role is no surprise.

Anya Taylor-Joy As Alia Atreides

One of the most exciting additions to the cast is only sort of an addition. Anya Taylor-Joy appeared in Dune: Part Two, but mostly just her voice was heard, with a few fleeting images. Her character, Alia Atreides, Paul’s sister, was still in utero in the second movie of the trilogy. This time, she’ll have a full role to play, and it’s one of the best characters in the story.

Jason Momoa As Duncan Idaho

We won’t spoil too much here if you’ve never read Dune: Messiah, but yes, Jason Momoa will be back, and he’ll once again be playing fan-favorite Duncan Idaho (or, at least a version of him). Momoa was one of the most beloved characters in the first movie, just as he is among book fans, so it’ll be great to see him once again after he died in the first movie.

Josh Brolin As Gurney Halleck

Gurney Halleck, being played again by Josh Brolin, is one of the few characters we didn't see in the trailer (at least, one we could tell was definitely him). Gurney is a fan favorite, and it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role other than Brolin here.

Rebecca Ferguson As Lady Jessica

This is an interesting one because Lady Jessica, Paul’s mother, doesn’t really play a part in Dune: Messiah, but Rebecca Ferguson will be reprising her role. She teased a little about the part recently, saying it was a small role, but that “Denis had a little idea.” What that idea could be, I can’t wait to find out. She was wonderful as Jessica in the first two movies.

And finally, at least for now, we know that Paul's children, Leto II and Ghanima, will be played by Jason Momoa's son, Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, and Silo actress Ida Brooke, respectively. Charlotte Rampling will reprise her role of Reverend Mother Mohiam as well.

Dune: Part Three Is Based On The Book Dune: Messiah

For those who haven’t read the book, we’ll keep the spoilers light here. Dune: Part Three is based on the second book in the Dune series, Dune: Messiah, by author Frank Herbert. The book, published in 1969, is as well regarded by fans as the original Dune novel. It is set about 12 years after the events of Dune, and Paul is now emperor. That doesn’t mean all is well in the universe. In fact, Paul has unleashed something in the Fremon that even he can’t control, and it threatens everything.

Dune: Messiah is a shorter book than Dune, but Villeneuve will probably still have to make some serious decisions on what to cut. Given how enthusiastic he’s been about these adaptations, I think it’s fair to trust him on what is critical and what can get cut, but it’s going to be tough for fans of the book, no matter what he cuts.

Could There Be A Dune: Part Four?

We’re going to get a little ahead of ourselves here and start wondering about a 4th installment. The answer is murky, to say the least. For starters, Villeneuve’s next project after Dune: Messiah is the next James Bond movie. Bond 26 is loosely scheduled for 2028, so it’s unlikely that if there is a fourth film, Villeneuve will be directly involved.

That’s not to say it is impossible. There is plenty of rich story left to tell in the Dune universe (the original series is six books by Herbert), so a fourth is certainly possible, likely with another director at the helm. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We're only about months from being back in the Dune universe, and all will be right with the world.

If you have an Apple TV+ subscription, there's a good chance you've seen Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy’s The Gorge. It's officially the biggest movie release in the streamer’s history, and this is saying quite a bit considering the platform became the first streamer to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards with 2021’s CODA. The Gorge may be a twisted sci-fi horror film featuring a plethora of what the internet has been referring to as “skull spiders,” but when talking about his favorite scene to shoot, Miles Teller showed his romantic side, opting instead to discuss the first time the film’s star-crossed lovers meet in person.

Although it takes place in a big universe, The Gorge is rather intimate, primarily focusing on two snipers separated by a gorge who can only see one another through the scopes of their rifles. Eventually, Teller’s Levi takes a treacherous journey over to Anya Taylor-Joy’s Drasa via zipline, and he said this about filming the moment the two of them meet in person:

Of course, his latter point about Drasa being a messy eater is a joke, as it turns out that the two actors had a running gag about the whole situation. Given they’ve only communicated with written notes up until that point, he has no idea what her voice sounds like, and they were laughing about the possibility that she sounded like something of a bro. Miles Teller amusingly also told us:

As you can see in the video at the top of this article, the two have some pretty unique chemistry. Surely, there were plenty of bits to be had. Critics are all over the place with The Gorge, but the film has definitely won out with audiences. Additionally, our own Nick Venable called the film “nutso,” and Jason Wiese believes it has the potential to be a TV series. It also features some gentle nods to their previous works Whiplash and The Queen’s Gambit. At the end of the day, what else can you ask for but two of Hollywood’s biggest stars in one of the first big movies releases of 2025?

Miles Teller recently lost his home during the LA wildfires, and he mentioned that doing press for The Gorge was a welcome distraction. I, for one, was very happy he was able to make it, and he seems to be in good spirits at this point in time. He will be in the upcoming, highly-anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, and we’re not going to stop asking about a Top Gun: Maverick sequel until it happens. So the actor has plenty to look forward to.

In the meantime, you can see Miles Teller alongside Anya Taylor-Joy in The Gorge on AppleTV+! For all future news in the world of film and television, stay tuned in with us here at CinemaBlend.

Spoilers below for the new genre-mashing thriller The Gorge, so be wanted if you haven’t yet streamed it with an Apple TV+ subscription.

After working for CinemaBlend for more years than I have fingers, I rarely experience movies or TV shows without leaning into months of promotional build-up. Yet with Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy’s streaming thriller The Gorge, I managed to make it to the week of release without knowing a single thing about it. Which is perhaps why it immediately became a candidate to go down as the most WTF, kitchen-sink movie release of 2025.

That isn’t a bad thing as far as I’m concerned, as I didn’t have any real expectations that could be either toppled or unreached. (I did watch the first trailer after the fact, and would have had a far different experience had I done so ahead of time.) In fact, I was almost definitely more entertained by the bizarre, genre-shifting film due to never having a real clue about what unbelievable new story divergence would come next. It appears I stand in opposition to the largely negative critical reviews, but I digress.

The story starts simply enough before veering into batshit-bonkers territory, with Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy playing deadshot snipers in their respective countries — he's from the U.S., while she’s out of Lithuania — who are tasked with standing watch on opposite sides of a huge gorge filled with colorful vapors and screeching creatures. But director Scott Derrickson's monster movie vibes soon give way to a cutesy rom-com before turning back into a stunt-filled, sci-fi action flick with governmental conspiracy vibes sprinkled throughout.

In fact, let’s talk about some of the movie’s more baffling elements before then addressing The Gorge's most unbelievable detail, which pretty much set all of the events into motion.

Some Of The Gorge's Wildest And Most Questionable Details

• Both Levi and Dasha seem like the same person, as they're both record-breaking snipers who blindly parachute into unknown areas and are also quite astute at free-soloing.
• The proximity bombs on either side of the gorge are seemingly just below the metal walkway barriers, rather than much farther down, resulting in parts of the barriers being destroyed every time there's an explosion.
• There are apparently supplies and leftover belongings in both fort-like building, but Levi barely took anything with him.
• The first two times Levi and Dasha hear and/or see the creatures, it's seemingly because of gunshots and loud music, and yet they continue to disrupt the silence with gunshots and loud music regularly afterward.
• The colors of the gases and fumes at the bottom of the gorge change from orange to purple and beyond, without addressing it.
• Levi seems like an extremely smart and practical person, yet doesn't suspect any secret surveillance or other nefarious issues, despite everything else being shady as shit.
• Skull spiders. I loved the spooky fuckers, don't get me wrong, but the sheer number of them is still enough to make my entire body clench.
• The mutated creatures in the gorge have for years survived attempts to destroy them, to the point where the guard towers became the go-to option, and yet it took just two two rule-breakers from opposite sides of the world to destroy it all.

That really is just picking at the surface, since so much of the narrative crafted by screenwriter Zach Dean works purely through movie logic. But even in a movie that supposes the idea that a tech company allows clandestine mutants to thrive under surveillance, the catalyst for my own sense of disbelief stemmed fro

I Call B.S. On How Often Levi And Dasha Knew What The Other Was Doing

I'll casually preface this by saying that I've never had great eyesight, a fact that is likely fueling my argument more than I'd like to admit. And yes, I fully understand that both characters would need impressive eyesight to achieve such marksmanship achievements. Plus, I don’t cop to actually knowing the extents of excellent eyesight, nor specifically how large the titular gorge is, or how its vapors would affect the air above.

All that noted, at no point while watching The Gorge was I ever convinced that either Levi and Dasha could pick up on so many of the small details happening on the other person's side, especially at night. Obviously when using those ridiculously powerful binoculars, it’s a piece of cake to read handwritten messages and witness tears falling down cheeks. But Dasha in particular seemed to have a sixth sense for Levi’s actions, and always seemed to know when he’d be looking.

But I’d have even bought it if the story introduced the idea that Dasha was gifted with precognition abilities either through science or magic, since that would fall in line with the rest. Not the case, though, and throughout the course of the two characters’ bonding experience, one scene after another lightly implies that they only really need those binoculars to read words, and not so much for other details like facial reactions, hand gestures, and other bodily movements.

I might not have questioned that element quite so hard had the movie not featured as many drone shots that highlighted just how far apart the two sides were. Even beyond that, Levi and Dasha made it seem like a formidable challenge to nail a successful rifle shot from one side to the next, further indicating a lengthy distance.

In the end, I don’t think that factor is going to have a huge impact on whether or not The Gorge ends up in a list of the best movies on Apple TV+, but I do think I would have had an easier time watching it had part of Levi’s “interview” with Sigourney Weaver’s Bartholomew specifically addressed how hard or easy it would be to see the opposing side, rather than just telling him not to look.

It’s only February, but the 2025 movie release schedule is filling up with some pretty exciting new films. In this day and age, we don’t always need to find a big screen for said new releases, and such is the case with Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge. The film was just released today and can be watched by anyone with an Apple TV+ subscription. We’ve been all-in on The Gorge since the release of the first trailer months ago, but perhaps the same can’t be said for the film’s stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller. That's because there’s a big “wink” at both of their careers that the A-listers pleaded with the producers to remove.

For most of the film, Miles Teller’s Levi and Anya Taylor-Joy’s Drasa are living isolated lives on either side of a massive gorge. During a montage where the two are trying to entertain themselves, Levi can be seen drumming, and Drasa can be seen playing chess. As you likely know, these acts harken back to projects the two of them worked on much earlier in their careers, and to avoid being too self-referential, Anya Taylor-Joy tried to get the segment nixed. While speaking with the two of them to celebrate The Gorge’s release, she told me this:

The project she’s referring to is 2020’s The Queen’s Gambit, a Netflix series that followed Anya Taylor-Joy’s Beth Harmon on her long journey to become a chess master. The show was a huge success for Netflix and earned Anya Taylor-Joy a Golden Globe for her performance. It’s arguably one of the most recognizable roles of her career, so obviously upon seeing her play chess in The Gorge, people will draw a parallel.

The same goes for Miles Teller, who famously played drums in 2014’s Whiplash. Damien Chazelle’s first film is still sparking divisive discussions over a decade later, with some saying that it should have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and others saying they refused to vote for the film entirely. Either way, it’s one of Miles Teller’s most noteworthy roles, and he said this about the fact that he plays drums in The Gorge:

At the end of the day, they both seem glad that they lost the fight with their producers to get said “wink” removed, even though I likely struck up the exact conversation with them that they were trying to avoid.

The Gorge is directed by Scott Derrickson of Doctor Strange and The Black Phone fame (the latter of which is getting a sequel), and the horror director has delivered a delightfully dark love story. Watch it right now on Apple TV+! As far as everything else coming our way on the 2025 movie release schedule, keep it here at CinemaBlend for the latest.

If you like a little romance and horror with a sci-fi twist alongside your Valentine’s Day dinner, The Gorge may be on your radar. Director Scott Derrickson’s newest project, hitting the 2025 movie calendar on February 14, covers quite a few genres in the story of two snipers guarding either side of what looks like the gates of hell in The Gorge’s trailer. Critics were able to screen the movie ahead of its release to Apple TV+ subscription holders, so let’s see what they’re saying.

Miles Teller stars in his first blockbuster since Top Gun: Maverick, while Anya Taylor-Joy has enjoyed a successful past few years with The Menu, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Dune: Part Two, to name a few. The Gorge is unlike any of those — it’s a sci-fi horror action flick with enough romantic comedy to justify its Valentine’s Day release, but with so much going on, is it hitting with critics? David Ehrlich of IndieWire says The Gorge doesn’t deliver on a potentially rich premise, instead turning predictable and shallow. The critic gives it a C, writing:

Dan Jolin of Empire also gives it a middling grade of 3 out of 5 stars, saying The Gorge is best appreciated as an unlikely romance, but none of the movie should be taken too seriously. Jolin continues:

Where some of the critics think the romance story was The Gorge’s strength, Tyler Nichols of JoBlo doesn’t buy the chemistry between Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. Too much focus is put on the romance instead of exploring the gorge’s more intriguing horrors. This movie is more enjoyable if you can turn your brain off, Nichols says, writing:

Therese Lacson of Collider gives it a 4 out of 10 despite several compliments, including calling it an enjoyable ride with dynamic action sequences, a charming love story and monsters with an ick factor. The Gorge may be enough for those simply looking for a popcorn movie with equal parts action and romance, but that isn’t enough to justify how “painfully predictable” the action is. Lacson says:

Agreeing on its ability to entertain, IGN’s A.A. Dowd gives the movie a “Good” 7 out of 10, arguing that The Gorge should have been given an opportunity on the big screen. The critic writes:

Many critics are pointing to the predictability of the plot, and with The Gorge feeling like two separate movies, it’s nearly inevitable that they would prefer one over the other. Even with more average reviews, if this sounds like a movie that’s intriguing enough for you to check out, you can do so starting Friday, February 14, and be sure to check out the other best movies to watch on Apple TV+ while you’re at it.

