Timothée Chalamet is one of the biggest stars in the world right now. He recently received his third Oscar nomination for Best Actor, which is insane for an actor so young, but it turns out one of his favorite movies is one he made before most people knew who he was. It’s so important to him that his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, even used it for an incredible birthday gift that Matthew McConaughey had to talk about.

Some actors never watch their own movies, but Timothée Chalamet recently revealed in a CNN/Variety Town Hall with Matthew McConaughey that he’s seen Interstellar 22 times, including a dozen times in theaters. One of those times, McConaughey revealed, was part of Chalamet's last birthday. He told the audience…

Going to the movies for one's birthday is a fairly standard thing for a lot of people. But getting a dedicated screening of a movie that premiered well over a decade ago is extra special, and it shows Kylie Jenner knows just what will make her boyfriend happy. Hilariously, Chalamet admits to being very unhappy prior to the screening because she sprung it on him as a surprise. He said…

Interstellar is great, but seeing Interstellar in IMAX is better. Most of the 22 times Chalamet has watched the movie were likely on television, so seeing it in IMAX for the first time in a long time, if not the first time ever, had to be amazing. Kylie Jenner knows how to do birthdays.

Timothée Chalamet has a small role in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar as the young son of Matthew McConaughey’s character. It’s honestly more than a little surprising to me that Chalamet loves the movie so much, as he has talked about how he literally broke into tears the first time he saw it, because he thought his part would be much bigger. The Dune star joked about the small size of his role in the movie, saying…

Apparently, he got over it, and he loves the movie. And justifiably so, as Interstellar is a fantastic film. While it may not top everybody’s list of Christopher Nolan’s best movies, that’s only because he has so many great movies.

Ben Affleck’s wildly successful Super Bowl Dunkin’ ads have featured a lot of cameos. The seven-minute Super Bowl LIX commercial featured familiar faces like Casey Affleck, Jeremy Strong, Donnie Wahlberg, and even John Candy’s son, Chris, found his way in there. You may have also noticed legendary NFL head coach Bill Belichick was also in the spot alongside his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson, and sources are saying she allegedly “forced her way" into that appearance.

Former cheerleader and 2024 Miss Maine USA Pageant runner-up Jordon Hudson reportedly met Bill Belichick on an airplane in 2021. They went public with their relationship three years later, with the two now rumored to be engaged. Eyes were on the couple last month when Belichick was asked during a CBS Sunday Morning interview about the aforementioned meeting, with Jordan Hudson interrupting the interview by shutting down the question.

This led to fan speculation of how much influence Belichick’s girlfriend has over his professional life. The UNC-Chapel Hill head coach defended Hudson in a statement, saying he only wanted to talk about his new book during that interview. But there were even rumors floating of Jordon Hudson’s alleged demands to be an executive producer on Bill Belichick’s now-scrapped season of HBO’s docuseries Hard Knocks. Sources said that she allegedly told execs she wanted to see the dailies and to be treated with respect, or they couldn’t use the coach’s “IP.”

That pattern of alleged behavior also apparently includes Hudson showing up in the Super Bowl LIX Dunkin' ad, which we'll get into below.

What Reportedly Really Happened With The Dunkin' Super Bowl Commercial

In the DunKings 2: Super Bowl Commercial, we see Bill Belichick alongside his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, as team players of the DunKings. While Belichick has one line delivering a snappy zing towards the opposing team, Barista Buds, Hudson doesn’t have any lines and just pumps her fist in the air to support the DunKings. A sports source close to Belichick told PageSix that the former cheerleader apparently made sure she wasn't left out of the commercial. Here's what the insider said:

Earlier this year, former ESPN reporter Pablo Torre claimed that Jordon Hudson represented herself as Bill Belichick’s “de facto agent” in order to secure a spot in the Super Bowl LIX ad. He continued to speak on his Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast on the apparent influence the 24-year-old has on the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach’s career:

Ben Affleck himself directed the Super Bowl ad through his production company, Artists Equity, with its rep providing no immediate comment about Hudson's involvement. A rep from The University of North Carolina, where Bill Belichick coaches, also had no comment on Jordon Hudson’s alleged participation in the commercial.

Insiders claim that Bill Belichick’s 24-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, allegedly “forced her way in” Ben and Casey Affleck’s Super Bowl commercial, calling her the “gateway” to booking jobs for the head coach. It’ll be interesting to see if Belichick and Hudson will share their responses about the DunKings ad allegations down the road.

The Academy Award for Best Actor has been handed out every year since 1929 — fun fact, it was awarded to German actor Emil Jannings for not one but two acclaimed roles, in The Last Command and The Way of All Flesh — and in the near-century since, it's been presented 97 times to 86 actors. But while taking home that coveted statuette is definitely a career highlight for any performer, the honor does add a little extra pressure on the actor's next project. Will it be as beloved and acclaimed as the role that won them the gold? Here are 32 films that Oscar-winning actors did after taking home the Academy Award, and how they were received.

Cillian Murphy

After the enormity of portraying famed physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer in Christopher Nolan's billion-dollar blockbuster Oppenheimer, and taking home the 2024 Oscar for Best Actor in the process, Cillian Murphy went small for his next film — literally. In the 2024 adaptation of Claire Keegan's Small Things Like These, Murphy returned to his native Ireland to play Bill, a quiet coal merchant and father of five internally struggling with the harsh realities of the infamous Magdalene Laundries. While Murphy didn't replicate the awards dominance of Oppenheimer with SMTLT, his internal and affecting performance was widely praised by critics.

Joaquin Phoenix

After four nominations throughout his decades-spanning career, Joaquin Phoenix finally took home that Best Actor statue in 2020 for his engrossing portrayal of the nihilistic clown Arthur Fleck in Todd Phillips' Joker. Following that iconic role, Phoenix next appeared in the 2021 Mike Mills dramedy C'mon C'mon, an improv-heavy performance that saw the actor play a middle-aged radio journalist tasked with babysitting his nephew (Woody Norman) while on the road for work. Phoenix was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Gotham Awards, and the film was chosen by the National Board of Review as one of the Top 10 Independent Films of the year.

Will Smith

Will Smith had quite an, um, eventful evening when he took home the Oscar for Best Actor in 2022 for King Richard after two prior nominations (Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness). Winning an Oscar means that a spotlight is already bright on an actor, but the added publicity from the ceremony means his post-slap comeback would be even more scrutinized than usual. His follow-up was 2022's Emancipation, in which he played a runaway slave in 1860s Louisiana. Though the drama received mixed reviews overall, Smith won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance.

Anthony Hopkins

Though he's garnered six Oscar nominations across his illustrious acting career — with his most recent win being for 2021's The Father — Anthony Hopkins' first Academy Award was for that scene-stealing villain, psychiatrist turned serial killer Hannibal Lector in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs. Following up such an iconic performance is no small task and unfortunately, Hopkins' next film, 1992's Freejack opposite Emilio Estevez and Mick Jagger, was a sci-fi dud, bombing both with critics and audiences. During an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, Hopkins himself called the film "terrible."

Leonardo DiCaprio

Five-time nominee Leonardo DiCaprio had a bit of "always the bridesmaid" syndrome where the Academy Awards were concerned, until he finally took home the Best Actor Oscar for his emotionally raw and physically punishing performance in Alejandro G. Iñárritu's 2019 Western epic The Revenant. His next big-screen role was, graciously, a bit less cold and blustery, trading the frosty American Midwest for starry Los Angeles in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The latter received 10 Oscar nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, including a nod for DiCaprio's individual work.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington had already taken home a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for playing a Civil War soldier in the 1989 war drama Glory, but he got his first big Best Actor win for portraying corrupt LAPD officer Alonzo Harris in the 2001 crime thriller Training Day. His next performance was another memorable Denzel role: as the title character in the 2002 Nick Cassavetes-directed drama John Q, which saw Washington play a desperate father who takes a hospital emergency room hostage in order for his son to receive a heart transplant. Alas, despite some praise for Denzel's performance, the film itself boasts only a 26% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Robert De Niro

Six years after taking home the Best Supporting Actor statue for The Godfather Part II, Robert De Niro got his Best Actor win for his iconic and intense work as boxing champion Jake LaMotta in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull. A year later, De Niro put away the boxing gloves and picked up the Bible to play a Roman Catholic monsignor in 1981's True Confessions, opposite fellow The Godfather great Robert Duvall. Though reviews for the neo-noir were largely positive, the National Review's William F. Buckley, Jr. panned it: "Robert De Niro is badly miscast. He is never entirely convincing."

Matthew McConaughey

After acclaimed turns in 2011's Lincoln Lawyer and 2012's Magic Mike, the so-called "McConaissance" was officially solidified a year later with Matthew McConaughey's Oscar-winning portrayal of Ron Woodroof, a cowboy diagnosed with AIDS, in the biopic Dallas Buyers Club. Despite not having nearly as much screentime, the actor's next performance was just as memorable: a chest-thumping, meme-inducing extended cameo as Mark Hanna in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street.

Tom Hanks

Beyond being one of the most beloved actors of all time, Tom Hanks also holds a piece of cinema history: he's one of only two actors to win back-to-back Academy Awards for acting. Yes, that means after taking home the Best Actor Oscar for his heart-wrenching performance as HIV-positive lawyer Andrew Beckett in 1994's Philadelphia, Hanks struck Oscar gold yet again with his very next performance, as the titular lead of 1995's Forrest Gump.

Rami Malek

Rami Malek belted his way to an Oscar as legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the glossy 2019 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody. His first post-award performance also revolved around his voice — voice acting, that is, as Malek portrayed a mountain gorilla named Chee-Chee in the 2020 fantasy-adventure film Dolittle, with his future Oppenheimer co-star Robert Downey Jr. as the titular doc. The family-friendly flick received abysmal reviews from critics, with Courtney Howard of Variety writing: "What should have been an awe-filled adventure quickly curdles into an awful one, thanks to a pedestrian formula and the filmmakers' fixation on fart jokes."

Adrien Brody

In 2003, Adrien Brody made Oscar history when he won the Academy Award for Best Actor at age 29 for his portrayal of Władysław Szpilman in Roman Polanski's war drama The Pianist, becoming the youngest actor ever to win in that category. Later that year, he followed up his historic win with the musical crime comedy The Singing Detective, about a mystery writer (Robert Downey Jr.) who relives his detective stories through his imagination and hallucinations. The film scored a 39% "Rotten" rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx had one hell of a 2004, serving up not one but two award-worthy performances: He took home the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as soul great Ray Charles in the 2004 biopic Ray and also received a Best Supporting Actor nod that same year for his work in the crime film Collateral. It would be near-impossible for any performer to hit that kind of stratospheric high again, especially with Foxx's follow-up Stealth — the 2005 military action flick co-starring Josh Lucas and Jessica Biel was dubbed a "stink-bomb" by Roger Ebert.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Acting legend Daniel Day-Lewis deservedly holds the record for the most Best Actor awards ever, with three wins out of six nominations, but his first was for playing Christy Brown, a writer-artist born with cerebral palsy, in the 1989 drama My Left Foot. And though he would later follow that iconic role up by playing famous figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Bill the Butcher, his immediate next performance was as an Irish-American dentist traveling around Argentina in the forgettable 1989 dramedy Eversmile, New Jersey.

Jack Nicholson

The first of three Academy Awards for the legendary movie star, Jack Nicholson's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest performance as Randle McMurphy nabbed him the Oscar in 1976. Later that year, he would star as cattle rustler Tom Logan opposite Marlon Brandon in the Arthur Penn-helmed Western The Missouri Breaks. Coming hot on the heels of not only his own Oscar win but also Brando's for The Godfather, the film was highly anticipated — however, it failed to live up to those expectations and became a notorious critical and commercial flop.

Marlon Brando

One of the most iconic cinema stars of all time, Marlon Brando was nominated for eight Oscars across his decades-spanning career. He won two, the first being for his electrifying role as prizefighter turned longshoreman Terry Malloy in the 1954 crime drama On the Waterfront, widely considered one of the greatest acting performances of all time. His next role as Napoleon Bonaparte in the historical romance Désirée didn't win him any awards, but Variety reportedly called his performance "a masterful exhibition of thesping" at the time.

Philip Seymour Hoffman

The late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman had already solidified himself as a vibrant and vital supporting actor with films like The Talented Mr. Ripley, Almost Famous, Magnolia and 25th Hour, but his Oscar-winning portrayal of author Truman Capote in 2005's Capote officially upped him to leading man status. He would receive another three Oscar nominations in the years to follow, but his very next role was more of a crowd-pleaser than an awards grab: as arms dealer Owen Davian in Mission: Impossible III.

Russell Crowe

Audiences and critics alike were very much entertained by Russell Crowe's performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 Rome-set epic Gladiator, which earned the New Zealand-born star the Best Actor Oscar at the 73rd Academy Awards. Crowe would go up for the same award only a year later, for his portrayal of American mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. in the biographical drama A Beautiful Mind, but he lost to Training Day lead Denzel Washington.