Anya Taylor-Joy is giving Audrey, and I truly can’t get over it. I’m, of course, referring to Audrey Hepburn, and it seems like The Menu actress honed in on that iconic Breakfast as Tiffany’s vibe for a Tiffany’s shoot. However, along with giving Old Hollywood, the actress also put a modern spin on it by wearing a sheer black dress with her big pearls and black hat.

Now, Anya Taylor-Joy is no stranger to the sheer trend, and she’s always willing to take risks with her fashion. From the pants-free trend to an experimental geometric dress, she loves to play with her fashion and lean into both traditional styles and edgier ones. This look is no exception to that rule, as you can see in her Instagram post of the fit:

According to Nina Ricci’s Instagram, Taylor-Joy is wearing Nina Ricci Spring Summer ‘25 collection by Harris Reed. The sheer, lace black top transitions into the black mini-skirt, and it’s simultaneously classy and edgy.

The Furiosa actress’s hairstylist, Gregory Russell also noted that “when in France, we twist,” referencing the wonderful and perfect twist her hair is in. That twist with the big black hat is gorgeous, and it helps balance the big white pearls that were sandwiched between the hat and the dress.

Speaking of those pearls, they are from Tiffany and Co., of course, seeing as the Dune: Part Two actress was specifically tagging the jewelry brand in her post.

Between the hat, the dress and the pearls, all I can think about is Audrey Hepburn here. I have a feeling you’ll be in the same boat when you watch the trailer for her classic film, Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

I really love a chic moment like this one from Taylor-Joy or anything from Audrey Hepburn. The fans and friends of the Peaky Blinders actress do too, as some of the comments read:

• Wowewweee -Lily Collins
• Insaaaaane -Rachel Zegler
• My forever @ninaricci muse icon -Harris Reed
• Perfection -Nikia Lee
• you're stunning omfgg -tilltheendoftheline.pal

Now, this look really has me hyped for the releases Anya Taylor-Joy has on the 2025 movie schedule, stick with me here. On the heels of being in one of the best sci-fi movies of 2024, Furiosa, the actress is staying in the world of genre for the romantic thriller The Gorge (which will be available with an Apple TV+ subscription on February 14). I can’t wait to see the movie generally, however, I’m almost equally excited about the looks this star is going to pull to promote it.

Overall, this outfit is stunning, and I’m obsessed with Anya Taylor-Joy leaning into the sheer trend and mixing it with the classy Old Hollywood style reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn. Now, I can’t wait to see what she does next as she starts to promote The Gorge, because one thing is for sure, her fits will be showstopping.

2025 will mark the release of more than a few upcoming Marvel movies, though there’s one particular title that’ll arrive beyond that. I’m talking about Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4, which is set to open in theaters in 2026. Concrete details on the film are few, but there have been plenty of rumors swirling around the much-anticipated, forthcoming superhero film. Just recently, it was alleged that Anya Taylor-Joy was being courted for a major role in the film. Now, franchise producer Amy Pascal is weighing on the casting chatter.

It was entertainment industry insider Daniel Ritchman who alleged that the Furiosa star was being courted to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On his Patreon (via The Direct), Ritchman also noted that the 28-year-old actress was previously considered for the role of the Silver Surfer in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. That role eventually went to Emmy-winning actress Julia Garner. What Ritchman didn’t specify is the character that the Glass alum was supposedly being considered for.

On that note, a reporter for the British publication caught up with Amy Pascal at an event, they name-dropped one particular character when inquiring about the casting rumors. They specifically asked about Anya Taylor-Joy being eyed for the role of Black Cat (whose real name is Felicia Hardy). In a TikTok video, Pascal responded with the following sentiments:

The Challengers producer kept her answer relatively short and, based on what she had to say, it would appear that casting for the fourth Spidey flick is still a ways off. Nevertheless, it’s interesting to think about who could end up joining the movie. Anya Taylor-Joy previously starred in the X-Men spinoff film The New Mutants, in which she played Illyana Rasputin a.k.a. Magik. I think she’d make a solid Felicia Hardy, as she possesses the charisma and physicality necessary for the role.

As of this writing, Spider-Man 4 has a director in Destin Daniel Cretton, whose MCU credits include Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the upcoming TV show Wonder Man. Story details are also being held close to the vest, but Tom Holland seems to be pleased with the direction. In fact, he said that after he read the script, it really “lit a fire” under him. He actually read that screenplay with on and off-screen partner Zendaya, who may have a reduced role in the film should she return as Michelle Jones.

During a previous interview, Amy Pascal also teased what Spidey 4 is about. The veteran producer briefly explained that fans will find Peter Parker dealing with the ramifications of his decision to erase himself from the universe’s memory. He’ll have to wait and see exactly what that entails – and whether Anya Taylor-Joy ends up playing a character involved in that narrative.

Spider-Man 4’s release date is currently set for July 24, 2026. In the meantime, you can check out the Tom Holland-fronted trilogy using a Disney+ subscription. You can also use the membership to watch many of the Marvel movies in order.

If I had to pick a single genre of film that I love above all else it would be science fiction. Whether it’s a story about aliens in outer space or simply the use of advanced technology, movies can bring all of these things that we can't imagine to life in a way that looks and feels real. And yet, it isn’t just about the spectacle of it all. Often the best science fiction movies are really just stories about humanity that use the fantastic as a way to teach us about ourselves.

Science fiction movies are often the home of the major franchises, but it has to be said that the franchise fair this year was quite solid, we saw the best Alien movie in years, and the best Transformers movie ever in 2024. Here’s a look at the best science fiction of the year and just why it was so great.

A Quiet Place: Day One

A Quiet Place: Day One may have been the third entry in the franchise but in many ways, it was entirely new. A new cast of characters in a new environment. The characters from the previous films had lived with the alien threat for a long time. Our new heroes had to figure everything out as they went along.

The tension was still there, and Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn gave very strong performances in a movie that was about two characters trying to stay alive, while also coming to terms with death.

Transformers One

If there’s one thing that shows what a wild year it was for science fiction it might be the simple fact that a Transformers movie was one of the best sci-fi movies of the year. But Transformers One wasn’t simply a good Transformers movie, it’s the best Transformers movie ever made.

It’s fun and funny, in a way that no other Transformers movie is, but it's never too silly. It has heart and action. It's about a heroic rise and dramatic fall from grace of Shakespearean proportions. It does everything, and it does it all remarkably well.

The Wild Robot

If I had a nickel for every time that an animated movie about a robot set in the post-apocalypse told a story about love and hope, I’d have two nickels... which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice. The Wild Robot may have a couple of things in common with Pixar’s Wall-E, but the movie has an identity all its own.

It’s a beautifully told story, both visually and emotionally. Like another animated movie on this list, it's ultimately a story about parenthood, and about the mistakes that new parents make. It's a story about how anybody can "grow beyond their programming" if given enough of a reason to do so.

Ultraman: Rising

Ultraman as a character isn’t massively popular in the U.S. compared to Japan, but Ultraman: Rising is one of those movies that’s able to cross boundaries by telling a story that is focused on those things that all people have in common.

While Ultraman Rising does include plenty of massive kaiju battles, it’s ultimately a story about parenthood, making mistakes and learning lessons. Whether you're a parent or simply somebody who had them, the story of Ultraman: Rising has something to say to you.

Alien: Romulus

Following two Alien movies that are both seen as being among the best sci-fi movies ever made, the franchise has struggled to meet such a high bar. However, with Alien: Romulus, director Fede Alvarez proves that there is still horror to be found in the series.

In the same way that Dan Trachtenberg brought fresh life to the Predator franchise, Alvarez shows a clear understanding of what makes Alien tick. Even if you think Romulus is only the third-best Alien movie, that’s no longer the backhanded compliment it once was.

Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two had a lot to accomplish as the follow-up to Denis Villeneuve’s epic first part. The first movie won several Oscars, and based on the response to the sequel, the follow may do so again.

The movie completes the story of Paul Atreides in stunning fashion. While it has all the sci-fi spectacle we expect, Dune: Part Two is ultimately a character drama, one that uses the trappings of sci-fi to examine the human condition in a unique way, as all great science fiction does.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Furiosa may not quite reach the heights of Mad Max: Fury Road, but considering Fury Road was one of the best films of the last decade, getting close is good enough. Furiosa was the origin story that did that rare thing by adding layers to the character, and in doing so possibly making the original film even better.

Anya Taylor-Joy makes her mark as a real action hero and Chris Hemsworth plays an entertainingly awful villain. George Miller’s beautifully choreographed action is back here and it all makes the post-apocalypse look almost beautiful.

Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes

Full disclosure, while I love sci-fi, I’ve never been a big Planet of the Apes fan. The original generation of the franchise always looked too corny to me growing up, and the more recent trilogy, while I always heard it was great, still never appealed to me. And yet, I still found myself engaged with this movie even outside of any other context.

Kingdom shows just how well done "CGI characters" can be when they're handled effectively, both in visual design and in characterization from the actors. The Planet of the Apes feels like a real place life that few other sci-fi locations do.

2024 was a good year but looking forward the science fiction genre is looking even better. 2025 will bring us the next entry in the Avatar and Jurassic Park franchises. We’ll also get the original science fiction story Frankenstein brought to life by the incomparable Guillermo del Toro. Science fiction fans have been very lucky of late, and the luck doesn’t look to be running out soon.

With December in full swing, it’s time to start taking a peek at upcoming 2025 movie schedule, and we’ve just been given a first look at an especially exciting thriller coming to those with an Apple TV+ subscription this Valentine’s Day. The first trailer for Scott Derrickson’s The Gorge is here and, while it's a V-Day release, I'm so pleasantly surprised by how romantic Anya Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller's film about the gates of hell looks. With that, I'm all in for this one!

The trailer (above) was just revealed amid Brazil Comic-Con by Anya Taylor-Joy (our favorite modern horror queen) and Miles Teller. Taylor-Joy sports black hair and an accent while playing Drasa, a highly-trained operative who is stationed at an ominous guard tower that apparently guards the gorge, or gates of Hell. Meanwhile, Teller -- who signed up for the movie back in 2022 -- plays Levi, who's on the other side of the gorge and on guard as well. Fans may also be delighted to see Sigourney Weaver in the trailer, too, as the long-beloved genre veteran plays the official who recruits Levi for his task.

It's established that Levi is stationed there for an entire year without the ability to call or communicate with the outside world. He’s also “strictly forbidden” to communicate with Drasa, on the other side, as he’s tasked with making sure nothing comes out of the gorge, which is described as the “door to hell.” But, as time passes for the lonely operatives, they start to reach out to each other and forge some sort of bond.

One scene from the trailer sees the characters communicating using signs with messages on them, and it actually reminds me of one of Taylor Swift’s best music videos, “You Belong With Me”! However, when Teller’s character tries to zipline to the other side, perhaps to finally rendezvous with Taylor-Joy’s character, he falls directly into the gorge, and she goes after him. Based on this footage, it seems fans are in for a creepy, horror-filled thriller with a lot of romantic tension, and I'm so eager to see how it all plays out.

This forthcoming release was written by The Tomorrow War’s Zach Dean, but I’m especially pumped due to the fact that it’s been helmed by Scott Derrickson. The filmmaker is best known for directing movies like The Black Phone, Doctor Strange and one of the best horror movies of all time, 2012’s Sinister. Derrickson’s passion for horror and unique direction always feel refreshing, so I'm very intrigued by how he'll balance the movie’s romance with his love for scares and suspense.

Both Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy have been booking and busy as of late, and it’s exciting to see them placed together in one movie. Taylor-Joy is coming off a year that saw her headline the critically acclaimed Furiosa. Looking ahead, Teller has the Michael Jackson biopic, in which he'll play lawyer John Branca.

Ahead of that, though, I'm just excited to see what the two actors bring to The Gorge after seeing this first trailer. If you're feeling the same way, grab an Apple TV+ membership so you'll be able to stream it when it debuts on February 14.

Disney’s best live-action remakes have been so successful for the studio that it’s a question of when, not if, your favorite animated Disney movie will get the live-action treatment. Considering how popular Frozen and Frozen II were the first time around, they were the highest-grossing animated movies ever made until Inside Out 2 recently broke that record, it’s a shock that a live-action adaptation hasn’t been announced already.

That announcement could honestly come any day now because Anya Taylor-Joy has expressed interest in playing a live-action version of Elsa. Needless to say, this idea broke the internet, because she certainly does look the part. She also excited the original Frozen cast, as Josh Gad responded to the idea on Threads, indicating he wants to be part of the eventual live-action film, but not as Olaf. Gad said…

Clearly, if Anya Taylor-Joy leads a live-action Frozen simply reprising his role as Olaf won’t be good enough for Josh Gad. Olaf would obviously be a CGI character in such a movie, but Gad seemingly wants to get on set to act opposite Taylor-Joy, so he’s throwing his hat in the ring to play Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, the movie’s villain.

While Josh Gad certainly doesn’t look like Hans in the same way that Anya Taylor-Joy looks like Elsa, he would be an excellent Disney villain. He'd honestly be pretty good in such a role. Hans is charismatic and fun, but secretly underhanded. Gad would be great at all of that. More importantly, playing Hans would give him more scenes with Anya Taylor-Joy than he’d get if he played Kristoff.

Since we know that a live-action Moana movie is on the way, Disney certainly has no issue giving even some of its newest animated films the live-action treatment. It’s been rumored that a live-action Frozen movie is among the planned upcoming Disney live-action remakes, but nothing has ever been officially announced.

If there have been discussions about the project at the studio, it’s difficult to imagine that Anya Taylor-Joy wasn’t already on a casting wish list. She’s an incredible actress, she looks the part already, and we know she can sing. Taylor-Joy performed a haunting rendition of “Downtown” in One Night in Soho. I think we'd all love to hear what she can do with "Let it Go."

The only negative is that Taylor-Joy is almost 30, and Elsa is supposed to be much younger. Still, all that really means is that Disney needs to not dawdle and get this movie made sooner rather than later.

One movie that we know is coming is Frozen 3. That movie, which will be broken into two parts, isn’t set to debut until 2027. There’s a pretty good chance we could see a live-action Frozen before the third animated film even arrives.

George Miller’s long-awaited Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga – a prequel to 2015’s Fury Road – finally roared into theaters early this summer. While the action film didn’t make much of an impression at the box office, the Anya Taylor-Joy-led film did earn praise from critics and general audiences. Of course, one person who fans have probably been most curious to hear thoughts from is OG Imperator Furiosa actress Charlize Theron. Well, the actress has finally broken her silence, sharing just what she thought about Miller’s latest blockbuster.

Charlize Theron dazzled in the role of Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road, and many continue to mark the film as one of the Oscar winner’s best performances. So some were quite disappointed when it was revealed that Theron would not be reprising the character for this latest installment in the post-apocalyptic saga. Despite not being able to play her famous role again, the Old Guard star has been very supportive of George Miller’s new flick amid its development. And, when recently asked if she’d seen the film for herself, she confirmed that she had and was complimentary:

The Atomic Blonde shared the sweet thoughts above while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter at the fourth annual block party for her Africa Outreach Project. It’s lovely to hear that the actress enjoyed the movie, and one would think her words will mean a great deal to Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, George Miller and their collaborators. Speaking of Taylor-Joy, for a little while, there’s been a question of when she and her Furiosa predecessor might meet up to discuss the flick. Back in late 2022, the Queen’s Gambit star confirmed that she hadn’t touched base with Theron. And, per the Monster star’s latest comments, she and Taylor-Joy have still yet to link up:

Charlize Theron previously admitted to being “a little heartbroken” over the fact that she was recast in the role of the eponymous heroine. Miller, who showed the Furiosa script to the starlet early on, explained that Theron was replaced due to his decision to avoid the use of de-aging technology for the prequel. Despite the Fast X star’s disappointment, she respected Miller’s choice and subsequently remained diplomatic about the film. She wasn’t alone either, as Mad Max actor Tom Hardy also showed love, despite having yet to see the movie for himself. 

As great as it would’ve been to have seen the Snow White and the Huntsman star play Furiosa again, Anya Taylor-Joy brought a unique spark to the role as well. It’s also sweet to know that her predecessor enjoyed the prequel as well. Here’s hoping that the two eventually get a chance to meet up and chat about their respective experiences working within George Miller’s beloved fictional universe.

Furiosa is currently available to rent or buy on multiple digital platforms, and you can stream Mad Max: Fury Road using a Max subscription. Anyone who’s in need of a good action flick can also check out the 2024 movie schedule to read up on potential screening options.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article gives away multiple key scenes from Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. If you have not yet seen the film, buckle up and be careful as you sift you these moments.

It was disappointing to see the lackluster box office results for Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which actually mirrored the fate of its Oscar-winning predecessor(, and one of the greatest action movies ever made, 2015's Mad Max: Fury Road. Those who skipped out on the post-apocalyptic movie prequel starring Anya-Taylor Joy in the title role missed out on seeing some of the coolest action sequences we have ever seen from the Mad Max movies.

Then again, the high-octane excitement and visual astonishment that these scenes offer is sure to make an epic impression on the viewer no matter what the size of the screen. Therefore, with the film being available to purchase on digital as of June 25th, we have compiled our picks for the most badass moments from Furiosa that make co-writer and director George Miller’s long-awaited return to the Wasteland one of the best movies of 2024 so far.

Mary Takes Out Dementus’ Biker Horde

As originally played by Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road, Imperator Furiosa instantly became one of the greatest female action movie characters of all time with her fierce warrior instincts. As we learn in the opening scene of the prequel, young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) learned those skills from her own mother, Mary (Charlee Fraser), who single-handedly goes after the raiders who capture her daughter, wanting to make sure that no outside witnesses of “The Green Place” survive.

While the rescue mission ultimately fails — leaving her badly injured and brutally sacrificed, and Furiosa under the care of Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) — Mary’s sharp-shooting aim, intense fighting skills and indomitable will immediately earned her a spot among the Mad Max’s franchise’s most honorable heroes.

Furiosa Disguises Herself As A Male

Furiosa’s defeminization (particularly her shaved head) has always been important in subtly explaining how she managed to survive being a working denizen of Immortan Joe’s (Lachy Hulme) Citadel, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga shows us the origin of that characteristic.

Our young title hero (still played by Browne here) uses a razor blade to chip off her own hair to create a wig, which, literally, helps her escape the clutches of a perverted Rictus Erectus (Nathan Jones) and the vault holding Joe’s wives. From that point on, she manages to maintain the guise that she is just another male mechanic, learning the tricks of the trade and building up her stamina as a road warrior.

Air Assault On The War Rig

Anya Taylor-Joy’s first action sequence in Furiosa — which took 78 days to shoot and was later nicknamed “Stairway to Nowhere” — was Furiosa’s attempt to stow herself onto the War Rig (driven by Tom Burke’s Praetorian Jack) and escape on a motorbike, but is thwarted by an aerial attack by the Octoboss’ goons.

The stunning scene nearly rivals any of the most memorable and badass moments from Fury Road, with high energy choreography that sees Furiosa manipulate almost all of the rig’s bells and whistles to take out their enemies. The scene is capped off beautifully with the the ingenious design of the Bommy Knocker — a mechanism involving spinning flails which takes out the remaining Mortifyers in an explosive final defeat.

Dementus’ Bullet Farm Ambush

The War Rig chase could be the top action sequence in Furiosa, but there are arguments for why that spot should be reserved for the moment Furiosa and Jack discover that the Bullet Farm has been seized by Dementus.

The scene is literally on fire with the immersive cinematography, ground-rumbling chases on foot and on wheels, captivating silent interaction between our two heroes, and breathtaking imagery, such as when a flood of bullet casings rushing down a ramp nearly sends Dementus falling to his death. Speaking of great imagery, the moment Furiosa uses the Bullet Farm’s main gate to shield herself from a flamethrower alone is one of the most striking shots in the entire franchise.

Dementus Learns Furiosa Has Escaped

The Bullet Farm sequence, unfortunately, does result in Dementus capturing Furiosa and Jack — the latter of whom is chained and dragged around the dirt as dogs eat him alive, while she is hung by an arm that is just barely attached to her elbow after an accident from moments earlier.

Dementus later discovers just a bloody forearm dangling from the chain where Furiosa was hanging, at which point the mystery of how she lost her arm is also revealed. However, we are left to wonder if her arm broke off by accident or if our hero had to sever the limb herself.

Furiosa Talks Down To Immortan Joe

When the now one-armed Furiosa manages to find her way back to the Citadel, she finds her way into Immortan Joe’s quarters, alerting him and his aides about Dementus assuming control of the Bullet Farm and working with them to form a retaliation strategy.

What makes this scene that is mostly a dialogue-driven bridge between action sequences so memorable, however, is the moment Furiosa tries ensures her revenge by saying to Joe, “If you find him, he's mine." No one else would have had the boldness to, essentially, give an order such as that to a powerful warlord like him.

Furiosa’s Revenge On Dementus Is Revealed

When Furiosa does find the man who stole her life away from her, she spends several moments taunting Dementus before finally serving up vengeance that is teased with multiple outcomes by the narrator (George Shevtsov, who also plays The History Man).

Yet, he reveals that Furiosa told him personally she never actually killed Dementus, but kept him alive and used him as human soil to plant a peach tree behind the Citadel with the seed her mother gave her before she died. Rarely have we seen have a brutal and insufferable form of retaliation on screen, easily making Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga one of cinema’s greatest revenge stories yet.

With all of these incredible moments to witness, we certainly hope that Furiosa can return to the big screen one day. Even another Mad Max movie of some sort would be more than welcome. Either way, at least you can still remember her at home when you buy Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga on Amazon.

Anya Taylor-Joy may be best known for starring in horror movies and the recent Mad Max movie, Furiosa, but her real life sounds a lot more like a romantic comedy! The 28-year-old actress has been married to rock star Malcolm McRae for over two years, and as it turns out, his proposal to her had some major roots in Forrest Gump.

Anya Taylor-Joy’s Sweet Forrest Gump Proposal Story 

When Anya Taylor-Joy recently was asked about her favorite movies by Letterboxd, she shared that Robert Zemeckis’ 1994 classic Forrest Gump is up there for her. She shared a sweet connection she has to the film with these words:

Well, this is the sweetest thing I’ll probably hear all week! Anya Taylor-Joy is a big fan of the Tom Hanks movie, and as it turns out, her partner asked her to be his wife right there on the iconic bench. As she explained, McRae hails from Alabama, just like Forrest does, and she’s blonde, just like Robin Wright’s Jenny, so it was perfect! She continued to gush about the movie, saying this:

Life is sure like a box of chocolates, and you never know what you’re gonna get!! In the case of Anya Taylor-Joy, she’s had a lot of luck in the world of Hollywood, and her hubby gave her a memorable proposal she’ll never forget! Given Taylor-Joy’s work over the years, one might not expect this connection to Forrest Gump, but alas!

Anya Taylor-Joy’s Had Two Secret Weddings 

Malcolm McRae and Anya Taylor-Joy celebrated their love in two big ways between 2022 and 2024. First, they officially tied the knot in New Orleans, Louisiana back in April 2022. Check out some of the gorgeous wedding photos that the Furiosa actress didn’t showcase until her two-year anniversary.

As she wrote in the Instagram post, the couple opted for “anatomically correct heart cakes” for their wedding celebration. Given the actress also mentioned that Interview With A Vampire is one of her favorite movies alongside Forrest Gump, it’s not too surprising! Over a year later, the couple went for more star-studded wedding festivities when they had an Italian wedding complete with celebrity guests like Cara Delevingne, Nicholas Hoult, Miles Teller, Julia Garner and more.

You can see Anya Taylor-Joy in Furiosa, now playing in theaters. You can also check out CinemaBlend’s own interview with the actress along with Chris Hemsworth for the Mad Max prequel now.

Anya Taylor-Joy has become a household name with her mesmerizing performances in movies and TV shows like The Queen’s Gambit, Emma, and Last Night in Soho. But it was her breakout role in Robert Eggers’ chilling 2015 film The Witch that first showcased her immense talent. The actress recently opened up about a pivotal moment during the filming of terrifying film that prompted her to discuss a change with Eggers. And I'm so glad she did, because it not only highlighted her dedication to her craft but also showcased her willingness to stand up for her character’s integrity.

In a recent video interview with British GQ, where the Northman actress breaks down her most iconic characters, which hail from some of Anya Taylor-Joy's best movies, she shared an insightful behind-the-scenes story about a critical scene in the Puritan period piece. Her revelation sheds light on her early experiences in the industry and her collaboration with director Robert Eggers. She shared her instinctual understanding of her character, Thomasin, and how she influenced a significant change in the film’s portrayal of female emotions. According to the actress: 

The star's candid discussion with, at the time, first-time horror director Robert Eggers about her character’s emotional state was critical to the film, in this fan's eyes. It not only altered how the scene was shot but also how the audience perceived Thomasin’s journey. Instead of a display of helplessness, the scene transformed into a powerful assertion of the young girl’s frustration and strength. This adjustment brought a deeper complexity to her character, resonating strongly with viewers who appreciated the nuanced performance. The Dune: Part Two actress continued: 

It's truly remarkable that a young actress, early in her career, had the courage to advocate for her character and their truthful portrayal. Her interaction with the eventual Lighthouse helmer surely set a precedent for her future roles, ensuring that she would continue to bring authenticity and depth to her performances. The Princess Peach performer's insistence on capturing Thomasin’s anger instead of defaulting to tears challenged traditional portrayals of female characters and contributed to the film’s overall impact.

The Witch is one of A24's best horror movies and a tremendous slow-burn horror. Anya Taylor-Joy's performance is incredible. The film tells an important story through scares and represents Taylor-Joy's behind-the-scenes prowess, highlighting the power of collaboration and the importance of trusting one's instincts. Even early in her career, she had a strong sense of her characters and wasn't afraid to voice her thoughts, ultimately strengthening the final product. This is significant for the horror movie genre, which often sidelines the nuanced emotional landscapes of its female characters.

Anya Taylor-Joy's star power keeps climbing, thanks not only to her incredible talent but also to her genuine dedication to her craft. You can catch this in-demand actress by revisiting her star-making turn in The Witch, which is streaming with a Max subscription. You can also see her in George Miller’s newly released Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, where she shines in some intense action sequences, including one that’s nearly 15 minutes long. 

Finally, forget to check out our 2024 movie schedule to see what other exciting films are coming to theaters near you.

Anya Taylor-Joy, a true icon, not only captivates with her talent but also her beauty, both on and off the big screen. Her latest big role sees her playing a younger version of Charlize Theron’s iconic Wasteland character in the new Mad Max prequel, Furiosa. Recently, she made a daring fashion choice at her movie’s premiere, going pants-free. And now, she's stepping out in a look that's turning heads, a fashion mullet–all business in the front and party in the back. And this fearless fashion choice should further inspire and delight her fans. 