Jean Dujardin

Jean Dujardin rose to international fame with his performance as George Valentin in the 2011 silent movie The Artist — his Oscar win was a historic one, as he was the first French performer to ever take home the Best Actor statue. Despite his newfound Hollywood status, however, the actor-comedian returned to his native France for his next film credit: The Players, a 2012 comedy anthology co-starring Gilles Lellouche, with each man also directing and writing a segment.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage's filmography is a wild ride, from critically acclaimed fare like Raising Arizona, Moonstruck and Adaptation to straight-to-video shlock. Thankfully, his 1995 drama Leaving Las Vegas falls into the former category, winning Cage the Best Actor Oscar for his role as alcoholic screenwriter Ben Sanderson. (Funnily enough, it's not one of Nic Cage's favorite Nic Cage movies.) His next movie was the 1996 action thriller The Rock, which also won Cage an award: the Best On-Screen Duo statue at the MTV Movie Awards alongside co-star Sean Connery.

Eddie Redmayne

British star Eddie Redmayne won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of famed theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking in the 2014 biographical drama The Theory of Everything. But that career high was immediately followed by a career-low: a Golden Raspberry Award — a parody award honoring cinematic failures — for Worst Supporting Actor for his work in the galactically goofy 2015 space opera Jupiter Ascending. Even he admitted his performance was bad!

Sidney Poitier

A movie icon through and through, Bahamian-American actor Sidney Poitier made history in 1964 as the first Black performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Lilies of the Field. A year later, he moved on from that seminal role with the 1965 Cold War thriller The Bedford Incident, as a civilian photojournalist aboard a U.S. Navy ship that gets into some messy business with a Soviet submarine. Though Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote that "the whole thing transcends plausibility," other critics clearly disagreed — the movie has an 86% Certified Fresh rating.

Sean Penn

After a trio of Best Actor nominations, Sean Penn's haunting performance as a grieving, vengeful father of a murdered Boston girl in the Clint Eastwood-directed neo-noir Mystic River finally got him the Academy Award in 2004. Later that year, Penn starred in yet another crime thriller, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, based on the story of the POTUS's would-be assassin Samuel Byck in the mid-1970s. The latter film didn't share the award-worthy gravitas of Mystic River, though, per Rotten Tomatoes, critical consensus said: "A fascinating true story and compelling Sean Penn performance are worthy compensations."

Roberto Benigni

Few Oscar wins were as memorable as Roberto Benigni's, what with presenter Sofia Loren's passionate declaration of "Roberto!" to Benigni's literal victory lap up to the stage. The Italian actor-director took the Best Actor trophy in 1998 for the Holocaust tragicomedy Life is Beautiful, making him the first honoree for a non-English language performance. A year later, he would appear in a very different movie: French-Italian-German comedy adventure flick Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar opposite Gérard Depardieu and Christian Clavier, which was a box office success.

Al Pacino

One of the most influential actors in modern cinema, Al Pacino was nominated for eight Academy Awards — including for The Godfather films, Serpico and the crime drama classic Dog Day Afternoon — before finally taking home the Best Actor statue for playing Frank Slade in 1992's Scent of a Woman. That Oscar win gave viewers an extra critical eye on his next role, as Nuyorican criminal Carlito Brigante in the De Palma crime drama Carlito's Way, however, reviews were largely positive.

Ben Kingsley

It's a daunting thing playing any famous figure in movies based on true stories, especially when the subject is so famous, that they need only one name. Case in point: Gandhi, the 1982 bio epic about the Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi, directed by Richard Attenborough and performed by English actor Sir Ben Kingsley. Luckily for them, the film won Best Picture and Kingsley took home the Best Actor award. Though his next project, the 1983 film adaptation of Harold Pinter's play Betrayal, didn't get Oscar acclaim, it was well-received by critics.

Humphrey Bogart

It seems surprising that Humphrey Bogart didn't win the Oscar for a role as iconic as Rick Blaine in the 1942 classic Casablanca. No, it would actually be another eight years until ol' Bogie won Best Actor for The African Queen, starring as Canadian mechanic Charlie Allnut opposite Katharine Hepburn's Methodist missionary Rose Sayer. His post-Oscar follow-up was the 1952 noir Deadline – U.S.A.: Variety said "Bogart gives a convincing performance all the way" as a big-city newspaper editor who exposes a gangster's crimes.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker was ferocious and formidable as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 historical drama The Last King of Scotland, one of his best performances that got the performer a Best Actor Oscar in '07. Later that year, the actor appeared in the ensemble crime drama The Air I Breathe alongside Kevin Bacon, Julie Delpy and Brendan Fraser. Though reviews for the film were overwhelmingly negative, several singled out Whitaker's performance. Annabelle Robertson at Crosswalk wrote: "Whitaker, in particular, is extremely sympathetic in his role—a feat that is all the more outstanding after his turn as the evil dictator in The Last King of Scotland."

Dustin Hoffman

After three Best Actor nods, New Hollywood icon Dustin Hoffman received his first Academy Award for playing half of a couple going through a devastating divorce (alongside an equally great Meryl Streep) in Kramer vs. Kramer in 1980. His next movie role is just as much of a classic: as Michael Dorsey-slash-Dorothy Michaels in the beloved 1982 comedy Tootsie, which nabbed the star yet another Best Actor nomination.

Gary Oldman

Gary Oldman was nearly unrecognizable in his prosthetics-heavy performance as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the 2017 historical drama Darkest Hour. The Academy Awards honored the quintessential Oldman role with a Best Actor award, his second nomination after Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. His next role was just as transformative, if not nearly as acclaimed: Oldman voiced an artificial intelligence in the 2018 sci-fi thriller Tau, which holds a woeful critical rating of 27% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Laurence Olivier

One of the most celebrated Shakespearean actors in film history, cinema icon Laurence Olivier starred in and directed adaptations of three of the Bard's best-known words, Henry V (1944), Hamlet (1948) and Richard III (1955), and earned a Best Actor Oscar for playing the Prince of Denmark. After portraying one of the most famous characters of all time, Olivier switched it up by cameoing as a no-name policeman in the 1951 drama The Magic Box, a "distinguished" bit of stunt casting that The New York Times praised as a delightful "extravagance."

Casey Affleck

Casey Affleck's devastating performance as a father grieving the loss of his three children in Kenneth Lonergan's gut-wrenching Manchester by the Sea clearly broke the collective hearts of the Academy, which voted to give the Boston-bred performer the Best Actor award in 2017. That year, he would tackle another exploration of love and loss with the supernatural drama A Ghost Story, which was a hit with critics — Richard Brody of The New Yorker included the title on his list of the decade's best films.

Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser experienced quite the career comeback when he took the Best Actor Oscar for his acclaimed performance as a morbidly obese, housebound English teacher in the 2022 Darren Aronofsky-directed melodrama The Whale. He kept those high-profile projects going with his next film credit, as attorney W. S. Hamilton in Martin Scorsese's stunning American crime drama Killers of the Flower Moon, which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Good Will Hunting was, and remains to this day, a family affair. It is, after all, the film that best friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon created together and cemented their careers in Hollywood. The movie also features Affleck’s younger brother, Casey Affleck, and in younger brother fashion, he made some major claims about production. Both his older brother and Damon had other things to say about his comments.

The long-time besties, who are working on a new thriller together, sat down with Deadline to talk about their newest film, Small Things Like These, which comes from their production company, Artist Equity. Before their time together was up, the duo was asked about the validity of younger brother Casey’s behind-the-scenes involvement of the classic film. The claims include his suggestion of taking the script to Gus Van Sant and a promised role as one of the friends. Damon responded:

It’s pretty funny to hear these behind-the-scenes rumors being debunked by its stars. It’s even funnier because there’s nothing like a younger sibling fabricating some fun amidst an older sibling’s work. Ben Affleck set the record straight on Casey’s words about Good Will Hunting.

Spoken like a true big brother! I’m glad to see the dynamics between all three of them seem the same as it ever was. Their back and forth reminds me of their fictionalized dynamics and I’m here for it.

Good Will Hunting is still revered as one of the best '90s movies, and Damon and Affleck still run into fans of it everywhere, including sets they’re working on. I mean, it’s hard not to swoon over the cinematography, root for Will (Damon) and Chuckie (Affleck), and, of course, fawn over Robin Williams from start to finish. Surprisingly, it’s all thanks to Kevin Smith for Good Will Hunting, who saw to the film making it to the public.

Hopefully, the three of them are having a good laugh over Casey Affleck’s claims right now. Now that all of that information can be filed away, I’d love to know about these claims of a Good Will Hunting 2. Maybe the three of them can shoot this idea down officially so I, and possibly others ,aren’t hoping for these claims to come true someday.

Want to rewatch arguably the partners’ best film to date? You can stream Good Will Hunting with a Paramount+ subscription or Prime Video subscription.

For the last several weeks when celebrities and parties have come up in the same sentence, it’s been a discussion of the parties thrown by Sean “Diddy” Combs that are the subject of a federal indictment against the rapper and mogul. Considering all of that, it's extra sweet to hear about Leonardo DiCaprio’s 50th birthday party, which looks to have been quite the shindig. And it apparently had a guest list that would make the Governor’s Ball at the Academy Awards blush, as it truly featured a murderer's row of celebrities.

Leonardo DiCaprio turns 50 years old today, November 11, but he held his party over the weekend. The guest list was shared by deuxmoi on Instagram, and it's absolutely staggering. From DiCaprio’s fellow stars from his generation to some of the great directors that he's has worked with (and those he almost collaborated with), the guest list included:

• Brad Pitt & Ines de Ramon
• Mark Ruffalo
• Benicio del Toro
• Soleil Moon Frye
• Todd Phillips
• Kevin Connolly & Zulay Henao
• Chris Rock
• Jamie Foxx
• Guillermo del Toro
• Paris Hilton
• Lukas Haas
• Steven Spielberg
• Bill Maher
• Casey Affleck
• Emile Hirsch
• Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom
• Cara Delevingne
• Tobey Maguire
• Robin Thicke & April Love Geary
• Odell Beckham Jr.
• Teyana Taylor
• Edward Norton
• Chuck Lidell
• Dr. Dre

There may have been even more stars in attendance, but this list alone is truly a who’s who of Hollywood. Being there had to be an incredible experience. Leonardo DiCaprio's father and stepmother were the only non-celebrities reported to be in attendance. It must have been a pretty amazing night for them, I'd think.

A few of these names are potentially surprising, but it’s very interesting to see who the Wolf of Wall Street star decided to invite to the event. He and Edward Norton have been friends for a long time. The same goes for DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire, who were part of the same real-life poker game that inspired the movie Molly’s Game.

It's also great that Leonardo DiCaprio invited his Catch Me If You Can director Steven Spielberg. The same goes for Guillermo del Toro, who almost directed DiCaprio, as he was originally attached to star in Nightmare Alley before he had to drop out and was replaced by Bradley Cooper. I would have loved to have seen those two meet up at the party. If there’s a chance they could work together down the road that’s a very exciting prospect that they probably talked about.

DiCaprio’s One Upon A Time…In Hollywood co-star Brad Pitt -- along with his serious girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, -- was there, as was his Shutter Island co-star Mark Ruffalo. The Revenant star also invited a couple of people who it looks like he may have gotten to know in his role as a producer. DiCaprio produced Out of the Furnace, which included Casey Affleck in its cast. He also produced Kid 90, the documentary film directed by former Punky Brewster star Soleil Moon Frye.

Needless to say, certainly looks like Leonardo DiCaprio’s birthday party was the hottest ticket in town. Now I just need to figure out how to become his friend before next year.

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

Emma Stone – La La Land 

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

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

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

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

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

Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out

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

Amy Adams – Arrival 

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

J.K. Simmons – Whiplash

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

Hugh Jackman – Logan 

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

Ben Affleck – Argo 

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

Jesse Eisenberg — The Social Network

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

Leonardo DiCaprio – The Wolf Of Wall Street  

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

Brie Larson – Room

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

Daniel Craig – Knives Out

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

Ryan Gosling – Drive

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

Ryan Reynolds – Deadpool

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

Casey Affleck – Manchester By The Sea 

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

Chris Evans – Captain America: The Winter Soldier 

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

Ralph Fiennes – The Grand Budapest Hotel 

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

Natalie Portman – Black Swan 

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

Matthew McConaughey – Dallas Buys Club

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

Jennifer Lawrence – Silver Linings Playbook

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

Brad Pitt – Moneyball 

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

Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther 

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

Margot Robbie – I, Tonya 

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

Florence Pugh – Midsommar

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

Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird

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

Timothée Chalamet – Call Me By Your Name

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

Anna Kendrick – Pitch Perfect

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

Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years A Slave

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

Joaquin Phoenix – Joker

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

Charlize Theron – Mad Max: Fury Road

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

Michael Cera – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

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

Matt Damon – The Martian

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

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

With the massive amount of content that arrived on the best streaming services on August 1, there was certainly a lot to get through. Once you're caught up, however, you won't want to slow down, as there's plenty more where that came from.

The first full week of August is one that brings a lot of great content. What’s new on Netflix involves several new seasons of TV for a wide variety of audiences. What’s upcoming on Disney+ includes a new series that K-pop fans won’t want to miss. But the movie I'll be sure not to miss this week is on Apple TV+.

New Movies

 The Instigators (Apple TV+)

The friendship and regular business relationship between Matt Damon and friend Ben Affleck is well known, but in The Instigators Damon will team up with his friend’s little bother, Casey Affleck. The Instigators stars Damon as an ex-Marine in need of money so he plans a heist with an ex-con played by Affleck. This one looks like it has plenty of action and more than a few laughs, and considering it’s from director Doug Liman of the popular Road House remake, this one has the potential to be great.

The Instigators premieres August 9 on Apple TV+

 The Bikeriders (Peacock)

The Bikeriders wasn’t a massive theatrical hit, which isn’t a shock considering it’s a small character drama. But considering this is exactly the sort of movie that can become a massive hit streaming, it will be interesting to see if audiences if with a Peacock Subscription find it. Critics generally approve of The Bikeriders, so there's a good chance that those who watch it will feel the same way. With a cast that includes up-and-coming stars like Austin Butler and Jodie Comer, it’s worth checking out.

The Bikeriders premieres August 9 on Peacock

New TV

The Umbrella Academy, Season 4 (Netflix)

One of the more popular original series from Netflix, The Umbrella Academy debuts its final season this week. Once again the world is coming to an end, and a dysfunctional family of superpowered people are the only ones who can save it. Season 3 left fans with a lot of questions but we can only assume that throughout Season 4, all questions will be answered and the story will reach some sort of conclusion. Many fans will be sad to see this one go, but hopefully, they'll be satisfied by the end.

The Umbrella Academy Season 4 premieres August 8 on Netflix

Are You Sure ?! (Disney+)

BTS is still one of the most popular K-pop groups in the world and fans of the group, and music in general, would benefit from a Disney+ subscription. The new series Are You Sure?! Isn’t about their music, but it will likely be even better for fans. The series is a travelogue that follows two members of the group, Jimin and Jung Kook, as they travel the world before entering their required national military service.

Are You Sure ?! premieres August 8 on Disney+

Mr. Throwback (Peacock)

As of this writing, Stephan Curry is busy trying to win a gold medal at the Olympics. But before the gold medal game the question will be, can Stephen Curry act? He skipped out on Space Jam 2 but Curry will get in front of the camera in the new series Mr. Throwback. It features the NBA star as a fictionalized version of himself, who attempts to help out an old friend, played by Adam Pally who has fallen on hard times. It’s time to answer the question, is Stephen Curry as funny as Lebron James?

Mr. Throwback premieres August 8 on Peacock.

Gabby’s Dollhouse (Season 10) (Netflix)

If school hasn’t started yet then you may have kids who need something to do. The good news, if you have a Netflix subscription, comes in the form of a new season of Gabby's Dollhouse. The animated series has become so popular among the younger set that the character is now part of DreamWorks land at Universal Orlando Resort and will be part of the forthcoming Universal Kids Resort currently in development in Texas.

Gabby’s Dollhouse Season 10 premieres August 5 on Netflix.

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears (Max)

The NFL season is almost here. As fans get ready for the new season, and enjoy preseason action, fans with a Max subscription will also be able to watch the latest season of Hard Knocks, the documentary series takes a look at a different team’s training camp every year. This time around, it’s the Chicago Bears, one of football's most storied franchises, but one that hasn't been on top in a long time. If this is their year, this will be the beginning of the story.

Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Chicago Bears premieres August 6 on HBO and Max.

Love Is Blind: UK (Netflix)

If you have a particular love for Netflix’s reality series Love is Blind, and you can’t wait for the next season of the U.S. show, the good news is there are multiple versions of the series in different nations so there is almost always a new one right around the corner. And the new one doesn’t even require subtitles as Love is Blind UK arrives this week

Love is Blind UK premiers August 7 on Netflix.

Yo Gabba GabbaLand!  (Apple TV+)

The original Yo Gabba Gabba children’s show ran from 2007 to 2015. Now, nearly a decade later, Apple TV+ brings the show back as Yo Gabba GabbaLand. Considering how popular the show was with the first generation that grew up with it, this new version has a lot to live up to. Having said that, there’s every reason to believe this one will be just as special.

Yo Gabba GabbaLand premieres August 9 on Apple TV+

This week will also see the end of the 2024 Summer Olympics, so if all you've been streaming for the last two weeks are sports, it's going to be time to pivot to something else pretty soon. Luckily there's even more great streaming content coming next week.

When I think about Matt Damon and Casey Affleck at the same time, the fact that pops into my head is that they were both in the legendary Ocean’s Eleven cast. While they’ve both had long and illustrious careers, I think it’s safe to say that one of Affleck and Damon’s best movies is the OG heist film from 2001. Now, the two actors are sharing the screen again in a new heist flick called The Instigators. So, obviously, this question had to be asked: Would these two new characters be hired by Danny Ocean?

Luckily, Matt Damon had an answer to this question, and it was as entertaining and witty as the best lines in the Ocean’s movies. While promoting his new heist project before its premiere on the 2024 movie schedule, the Oscar-winner told EW:

I couldn’t agree more. In Ocean’s Eleven, George Clooney’s Danny Ocean assembles an elite team of experienced thieves and career criminals. In the film, Damon plays a pickpocket named Linus, while Casey Affleck plays Virgil, a skilled getaway driver and robotics expert who loves to bicker with his brother Turk.

In The Instigators, as the trailer illustrates, Damon and Affleck play desperate dad Rory and ex-con Cobby, respectively. The two set out to steal money from the mayor, and it’s obvious that these guys are not experienced in the art of the heist.

Doug Liman’s movie looks a lot more chaotic and action-packed than Steven Soderbergh’s cool and smooth film from the early 2000s. Basically, what I’m saying is, The Instigators wouldn’t really stand a chance at executing the heists Danny and co. pull off in the Ocean’s movies. Matt Damon agreed, as he quipped:

He’s right, I don’t think Clooney’s Danny Ocean and Brad Pitt’s Rusty Ryan would entertain the idea of hiring these two “knuckleheads." However, that’s kind of the fun of The Instigators.

Rather than a well-planned heist, like Ocean’s Eleven, this movie is about two guys who would never have thought they’d be doing something like stealing from a mayor, and I’m here for the chaos that comes with it.

As a massive fan of the Ocean’s movies, I always love a new heist project. So, I’m super intrigued by how The Instigators seems to take the concept and flip it on its head by putting two everyday guys in the middle of it.

To see what happens when Matt Damon and Casey Affleck team up this time around, you can stream The Instigators starting August 9 with an Apple TV+ subscription. To go back and watch them in Ocean’s Eleven, you can rent or buy the film on Amazon.

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck may just be starring in the most Boston movie of all time. Their upcoming 2024 film features the two of them at the center, teaming up once again like Ocean's Eleven for another crime conspiracy. The The Instigators trailer has everything you want from a Massachusetts-set film: Fenway Park, Dunkin' Donuts product placement, and thick East Coast accents. It may be a surprise to some that former New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski would even make an appearance, but with the Boston roots being at the forefront of this film, it totally makes sense.

Gronk's cameo in 80 for Brady showed he had a comedic streak, and The Roast of Tom Brady showed Gronkowski was willing to commit entirely to a funny bit. At this point, it feels inevitable that filmmakers would be in line to showcase this talent on the big screen.

Matt Damon told ET that the former tight end had a great time on set, even though he was only there for a short time.He also explained that it was Gronk’s specific brand of funny that made him the perfect fit for The Instigators, and The Martian actor is hoping audiences will find his scene just as funny as the creative team did. Also, this lays the Boston thing on pretty thick, but that’s part of the charm.

Gronk may have enjoyed working on the film even more than Damon and Affleck thought. Apparently, the football player thought he was going to be in the movie even more, and was a bit disappointed when he only made a brief appearance. Casey Affleck clarified on Andy Cohen’s Sirius XM show that Rob Gronkowski shot everything that was written for him, and it all ended up in the movie. He explained:

Cohen questioned whether or not the scene was shortened in the final edit of the film, but Affleck assured the talk show host that they used every bit of footage featuring the famed sports icon. He said:

It’s actually pretty flattering that Gronk had such a great time on the film, and enjoyed it enough for him to wish he played an even bigger role in The Instigators. I personally can’t wait to see his cameo. If it’s anything like Tom Brady’s scene in Ted 2, I know audiences are in for a lot of laughs. While a comedic role in an action/comedy may feel like a natural step for Gronk, it's quite a different move for both Damon and Affleck. The longtime friends have mostly been associated with deeply serious dramas in recent years, so this is a much lighter tone than we are used to seeing from them. It should be exciting to see all these talents mesh for something so humorous and refreshing.

The pro football player ended up leaving the Patriots and retired in 2019, eventually returning to football a year later to play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, only to retire again in 2022. Even though he ended his career in Florida, Gronk seems to still be very connected to his time in New England, and is still the perfect Massachusetts icon to be featured in this film, especially one led by Casey Affleck and Matt Damon.

You can check out Damon, Affleck, and Gronkowski in The Instigators, which will be available to stream for Apple TV+ subscribers on August 2, 2024. For more information on other exciting titles on the streamer, make sure to check out our feature on the best movies on AppleTV+ right now.

If you look at lists of George Clooney’s best movies or Brad Pitt and Matt Damon’s greatest work, without a doubt Ocean’s Eleven will be on all of them. The same can be said for the rest of the stellar A-List cast that includes Julia Roberts, Casey Affleck, Andy Garcia and many, many more, and it’s easily some of director Steven Soderbergh’s finest work. It’s so good, in fact, the remake ended up getting two sequels – Ocean’s Twelve and Thirteen, plus the female-led Ocean’s Eight almost two decades later. This fast-talking, smooth world of heists and crime is irresistible, and today we’re talking about the best quotes from this beloved franchise. 

"Why do it? Because yesterday I walked out of the joint after losing four years of my life and you're cold-decking 'Teen Beat' cover boys. Because the house always wins. Play long enough, you never change the stakes, the house takes you. Unless, when that perfect hand comes along, you bet big, and then you take the house."  -Danny, Ocean’s Eleven

When Rusty asked Danny why they needed to do this heist he gave the great speech above. What makes it even better is it’s followed by Pitt’s character asking if Clooney’s has “been practicing” his speech, to which Danny responds with “A little bit, did I rush it?”

"Well, first, I know all the guys you’d hire to come after me, they like me better than you. Second, you’re not gonna go to cops. Well, let’s face it, you’re not going to go to the cops. Third, you shook Sinatra's hand. You should know better, Willy." –Danny, Ocean’s Thirteen

Once Danny exacts his revenge on Willy Bank and bests him, he says this great line, which ends with him bringing it back full circle to the Frank Sinatra line that Reuben said to Al Pacino’s character at the beginning of the movie.

"Who died and made you Danny?" –Turk, Ocean’s Twelve 

Linus really tried to take on more of a leadership role in this movie, and the boys didn’t take it lightly, hence this sassy line from Turk that came after basically everyone else got arrested. 

"So whatever happens tonight, I want you to remember one thing, you are not doing this for me. You are not doing this for you. Somewhere out there is an 8-year-old girl lying in bed, dreaming of being a criminal. Let's do this for her." -Debbie, Ocean’s Eight

In the quiet moment right before the heist began, Sandra Bullock looked at herself in the mirror in a public bathroom and said this motivational, yet funny, monologue to herself. Everyone needs a pep talk, and this was Debbie’s. 

"You think we need one more? You think we need one more. Alright, we’ll get one more." -Danny, Ocean’s Eleven

The boys had their crew of ten assembled, however, they were questioning if they needed one more. That, my friends, is how Matt Damon comes into the Ocean’s 11 cast as the young pickpocket Linus. 

"We got a grease man." -Rusty, Ocean’s Eleven

As Danny and Rusty search for their grease man, Pitt’s character takes Clooney’s leading man to the circus. That’s where they find Yen, and Rusty couldn’t have been happier to hire him. 

"The specs aren't on the gray market, the black market or any other market. And all I keep hearing is there's never been a system like this. Now, I found out where they designed it, but I can't even get in the building! I've blown all my buy money, my bribe money, four of my best ID's and I am nowhere! Not only am I nowhere, I'm pretty sure I'm being followed." –Linus, Ocean’s Thirteen

While walking through their plan with Roman, Rusty says the security in this casino is “spooky.” 

Then, while on the phone with Danny, Linus confirms that as he shares that what they’re trying to figure out is the Greco while noting that he’s been having a really hard time. 

"If you're going to have a problem with stealing, then you're not going to like the rest of this conversation." -Debbie, Ocean’s Eight

Debbie and Lou’s relationship is very reminiscent of Danny and Rusty. And just like the boys’ first scene in Ocean’s Eleven, Sandra Bullock’s first interaction with Cate Blanchett’s character does not disappoint.

"She already left me once. I don’t think I’d do it again just for kicks." -Danny, Ocean’s Eleven 

Ocean’s Eleven opens with Danny Ocean in a hearing about whether or not he’s likely to commit a crime again if/when he gets out of jail. After explaining that his wife Tess left him, he gets asked if she’ll do it again, and he quips back the great line above. 