The Princess Peach voice actor's dress features a draped, curve-hugging bodice that fits her like a second skin. The rich, red hue exudes classic Hollywood glamour, while the ruched detailing adds an edgy vibe to the asymmetrical neckline and cap sleeves. Take a look at it for yourself: 

But, let's be honest, the real show-stopper here is the dress’s daring backside. As the Northman actress turned to greet the flashing cameras, she revealed the back of her dress, loosely fastened with a series of thin black straps. These straps, resembling a set of leather belts, increase in size as they move downward, wrapping almost entirely around her figure. This design not only highlighted her impeccable style but also showcased some serious back and a hint of buttock cleavage. That's right, folks— Anya Taylor-Joy brought the bum-baring trend to a whole new level, making a cheeky case for its fashion-forward appeal. Take a look:

She completed her iconic look with a matching red lip that perfectly complemented her dress, sleek Louboutin pumps and a high ponytail exuding chic sophistication. She added a touch of sparkle with a metallic Tiffany & Co. X Elsa Peretti cuff bracelet. Her overall appearance was the epitome of high fashion, striking the perfect balance between bold and elegant.

It goes without saying that the 28-year-old Witch star has been freely experimenting with her style lately. After embracing themed dressing for her latest action movie’s press tour—where she rocked a jaw-dropping space-age Paco Rabanne dress and matching spiked headpiece on the red carpet in Sydney for the Australian premiere— she has since transitioned to more streamlined and daring looks. Her fashion choices keep fans and critics alike on their toes, as they eagerly anticipating her next style move, and I love it.

Anya Taylor-Joy was in New York City to appear on The Late Show and chat with Stephen Colbert about her driving lessons for the role of Furiosa. Before landing the role, she had never driven a car and still doesn’t have her driver's license. During the interview, which you can watch below, she told the host, “When George Miller calls you and asks you, 'Do you want to learn how to drive a car to be in Mad Max,' you say yes.” Fair enough!

Her most recent outfit is a perfect example of making a statement while staying true to her unique style. Whether she's wearing a custom Marni mini-dress that looks like it was pulled right off a museum wall or showing off a bit of Mugler butt cleavage, her fashion choices are always a delightful surprise. As she continues to captivate audiences on screen, she is equally compelling off screen.

Don't forget to check out one the latest 2024 movie schedule releases, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which is now playing in theaters near you. It's also a great time to catch up with the previous film in the series, Mad Max: Fury Road, which is available to stream with a Max subscription.

Audiences are gearing up for a return to the Wastelands courtesy of Furiosa, George Miller’s latest chapter in the Mad Max saga. Though this is a prequel to the director’s Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road, there are very few familiar faces in this mythology-rich exploration of familiar territories. Yes, we catch back up with the warrior Furiosa, though Charlize Theron has been replaced by Anya Taylor-Joy for this adventure. And Miller leans heavily into a new leader, Dementus, portrayed by the former Thor superstar Chris Hemsworth. But while filming on Furiosa, Taylor-Joy apparently found solace in one recognizable aspect of Miller’s universe, and that’s the War Boys. 

Witness! The War Boys were introduced in George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, and are servants and soldiers of Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne). We catch back up with Joe in Furiosa, as he strategizes against Dementus in a power struggle in the Wastelands. And Anya Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa finds herself in the middle of the battle. Because she’s thrust into the war between Immortan Joe and Dementus, Furiosa finds herself on the legendary War Rig (which we first saw in Mad Max: Fury Road), and when Taylor-Joy spoke to us about her time spent filming action sequences on the rig, she brought up the War Boys, and the impact they had on her performance. 

Anya Taylor-Joy told CinemaBlend:

The War Boys absolutely have a very distinct look about them. They are striking in white and black, against the orange-red backdrop of the arid sand in George Miller’s desert. But it’s the fearlessness of the War Boys (and the stunt artists who portray them) in action sequences like this that are a big part of the reason why fans, and Mad Max cast members, appreciate sharing scenes with them. 

George Miller has said, over the years, that the Mad Max movies don’t line up like a traditional series. They don’t connect like upcoming Marvel movies do, and instead operate as individual fables. That doesn’t mean, however, that elements from previous films can’t show up, as the War Boys do in Furiosa. They didn’t help Furiosa that much, according to our official Furiosa review. But that likely won’t stop fans from heading to theaters this opening weekend to see the latest installment in the Mad Max saga. 

Anya Taylor-Joy has an uncanny knack for creating an illuminating presence through her talent and beauty and, of course, she dazzles on the big screen as well. Her next movie has her playing a younger version of Charlize Theron’s Mad Max character in the upcoming Furiosa. The highly anticipated prequel just recently premiered in London and, for the event, the Miami-born actress decided to contribute to the popular pants-free trend. And, as you can probably imagine, she absolutely crushed it.

There are have been plenty of popular red carpet fashion trends over the last few years. Margot Robbie ignited Barbiecore, Florence Pugh popularized the “Free the Nipple” movement and Zendaya channeled C-3PO as a way of method dressing based on her characters. As the pants-free trend grows amongst A-listers, Anya Taylor-Joy is the latest to join this chic trend with her classy black-and-white bodysuit. Take a look at the Split actress making an entrance at the London premiere of Furiosa in the Instagram video below:

The Golden Globe winner looks like she’s having a lot of fun pants-free and all. From Giambattista Valli’s Spring/Summer 2024 Couture collection, the black-and-white bodysuit is paired with black tights and pointed Christian Louboutin black heels. With this white floral arrangement sporting the top of her bodysuit, the actress looks as elegant as a swan. 

The pants-free movement has surged for a few years, with Halle Berry ringing in 2024 with it. In 2022, Kourtney Kardashian seemingly went pants-free at a show,  wearing only a t-shirt with knee-high black boots. Riverdale’s Camila Mendes was also without pants while walking on the street, because why not? This year, National No Pants Day also made for an excuse to bring the fashion trend back with, Camila and Matthew McConaughey championing it, and Sydney Sweeney sans pants in a new ad for Jimmy Choo. This trend is not only sexy but gives beautiful celebrities a lot of edge in showing confidence in their bodies.

As the lead of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Anya Taylor-Joy is bringing to life the origin story of George Miller's memorable rebellious warrior before she teamed up with Mad Max in 2015’s Fury Road. Miller cast Taylor-Joy in the iconic role after seeing her excellent performance in Last Night in Soho. The Australian filmmaker also knew she could handle the physical tasks of the role, especially given that her ballet background is similar to Charlize Theron's. While reactions to Furiosa were all over the place after an early screening, critics loved Taylor-Joy’s performance and that the story is centered around a female character this time around.

As Anya Taylor-Joy continues to promote her latest film, it'll be intriguing to see what outfits she sports next. Though I'd argue that i'll be hard to top the sheer perfection of her pants-free look from this latest premiere. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga hits theaters on May 24th as part of the 2024 movie schedule, and you can stream Mad Max: Fury Road with a Max subscription to prepare.

What a day, dear readers! What a lovely day! The first reactions for director George Miller’s 2024 movie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga have come to light, and it looks like we’ve got a lot to be excited about. While full reviews won’t be available for a little while longer, social reactions have arrived from those on hand for last night’s sneak peek at IMAX HQ in L.A. And I think we need to take two words from all of the buzz close to heart: "windsurfing bombers."

It’s a pretty big occasion when the prequel to the best action movies makes itself known. But when Mr. Miller is on hand to not only introduce such a film, but also to mill about with the attendees, you know it’s something to be proud of. Here’s the man himself, thanks to a shot from our own Sean O’Connell, who was in attendance: 

Ok, that’s pretty cool and what not, but how’s the movie?! Does that awesome Furiosa trailer with the David Bowie cover do the movie justice? Well, we’ll start with @billbria’s bombastic feedback on the fifth Mad Max movie, which cited the fantastic sight we kicked off this piece discussing thusly:

That’s the sort of reaction I’d expect out of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga’s early screenings. That's also the kind of talk I'd demand when conversing about, to repeat, "windsurfing bombers." Like, how does that work, and how do I see it now?!

However, it’s not fair to just traffic in the hype machine, as there are bound to be people that are constructively critical of what they’ve seen. And that’s where Doug Jamieson (@itsdougjam) comes in. While he liked the movie, he did have the following choice notes to include: 

That is indeed the other side of the sort of hype you’d expect from a major franchise follow-up such as this long awaited George Miller film. And considering he has another Mad Max prequel he’s been mulling over, those notes above would be key to any continuation of this long spanning saga.  

Turning back to the more extreme hype that Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is drawing, @erikdavis laid down quite a detailed reaction through this thoughtful rundown: 

I know it’s pretty early, and again Furiosa reviews won’t be breaking until some point in the near future. But the picture that seems to appear through these early tweets is one that equally values Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth’s performances in what sounds like an entertaining storm of madness. 

Which, to truly put my cards on the table, is the bare minimum I would have expected, even if this movie turned out to be, to quote the forceful Immortan Joe, “Mediocre!”  Of course, we’re now arriving at the reaction that I probably hold the closest to my heart, as this was an IMAX screening after all. 

Thanks to Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon), we now know how Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga plays in large format. I mean, if you’re going to hold a special screening at IMAX HQ, that’s kind of the sort of thing you’d want to hear feedback about. And Simon didn’t disappoint, as he raved about the large format presentation as follows:

You know what else probably engulfs the audience in IMAX? Say it with me: "windsurfing bombers." Seriously, all of this talk about the spectacle that is Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga has me wanting to add Mad Max: Fury Road to my list of IMAX re-releases that need happen. And yes, that hypothetical screening had better be in IMAX 3D, if only to sooth my disappointment that Furiosa wasn't converted into the same joyful experience.

Sometimes the simplest reaction is the most effective, and in that respect Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites) has quite possibly the best reaction to close out on. If only because I imagine myself having a similar viewpoint after stepping out of an IMAX screening myself. Here’s Ms. Esther’s short but sweet statement:

Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m ready to get out to see Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga as soon as possible. And if you know me from your time reading the site, you can be sure I’m looking for that large format glory when I do. 

So if you’re like me and you need to get back to the Wasteland there are two things you need to do. First, keep your eyes out for when Furiosa tickets go on sale; as they aren’t on the market just yet. 

Second, and perhaps more importantly, it’s a lovely day to watch (or rewatch) Mad Max: Fury Road. And as such, you can head over to your Max subscription to take in a brief history lesson from the apocalypse. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga hits theaters on May 24th, so you’ve got some time to get your affairs, and any chrome face paint, in order.   

If you’re going to play a leading character in one of the Mad Max movies, then being able to drive is a requirement. That wasn’t any different for Anya Taylor-Joy, who took over the role of Furiosa from Charlize Theron for the character’s origin story, which is arriving soon on the 2024 movies schedule. And yet, while Taylor-Joy did plenty of driving during the making of Furiosa, she doesn’t have a driver’s license, and she’s explained why this is.

Why Anya Taylor-Joy Doesn’t Have A Driver’s License

We learned back in 2022 that the Last Night in Soho and The Queen’s Gambit actress engaged in stunt driving without a license while shooting Furiosa, but even long after the production finished, she still hasn’t become legally qualified to get behind the wheel, which she attributes to not sticking around in one place for too long. As Taylor-Joy specifically put it:

If you’re not aware, Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami, Florida, but she was raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and London, England. But even in adulthood, she travels around a lot because of her job, so she simply hasn’t been in one place long enough to carve out time to secure a driver’s license. Now, it should be noted that during this EW interview, the actress was accompanied by her Furiosa costar Chris Hemsworth, who plays Warlord Dementus. He said that Taylor-Joy “unofficially” does have a license, and I’m not exactly sure what he means by that, but she should make it official before running into any legal entanglements.

On the bright side, at least Taylor-Joy can say that her first driving experience was one few others have gotten to do, and ironically, she comes from a family that’s passionate about cars. She said:

Now this isn’t to say that Anya Taylor-Joy will never get a driver’s license, though she already has a good idea what will happen when that day comes.

What Anya Taylor-Joy Expects Will Happen When She Gets A Driver’s License

During her interview with Chris Hemsworth, the actress shared which car she plans to get, as well as speculated that it won’t be too long until after the purchase that she’ll likely wreck it:

That’s a solid pick, but as far as Hemsworth is concerned, Anya Taylor-Joy shouldn’t have to go through the proper channels to obtain a driver’s license. As he laid out below, all she needs to do is have whoever’s working at the DMV (or whatever equivalent government agency) look at her work in Furiosa:

I’d love to see that happen, but just to be safe, she should study the driver’s manual and brush up on her everyday driving in case that DMV employee pushes the Furiosa DVD/Blu-ray aside. Fortunately, in the Mad Max world, Furiosa doesn’t need to worry about pesky rules like speed limits and right of way. Unfortunately, the tradeoff is living in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where resources like food, water and fuel are hard to come by… so actually, I’ll stick with having to carry a driver’s license.

Furiosa opens in theaters on May 24, and you can revisit Charlize Theron’s performance as Imperator Furiosa by streaming Mad Max: Fury Road with your Max subscription.

When it comes to fashion, Anya Taylor-Joy has always been one for the avant-garde and experimental. So, since we know she’s leading Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, some stunning and surprising looks were to be expected as she embarks on a global press tour for her project on the 2024 movie schedule. However, while I anticipated looks unlike anything I’d ever seen, I did not predict that the actress would show up to the premiere for her film in Australia wearing a wild spiky naked dress with a matching headpiece. Let's just say my jaw is actually on the floor after seeing this fit.

Anya Taylor-Joy took the carpet for Sydney, Australia’s premiere of Furiosa wearing a mini dress by Paco Rabanne, per Cosmopolitan, that was covered all the way around with what look like spiky arrows. The garment itself was made of yellow triangles and silver circles that create a chainmail effect. Then, the naked dress was covered all the way around with arrows -- yes, in the back too, likely making it impossible to sit down. To top it off, the actress wore a matching headpiece, making for a truly futuristic and wild look that you need to see to believe:   

The Cosmo article explained that this dress is actually vintage, and was part of Paco Rabanne’s 1996 spring/summer haute couture show. Considering the fact that the Mad Max saga dates back to the late ‘70s, I love that Taylor-Joy wore a vintage piece. While it’s unclear if she was paying homage to the franchise’s history, the vibe of this retro dress fits in perfectly.