"Mr. Benedict, you can lose $80 million secretly or $160 million publicly. It’s your decision. [Rusty puts his phone down and looks at Tess] Hi." -Rusty, Ocean’s Eleven 

This line hits so hard because it’s one of the big moments where it becomes clear that these guys are going to pull off the heist. What makes it even better is that as Brad Pitt’s Rusty is talking to Andy Garcia’s Terry, he also just casually says hi to Julia Roberts’ Tess in the middle of it all. 

"You're analog players in a digital world. You're done." – Roman, Ocean’s Thirteen

Once Roman finds out that the Greco is the issue Rusty and Danny are running into he’s quick to tell them that this heist is out of their league. As much as he likes them, this is too much, and it’s too technological for these “analog” players according to him. 

"You’re gonna ask me a question? Give me time to respond, unless it’s rhetorical in which case the answer is obvious: yes." – Rusty, Ocean’s Twelve 

One of the most fun dynamics in Ocean’s Twelve is between Rusty and Linus. Seeing Brad Pitt act as Matt Damon’s reluctant mentor is so silly, and fun, and it’s moments like the one above that I get a great chuckle out of. What makes it even better, is when Linus started to ask his question about Tess looking like Julia Roberts, Rusty stopped him, saying he could never ask about that. 

"You of all people should know Terry. In your hotel, there is always someone watching." - Tess, Ocean’s Eleven 

As one of their final tricks, the boys make it so Tess hears Terry betray her. So, when she runs into him, she makes sure he knows that she’s leaving and that it’s 100% his own fault. 

"It just hurts, you know, because it seemed like we all agreed to call it ‘the Benedict job.’ I mean that’s what we called it when we were doing it. If you wanted to call it something else all along then…" – Virgil, Ocean’s Twelve

When the boys found out that the job they pulled off in Ocean’s Eleven was named after Danny Ocean, they weren’t thrilled. While many of them lamented to George Clooney’s titular character during their first team meeting, Affleck’s disappointed words as Virgil were top-tier. 

"Ted Nugent called, he wants his shirt back." -Danny, Ocean’s Eleven 

After Danny gets out of jail a second time, Rusty comes to pick him up. Of course, the movie ends on a classic Pitt/Clooney back and forth. So, once Rusty says he hopes Danny was a groom since he left prison in a tux, Danny ribs his friend with the line above. 

"I’d like to say a few words about commitment, about honor, about responsibility, about a very special someone and admitting to her. Get up. Pull the chair out. Admitting to her, in front of everybody, that her wedding, and that very special honeymoon trip to Epcot Center, will have to be postponed." -Terry, Ocean’s Twelve 

When Terry Benedict starts to make his visits to the boys at the start of Twelve, he does a good job of intimidating them all. However, one of the most memorable moments was when he showed up to scare the brothers Virgil and Turk Malloy, who are played by Casey Affleck and Scott Caan, respectively. 

"What? Did you guys get a group rate or something?" - Reuben, Ocean’s Eleven

Once the crew is assembled, they all head to Vegas and meet at Reuben’s swanky house. What makes this scene iconic is that when most of the guys show up at the same time, Elliott Gould’s rich character quips this hilarious line.

"‘I,’ ‘I wasn’t in Four Weddings and a Funeral.’ Just protect your fake baby." -Linus, Ocean’s Twelve

As Tess, Linus and co. make their way into the hotel, with Tess pretending to be Julia Roberts, she starts getting overwhelmed by all the paparazzi around them. Then, when Linus told her to calm down and think about the great rom-com Four Weddings and a Funeral, she reminded him that the actress was not in that movie, to which Damons’ character had this hilarious response. 

"You lose focus in this game for one second…" -Linus // "I know, and somebody gets hurt." - Danny, Ocean’s Eleven 

Picture this, Linus and Danny are almost in the vault and they’re trying to detonate the explosives to get in, however, the clicker isn’t working. So, in the midst of this high-stakes heist, they have a humorous back and forth about preparation, focus and batteries. 

"[Sobbing] I'm old, and I'm going to prison. Then I'm going to be really, really poor." -Rose, Ocean’s Eight

Helena Bonham Carter’s role in Ocean’s 8 is so fun, and it’s because she’s quite dramatic and extra. No line proves that better than one where she was lamenting to Debbie and Lou after her fashion show. 

"Well, we've shaken all the trees, we've looked under every rock, we’ve searched…I mean, we've talked to everybody we can trust. I know it's not a great idea but it is an idea and as long as we have one idea we shouldn't give up." – Linus, Ocean’s Thirteen 

Right when the boys are on the verge of failure, and they’re out of ideas, Linus thinks up one, and Danny wonders if he really means it. Well, it’s desperate times, so yes he really meant it when he suggested that they contact Terry Benedict, their nemesis from the first two films. 

"[Slaps Danny] That is for keeping me in the dark. [Punches Danny] That is for making me a master thief. [Elbows Danny] And that is for ruining our second third anniversary." – Tess, Ocean’s Twelve

After everyone gets cleared and out of jail, Tess has a very reasonable reaction to it all as she slaps, punches and elbows Danny once they’re in the cars leaving. 

"I couldn't even hear myself think. You know, five women in one cell. So I got myself thrown in solitary for a little peace and quiet, and that's where I finally came up with it." -Debbie, Ocean’s Eight

As you likely know, like Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Eight begins with our master planner getting out of prison. It quickly becomes clear that Debbie has been scheming the whole time she’s been in the clink, and once she got herself “thrown in solitary” she could really cook on her plan. 

"Number one: if any of you try to screw me, you'll be dead. I'll be looking in on the operation just to make sure. Number two: I'm your senior partner, which means last money in, first money out and you will double my investment." –Terry, Ocean’s Thirteen 

Enter Terry Benedict, AKA, Andy Garcia’s bad man from the first two movies. However, this time, he’s the thirteenth member, and he’s actually helping Linus, Danny, Rusty and co. as they try to take down Willy Bank and avenge Reuben. As they say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. 

"I want the last check I write to bounce." –Saul, Ocean’s Twelve  

The late great Carl Reiner played Saul, and he wanted to go out on top with his money in Ocean’s Twelve! While he eventually does come back to help the crew, this moment where he walks out with his head held high is pretty epic. 

"A him gets noticed, a her gets ignored. For once, we want to get ignored." –Debbie, Ocean’s Eight 

While Debbie and Lou are putting their team together, Lou runs the idea of hiring a few guys by her. However, Sandra Bullock’s character makes a point that’s both sad and useful at this moment: they don’t want to be seen, they are actively trying to get ignored, and it works in their favor. 

"How was the clink? Did you get the cookies I sent?" - Rusty, Ocean’s Eleven 

After Danny gets out of jail and meets up with his pal Rusty Ryan, and Brad Pitt’s character jokes around with his pal by asking if he got the sweet treats he sent while he was in “the clink.” 

"No, Dad. It will work. [Danny puts his hand out for the phone] No Dad, I won't put Danny on. [Rusty puts his hand out] Or Rusty." – Linus, Ocean’s Thirteen

In a heated phone call with his father, Linus pushes back against his parent – who is later revealed to be a con man working as an FBI agent specializing in casino fraud cases – about the fake nose he wears later in the movie, and he also won’t let him talk to Rusty and Danny. While Matt Damon’s performance at this moment is incredible, it’s the perfectly timed gestures of George Clooney and Brad Pitt trying to take the phone that make it. 

"Terrific, it’ll be nice working with proper villains again." -Basher, Ocean’s Eleven 

Basher is the explosion expert for the team, and when he’s approached about doing the job he responds with this fantastic line, despite the fact that Don Cheadle’s British accent is quite bad in the film. 

"Look, it’s not in my nature to be mysterious. But I can’t talk about it, and I can’t talk about why." –Rusty, Ocean’s Twelve 

After Rusty tells Linus that he should just ask the question, the inquiry he makes is not one Rusy is willing to go into detail about. Hilariously, this topic has to do with Tess looking like Julia Roberts, which is funny because, you know, Tess is played by Julia Roberts. 

"First of all, if there’s one thing I know it’s bad acting." –Daphne, Ocean’s Eight  

Surprise, Anne Hathaway’s Daphne Kluger is the eighth member of Ocean’s 8, and it’s brilliantly revealed at the end of the female-led Ocean’s movie when she starts her admission with this line. 

"It's not their fight." -Danny, Ocean’s Thirteen

These are some of the first words uttered in Ocean’s Thirteen after Rusty boards a private jet and asks Danny if “they understand.” It’s later revealed after Linus asks Danny the same question that the “they” they’re referring to are Tess and Isabel, Danny and Rusty’s respective partners.

Overall, the Ocean’s movies are full of quick-witted, fun and intelligent lines, and it’s one of the big reasons why they remain so iconic to this day. 

Matt Damon goes way back with the Affleck family. With he and Ben Affleck having been close friends in high school, they first professionally collaborated on Good Will Hunting, which involved some crying. Then in 2001, Damon and Casey Affleck, Ben’s younger brother, first appeared onscreen together in Ocean’s Eleven, and both men would return for the following two sequels. Now it’s been announced that these two are re-teaming for a new heist movie, one which will be accessible to Apple TV+ subscribers.

Apple Original Films’ The Instigators will bring Matt Damon and Casey Affleck back together, with the movie following two thieves who are forced to go on the run with the help of one of their therapists after a robbery gone south. According to Deadline, Doug Liman will direct off a script written by Chuck MacLean, and Damon will produce alongside Ben Affleck through their new banner Artists Equity. Studio 8’s Jeff Robinov and John Graham, as well as The Walsh Company’s Kevin Walsh, are also attached as producers, with Roving and Graham having developed the project with Casey Affleck.

The Instigators is the latest project to join the Artists Equity slate, which, as Deadline put it, “partners with filmmakers to empower creative vision and broaden access to profit participation.” The first project on this particular docket is an untitled movie about the creation of the Air Jordan brand, which Matt Damon is starring in and Ben Affleck is directing. That movie is expected to be among the 2023 movie releases, so as far as The Instigators goes, we likely won’t see it until 2024 at the earliest. 

The Instigators also marks Matt Damon’s reunion with Doug Liman, who previously directed the actor in 2002’s The Bourne Identity. Along with Matt Damon and Casey Affleck respectively playing Linus Caldwell and Virgil Malloy in the first three Ocean’s movies (Matt Damon did reprise his character for the spinoff Ocean’s 8, but his scene was cut), the two men also worked together on 2016’s Manchester by the Sea, which Damon produced and the younger Affleck starred in, later winning the Academy Award for Best Actor. As for Damon and Ben Affleck, they were last seen together onscreen in 2021’s The Last Duel, but it remains to be seen if the latter will have a role in The Instigators.

Ahead of The Instigators’ eventual release from Apple, both Matt Damon and Casey Affleck will next be seen as part of the gigantic Oppenheimer ensemble cast Christopher Nolan assembled. Damon will play Leslie Groves, director of the Manhattan Project, but Affleck’s character hasn’t been identified yet. Affleck also has a sci-fi movie on the way called Slingshot that co-stars Laurence Fishburne and Emily Beecham, but it doesn’t have a release date yet.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez may have kept their initial wedding a private affair, tying the knot in an "emotional" ceremony in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada, but an encore performance with friends and family was always in the plans. Bennifer made it official (again) on Saturday, August 20, at Affleck’s 87-acre estate in Savannah, Georgia — the very place they had originally planned their nuptials back in 2003 — but there was a prominent member of the Affleck clan apparently missing from the festivities. Ben’s brother, Casey Affleck, was seen Saturday morning still in Los Angeles, and he gave a strange explanation for being on the wrong coast.

Casey Affleck was captured on video grabbing coffee on the morning of August 20, when he presumably should have been in Georgia for Ben Affleck and JLo’s “real wedding extravaganza.” When a TMZ reporter asked why Casey wasn’t in Savannah, the Manchester by the Sea Oscar winner mumbled what sounded like: 

The reporter tried to confirm what the actor had said, but Casey Affleck was apparently done with the conversation. He seemed unwilling to talk about it earlier last week, as well, when TMZ asked him and girlfriend Caylee Cowan on Thursday if they’d be headed to the weekend wedding. Affleck sidestepped the question, and Cowan seemed to give a noncommittal “Yep.”

Is it possible that Casey Affleck overslept and couldn’t get to Georgia in time? Or is there another reason for him missing Bennifer’s big celebration? Well, sources for People allege that "family, parental obligations at home" are what kept him from attending. That sounds reasonable, considering that the brothers have always seemed to be close. The celebrity siblings worked together on movies like Gone Baby Gone, Good Will Hunting and Chasing Amy. Casey even offered Ben Affleck advice on a previous breakup, so it seems unlikely that his absence would be due to some kind of rift in their relationship. Still, this report is only a rumor and can only be taken with a grain of salt.

Despite whatever kept Casey Affleck from joining the family on the East Coast, the couple finally got the Georgia wedding of their dreams. A spa owner said Jennifer Lopez was “the epitome of a glowing bride,” as she and her husband prepped for Saturday’s celebration, which did include Ben and Jen’s blended family of five children. 

Bennifer 2.0 surprised friends and fans alike, when they ran off to the Marriage Capital of the World, paying just $75 to say “I do,” in a July 16 Las Vegas wedding ceremony decades in the making. Things seem to be off to a blissful start for the reunited couple, as Ben Affleck has reportedly been heard over the past few weeks telling JLo how happy he is that she is his wife, even if the paparazzi who followed them on their honeymoon elicited opposite reactions from the newlyweds.

Congratulations (again) to the happy couple, and if JLo’s real-life fairy tale of reuniting with her soulmate after nearly 20 years isn’t enough to make you believe in love, check out one of Jennifer Lopez’s best romantic comedies, because that should do the trick. 

Every once in a while, celebrity siblings - such as Ben and Casey Affleck or Dakota and Elle Fanning - end up sharing the screen together. Well, apparently it happens a little more often than just every once in a while, given the amount of examples we compiled below.

Jake And Maggie Gyllenhaal (A Dangerous Woman, Homegrown, Donnie Darko)

Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal and his twice-nominated older sister, Maggie, are in three movies together: 1993’s A Dangerous Woman, 1998’s Homegrown (both were directed by their father, Stephen), and the eventual sci-fi cult classic, Donnie Darko, in 2001.

Jeff And Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys)

Oscar winner Jeff Bridges and his older brother, Beau, also played siblings in The Fabulous Baker Boys - a 1989 comedy in which the titular musicians become rivals after teaming up with a beautiful aspiring singer (Michelle Pfieffer).

Kate And Rooney Mara (Urban Legends: Bloody Mary)

Kate Mara of the House of Cards cast led the 2005 straight-to-video slasher, Urban Legends: Bloody Mary, in which her younger sister, Nightmare Alley’s Rooney Mara, made her acting debut.

Sean And Chris Penn (At Close Range)

Future two-time Oscar-winner Sean Penn and his late younger brother, Chris (best known from the Reservoir Dogs cast) played siblings in the 1986 crime thriller, At Close Range, starring Christopher Walken as their criminal father.

Andrew, Owen, And Luke Wilson (Bottle Rocket, The Royal Tenenbaums) 

Owen Wilson and his younger sibling, Luke have also acted alongside their eldest brother, Andrew, in 1996’s Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums from 2001 - both of which Owen also co-wrote with director Wes Anderson.

Chris And Luke Hemsworth (Thor: Ragnarok)

Chris Hemsworth has yet to star in anything with his little bro, Liam, but the Australian Marvel movie star’s older bother, Westworld star Luke, did show up in Thor: Ragnarok as a dramatized version of the God of Thunder, whom he is set to reprise (along with Matt Damon as “Actor Loki”) in Thor: Love and Thunder.

Dylan And Cole Sprouse (Various)

Twin brothers Dylan and Cole Sprouse (the latter of which went on to join the Riverdale cast) have shared the same role in several TV shows (most notably Grace Under Fire) and movies (such as Big Daddy with Adam Sandler) and have played siblings just as often, most famously as the title characters of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, its spin-off The Suite Life on Deck, and 2011’s The Suite Life Movie.

Tia, Tamera, And Tahj Mowry  (Sister, Sister, Smart Guy, Seventeen Again)

Twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry have shared the screen with their little brother, Tahj, several times - most notably as guest stars on each other’s respective sitcoms, Sister, Sister and Smart Guy, and in the 2000 Showtime original movie, Seventeen Again.

James And Dave Franco (The Disaster Artist)

After years finding success in the business in separate projects, James Franco and his younger brother, Dave, played Tommy Wiseau and Greg Sestero of the infamous cult favorite, The Room, in the 2017 biopic, The Disaster Artist.

Hilary And Haylie Duff (Various)

Haylie Duff would appear on three episodes of her younger sister, Hilary’s, Disney Channel show, Lizzie McGuire, and provided the singing voice of Isabella Parigi in the theatrical spin-off before they both played a singing group on an episode of American Dreams, sisters in the 2006 rags-to-riches story Material Girls, and both leant their voices to the infamous animated movie Foodfight!, which was released in 2012.

Aly And AJ Michalka (Various)

Singer-songwriter duo Aly and AJ Michalka first shared the screen in the 2006 Disney Channel original movie Cow Belles as sisters, again in the MTV original Super Sweet 16: The Movie the next year as rivals, followed by three episodes of Aly’s CW series Hellcats in 2011 as half-sisters. Most recently, they appeared in the 2015 drama, Weepah Way For Now, as what appear to be fictionalized versions of themselves.

Dakota And Elle Fanning (I Am Sam, Taken)

Elle Fanning has portrayed a younger version of her older sister, Dakota, on two separate occasions: first in the 2001 drama I Am Sam and secondly in the Steven Spielberg-produced, Syfy original miniseries, Taken, in 2002.

Spencer And Abigail Breslin (Various)

Academy Award nominee Abigail and her older brother, Spencer, played siblings in both Raising Helen and The Princess Diaries 2: A Royal Engagement in 2004, played elves in The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause in 2006, and later played cousins in the 2014 crime drama, Perfect Sisters.

Jason And Justine Bateman (Arrested Development)

Justine Bateman played her real-life brother, Jason's, sibling in the 1986 TV movie Can You Feel Me Dancing? and a sex worker whom Jason’s Michael Bluth mistakes for his long-lost sibling on Arrested Development.

John, Joan, Ann, And Bill Cusack (Grosse Pointe Blank)

While beloved star John Cusack and his Academy-nominated sister, Joan, have appeared in more films together than most celebrity siblings can claim (including Say Anything… and High Fidelity), the only screen credit that they also share with both their sister, Ann, and brother, Bill, is 1997’s Grosse Pointe Blank, which John also co-wrote and produced.

Bill And Brian Doyle Murray (Various) 

Bill Murray and his older brother, Brian, are both Saturday Night Live veterans (although at different times) and have several classic movies in common - including Caddyshack, Scrooged, Ghostbusters II, Groundhog Day, and The Razor's Edge.

Ben And Casey Affleck (Good Will Hunting, Chasing Amy)

Years before casting him in his amazing directorial debut, Gone Baby Gone, Ben Affleck shared the screen with his younger brother and fellow Oscar winner, Casey, in Good Will Hunting (which Ben co-wrote with Matt Damon) and Kevin Smith’s Chasing Amy in 1997.

Macaulay And Kieran Culkin (Home Alone, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York)

Kieran Culkin (now more famous than ever since starring on HBO’s Succession) made his acting debut alongside his older brother (child megastar Macaulay Culkin) in 1990’s Home Alone cast as his cousin, Fuller - a role he would also reprise in the 1992 sequel.

Rory And Kieran Culkin (Igby Goes Down)

In addition to playing Macaulay’s younger self in Richie Rich, the youngest Culkin brother, Rory, also played a younger version of Kieran as the title role in 2002's Igby Goes Down.

The Wayans Siblings (Various) 

Where do we start with the Wayans Siblings? Well, for instance, several of them (such as Damon and Kim Wayans) were a part of the In Living Color cast with star and creator Keenen Ivory Wayans, who later directed his younger brothers, Marlon and Shawn, in movies like White Chicks, the first two Scary Movie installments, and Little Man.

Zooey And Emily Deschanel (Bones)

In Season 5 of Bones, star Emily Deschanel’s sister (Zooey of the Elf cast fame and later the lead of the New Girl cast) guest starred as Temperance Brennan’s second cousin, Margaret Whitesell.

Fred And Ben Savage (Little Monsters, The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World)

After playing siblings in the family-friendly horror film, Little Monsters, in 1989, Ben Savage made a guest appearance on his older brother, Fred’s, hit dramedy, The Wonder Years, in 1990 and later returned the favor by inviting him to the Boy Meets World cast for an episode in 1998.

Charlie Sheen And Emilio Estevez (Various)

After making several movies together - including Young Guns, Men At Work, and Rated X (the latter two of which Emilio Estevez directed), Charlie Sheen (née Carlos Estevez) reunited with his brother on an episode of his hit sitcom, Two and a Half Men, in 2008.

Vanessa and Laura Marano (Saving Zoë)

Both of these talented ladies had guest appearances on Dexter at different times in the series’ run, but Vanessa Marano and her younger sister, Laura, did appear together in the 2019 mystery, Saving Zoë, as siblings torn apart by one’s unsolved murder.

Nat And Alex Wolff (The Naked Brothers Band, Mr. Troop Mom, Stella’s Last Weekend)

Hereditary’s Alex Wolff and his older brother, Peacock’s Joe vs. Carole cast member Nat Wolff, both debuted as fictionalized versions of themselves in Nickelodeon’s faux rockumentary, The Naked Brothers Band, its series continuation, and the 2009 TV movie Mr. Troop Mom before reuniting in 2018’s Stella’s Last Weekend, which was written and directed by their mother, Polly Draper.

Vera And Taissa Farmiga (Higher Ground, At Middleton, The Nun)

Scream Queens Vera and Taissa Farmiga, who are often mistaken for mother and daughter, played mother and daughter in 2013’s At Middleton after Taissa previously played her older sister’s younger self in Vera’s 2011 directorial debut, Higher Ground. However, interestingly, their characters in the 2018 Conjuring spin-off, The Nun, have no apparent familial ties.

Maude And Iris Apatow (Knocked Up, This Is 40, Funny People)

Euphoria’s Maude Apatow and her younger sister, Iris, have played siblings in 2007’s Knocked Up, its “sort-of sequel” This is 40 from 2012, and 2009’s Funny People - all three of which also starred their real mother, Leslie Mann, as their mother, and were written and directed by their father, Judd Apatow.

Dan And Sarah Levy (Schitt’s Creek)

While Annie Murphy plays co-creator Dan Levy’s on-screen sister in the Schitt’s Creek cast, Café Tropical owner, Twyla Sands, is played by his real-life sister, Sarah.

Mary-Kate, Ashley, And Elizabeth Olsen (How The West Was Fun)

After Full House made the Olsen Twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, household names and  before the Marvel movies made their younger sister, Elizabeth, an A-lister, all three of them appeared together in the ABC original TV movie How the West Was Fun in 1994.

Bill And Alexander Skarsgård (White Water Fury)

Years before his terrifying performance as Pennywise in It, Bill Skarsgård made his acting debut alongside his older brother, True Blood cast member Alexander, in the 2000 Swedish thriller, White Water Fury.

Blake And Robyn Lively (Simon Says)

Robyn Lively, star of 1989’s Teen Witch, shared the screen with her then up-and-coming half-sister, former Gossip Girl cast member Blake Lively, in a 2006 slasher flick called Simon Says, which also stars fellow ‘80s icon Crispin Glover.

Brian And Domhnall Gleeson (Mother!, Frank Of Ireland)

Despite plenty of years of experience between the them, it was not until 2017 when Star Wars star Domnhall Gleeson and his younger brother, Brian, shared the screen in Mother! before reuniting as co-creators and co-stars of the Amazon Prime original comedy Frank of Ireland - also starring their father, Brendan Gleeson.

Eddie And Charlie Murphy (Harlem Nights, Norbit)

Comedy icon Eddie Murphy worked behind the scenes a lot with his older brother, Charlie, who passed away in 2017, but the two would also share a few acting credits, - namely Eddie’s 1989 directorial debut Harlem Nights (also Charlie’s first movie), and in 2006’s Norbit, in which Charlie voiced a dog named Floyd.

Phylicia Rashad And Debbie Allen (The Cosby Show, Grey’s Anatomy, The Old Settler)

Phylicia Rashad and her younger sister, Emmy-winning dance legend Debbie Allen, have made guest appearances on each other’s shows - The Cosby Show, on which Rashad played Claire Huxtable, and Grey’s Anatomy, on which Allen plays Dr. Catherine Fox (née Avery) - and both starred in a 2001 TV movie called The Old Settler, which Allen also directed.

Ron And Clint Howard (Various) 

You can find Clint Howard in just about every movie directed by his brother, Ron Howard - including his feature-length directorial debut from 1977, Grand Theft Auto, which was also the brothers’ third time acting alongside each other after the 1963 film The Courtship of Eddie’s Father and a handful of episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.

Angelina Jolie And James Haven (Gia, Hell’s Kitchen, Original Sin)

Audiences probably remember Angelina Jolie’s brother, James Haven, better for other reasons than all the times he shared the screen with his younger sister - namely Gia and Hell’s Kitchen from 1998, and 2001’s Original Sin.

Jared And Shannon Leto (Various)

In addition to being bandmates with his young brother, Oscar winner Jared Leto, in 30 Seconds to Mars, Shannon Leto also shared the screen with him on a couple of episodes of My So-Called Life (on which Jared played the iconic Jordan Catalano) and through brief appearances in the movies Prefontaine from 1997, 1998’s Highway, and Sol Goode in 2003.

Chris And Scott Evans (Before We Go, Playing It Cool)

Former Captain America actor Chris Evans has a brother named Scott who has also appeared in two romantic-comedies from 2014 with his older sibling, called Before We Go (which Chris also directed) and Playing It Cool.

Sarah And Laura Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program, Bob’s Burgers, Masters Of Sex)

Comedian and actress Sarah Silverman and her sister, Laura, played heavily fictionalized versions of themselves as series regulars on The Sarah Silverman Program, made guest appearances on Showtime’s Masters of Sex together, and have recurred on Bob’s Burgers as Jimmy Pesto’s twin sons, Andy and Ollie.