Along with the sheer dress and jaw-dropping headpiece, the woman behind this new iteration of Furiosa topped off her look with simple gold and clear heels and fairly neutral glam. 

After touching down in Sydney for the Furiosa premiere and doing some fun promo in cars, the actress changed into this stunning look. While at the premiere, she was also photographed with her co-star Chris Hemsworth, the film’s director George Miller – who is also the mastermind behind one of the greatest action movies and Furiosa’s predecessor, Mad Max: Fury Road, as well as the other films in the franchise – and producer Doug Mitchell. 

This naked dress not only fits in with the sheer trend of today, but it also is another fabulous example of method dressing that has become popular because of Zendaya’s immaculate movie-themed looks (like her green tennis court dress she wore to the Australia premiere of Challengers) and the Barbie press tour where Margot Robbie donned many looks that were directly inspired by the doll. 

Anya Taylor-Joy has dressed this way before too. Just take The Queen’s Gambit star’s gorgeous Dune: Part 2 premiere outfit as a prime example. It looked like something out of the futuristic world of the sci-fi film, and it also highlighted the actress’s love for experimental fashion.

Speaking of experimental, The Menu actress has always gravitated toward looks that fall in this category. For example, at a Tiffany and Co. event, she wore a totally unique party dress that featured a geometric top that was almost flower-like. 

I must say, I admire Anya Taylor-Joy’s inventive sense of style, and even though her latest fit was likely impossible to sit down in, it was perfect for this Furiosa premiere. Not only does it totally fit the vibe of the sci-fi wasteland of Mad Max, but it also is another great example of the actress’s ability to pull off wholly unique and avant-garde looks that are also on-trend and fitting for the project she's promoting.

As we get closer to Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga's release date (which is May 24, FYI), I’m positive Anya Taylor-Joy will throw more fits like this one that are jaw-dropping, fitting for her film, and unlike anything we’ve ever seen before!

Actress Anya Taylor-Joy's starpower has been steadily growing for years, thanks to acclaimed performances in projects like The Witch, The Menu, and the TV series The Queen's Gambit (which is streaming with a Netflix subscription). She's got some exciting upcoming projects coming down the line, including playing the title role in George Miller's Mad Max: Furiosa. And she got back into character in a cool way while arriving in Australia for the movie's premiere. 

Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth lead the cast of Furiosa, which is a prequel to the events of Fury Road. The New Mutants star took stunt driving lessons to pull off her role, and brushed off those skills for an epic Instagram post hyping up her return to Australia. Check it out below:

I mean, how cool is that? Clearly she's still got her Furiosa skills on lock, which might be helpful if George Miller crafts another prequel movie for her. We'll just have to see how the next Mad Max movie performs at the box office, and if that inspires miller to continue its apocalyptic story. For now fans will have to re-watch Fury Road, which is streaming with a Max subscription. 

As we know from Fury Road, driving is a huge part of the Mad Max franchise, and is one of the many deadly skills known by Furiosa. While what we know about her prequel is limited, it'll be fascinating to see how she becomes the warrior we all fell in love with in the last movie. As a reminder, you can check out the trailer for Mad Max: Furiosa below: 

Just like its predecessor, it looks like Furiosa will bring a ton of thrilling, practical action sequences to theaters when it arrives later this year. While the cast of Fury Road were stuck in the desert and didn't necessarily understand George Miller's viison, Anya Taylor-Joy knew exactly what she was getting herself into. And it should be fun to see how her stunt driving work pays off when the movie finally hits theaters in May. 

Of course, the Queen's Gambit actress has some big shoes to fill with that sci-fi project. Charlize Theron's performance was universally acclaimed when Fury Road hit theaters, despite her feud on the set with Tom Hardy. For her part, Theron expressed disappointment that her role was recast, even if the film was focusing on a younger Furiosa. But she and Anya Taylor-Joy don't seem to have any competative feelings with each other. 

All will be revealed when Mad Max: Furiosa hits theaters on May 24th. In the meantime, check out the 2024 movie release dates to plan your next trip to the theater. We'll just have to see if more movies from George Miller's franchise end up being greenlit. 

Mad Max: Fury Road may have focused on Tom Hardy’s incarnation of the title character, but it was Charlize Theron’s Furiosa who stole the show in the 2015 movie, so much so that a prequel about the character was greenlit. We’re now just a month away from the Anya Taylor-Joy-led and George Miller-directed Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga arriving to the 2024 movies schedule, and another piece of intriguing piece of information has been shared about the project. There’s a 15-minute action sequence that took over two months to shoot, and I’m delighted by the nickname the cast and crew gave it.

While no specific details about what this Furiosa action sequence contains were shared by Total Film, producer Doug Mitchell informed the publication that it took 78 days and "close to 200 stunt people working on it daily.” This sequence was internally known as “Stairway to Nowhere,” and Anya Taylor-Joy said the following about why it’s a crucial moment in Curiosa’s journey:

First off, even though I’m not a wine drinker, I’d be willing to taste of “Stairway of Nowhere” based on the name alone and it being used to celebrate this massive filming undertaking. The action sequence being referred to as such also reminded me of a moment in the latest Furiosa trailer when Chris Hemsworth’s Warlord Dementus is shouting, “There is no hope!” For this post-apocalyptic environment, “Stairway to Nowhere” is a fitting twist on the Led Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven.”

As a lover of cinema though, getting to see this 15-minute action sequence unfold in Furiosa is an exciting prospect, and as Anya Taylor-Joy explained, it wasn’t thrown in to simply provide shock and awe. This will be the portion of the movie where her character can show off all she’s learned up to that point in the story, and let’s not forget that unlike Mad Max: Fury Road, which took place over just a few days, Furiosa covers a 15-year period. That’s a long time to learn how to survive in the Australian wasteland and drive like your life depends on it… although ironically, Taylor-Joy doesn’t have a driver’s license.

We’ll get to see this 15-minute action sequence and the accompanying craziness when Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga opens in theaters on May 24. That means there’s still plenty of time to stream Mad Max: Fury Road with a Max subscription if you need a refresher on where this character ends up later down the proverbial road.

By now you’ve seen the footage of Chris Hemsworth and Anya Taylor-Joy looking both badass and a bit unusual in George Miller’s upcoming Mad Max: Fury Road prequel film. It’s Hemsworth who’s completely unrecognizable in the Furiosa trailer, and it’s not just that he’s completely different-looking for fans either. Even people who worked closely with the two leads on set have trouble reconciling the characters with the real-life people inhabiting them. 

Recently, George Miller popped onstage with Taylor Joy and Hemsworth, who were both very clean and very well-dressed onstage. He told the audience during the Warner Bros. 2024 CinemaCon panel that he’d “spent a year in the cutting room” looking at the two actors as their characters. Now seeing them all fresh-faced, and in Hemsworth’s case well-shaven, he was having trouble even equating them as the same people, joking: 

The Furiosa cast may look very different onscreen than they do in their regular lives, but Miller also told the audience that it was hard to find the right cast for the film. After all, he had to find someone who resembled Charlize Theron and could take on the characteristics of Charlize whilst still making the role her own. 

Believe it or not, finding Hemsworth was even harder, as Miller was looking for a funny guy (noting “that’s kind of key”) but also someone who could play a character with a lot of depth and who could do different things. The director said finding the right person was what held up this movie for years, noting the team “had the script for a long time and we really couldn’t think of an actor to do it.” Then they honed in on the Aussie star.

He had the charisma in spades, but Miller said it was really the "dimensions" the actor presented when they met in person that landed him the role. Once that was settled, they gave him the Mad Max look with prosthetics and more. And that look is the look that Miller saw over and over again for well over a year. The real Chris may as well not have existed. 

It's too early to tell if Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will make the list of best action movies of all time, but we don't have too much longer to wait to find out. The movie will hit the 2024 release schedule on May 24th. 

George Miller is easily one of the greatest filmmakers of our time, as he possesses the ability to craft stunning fictional worlds that are inhabited by intriguing characters. That’s especially been true with his Mad Max franchise, which is expanding this year with the Furiosa spinoff. For that flick, he has two capable leads in the forms of Anya Taylor-Joy (who plays the eponymous role) and Chris Hemsworth, who portrays the devious Warlord Dementus. Both are skilled performers, but you might be wondering what exactly made them right for these particular roles. Well, Miller himself has provided some thoughtful answers on that front. 

The 79-year-old Oscar-winning director discussed his latest feature while appearing at this year’s CinemaCon, where CinemaBlend is among those present. While there, he discussed the two A-listers he was able to work with on the highly anticipated 2024 movie schedule entry. George Miller called both stars “superb,” before shedding some light on the decision to cast Anya Taylor-Joy as his badass protagonist. Apparently, Miller’s decision to cast her was in part due to her performance in another impressive flick from the past few years: 

Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho was well received, and a number of those positive reviews highlighted Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance. If you’re like me, you’re probably in agreement with the Babe helmer’s assessment of Taylor-Joy’s talent. I’m also not surprised to hear how “disciplined” she is. After all, she did brave the elements while filming Robert Eggers’ The Northman. Based on what we’ve seen so far, the actress is looking to put her own awesome stamp on the role of Furiosa while following in the footsteps of Charlize Theron, who she hasn’t contacted, as far as we know. 

Meanwhile, Chris Hemsworth will breathe fresh life into the despicable Dementus. We all know what the Avengers alum brings when it comes to physicality, and Hemsworth has described his Furiosa stunt work, which seemingly involves his villain’s awesome motorcycle. However, based on what his fellow Aussie George Miller said about him, the actor brought more to the role than his rippling muscles and experience with action scenes:

Considering the shrewd casting decisions George Miller has made in the past, I certainly wouldn’t bet against him with the hirings of Anya Taylor Joy and Chris Hemsworth. Plus, what the public has seen of them in the roles thus far via the Furiosa trailers has been great. I don’t know about you, but I’m incredibly excited to see what they manage to add to the complex tapestry of interconnected Mad Max movies.

You can see what they bring to the table when Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga finally opens in theaters on May 24. And prepare yourself for the flick by grabbing an Apple TV+ subscription and streaming Mad Max: Fury Road.

It's been months since Anya Taylor-Joy tied the knot with longtime partner Malcolm McRae. The two got married in September 2023 at the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta in Venice, Italy. The storybook affair included famous attendees like Cara Delevigne, Julia Garner, and Miles Teller who all looked perfectly chic to match the upscale wedding extravaganza. Now Taylor-Joy is finally sharing some of her own candid photos from her wedding, which apparently included a unique take on the classic “heart-shaped” cake idea. 

Of course, Taylor-Joy’s wedding was perfectly tailored to her as a person, with a stunningly unique dress with a sparkly bird design. The Menu actress is known for her shimmering gowns, like her 2024 Oscars red carpet look, but she of course pulled out all the stops for her own wedding. She went with beige, instead of a traditional white and the whimsical design is custom Dior that perfectly suited the dreamy, gothic aesthetic of the event. You can see her Instagram post of her dress below:

The star included a number of pictures in the photo carousel, including a picture with Cara Delevigne, who couldn’t look more cool in her pinstripe suit. She also showcased her wedding cake choice, which were anatomically correct hearts. Often the more romantic, love heart is associated with wedding cake designs, but leave it to Anya Taylor-Joy to connect with her horror movie star roots and use a more gothic, spooky heart design instead. Her husband McRae is also a rockstar, so I can’t think of anything more fitting for this couple. 

The groom also shared some candid photos of his own on Instagram, capturing the baroque architecture of their venue, and how Anya Taylor-Joy’s wedding look was perfect for the location. She looks statuesque in these photos, almost like she’s a fixture of the venue. I can’t get over how beautiful she looks, and how in love the couple seems to be in these intimate moments. You can see McRae’s post below:

Taylor-Joy has risen to stardom over the last few years with her iconic roles in films like Split and Emma., as well as the hit miniseries, The Queen’s Gambit. The actress is already having a big 2024, with her surprise appearance in Dune: Part 2 and her upcoming turn in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Even with such a flourishing acting career, it seems like Taylor-Joy still prioritized fostering the relationships closest to her and she could not look more happy to be marrying McRae. They had been dating for two years before they wed, and forever looks great on them. I’m rooting for these two. 

When Anya Taylor-Joy isn’t looking radiant as a blushing bride, she’s on the big screen starring in your favorite movies. Fans can see her in the long awaited film Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which is set to hit theaters on May 24th 2024. For more information on other big movies heading to cinemas this year, make sure to consult our 2024 movie release schedule. 

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains certain spoilers for Dune: Part Two. If you have not yet seen the film, proceed at your own risk!

Audiences were made well-aware going into Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two that the sci-fi blockbuster features a phenomenal ensemble cast. Not only are Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin and more back from the first movie, but newcomers include Florence Pugh, Austin Butler, Lea Seydoux and Christopher Walken. It was designed as a star-studded cinematic experience… and yet, many were likely surprised by the appearance of Anya Taylor-Joy in sequences depicting visions of the future.

In Dune: Part Two, Anya Taylor-Joy plays Alia Atreides, the sister of Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and the daughter of Rebecca Ferguson’s Lady Jessica – and if you have questions, we totally understand. We understand so much, in fact, that we’ve put together this feature together to specifically try and clear up any and all confusion. From who she is to what we can expect to see from her in the future, this is everything you need to know about the very special and important Dune character.

Who Is Alia Atreides?