Kevin, Nick, And Joe Jonas (Camp Rock Movies, Jonas)

Back when they were the biggest thing to come out of Disney Channel, Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas played three brothers in a band not named the Jonas Brothers in the Camp Rock movies, and later played themselves to more comedic effect in their own sitcom, aptly titled Jonas.

Looks like talent really does run in the family.

In what remains one of his boldest, most personal, and most devastating films, Christopher Nolan traveled to the hidden recesses of places unknown, both physically and emotionally, in 2014's Interstellar, an intergalactic odyssey that's one of his most daring achievements. 

Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and John Lithgow, this blockbuster didn't receive the same acclaim as the filmmaker's Dark Knight trilogy, but it has received more appreciation with time. Now that seven years have passed since the film blasted into theaters worldwide, we'll discover what the Interstellar cast is doing right now.  

Matthew McConaughey (Joseph Cooper)

As Joseph Cooper, a widowed NASA pilot-turned-farmer who becomes the head of this perilous space expedition, Matthew McConaughey gives one of his best performances at the forefront of Interstellar. Most notably, the actor won an Oscar for his lead role in Dallas Buyers Club. Also, McConaughey is known for his breakout supporting turn in Dazed and Confused. Away from film, the actor was Emmy-nominated for producing and starring in HBO’s True Detective Season 1.

Most recently, Matthew McConaughey starred in The Gentlemen, which he co-produced, lent his voice to the podcast, Hank the Cowdog, which he also produced, and he was seen in the Fast Times at Ridgemont High Table Read. Also, this past year, he published his memoir, Greenlights. Next, McConaughey will be heard in Sing 2 and the short film, Come Home. Moreover, the actor considered a potential political bid, but opted not to run.

Anne Hathaway (Dr. Amelia Brand)

In the role of Dr. Amelia Brand, the expedition’s chief scientist/biologist, Anne Hathaway is the female lead for the majority of Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. The actress won an Oscar for her thunderous supporting turn in Les Miserables. Also, Hathaway is known for starring in The Princess Diaries movies, The Devil Wears Prada, Colossal, Love & Other Drugs, The Intern, Get Smart, and Ella Enchanted. Last year, she starred in The Witches and The Last Thing He Wanted.

Earlier this year, Anne Hathaway starred in HBO Max’s Locked Down and she was seen in Amazon Prime’s Solos. Next, Hathaway will appear in Apple TV+’s WeCrashed. Currently, she’s filming James Gray’s Armageddon Time. Hathaway will also star in Sesame Street, She Came to Me, Bum’s Rush, and The Lifeboat.

Jessica Chastain (Murphy Cooper)

Playing the part of Murphy Cooper, Joseph’s grown-up daughter who follows in her distant father’s footsteps and becomes a Plan A NASA scientist, Jessica Chastain is a lead character in the second half of Interstellar. The acclaimed actress was Oscar-nominated for her lead performance in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty and she was nominated for her supporting turn in The Help. Her other notable film credits include The Tree of Life, Molly's Game, It: Chapter Two, The Martian, A Most Violent Year, and Dark Phoenix. Last year, Chastain starred in and produced Ava. 

Most recently, Jessica Chastain produced and starred in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, for which she’s expected to receive her third Oscar nomination. She also led and produced HBO’s Scenes from a Marriage and she appeared in the short film, The Sands Between. Next, Chastain will star in The Forgiven, The 355 (which she also produced), and The Good Nurse. Additionally, the esteemed actress is slated to headline and produce The Division and Spectrum Originals’ George and Tammy.  

John Lithgow (Donald)

As Donald, Cooper’s elderly father-in-law, John Lithgow plays a feeble patriarch in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. A well-versed veteran of the stage and screen, the actor is most well-known for Emmy-winning work on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dexter, and The Crown. Additionally, Lithgow was Oscar-nominated for his supporting turns in The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment. Outside of acting, Lithgow is the author of Dumpty: The Age of Trump in Verse and 2020's Trumpty Dumpty Wanted a Crown: Verses for a Despotic Age.

Most recently, Lithgow appeared in Pet Sematary (2019), and reprised his role as Arthur Mitchell in Dexter: New Blood. Next, he’ll star in FX’s The Old Man and Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. Currently, he's filming Sharper and The Untitled Cabrini Film. 

Michael Caine (Professor John Brand)

In the role of Professor John Brand, Amelia’s father and Cooper’s former mentor, Michael Caine reunites with Christopher Nolan for Interstellar. Considered to be the director’s good luck charm, the actor has frequently worked with Nolan, appearing in The Dark Knight trilogy, The Prestige, Inception, and Dunkirk (the latter only in a voice role). 

Additionally, Caine won Oscars for his supporting turns in Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules. He was also Oscar-nominated for his performances in Alfie, Sleuth, Educating Rita, and The Quiet American. 

Most recently, Michael Caine starred in Best Sellers and reunited with Nolan for Tenet. Furthermore, Caine appeared in Twist and Come Away. Next, he'll be seen in Medieval. Earlier this year, there were reports that the veteran movie star was set to retire, but Caine disputed those claims. 

Wes Bentley (Doyle)

Playing the part of Doyle, a high-standing NASA member, Wes Bentley has a brainy supporting role in Interstellar. Best known for his chilling performance as Ricky Fitts in American Beauty, which earned him a BAFTA nomination, the actor is also recognizable from The Hunger Games, Mission: Impossible — Fallout, Pete’s Dragon, The Best of Enemies, Knight of Cups, Final Girl, Welcome to Me, Underworld: Awakening, and Ghost Rider. 

On TV, Wes Bentley currently can be seen on Paramount Network’s Yellowstone in the role of Jamie Dutton. He also appeared in several seasons of FX’s American Horror Story, including Freak Show, Hotel, and Roanoke. Away from the screen, Bentley was acclaimed for East 13th Street/CSC Theatre’s production of Venus in Fur. Most recently, he was heard in Adult Swim’s Blade Runner: Black Lotus.

Casey Affleck (Tom Cooper)

As Tom Cooper, the adult version of Joseph’s son, Casey Affleck has a prominent part in Interstellar’s second half. The actor won an Oscar for his tremendous lead performance in Manchester by the Sea. Previously, Affleck was acclaimed for his starring roles in Gone, Baby, Gone and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Affleck wrote, directed, and starred in Light of My Life. Also, he previously directed and edited I’m Still Here. 

Earlier this year, Casey Affleck starred in Our Friend and Every Breath You Take, which he produced. He also had a supporting turn in The World to Come, which he also produced. Currently, Affleck is filming the musical biopic, Dreamin’ Wild, where he plays Donnie Emerson. He’s also slated to star in Stoner and Slingshot. 

Timothee Chalamet (Young Tom) 

In the role of Young Tom, Joseph’s teenage son, Timothee Chalamet received one of his first screen credits in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. A few years after the rising talent appeared in this hit blockbuster, the actor gained acclaim for his Oscar-nominated lead role in Call Me By Your Name, as well as his standout supporting turn in Lady Bird. Later, Chalamet was celebrated for his work in Little Women and Beautiful Boy. On television, Chalamet was seen on Showtime’s Homeland. 

Most recently, Timothee Chalamet starred in Dune. He also had a fun supporting role in Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch. Next, the actor will appear in Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up. He’ll also star in Luca Guadagino’s Bones & All. Currently, Chalamet is filming Wonka, adopting the purple top hat. He’ll also reprise his role as Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two, and possibly play Bob Dylan in Going Electric.

Mackenzie Foy (Young Murphy)

Playing the part of Young Murphy, the child version of Joseph’s rather bright-eyed daughter, Mackenzie Foy has a very notable role in the first half of 2014’s Interstellar. The actress is known for playing Renesmee in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 and 2. Foy’s other film credits include The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and  Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise. As a voice actress, she can be heard in The Boxcar Children and The Little Prince. Furthermore, Foy was seen on R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, Hawaii Five-0, and Flashforward. 

Last year, Mackenzie Foy starred in Disney+’s Black Beauty. Next, the actress is slated to star in The Man Who Saved Paris, though development remains slow.

David Gyasi (Romilly) 

As Romilly, a physicist and astronaut participating in the Endurance mission, David Gyasi plays a supporting character in Interstellar. Previously, the actor appeared in Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. Gyasi’s other film credits include Cloud Atlas, Annihilation, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Red Tails, and What a Girl Wants. More recently, Gyasi appeared in Come Away and the short film, Living Things. He also produced/starred in Hell on the Border. 

Away from film, David Gyasi played Major Alex “Lex” Carnahan in The CW’s Containment. His other TV credits include The A Word, Chuggington, Carnival Row, White Heat, and Dream Team. Most recently, Gyasi was seen in Ear for Eye. 

Matt Damon (Mann)

In the role of Mann, an isolated NASA astronaut sent to an icy planet during the Lazarus program, Matt Damon had a surprise part in Interstellar. Most notably, Damon wrote and starred in Good Will Hunting, for which he won an Oscar. From there, Damon starred in titles like the Bourne series, Saving Private Ryan, The Rainmaker, the Ocean's movies, The Martian, True Grit, and Ford v Ferrari.

Most recently, Matt Damon produced, co-wrote, and starred in The Last Duel. He also starred in Stillwater and had a cameo in No Sudden Move. Next, Damon will be seen in Thor: Love and Thunder and reunite with Nolan for Oppenheimer. 

Interstellar is available to stream on Paramount+. To read more about the film's ambiguous ending, other Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway movies, and a whole lot more, be sure to follow CinemaBlend for the latest film news.  

Becoming a famous and successful actor is a dream for many, but very few of us get to experience megastardom. But celebrity has a variety of downsides, including having your personal relationships become very public. Ben Affleck has seen this throughout his past relationships with Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner, and this once again came to light when he began dating Knives Out actress Ana de Armas. But now they've split, and Affleck's brother Casey recently offered some advice in the wake of this break-up.

Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck made headlines for months, after being photographed together a number of times over the past year. But despite going on family vacations and de Armas getting an adorable puppy, news recently broke that the couple broke-up for reportedly being in different places in their lives. Casey Affleck was recently asked about this parting, and had only nice things to say about his brother's ex, saying:

Well, there you have it. Casey Affleck seems to wish well for Ana de Armas after her relationship with Ben Affleck ended. What's more, it looks like Casey might have warned his Oscar-winning brother about what it's like living in isolation as as single person.

Casey Affleck's comments to ET Online is the first time someone from either Ben Affleck or Ana de Armas' lives to publicly comment about their break-up. Despite being photographed together recently, word broke on the internet that the celebrity couple actually went their separate ways. Sorry to all the fans out there who were shipping the ultra-talented pairing.

Ben Affleck is an actor whose personal life has made headlines throughout the majority of his career. For years it was about his public marriages to Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner, or his issues with substance abuse. And now that Affleck and Anna de Armas have gone their separate ways, he's already gone viral for paparazzi photos post-breakup.

While Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas might have broken up, they've got both some highly anticipated projects coming out. Fans are eager to see Affleck reprise his role as Batman in both the Snyder Cut and Flash movie, especially after seemingly leaving the franchise years back. As for his now ex-girlfriend, she'll be appearing in No Time to Die as well as an upcoming role as Marilyn Monroe.

For his part, Casey Affleck's drama Our Friend was recently released, where he stars opposite Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel. His upcoming projects include the period piece The World to Come and thriller With Every Breathe You Take. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your next movie experience.

Somehow, this year will mark 20 years since Steven Soderbergh brought together George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Casey Affleck, Don Cheadle and more for a star-studded remake of the 1960 heist classic Ocean's Eleven. In retrospect, the casting was still absolutely on point in terms of assembling some of the most iconic talents of our time.

When CinemaBlend spoke to Oscar-winning actor Casey Affleck about his time on Ocean’s Eleven as Virgil Malloy -- from the team’s getaway driving department -- he spoke about how the early experience was unique to his versatile career. In his words:

Now you’d think that with so many cooks in the kitchen, the making of Ocean’s Eleven would take longer but, as it turns out, the all-star cast of Ocean’s Eleven was super productive. Those guys were clearly pros and managed to split up work and play in an effective way. At the time, Casey Affleck was in his early ‘20s and had yet to seriously break out. He would, of course, later do so, with true breakout performance arriving alongside Brad Pitt in 2007's The Assassination of Jesse James.

To this day, the younger brother of Ben Affleck has not seen a cast knock out scenes before lunch, which is saying something considering Casey has been part of a number of ensembles like Interstellar, Out of the Furnace and The Finest Hours. Though as we’ve heard from George Clooney and co., there was a good amount of pranking on the Ocean films, especially on the first sequel where the cast stayed together in Clooney’s villa in Lake Como.

Clooney recently revealed a fun haunted house prank he played on Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and Brad Pitt during filming of Ocean’s Twelve. Pitt was even able to play his own hilarious prank on Clooney in Italy. Overall, it sounds like being part of the cast of the Ocean movies was an absolute blast for Casey Affleck and the rest of the cast.

Affleck’s latest role is in Our Friend with Dakota Johnson and Jason Segel. In the drama based on a true story, Casey Affleck plays Matthew Teague, journalist and husband to Johnson’s Nicole, who gets diagnosed with terminal cancer. Segel plays the couple’s mutual friend who drops everything to support the family. Our Friend is playing in select theaters and is available to rent on VOD.