It is revealed around a third of the way through Frank Herbert’s Dune that Lady Jessica is pregnant with her second child sired by Duke Leto Atreides, and she keeps the child a secret between herself and Paul in the aftermath of the Harkonnen/Sardaukar attack on House Atreides. This proves to be a consequential decision when Jessica is requested to be the new Reverend Mother for the Fremen of Arrakis and told to connect with the full history of the Bene Gesserit by drinking the Water Of Life. Not only does Jessica acquire the memories of her predecessors in the sisterhood, but her unborn fetus acquires them as well.

When Alia is later born, she Freaks. People. Out. In Dune, she is a toddler with the intelligence and bearing of a fully grown adult, and thusly she is viewed by many as an abomination. Her youthful appearance results in people underestimating her remarkable intelligence – and nobody learns this lesson quite like Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. As part of their on-going war with the Fremen on Arrakis, the Harkonnens kidnap Alia thinking that it will give them an advantage, but it turns out to be a fateful mistake. Able to escape, she kills the Baron by stabbing him in the neck, and she only reveals herself as his granddaughter as his life slips away.

Alia Atreides’ Role In Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two Is Very Different Than Her Role In Frank Herbert’s Novel

Based on what I describe above, you can understand why filmmakers would have difficulty bringing the character to life in an adaptation. David Lynch took a swing with his 1984 movie casting child prodigy Alicia Witt, and young actress Laura Burton was cast for the SciFi Channel miniseries from 2000, but Denis Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts decided to go a different route with young Alia for Dune: Part Two. Because the blockbuster opts to not feature the time jump that is part of the source material, the film doesn’t have Jessica giving birth, and it instead features the mother having a psychic connection with her daughter while she is still in the womb.

Just because Alia isn’t born doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have an outsized impact on the film, however. She may not get kidnapped and kill Baron Harkonnen, but she has a strong influence over her mother, and it’s in tandem with Alia that Lady Jessica embarks on her evangelist mission convincing the Fremen that Paul Atreides is the messiah known as Lisan al Gaib. Tragically, it’s in following the path that Jessica and Alia lay out for him that leads Paul to instigate an intergalactic jihad that will result in the deaths of millions.

Never depicted as a hyper-intelligent toddler, Alia is represented in Dune: Part Two both as a fetus and as an adult played by Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga star Anya Taylor-Joy. Paul has a vision of her in a future where Arrakis is once again lush, and it is through talking with her that he discovers that Lady Jessica is the Baron’s daughter.

Dune: Part Two’s Co-Writer Explains Why The Movie Made Those Big Changes With Alia

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two are exceptionally faithful adaptations of Frank Herbert’s novel, but there are some standout differences between the films and their source material. Alia not being born is a major one, but the reasons why she was omitted as a character post-womb are logical.

Jon Spaihs discussed the various changes between the films and the book in an interview with Inverse, and part of that conversation included the topic of Alia. As Spaihts puts it, he and Denis Villeneuve were unsure how the character would be received, and not wanting that particular weirdness to steal focus, the filmmakers instead opted for a different kind of weirdness. Said the screenwriter,

With the change in approach to Alia Atreides, the filmmakers got to have their cake and eat it too. The character is still an important part of the story and the audience perfectly registers the supernatural strangeness, and the production didn’t have to worry about casting a super smart child or trying something experimental with visual effects.

What To Expect From Alia Atreides In The Future

Circumstantially similar to Florence Pugh’s role as Princess Irulan in Dune: Part Two, the casting of Anya Taylor-Joy as an adult Alia Atreides is a move made by the production with an eye on the future. In addition to adapting Frank Herbert’s Dune as two movies, Denis Villeneuve’s vision for the franchise has always included a third film based on Dune’s first sequel, Dune: Messiah – and Alia has a key supporting role in that story.

Dune: Messiah is set a dozen years after Paul Atreides overthrew Shaddam Corrino IV and became the new Emperor, and Alia is one of the most trusted people in his life and a key advisor (she is also heavily tied into the plot, but that’s challenging to discuss without spoilers for those of you who haven’t read the book). It is admittedly a tad odd that Anya Taylor-Joy is only one year younger than Timothée Chalamet and they are playing siblings that are supposed to have a nearly two-decade gap in their ages, but the filmmakers will surely find a way to make it make sense (perhaps with makeup or visual effects, or with some kind of exposition about rapid aging due to her exposure to the Water of Life as a fetus).

Dune: Part Two is now playing in theaters everywhere. And while Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Messiah has not yet been given the official greenlight from Legendary Pictures, be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for any updates we hear about the project in the coming days, weeks, months, and years.

The 2024 Oscars brought out all the stars for its big night, including quite a few that weren't even nominated. While the Super Mario Bros. Movie was a billion-dollar hit that supported the successful games, it did not receive a single nomination for the night. I had mostly made my peace with it, right up until Anya Taylor-Joy took the stage with Chris Hemsworth and suddenly I'm fuming about "Peaches" getting overlooked all over again. 

Box office success does not equal critical acclaim. and CinemaBlend's rough review of Super Mario Bros. was evidence enough of that. The quality of the movie can be debated, and it's ok to watch a movie that isn't necessarily Oscar-worthy, but Jack Black getting snubbed for Academy Award For Best Music with "Peaches" was one of the more egregious snubs of this award-show season. I was upset about it, along with CinemaBlend's Ryan LaBee, and I'm just as miffed now. I know it was a competitive category this year, but you're telling me this iconic masterpiece wasn't as deserving as "I'm Just Ken?" Let's all reflect on how great this song is: 

That video has 104 million views on YouTube, and just as Jack Black eventually came to accept, it slaps. By comparison, the official audio video for "I'm Just Ken" has 14 million views. No disrespect to Ryan Gosling and his performance at the Oscars of the song, but Black is a Grammy winner. The Oscars passed up the opportunity to have yet another Grammy winner on stage in addition to Billie Eilish, and the Academy said, "Nah, we're good." I just can't believe it. 

The good news is that while Jack Black's performance didn't get recognition from The Oscars, it almost certainly played a role in the massive success of the movie. Nintendo has already shared a few details on the upcoming sequel, which is expected in April of 2026. 

To go back to the awards show, it was odd to have Anya Taylor-Joy introduce the animated features category, especially since she voiced one of the main characters in a movie snubbed by The Oscars. Let's be honest, the first movie had a problem highlighting Peach as is, so it felt like insult to injury to peddle her out for the exact award she could've had a part in but was overlooked. Couldn't they have swapped her for any other award in the evening? 

To be clear, Anya Taylor-Joy doesn't seem to be all that miffed about the situation. As for Jack Black, he joked about a snub song, but it was done very tongue-in-cheek. I guess what I'm saying here is that none of the people who worked on this movie are nearly as worked up about it as I am. That doesn't quell my rage, but it may make some readers lower their pitchforks a bit. 

The 2024 Oscars rolls on over at ABC, and Super Mario Bros. is available to stream on Netflix. Give it a watch again if only to re-live the beauty that is "Peaches," and continue to be astounded that it wasn't nominated!

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

Zendaya

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

 Anya Taylor-Joy  

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

America Ferrera 

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

Da’Vine Joy Randolph  

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

Colman Domingo  

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

Issa Rae 

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

Gabrielle Union 

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

Lupita Nyong'o 

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

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

Emily Blunt  

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

Michelle Yeoh

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

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

Another Dune: Part Two premiere was over the weekend and with it came the, fully to-be-expected, head-turning fashion that usually makes up a red carpet. It’s normal for people to be wowed on Instagram, or even debate whether a particular look “works," but when Anya Taylor-Joy posted images of her red carpet look, it set off a very different conversation, all about the health and safety of corsets.

Zendaya at the UK Dune premiere had people talking about her outfit. Anya Taylor-Joy probably wanted people to do the same, but it didn't work out in quite the same way.  The first in a series of pictures that Taylor-Joy posted to Instagram shows her in nothing but a corset. It is quite revealing, which was certainly the point. 

The image has a lot of people in the comments of the post talking corsets. A lot of people are being critical of the actress, claiming that corsets do everything from normalizing unrealistic standards of beauty to causing injury and death. You can check out the finished look by the Menu star below:

The issue for some seems to be that Anya Taylor-Joy is either already rather thin, or the corset makes her so, with one commenter saying:

However, there is another side to the great corset battle of 2024. Corset defenders claim that corsets are fine, at least as long as they are made and used properly, and everybody needs to calm down. The feeling from the pro-corset crowd is that the anti-corset crowd doesn’t understand what the object is for or how it works, with one response saying…

I’m assuming Anya Taylor-Joy wasn’t looking to start a major debate about corsets when she posted the image. Clearly, she doesn’t have a problem with them. Many people in the comments feel very strongly about corsets, believing they are very obviously the worst thing ever and can kill people… 

It’s certainly true that a host of health issues, and even some deaths have been attributed to corsets over the last couple of centuries, though the accuracy of some of the claims is difficult to verify. Emma Stone says her organs shifted after wearing corsets for a significant period. Cara Delevingne says she worse one so tight she lost her voice. The garment has also been seen as unnecessary, as it is seen by many to only exist for vanity reasons. But one commenter says that corsets were singed to offer back support, and in that use, they are quite good… 

Neither side is convincing the other in the Instagram comments, so we’ll have to see if the great corset debate rages on. Several stars have worn corsets on the red carpet recently, so if corsets are to become normal, the debate likely will be as well.  

Hollywood is rampant with famous stars who go by names that are not completely true to their legal identities. Did you know Reese Witherspoon’s real first name is Laura? Lizzo is really Melissa, Ashton Kutcher is actually Christopher, and Jamie Foxx is really Eric. Wild, right? Well, modern horror queen Anya Taylor-Joy also has a bit of a different first name than her stage name, but it’s actually been so insider that her partner didn’t even know what it was. 

Anya Taylor-Joy tied the knot with American musician and actor Malcolm McRae in Venice, Italy last fall after the couple were together for two years. As the couple settle into married life and Taylor-Joy herself gears up to be in one of the most highly-anticipated of upcoming 2024 movies, check out this resurfaced clip from a time when the actress revealed her full name:   

The YouTube short comes from when Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult were promoting The Menu together. While these two members of The Menu cast were attempting to find out how much they actually know each other, Taylor-Joy flagged knowing her actual full name as a super advanced thing to know about her. At the time, McRae must have known each other (not in a married sense, though) and been dating, but as she revealed, she hadn’t told him at that point her full name is, in fact, Anya-Josephine Marie Taylor-Joy.

As Taylor-Joy quipped, her full name is truly just riddled with first names. She actually has five first names in a row there! The actress’ parents are Dennis Alan Taylor and Jennifer Marina Joy, who decided to go for hyphenating their two last names to give her both. Her father is reportedly English and Scottish, while her mom is of an Anglo-Argentine descent. Taylor-Joy grew up between Buenos Aires and London as a kid before becoming the big name in Hollywood that she is! 

As the actress, who brought something new to Princess Peach last year in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, shared, there’s only one person who really calls her Anya-Josephine, and based on her description on why, it’s probably one of her parents. Anya Taylor-Joy’s full name may be a mouthful, but it’s really pretty! At the same time, one can totally see why she decided to cut it down when it came to her stage name, especially with two hyphens in there to deal with. 

Anya Taylor-Joy will star next in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, which is set to hit theaters on May 24, 2024. In the George Miller science fiction film, she will take on Charlie Theron’s Fury Road role to tell the character’s origins alongside Chris Hemsworth, who is playing the movie’s villain. You can check out the Furiosa trailer ahead of its summer release. 

With the holiday season here, it’s prime time for studios to get us excited for the upcoming 2024 movies to start marking our calendars for, and a preview for one of the bigger ones just arrived. The first trailer for George Miller’s prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, titled Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, has just arrived. You can check it out in the video above. 

In the debut look at the science fiction action film heading to theaters this summer season, Anya Taylor-Joy is channelling a younger version of Charlize Theron’s hero, and Chris Hemsworth is donning a prosthetic nose and a long beard. The two-and-a-half minute trailer introduces the storyline by sharing where the movie will pick up with Furiosa’s storyline. 

The trailer opens with a shot of Furiosa’s motorcycle before the camera pans to Anya Taylor-Joy’s version of the character standing a few feet in front of it. In a voiceover at the top of the trailer, the following words are recited:

The Furiosa first look then announces that “45 years after the collapse, a young Furiosa is taken from her family” and that “she will devote the rest of her life to finding her way home.” The trailer calls the Mad Max Saga movie “her odyssey” before Chris Hemsworth’s character is revealed, holding a microphone and asking a group of cars to start their engines. Check out the actor’s Furiosa look: 

Chris Hemsworth has previously called making Furiosa the “best experience” of his career and a project he feels “the most proud of”. Previously it was revealed that Hemsworth is playing the main bad guy of Furiosa. While the trailer doesn’t tell us a lot about who he is, it does give one a sense of his character, and I can see why the Thor actor had so much fun tackling this role. Anya Taylor-Joy, on the other hand, has said the project was the “dirtiest and the bloodiest” she’s ever been in a role, plus she got to stunt drive cars without even having a license. 

The trailer then jumps around into numerous action sequences that positions Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth as the main leads in a thrilling epic that looks to have the pair of stars’ characters at odds with one another. Between some major car revving, explosions and composer Tom Holkenborg’s memorable score from Fury Road, I’m all in on this prequel already! 

George Miller, who wrote and directed Furiosa, has had the story in his head and a screenplay nearly complete before Mad Max: Fury Road began filming, per the filmmaker. He wanted to explain plot points of the character’s life like the Green Place of Many Mothers and the Citadel. 

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is set to hit theaters on May 24, 2024!

We’ve officially made the jump to fall, and the weather is starting to get slightly more brisk. However, it’s still the perfect season for a wedding or two, and one Hollywood A-lister just had such an event. Anya Taylor-Joy officially tied the knot with her partner of two years, Malcolm McRae, this past weekend. She and the musician also chose a wonderful backdrop for their big day, as they jumped the broom in the lovely Italian city of Venice. We now have some specific details on the event, including the fact that it was a star-studded event attended by Cara Delevingne and more.

How Did The Wedding Play Out And Who Were The Celebrity Guests?

Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae exchanged vows on Saturday, September 30. The woman of the hour was spotted by paparazzi while she was in her wedding gown, and she looked gorgeous. According to Tatler, paparazzi captured photos of her while she was standing atop a balcony overlooking Venice’s Grand Canal. Taylor-Joy was sipping coffee while wearing a long silk dress. (Seriously, can you imagine just casually seeing the star in such a way while walking or sailing by?)

The actual ceremony took place at the historic Palazzo Pisani Moretta, which is in proximity to the Rialto Bridge. Per Tatler, 150 guests attended the wedding and, while that sounds like a lot of people, that total was described as an “intimate” selection of friends and family. As mentioned, of course, there were also more than a few notable stars present for the festivities. In addition to Cara Delevingne (who was dressed in a sleek black ensemble), Julia Garner, Evan Ross, Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh Sperry, were on hand to celebrate. Also joining in the fun was Nicholas Hoult, who co-starred with the bride on the horror thriller The Menu (which can be streamed with a Hulu subscription). 

So it pretty much goes without saying that the stars showed up and showed out for the couple’s big day, and it would appear they had quite a time. At least, that’s the impression one gets from the handful of social media posts that were shared from that weekend.

Miles Teller’s Wife Documented Some Of The European Wedding Trip

Tatler explained that the night before the wedding, the guests participated in a masquerade ball. Keleigh Sperry gave fans a taste of the event via a few posts shared to her Instagram. In the pics, you can see her, hubby Miles Teller, friend Julia Garner and more dressed up in sweet threads. You can take a look at the post down below:

In a separate post, Mrs. Teller shared another post, which she titled “Wedding festivities part 1.” That compilation includes photos of her alongside her hubby and gal pals, and it’s available for you to see down below:

Keleigh Sperry also shared a cool video which shows off her view while riding on a boat. Take a look at this screenshot from the clip: 

Anya Taylor-Joy and Malcolm McRae, who’ve kept their relationship relatively low key, really treated their friends and family to a sweet shindig. This union just gives Taylor-Joy another reason to celebrate what’s already been a big year for her. She starred in the massive blockbuster Super Mario Bros., on which she enjoyed voicing Princess Peach. She also has a few exciting productions to look forward to, including her turn in the upcoming Mad Max prequel. In that film, she’ll tackle the role of Furiosa, which was played by Charlize Theron in 2015’s Fury Road. More immediately though, I’d expect Taylor-Joy to enjoy her marital bliss and revel in the love she surely felt from Cara Delevingne, Julia Garner and others. 

Those who love the actress should check out the best movies and TV shows starring Anya Taylor-Joy.

Tiffany & Co.’s latest event brought two powerhouse actresses together, and they proved once again that they’re both fashion icons. As Florence Pugh rocked another sheer white lace dress, Anya Taylor-Joy wore a gorgeous cream gown that I couldn’t take my eyes off of. Overall, it was a showcase of both performers' sense of style, and I'm so here for it!

The reason the actresses showed up dressed to the nines was because Tiffany & Co. was celebrating a store opening in Tokyo, Japan. Both women wore beautiful designer white dresses, and looked absolutely stunning, as per usual. Overall, this event helped show the world how fashionable these women are, and how enthusiastic they are to wear clothes that push boundaries and set trends. 

Florence Pugh Rocked Another Sheer White Lace Dress, And I Need It To Become A Trend

As you can see in the photo above, Florence Pugh did what she does best and rocked another gorgeous sheer gown. As the face of Valentino and a close friend of Pierpaolo Piccioli, the brand’s creative director, it totally makes sense that she rocked the brand in her signature sheer style for this event. It also goes along with the white lace number she wore to the Elle event a week ago, which is making me think that we might have a trend on our hands. 

Like the dress the Black Widow actress wore last week, this gown is sheer with white lace detailing, and she is wearing a white body suit underneath it. Her hair was elegantly slicked back, she layered a couple of sparkly necklaces to go with the low-neck dress, and she was rocking some bright blue nail polish. Overall, it was a stunning and very on-brand look for the Little Women star. 

The last time the Midsommar actress attended a Tiffany’s event she reinvented the sheer trend in a '70s-inspired green gown. This latest Valentino number from her is just another example of her ability to do something new with the fad, and I love it. Hopefully, white lace has an even bigger moment as she attends more events. 

However, while I loved Pugh’s look so much, it was Anya Taylor-Joy’s unique dress I couldn’t take my eyes off. 

Anya Taylor-Joy Stunned In Totally Unique Party Dress 

Like Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy also rocked a white dress, and the two posed with Hailey Bieber for a cute, and very fashionable photo op. While all three women look absolutely stunning, I was really struck by The Queen’s Gambit star’s uniquely cut dress. 

The Menu star was at the jeweler’s event to help cut the ribbon and open the store in Japan. She rocked a strapless Del Core Resort dress, according to Hello Magazine, and it’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. The structured and almost flower-like top really draws the eye in, and her slicked-back hairdo and bold red lip go perfectly with it. 

Throughout the years I've noticed that the Last Night in Soho star loves to create looks that are grounded in timeless fashion, but also totally unique to her. Overall, much like the actress herself, this classy yet experimental ensemble is mesmerizing and further proves this point.

Along with their bold and beautiful fashion choices, both actresses have had some very exciting projects premiere on the 2023 movie schedule. So, while we wait for their next red carpet appearances and movies, you can stream the Super Mario Bros. Movie, where Anya Taylor-Joy voices Princess Peach, with a Peacock subscription, and you catch Florence Pugh in Oppenheimer, which is still playing in theaters. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been making waves at the box office (Chris Pratt and his baby goat have been celebrating) since its opening day. The movie has shattered records left and right, setting new benchmarks for animated films, five-day openings, and video game movies. Despite some initial skepticism from fans, the star-studded voice cast has proven to be a hit with audiences. So, while many people made their way to the theaters to be immersed in Mario's world, Seth Rogen and the rest of the talented cast opened up, with some hilarious answers, about what they would do if they had a chance to spend the day with their characters. Honestly, these answers are so delightful!

Seth Rogen, who voices Donkey Kong in the movie, had a perfect response to being asked how he would spend the day with his iconic gorilla character. The actor jokingly responded to IMDB: 

Look out, mustached men, because Rogen is taking it old school! Obviously, the Superbad actor’s answer is in good spirit and harkened back to Donkey Kong’s first video game appearance.

While Rogen is ready to cause havoc with Donkey Kong, Luigi voice actor Charlie Day just wants to have a nice day on the town with his character. The It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star said he would have some fashion questions for the pair of plumbers, explaining his ideal outing as:

Mario actor Chris Pratt kept his answer a bit more classy. According to him, he would like to break bread with the character’s families. Pratt responded:

I bet holidays would never be boring in the Mushroom Kingdom, or Mario's home in Brooklyn with his family. Maybe Pratt is on to something.

Anya Taylor-Joy said she wants to hit the road with Princess Peach. The actress explained that she’s all ready to strap on her motorcycle helmet, explaining:

Keegan-Michael Key, who voices Toad, said he’d leave it up to his pintsized fungi friend to figure out what they would do for the day. Key told the outlet:

Of course, leave it to Jack Black to think of something that would totally rock for him and his character Bowser to do. According to the School of Rock star, the villainous King Koopa could be a great friend for metalheads. He told IMDB: 

Could you even imagine Bowser rocking out to Tenacious D's "Tribute"? Now that would be the greatest song in the world! This wasn't the only funny answer the cast had up their collective sleeves. You can see them answering some of the most burning questions in the full video interview below.

It’s clear that the cast of The Super Mario Bros. Movie is having a blast imagining bringing their beloved personas to life and spending the day with them. It’s probably good that all the actors behind the game adaptation seem to love their roles because, after such a successful opening weekend, it seems like a sequel must be a serious conversation being had between Nintendo and Illumination Studios. Besides, the movie already teased a follow-up with an end credits sequence and some unresolved plot threads in the first film. So here’s hoping filmmakers can write a script that entices these A-Listers back for a follow-up.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie continues to chug along in cinemas. Make sure to check your local listings for times so that you can check out this talented voice cast bringing some of the most iconic video game characters to life. You can also check out our schedule of 2023 new movie releases to plan your next action-packed trip to the theater. 

There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and particularly Chris Pratt’s role as everybody’s favorite video game plumber. The actor has faced some backlash regarding his voice for the beloved character in the trailers and limited footage released so far, but he’s asked fans to “go see the movie” before making any final judgments. That opportunity is upon us, as the animated film is set to hit theaters on April 5. Now the reviews are in to help us know what to expect from the video game adaptation.

In addition to Chris Pratt, the movie boasts an impressive cast that includes Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong and other big names. The first reactions to the film were overwhelmingly positive, but now that critics have a chance to expound on their theatrical experiences, let’s dive a little deeper, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Eric Eisenberg rates the movie just 2 out of 5 stars, saying despite the great animation, the characters come off as one-dimensional and bland. He continues: 

Germain Lussier of Gizmodo agrees the movie is a mess, with characters who barely learn anything and stakes that don’t elicit any emotion. The critic wishes the filmmakers would have aspired to more with IP that is so beloved, saying: 

Joshua Rivera of Polygon notes that The Super Mario Bros. Movie provides loads of nostalgia but feels built to capture screenshots rather than make memories in its own right. The critic argues that the film’s attempts to bottle the appeal of Mario end up mostly just referencing it. The review continues: 

Not all of the reviews were so bleak, however. Owen Gleiberman of Variety joins the other critics in praising the animation but disagrees with the above critic's assessment that non-fans won’t respond to The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s energy. He also praises the fairy-tale story that provides a satisfying video game buzz, saying; 

Tom Jorgensen of IGN rates the movie a “Great” 8 out of 10, calling it a “pipe dream come true” and arguing that the movie’s charm and energy make up for its paper-thin plot. The critic concludes: 

The critics seem to agree that the animation is impressive, while the plot is lacking. Their overall enjoyment of the film beyond that is varied, so time will tell if this goes down as one of Chris Pratt’s best roles. If you want to see Mario, Luigi and the rest of the classic video game crew on the big screen, you’ll have your chance starting Wednesday, April 5. And it’s never too early to start planning your next trip to the theater, so be sure to check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what else is coming soon.

Excitement is high for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and it’s not just the video game enthusiasts who have been looking forward to hearing Chris Pratt and the rest of the star-studded cast bring the well-known characters to life. Conversations about another movie to follow the 1993 live-action flop started years ago, and now the wait is finally over, with Illumination’s animated film set for a slightly early release this Wednesday, April 5. The movie screened April 1 in Los Angeles, and those who have seen the movie have hit Twitter with their reactions.

In addition to Chris Pratt as Mario, The Super Mario Bros. Movie stars Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad and Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. There was a bit of backlash after Pratt was cast in the main role, and the actor said he understands and is grateful for the passionate fanbase, but he implores fans to see the movie before they make any final judgments. There are now plenty of people who have seen the movie, so let’s see what they’re saying. 

One critic loves what the leading man did with Mario, and he says the movie hits some major nostalgic notes for those who grew up playing the video games, tweeting: 

Another viewer rates it a 10 out of 10, tweeting that they haven’t been this excited about an animated movie since The Lego Movie: 

The Dallas Film gives a high score as well, rating it a 9 out of 10. This viewer and several others are advising fans to be sure to stay through the credits: 

Atom goes so far as to call The Super Mario Bros. Movie “one of the BEST family films ever,” and says Jack Black and Chris Pratt are great in their roles -- but it’s Charlie Day as Luigi who is the highlight. Check out the full thread: 

Video game fans were hoping for some Super Mario Easter eggs, and it sounds like the movie doesn’t disappoint. Erik Davis of Fandango calls the movie “the ultimate love letter to every era of Mario”: 

Seth Rogen’s confirmation regarding Donkey Kong’s entrance song already has fans buzzing, and Tim Gettys of Kinda Funny says the music is the star of the show and that Nintendo fans are going to be obsessed: 

He isn’t the only audience member who had an emotional reaction to seeing the animated film on the big screen. André Segers of GameXplain called the movie a blast, despite a somewhat shallow plot. Segers says: 

Mike Manalo of The Nerds of Color also touches on some minor criticisms, saying the jokes don’t always land, and he wishes Luigi had played a bigger role. However, The Super Mario Bros. Movie perfectly captures the spirit of Mario, and Jack Black steals the show — a true feat given the talented cast. The critic tweets: 

The reactions to the flick are overwhelmingly positive, and even the viewers who pointed out some issues like a shallow plot seem to have enjoyed the movie overall. It definitely sounds like a crowd-pleaser, especially for those who love the games. It sounds like some are already hoping for more and, in that case, we’ve got some characters we need to see in the sequel. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie hits theaters Wednesday, April 5, and be sure to check out our schedule of 2023 new movie releases to see what else is coming soon. 

The term “Scream Queen” is one that has been attributed to Academy Award winner Jamie Lee Curtis for decades, but she is really just one of many great horror icons (specifically ones who are female) to hold the title. Throughout the decades, we have seen a magnificent rotation of many amazing Scream Queens whose filmographies define the state of horror for their given era. When considering who I believe best represents the genre for this generation, the answer is easily Anya Taylor-Joy.