Earlier this week, Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, who’d been dating for almost a year, called it quits. While they had some good times together, ultimately the couple wasn’t meant to be, and they decided to go their separate ways. Then just a few days later, pictures emerged of a life-sized Ana de Armas cardboard cutout, which Ben Affleck’s kids bought for him, being thrown into the trash outside Affleck’s home. It was an unusual sight, but it gets weirder, because evidently some thought it was Affleck’s own brother, Casey Affleck, who was responsible for the cutout being trashed.

Now Casey Affleck has set the record straight, clarifying that he wasn’t the person who threw out the Ana de Armas cardboard cutout. As he specifically put it to ET:

So there you have it, Casey Affleck isn’t the reason that Cardboard Ana de Armas was moved from a cozy spot in Ben Affleck’s home to the garbage dump. It’s unusual this theory even popped up considering it was an employee from a lawn maintenance company who was photographed putting the cutout in the trash. It’s more logical that Ben Affleck simply wanted the cutout out of his house following his breakup with de Armas, and he wouldn’t need to call Casey over to make that happen.

Casey Affleck also commented on Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas ending their relationship, noting that the past year has been especially difficult for so many people on the romance front. In his words:

Casey Affleck added that he’s a big fan of Ana de Armas’ acting, particularly her turn as Marilyn Monroe in the upcoming movie Blonde, for which he thinks she’ll win an Academy Award. He also described her as a “catch in every way,” while where his brother is concerned, he’ll be there to “carry Ben through it,” but doesn’t think he’ll “have any problems” either. When asked if Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas could reconcile, Casey Affleck said he has “no idea,” but he’ll “be sorry if it doesn't work out.”

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas met when they were filming Deep Water in late 2019, and by the following March, rumors started making the rounds that they were dating. In late April 2020, de Armas confirmed on social media that she was indeed in a relationship with Affleck, and in addition to quarantining together in Los Angeles, the couple also went on vacation with Affleck’s children and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner. By December, it looked like the two were going the distance, as de Armas reportedly put her home in Venice, California on the market so she could move in with Affleck. In the end though, things didn’t work out between the actors, with the main reason for their breakup reportedly being because de Armas didn’t want to be based in LA, while Affleck needs to stay there to be close to his kids.

As far as what Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas have coming up professionally besides Deep Water, the former will be seen later this year in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and The Last Duel, while the latter, in addition to Blonde, also has No Time to Die coming up in 2021. Casey Affleck’s next movie will be the thriller Every Breath You Take, but it doesn’t have a release date yet. Browse through our 2021 release schedule for more information on upcoming movies.

Director Steven Soderbergh’s 2001 remake of Ocean’s Eleven. As far as I am concerned, and I believe many agree, this is one of the finest heist films in Hollywood. Such an achievement took at least a dozen actors doing a combination of displaying a combination of wonderful performances, including George Clooney and Julia Roberts - not to mention, arguably, the funniest Brad Pitt ever.

Of course, a movie about 11 guys teaming up to rob a casino of unbelievable riches from a scumbag casino owner (Andy Garcia) would have to require a sizable cast and, a star-studded ensemble at that. That was certainly the case for Ocean’s Eleven, and even more so with its sequels, which would feature Catherine Zeta-Jones and Ocean’s Twelve, a villainous Al Pacino in Ocean’s Thirteen, and a brief, hilarious cameo by Bruce Willis as himself in the former.

However, for now, why don’t we just focus on the original line-up and see what they have been up to since pulling off the con of the century? The following are the current whereabouts of the 13 biggest names from Ocean’s Eleven.

George Clooney (Danny Ocean)

Considering the dismal discovery of Danny Ocean's death in Ocean's 8, it looks like George Clooney will never again play the easy-going, charismatic crime boss. Of course, it seems that the Academy Award-winning actor and filmmaker has enough other things going on at the moment, including post-production for the upcoming post-apocalyptic thriller The Midnight Sky, which he stars in and directs, for Netflix and raising twins Alexander and Ella with his wife Amal Clooney. Both famous spouses are praised for their social activism and efforts toward charity, Clooney can easily manage after selling his Casamigos tequila company for $1 billion in 2018.

Brad Pitt (Rusty Ryan)

Like in Ocean's Eleven, Brad Pitt is almost a brother to George Clooney - not for a love of stealing like Rusty Ryan, but for having fatherhood, humanitarianism, and busy schedules behind and in front of the camera in common. Following a more low-key couple of years after his separation from Angelina Jolie, the 56-year-old earned his first Oscar for acting in 2020 for the supporting role of Cliff Booth in Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood and will return to the screen under David Leitch's direction in Bullet Train. Pitt has been even busier as a producer, backing projects such as Barry Jenkins' The Underground Railroad miniseries and a documentary about late alternative rock star Chris Cornell, to name a few.

Matt Damon (Linus Caldwell)

Another Ocean's Eleven alum who probably chats often with Brad Pitt and George Clooney about humanitarianism and the weight of their Oscars is Matt Damon. The 49-year-old actor supports 37 charities when he is not performing in blockbusters like the Bourne franchise, producing awards contenders like Manchester by the Sea, or retaliating against Jimmy Kimmel for never letting him on his show. Among Damon's biggest upcoming projects are a reunion with The Martian director Ridley Scott and his buddy Ben Affleck (also as screenwriters) for historical drama The Last Duel and producing an HBO movie about a topic near and dear to the Water.org founder's heart, Thirst.

Don Cheadle (Basher Tarr)

Transitioning from a Cockney, criminal tech expert in the Ocean's franchise to the all-American crimefighting best friend of a tech expert in the MCU beautifully was Don Cheadle, who was also recently nominated for a second Emmy as the lead of 1980s-set financial dramedy Black Monday. The Oscar-nominated, 55-year-old has several exciting acting roles on the horizon, including With/In, an anthology of stories inspired by the COVID-19 lockdown, and, supposedly, the villain of the upcoming sequel Space Jam: A New Legacy, opposite LeBron James.

Elliott Gould (Reuben Tishkoff)

One of two Ocean's Eleven cast members to reprise their roles in Ocean's Eight was Elliott Gould, whose career (which includes MASH, his Oscar-nominated role in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, and playing Monica and Ross' dad on Friends) dates back almost far enough that he could have had a role in the 1960 original with Frank Sinatra. Now in his early 80s, Gould was most recently seen in the movie Dangerous Lies and sitcom Grace and Frankie (both Netflix originals). Otherwise, Gould is taking a cue from his role in Steven Soderbergh's Contagion and keeping his distance for the time being.

Casey Affleck (Virgil Malloy)

Casey Affleck was best known as Ben's younger brother when he starred as getaway driver Virgil Malloy in Ocean's Eleven, but has earned a reputation on his own as a unique filmmaker and talented actor. Yet, what would have been the peak of his career also proved to be a low as years-old sexual assault allegations against him began to resurface around the time he won his Best Actor Oscar for Manchester by the Sea. Affleck has since made a conscious effort atone for his "unprofessional" behavior and has been moving forward with his recently announced third directorial effort Far Bright Star and acting in upcoming films The World to Come and Every Breath You Take.

Scott Caan (Turk Malloy)

Starring as Casey Affleck's onscreen older brother in Ocean's Eleven is Scott Caan, who was best known as James' son at the time, but has since proved his own worth as a recurring character on Entourage, starring alongside Bill Murray in 2015's Rock the Kasbah, and especially from his Golden Globe-nominated role as Danny "Danno" Williams on the modern day reboot of Hawaii Five-0. There is nothing forthcoming to report for the actor since the popular CBS crime procedural ended after ten years.

Eddie Jemison (Livingston Dell)

You might not have heard much about Eddie Jemison before he played surveillance specialist Livingston Dell in Ocean's Eleven. Despite how roughly you may be able recognize him, the actor and musician has been in a quite a few things you should easily recognize, including movies like Bruce Almighty, TV series such as Chicago Med, and a few subsequent Steven Soderbergh films. Jemison has already had one film released thus far in 2020 (first-person style action comedy Burning Dog) and has two more (For Prophet and Fluorescent Beast) in the works.

Shaobo Qin (Yen)

The only acting credits in Shaobo Qin's filmography are the Ocean's films, including his killer, uncredited cameo in Ocean's Eight. This is because his role as the Benedict Job's "grease man" Yen is no act as he first gained recognition as a performer from the internationally renowned Peking Acrobats, which is how he was spotted and considered to play the character in the film. There is no word on if he will continue acting outside of the heist franchise, nor if he will continue touring with the Peking acrobats in the future.

Julia Roberts (Tess Ocean)

Steven Soderbergh directed Julia Roberts in an Oscar-winning performance in Erin Brockovich just a year before casting her as Tess, ex-wife of Danny Ocean and new lover of Terry Benedict in Ocean's Eleven. Yet, in the many years before and since then, the mother of three has been a poster girl for Hollywood stardom, leading acclaimed rom-coms like Pretty Woman, crime thrillers like Sleeping with the Enemy, and everything in between. The Homecoming star currently has two projects in pre-production: the dramatic thriller Little Bee and historical series Gaslit, which takes place in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

Andy Garcia (Terry Benedict)

Andy Garcia presents a masterclass in villainy in Ocean's Eleven, especially when you consider that his character, casino owner and heist target Terry Benedict, is the only one truly innocent here and, yet, you are still irresistibly rooting for his defeat. Cuban-born Academy Award-nominee, who was previously cast as Kenan Thompson's father-in-law in the Saturday Night Live star's self-titled sitcom, is bringing his versatility to a large variety of upcoming projects, including a role as a priest in the teen drama Words on the Bathroom Walls, and we will hopefully, one day, see him return to the director's chair with Hemingway and Fuentes.

Bernie Mac (Frank Catton)

We only have our memories of Bernie Mac to look forward to, as he passed away at the age of 50 . Fortunately enough, the beloved comedian and Golden Globe-nominated star of his own self-titled sitcom was able to reprise his Ocean's Eleven role as accomplished blackjack dealer and Benedict Job "inside man" Frank Catton in both of the film's 2004 and 2007 sequels before his death in 2008 due to complications with pneumonia.

Carl Reiner (Saul Bloom)

Even more recently, we lost another Ocean's Eleven alum when Carl Reiner passed away on June 29, 2020, at the age of 98. Long before starring as veteran con man Saul Bloom in the trilogy, he was a seasoned veteran in the world of comedy, from creating The Dick van Dyke Show, directing Steve Martin in The Jerk, and countless other award-winning achievements on the big and small screen. Reiner most recently shared the character of "Grandfather" with his son, Rob Reiner, in a serialized, quarantine-style remake of The Princess Bride.

Be sure to check back for additional information and updates in relation to this modern heist movie classic, as well as even more check-ins with the casts of your favorite movies and TV shows, here on CinemaBlend.

Hollywood legend Robert Redford announced earlier this year that the new film The Old Man And The Gun would be his final movie performance. The icon claimed that he'd essentially accomplished all that he'd ever thought about doing, and now seemed like a good time to stop. That's great for Redford, but it also means that now there's an entire generation of actors and directors who'll never get a chance to collaborate with Bob, the way that casts were able to on recent movies like Pete's Dragon, Truth, A Walk in the Woods and, of course, Captain America: The Winter Soldier. So when CinemaBlend had the chance to sit down with The Old Man And The Gun co-stars Casey Affleck and Tika Sumpter, we asked them what it was like shooting with the icon, and they told us:

Critics who have been able to see The Old Man and the Gun call it the ideal swan-song project for Robert Redford. He's cast as a former bank robber who springs himself from San Quentin and goes on one last spree, charming the public with his exploits. Casey Affleck plays Detective John Hunt, the man tasked with stopping Redford's latest plan, and the two men share a significant scene together late in the movie. We asked Affleck about the shooting of that scene, but it's a little spoilery, so only click below if you want to hear a few details:

David Lowery's The Old Man and the Gun made a few key stop on the fall film festival circuit, and it's now making its way into more theaters after a limited release. There's a good chance that it's playing by you now, so seek it out, and see Robert Redford on the biggest screen possible, at least one more time.

It was only a few weeks ago when Ben Affleck was reportedly confronted about his alcoholism by his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, and once again sent to rehab to battle his vices and demons at her behest. Understandably, any updates have since been few-and-far-between, with the actor hopefully focused on his health and well-being. Although, it's safe to say that Affleck has a number of people looking out for his ongoing recovery. That includes his younger brother, Casey Affleck, who was asked about Ben's state of mind during a recent press junket for his film. Here's what Casey Affleck said.

Casey Affleck's comments about Ben Affleck were collected during the press day for The Old Man and the Gun, as it was reported by Entertainment Tonight. As the Academy Award-winning actor suggested, it is not merely for Ben's own well-being that the actor/director is seeking treatment. Rather, Ben is also looking out for the concerns of his children and their mother during this difficult time. As Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck are finally getting the details in place for their long-in-the-works divorce, Ben's alcoholism has reportedly been a big factor in delaying the proceedings. The celebrity couple wants to make sure that the famous father is well-adjusted in his life before they figure out how to handle matters like custody.

Furthermore, Casey Affleck noted that the Afflecks come from a long line of addicts, and it's important that Ben Affleck confronts his addictions.