The Miami-born actor, who was raised between London and Argentina (and whose first name is pronounced “ann-ya” and not “ahn-ya,” in case you did not know), is one of the most acclaimed talents working today and has a stellar filmography to prove it. However, as far as I am concerned, she earned that distinction immediately after giving her breakthrough performance in what just happens to be considered one of the greatest horror movies in recent memory, The Witch. I shall start there as I present my argument for why Taylor-Joy is my favorite Scream Queen working today.

She Earned Her Place Right Out The Gate 

Technically, Anya Taylor-Joy made her screen acting debut with an uncredited appearance in 2014’s adaptation of Richelle Mead’s YA novel, Vampire Academy — which does, in some ways, count as horror, but is not the movie that made her a star. That would come just a year later when the then 19-year-old actor landed her first credited feature film role for writer and director Robert Eggers’ masterpiece of slow-burn horror, The Witch.

As the lead character, Thomasin — the oldest child of a devout Christian family falling prey to a mysterious evil and of their own distrust in one another in 17th century New England —  Taylor-Joy gives the kind of astonishingly bold, deeply layered, and inspiring performance that is rare for someone of her age. It is no wonder how, so soon after the movie came out, she would get offers for plenty more new horror movies, in which she continued to surpass our expectations.

Her Versatility Is Nearly Unparalleled 

While Taylor-Joy’s performance in The Witch, alone, is one of great versatility, the word “versatile” could accurately describe her career in horror movies so far as a whole. For evidence, you do not need to look much further than the characters she has played since Thomasin, such as the emotionally bruised, but resilient and refreshingly sympathetic Casey Cooke — from the M. Night Shyamalan movies Split and Glass — or the vain and deceptively sinister Lily Reynolds in 2018's underrated, pitch-black coming-of-age comedy, Thoroughbreds.

How about when she invoked a sense of charismatic elegance to hide the darker true nature of aspiring singer Sandie Collins in Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho in 2021, or the following year when she beautifully played a charmingly brash fish-out-of-water in The Menu cast as Margot? There is very little similarity between each of these characters and, especially, in Taylor-Joy’s approach to portraying each of them. Not many Scream Queens — most of whom end up playing the same character countless times (no offense, Jamie Lee) — can claim to have managed such an achievement.

She Consistently Elevates The Material In Every Project 

On the other hand, one thing that, just about, all Scream Queens in history do have in common is a movie or two that were not quite the hit they may have hoped for. Even the great Anya Taylor-Joy is no exception — having played the title role of 2016’s sci-fi thriller Morgan, starred in 2020’s horror-inspired Marvel movie, The New Mutants (which received underwhelming reviews despite years of fan anticipation), and the aforementioned Glass, which is the least favored installment of M. Night Shyamalan’s Unbreakable Trilogy. However, what matters is not how these films were received — critically or commercially — but how our woman of the hour approached her role in them.

I think that many people would agree that the New Mutants cast was still well chosen, especially with Taylor-Joy donning a convincing Russian accent as the irresistibly bleak Ilyana “Magik” Rasputin. The actor also managed to earn audiences’ sympathies even when playing a deadly, artificially created humanoid creature in 2016’s Morgan and I believe that Glass is still worth watching, especially to see more of Casey Cooke and her touching relationship with James McAvoy’s Kevin Wendell Crumb. She is the not-so-secret weapon that makes all of her films worth a look, no matter what the aggregated reception may be.

She Has Avoided Being Pigeonholed Flawlessly 

The thing that has kept Jamie Lee Curtis at the top of the iconic Scream Queens list for so many years — in my opinion, at least — is how well she has navigated a brilliant and diverse career outside of her defining role as Laurie Strode in the Halloween movies. However, not only has Taylor-Joy also flourished when diverting from scarier titles, I think you could argue that her flagship character does not even come from any of her horror movies, but might be her Emmy-nominated, Golden Globe-winning role in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit cast as chess prodigy, Beth Harmon. 

She has received just as much — if not more acclaim — for her roles outside of the horror genre, which also include the title role of 2020’s Jane Austen adaptation, Emma. (which also earned her a Golden Globe nod), her reunion with Eggers in the action-packed, Viking-era epic, The Northman, as Olga of the Birch Forest, and her recurring role on Netflix’s Peaky Blinders as Gina Grey. 

She has plenty of darker roles in the works at the moment — namely a movie from Sinister director Scott Derrickson called The Gorge, and an adaptation of Vladimir Nobokov’s Laughter in the Dark — but is also continuing to subvert her Scream Queen reputation as the voice of Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and as a younger version of Charlize Theron’s Mad Max: Fury Road hero in Furiosa.

It think that horror movies from more recent years have made this a great time for the genre, especially with talented, modern A-listers like Scream VI's Jenna Ortega, Ready or Not's Samara Weaving, and It Follows' Maika Monroe in the lead. Yet, I cannot help but believe that Anya Taylor-Joy is the one who is most deserving of the reigning Scream Queen honor for this day and age for a range of talent that keeps her darker characters fresh and her entire resume even fresher. On a horror movie buzz? We've ranked the ultimate horror movie franchises.

Across Nintendo’s nearly 40-year history with the Super Mario Bros. franchise, it’s been common for Princess Peach to be the damsel in distress, and for Mario to journey the far reaches of the Mushroom Kingdom to save her. However, in the 2023 new movie release, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Peach is getting a new narrative that is much more empowering than helpless. 

Across the clever marketing for The Super Mario Bros. Movie that has made us especially excited to see the animated movie, Princess Peach looks to be a stronger female character in comparison to how she's portrayed in the video game. One of the movie’s directors, Aaron Horvath said this about the characterization of the iconic video game character in the movie: 

During an interview with Total Film (via ComicBook), the co-director of The Super Mario Bros. Movie shared that Princess Peach’s leadership role in the Mushroom Kingdom will be a focal point of the film. In a notable swap from the norm of the franchise, it will be Charlie Day’s Luigi who is captured by Jack Black’s Bowser. Mario will go on a wondrous adventure to rescue his brother and Princess Peach will be instrumental in helping him out. 

It’ll be a nice change of pace for Princess Peach after decades of needing to be rescued in the popular game. As Horvath shared, the switch-up will allow the character to explore her role as a protector of a people, something we’ve not yet really seen from Peach. 

The actress behind the voice role is Anya Taylor-Joy, known for numerous dramatic and critically-acclaimed roles over the years like Queen’s Gambit or, most recently, The Menu. Taylor-Joy has previously shared that she wasn’t very familiar with the Nintendo franchise before the movie role came along. Since nabbing the role, the actress said she’s become a “gamer”, especially in terms of tearing up the arcade with friends. 

Her leading co-star in the stacked The Super Mario Bros. Movie cast is Chris Pratt as Mario, which has been a controversial decision among fans, but according to the filmmakers made “total sense” due to the actor’s ability to play a “blue-collar hero with a ton of heart” really well. 

This week it was announced that The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s release date has been moved up by a couple of days. Rather than it hitting theaters on Friday, April 7, the movie will now debut on Wednesday, April 5, perhaps giving the movie more lead way to open really big at the box office. And we’re certainly excited to see the filmmaker’s new take on Princess Peach once the movie hits theaters one month from now. 

SPOILERS are ahead for The Menu, now streaming with a HBO Max subscription. 

The Menu was one of the best movies of 2022, and it’s receiving a new life this week with its arrival on HBO Max. The dark horror comedy starring Anya Taylor-Joy follows a group of exclusive guests who join a celebrity chef (played by Ralph Fiennes) for a culinary experience that gets wildly out of hand. And the internet is absolutely eating up the crazy moments of The Menu during their home viewings of the movie. 

Movie fans took to Twitter while watching The Menu to exquisitely meme the film, and they are just too good not to share. There’s course upon course of these, so let’s get started:   

Everyone loved to hate Nicholas Hoult’s Tyler in The Menu, who came to the dinner absolutely obsessed with Chef Slowik to a fault. There are too many great scenes when there’s so much havoc going on and Tyler is just enjoying the plate in front of him. Plus, that time later in the movie when all the men are running for their lives, and Tyler is literally just bummed the women are getting to eat more food is hilarious, as this tweet perfectly captured: 

CinemaBlend caught The Menu during its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to giddy reactions ahead of the movie receiving rounds of applause from both critics and audiences alike. 

Another memorable element of the movie we won’t soon forget is the intense clapping between the chef and his staff, as this Twitter user spoofed with another great movie scene: 

And then there were the tortillas. What the heck was up with that? All the guests received an unsettling laser-printed tortilla for a “Taco Tuesday” inspired course that got real dark and weird, real fast. A fan took inspiration from Euphoria for this one: 

Now, what about The Menu ending? Anya Taylor-Joy’s character straight up decides she doesn’t want to be at the wild dinner gone wrong, and she fights back on the whole scheme. Alerting the chef with a clap moment of her own, Margot asks for a traditional cheeseburger and gets it before asking if she can take it to go. She then leaves the restaurant right before it bursts into flames. As this funny tweet beautifully illustrates: 

It’s great to see The Menu getting a new life as tons of new viewers check it out on streaming this week. The movie’s theatrical release was a bit overshadowed by the box office success of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever when it came out in November, but at home tons of people look like they are having a blast with the unpredictable flick. 

Here’s one more meme to chew on: 

Now that you’ve tasted the wild experience of Anya Taylor-Joy’s latest film, and witnessed all the glory that is the memes about this movie, be sure to check out our The Menu interviews here on CinemaBlend.  

Charlize Theron’s portrayal of Furiosa in George Miller’s Academy Award-winning Mad Max: Fury Road was possibly as crucial to the film’s success as were the titular character of Max and the death-defying action sequences. It was praised as one of the best movies of 2015 and possibly one of the best action movies of all time. It was no surprise to anyone when Miller announced a Furiosa spinoff film. However, there was a bit of heartbreak for Theron, when the director announced he would be looking for someone other than Theron to play the younger version of the one-armed war captain in. The Bombshell actress is now getting honest about Anya Taylor-Joy, who was announced to be taking on the part, not reaching out to her about the role. 

The South African-born actress sat down with The Hollywood Reporter for an interview in which she discussed everything, from loving the more challenging parts of her work to how she feels about not returning to the sand and chrome-covered post-apocalyptic Wasteland envisioned by George Miller. She also discussed her successor in the role of Furiosa. Though Anya Taylor-Joy didn't connect with her to discuss the role, Charlize Theron can understand why. She told THR:

The 47-year-old actress, who is never afraid to speak her mind, is relatively open to future collaborations with George Miller, which might surprise some fans. Mad Max: Fury Road was a notoriously long and grueling shoot with many reported behind-the-scenes blowups. A feud was sparked between the two leads, which, according to stunt doubles, affected the film’s shooting. 

The Monster star doesn’t hold any grudges over Miller’s choice to hire Anya Taylor-Joy to take over the part she originated. As a matter of fact, she later took the opportunity to praise the Witch actress. She continued: 

Though Charlize Theron and Anya Taylor-Joy haven’t officially met, but The Queen’s Gambit star had nothing but respectful things to say about the original Furiosa actress. At the NYC premiere of her new film The Menu, Taylor-Joy made it clear that she had a lot of love and respect for the Fast and Furious star. While she revealed at the premiere that the two have yet to have a conversation, she hopes to have dinner soon to swap “war stories.”

Mad Max: Furiosa will explode on cinema screens on May 24, 2024. Fans of Anya Taylor-Joy can catch the actress in The Menu, which is in cinemas now. In addition, you can check out Charlize Theron’s work in Mad Max: Fury Road, which is currently available to rent on Amazon Prime Video. And to learn more about upcoming films that are headed to theaters, check out our 2023 movie release schedule.

Next spring, one of the best-selling video game titles ever will hit the big screen with The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The animated film from Illumination Entertainment will see Chris Pratt voice Mario, Charlie Day voice Luigi and Jack Black play Bowser among other Super Mario Bros. cast members. It’s a seriously talented lineup of stars, and as the recent trailer debuted, Anya Taylor-Joy’s Princess Peach is also a major part of the movie. But, as The Queen’s Gambit actress recently admitted, she wasn’t a Nintendo gamer before nabbing the role. 

Talk about a fun form of actor’s research! Thanks to Anya Taylor-Joy’s latest role as Princess Peach in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, she shared how starring in the movie converted her, tell Modern Luxury, 

Anya Taylor-Joy may have been honest about leading a Super Mario Bros. movie without having the lifetime of attachment many of us do around the Nintendo franchise, but hey, it’s never too late to hop into the world. Anya Taylor-Joy is now particularly hooked on gaming in the atmosphere of an arcade alongside friends. 

Taylor-Joy’s words on gaming come just as her voice for Princess Peach debuted in the second The Super Mario Bros Movie trailer, which dropped last week. Her Princess Peach looks like she’ll bring new dimensions to the longtime video game character. You can watch the preview of the film below:

The movie marks Anya Taylor-Joy’s first time doing a voice role after leading memorable movies in live action like The Witch, Split, Last Night in Soho and most recently, The Menu. The actress also recently filmed the Mad Max prequel, Furiosa, where she got to stunt drive without a license while working with George Miller and playing the beloved character Charlize Theron originated. 

Not all things are positive in the world of the Super Mario Bros. movie, as the two-minute trailer had the internet roasting Chris Pratt for playing Mario once again. Recently, Taylor-Joy’s The Menu co-star John Leguizamo even shared that he felt the casting was “backwards” after he’d been cast for the original Super Mario Bros. movie from 1993. When the casting was first announced, many fans petitioned for Danny DeVito to take the role instead. 

The Super Mario Bros. Movie has been in the works since 2017 and comes from Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment as Super Nintendo World is set to open in Universal Hollywood and Orlando early next year. You can catch The Super Mario Bros. Movie in theaters among 2023 movie releases, this April 7.