Ben Affleck's ongoing stint in rehab is his third time seeking treatment. To be more specific, Ben was previously in rehab in 2001 and December of last year. The actor/filmmaker entered rehab nearly one month ago in late August. He is expected to stay at least 30 days inside the treatment center, so it's unclear at this moment if he plans to check himself out shortly thereafter, or if he's going to stay inside the rehabilitation center for a few days or weeks longer. At the very least, however, Ben Affleck appears to be taking the treatment seriously. He was reportedly agreed to Jennifer Garner's request to seek help, and the actor wants what's best for both himself and his family, which includes his three children: Violet (12), Seraphina (9), and Samuel (6).

The Old Man and the Gun enters theaters on September 28th.

Tradition has long dictated that the previous year's Oscar winners in acting categories present the awards to the opposite gender. In that regard, Emma Stone (who won for her role in La La Land last year) will introduce the Best Actor Oscar to this year's crop of nominees. However, on the other side of the aisle, things are going to be a little different, as Casey Affleck has officially bowed out as the presenter for the 2018 Best Actress category at this year's Academy Awards.

Following Casey Affleck's Best Actor win for his turn as Lee Chandler in Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea, it only seemed natural for him to once again take the stage at this year's ceremony to present the award to one of the Best Actress nominees -- which include The Shape of Water's Sally Hawkins, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri's Frances McDormand, I, Tonya's Margot Robbie, Lady Bird's Saoirse Ronan, and The Post's Meryl Streep. However, in the face of allegations of sexual harassment on the set of his 2010 film I'm Still Here, Affleck has reportedly opted to forgo the evening and allow the focus of the event to fall on the performances.

The Deadline report of Casey Affleck's departure as an Academy Award presenter raises clear questions about who will perform the duty in his absence. One obvious option would be to have host Jimmy Kimmel merely step in to present the award, while another would involve allowing Emma Stone to take the stage a second time and give the award to her successor. No alternative course of action has been confirmed yet, so we will have to wait and see who eventually steps in for the presenter duties over the course of the next few weeks.

It's arguably not that surprising to see that the situation has panned out this way. Thus far, much of awards season has been dictated by the growing strength of the #MeToo movement, with many actors and actresses using various awards shows (notably the Golden Globes) to chime in on the topic. It's reasonable to assume that this will remain a major topic of conversation as the Oscars draw near, so Casey Affleck has simply opted to remove himself from the discussion and reshift the focus of the evening elsewhere.

CinemaBlend will keep you updated with any and all relevant information about this year's Academy Award ceremony as new details become available to us. Make sure to catch the ceremony when it airs on Sunday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC, and until then, hop over to our 2018 movie premiere guide to keep yourself in the loop on all of the most prominent release dates of the year!

The question of Ben Affleck's future as Batman has become a mystery worthy of the world's greatest detective. Some rumors suggest that he's in it for the long haul, but his brother Casey recently came out and stated that he believed that Ben Affleck wouldn't even appear in Matt Reeves' The Batman. Fans have spent the last few days trying to make sense of that supposed bombshell, but now Ben Affleck's reps have confirmed that it's not as truthful as some had assumed, saying:

It's worth remembering that Casey Affleck's comments about his brother's future in the solo Batman movie were never meant to be taken as gospel. The younger Affleck brother simply made an off-the-cuff remark about Ben's tenure in the cape and cowl, but he also clearly tried to play it off as a joke. As of right now, Ben Affleck's people have confirmed that Affleck is intent on sticking around for the foreseeable future, but the ball is mostly in Warner Bros.' court with regard to whether or not he reprises the role in Matt Reeves' movie.

In all honesty, it would've been surprising for Ben Affleck to completely drop out of his role as Batman after his recent remarks about the progress Joss Whedon has made on Justice League. Affleck's public enthusiasm for the role and the DCEU's direction appears to have increased since he made his decision to focus solely on acting, and his promise of a "traditional" Batman (compared to the rage-fueled killer seen in Batman v Superman) has certainly piqued our interest. For him to walk away when things finally seem to have fallen into place wouldn't necessarily make sense.

As for Casey Affleck? His reps have also stepped in to clarify his remarks, telling Buzzfeed News that the A Ghost Story star was merely having fun with fans (haha. Very funny, Casey...) at a Red Sox game. Per Affleck's reps:

So for now, it looks like we can still look forward to seeing Ben Affleck in the DCEU when the solo Batman movie finally hits the silver screen. Make sure to catch The Dark Knight's next on-screen appearance when Justice League premieres in theaters on November 17.

DC fans and regular moviegoers alike have been treated to two appearances from Ben Affleck's Batman in the DC Extended Universe so far, and they'll get their third when Justice League is released in the fall. However, when it comes to The Batman, Affleck's involvement hasn't been nailed down. After passing off directing and writing duties for the next Batman movie to War for the Planet of the Apes' Matt Reeves, there've been concerns over if he might hang up the cape and cowl. Now if his brother, fellow actor Casey Affleck, is to be believed, he may indeed not be reprising the Dark Knight for a fourth time. After jokingly calling Ben Affleck's Batman "ok" and then praising that performance, Casey Affleck said:

Casey Affleck quickly followed up that statement during his appearance on WEEI by asking if that was breaking news and then claimed he just made that up. However, it's unclear whether he was truly joking when saying that he thought Ben Affleck probably won't star in The Batman or if he was trying to backtrack after realizing he said something he shouldn't have.

It's important to remember that Casey Affleck's comment should not be taken as official confirmation about Ben Affleck's future as Batman. Even if he and Ben Affleck have chatted frequently about the latter's time as the Caped Crusader and some of the inner workings of the DCEU, Casey Affleck is not officially affiliated with this franchise, so he's not involved with the step-by-step process of getting The Batman made. So unless Ben Affleck outright told him that he'd be leaving Batman behind, Casey Affleck might not be up to date on what's going behind the scenes. And again, it's also possible he was simply trolling everyone.

Publicly, at least, Ben Affleck hasn't given any indication that he doesn't plan to star in The Batman. Shortly after a report broke claiming that Warner Bros wanted to move in a different direction with the movie that didn't involve Affleck, the actor responded at the Warner Bros panel during San Diego Comic-Con that he's the "luckiest guy in the world" for getting to play Batman, and that he would play "an ape on the ground" for Matt Reeves. Many took that as confirmation that he'll be sticking around after Justice League, but until Warner Bros releases an official announcement on the matter, there will still be lingering questions about Affleck's participation. One thing that has definitely been tossed out with The Batman, however, is the story, as Reeves is starting from scratch on Bruce Wayne's first standalone tale in this shared universe.

The Batman is one of the many DCEU projects Warner Bros is prioritizing, so keep checking in with CinemaBlend to find out what's happening with the project.

There's a scene about half an hour into A Ghost Story that will reveal whether or not you'll be able to stomach the rest of the film. It revolves around Rooney Mara eating a pie. For 5 straight minutes. Maybe it isn't actually that long, but it sure does feel like it.

In this moment, you see Rooney Mara's character, M, insatiably trying to make herself feel whole again after the death of her boyfriend, C (Casey Affleck), by consuming a pie that her friend has baked for her. It's a scene that's way too long and on the nose. Yet, at the same time, because it's all one shot from the middle distance you know that Rooney Mara really had to eat that entire pie, and the way she carries the emotion, all with the ghost of C in the background, become more heart-breaking and soulful to watch. If you let it. If you don't, they you'll just be furious that you've wasted 5 minutes of your life watching someone eat a pie.

But (shock, horror) there's more to A Ghost Story than a copious amount of pie-eating. Directed by David Lowery (Pete's Dragon, Ain't Them Bodies Saints), the film opens on C (Casey Affleck) and M (Rooney Mara) living in their small suburban home, and them, one night, hearing a bang on their piano. They're unable to find the cause of this noise. Then, a while later, C is killed in a car crash right outside the home. Shortly after M identifies his body at the morgue, C arises as a white sheet with two black holes and then makes his way back to the house. Over the next few months and years, C stays in the home and watches as M mourns and tries to process his death, before then trying to move on.

A Ghost Story feels like a visceral, emotional, primal scream of a response from David Lowery to working on the hyper mainstream Disney outing Pete's Dragon. Not that Pete's Dragon is a film that he should feel ashamed of, as it was a hugely enjoyable flick the whole family can enjoy. But A Ghost Story is the complete opposite. Bewitching, romantic, lyrical, and unquestionably original, A Ghost Story is a convoluting watch that leaves you feeling satisfied, even if you don't understand why.

A Ghost Story finds David Lowery embracing his inner Terrence Malick. There are lavish, haunting, impactful visuals, which he then contemplatively allows to fester in a dreamlike yet resonant manner. It is a film that asks it viewers to experience and ponder rather than bouncing to beats that they're used to, while challenging and asking its audience to explore the space, the mood, and the story being told. A Ghost Story wants you to feel rather than expect to be entertained or enlightened. For some, that will be too big an ask, especially as the film's scant narrative ponders huge themes of fate, legacy, and relationships rather than actually answering them.

David Lowery's presence looms large, becoming more decisive as A Ghost Story reaches the hour mark. Before then he strikes up a particularly potent symmetry with Rooney Mara, using minimal movement or dialogue to create striking, resting images and allowing her the time to convey, something that she does in a patient but affecting manner. Then, with half an hour left, Lowery grabs a hold of the film and whiplashes it in a variety of directions that are, in the moment, perplexing. So much so that by A Ghost Story's conclusion you know that you've felt something. You won't actually be able to fully explain what you experienced, but it will still definitely stay with you.

Triple Frontier has been in development for years, and each time it has looked like the crime drama is about to move forward, something impedes its progress. The most recent setback came last month, when it was reported that not only were Tom Hardy and Channing Tatum dropping out of the film, but that Paramount was also letting go of it mere weeks before it was set to go into production. However, Triple Frontier isn't quite dead yet, because there's word that Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck are being eyed as the new leads.

While securing the Affleck brothers isn't quite a done deal yet, they are the top picks to snag the roles once held by Tom Hardy and Channing Tatum. Deadline is also reporting that Netflix is among the many places where Triple Frontier is looking for a new home. The streaming service has been a major player in original TV programming since the beginning of the decade, but they started churning out original movies in 2015, starting with Beasts of No Nation. Once the separation from Paramount has been finalized, production is aiming to begin later this year. Triple Frontier is a thriller that takes place on the notorious border zone with Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.

Ben Affleck and Casey Affleck certainly have plenty of experience working together, not only with acting side-by side in movies like Good Will Hunting, but also with Ben directing Casey in 2007's Gone Baby Gone. That said, the two of them have reasonably branched off in separate career paths, with Ben's recent appearances including The Accountant, Live by Night and being Batman in the DCEU, while Casey has appeared in Interstellar, Triple 9 and Manchester by the Sea. Triple Frontier would be a good opportunity to have the brothers on equal footing as co-leads.

For a long time, Detroit's Kathryn Bigelow was supposed to direct Triple Frontier, but now A Most Violent Year's J.C. Chandor is the one attached to helm. Mark Boal of The Hurt Locker fame wrote the script, and Charles Roven is producing. Currently the only officially attached actor is Mahershala Ali, who is fresh off winning the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in Moonlight and is also set to appear in Alita: Battle Angel. Other actors who have been attached to Triple Frontier over the years have included Johnny Depp, Tom Hanks and Will Smith.

Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on how Triple Frontier is coming along, with or without the Affleck brothers. While we'll also have to wait to find out whether or not it will end up on Netflix, you can check out our 2017 premiere schedule to find out when the streaming service's other original movies and TV shows are arriving.

Casey Affleck looks like he wants to become the personification of grief, at least that's what his recent career choices seem to entail. With an Oscar under his arm for Manchester By The Sea, you'd think maybe he'd have taken some time to put out a kinder, gentler picture that wouldn't work out your tear ducts. Well, if you're one of the fools who thinks just that, and granted we have some on our staff here, then you're totally wrong. See for yourself as you watch the first trailer to director David Lowery's A Ghost Story, starring Affleck and Rooney Mara.

Lowery's follow-up to his entry into the live-action Disney canon, Pete's Dragon, A Ghost Story tells the tale of a husband and wife separated by the greatest divide that could ever exist between two people: mortality. With Casey Affleck's character being the dead party in the equation, he dons a sheet and embarks on an emotional journey to keep an eye on his wife after his passing. Though from the looks of what seems like a bit of a spoiler-ish trailer, it looks like Casey Affleck's character, simply named "C," goes on a bit of a journey through time as well, as the trailer indicates his wife not only moves on, but starts a family of her own with a new man.

A Ghost Story certainly looks like a far cry from Pete's Dragon and more like David Lowery's previous film, Ain't Them Bodies Saints. Strangely enough, there are similar elements in that film, despite the fact that it reunites the trio of Lowery, Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck. Though rather than taking a trip through a past era of southern history, A Ghost Story looks it expands its story of sorrow through time and familial relations. Don't think of it as a remake, but instead as a director expanding their personal canvas to encompass something greater.

Though as far as remakes are concerned, A Ghost Story seems like the film is a loose remake of Steven Spielberg's Always, which in turn was a remake of the 1943 film A Guy Named Joe. Both films tread very similar story beats, particularly with the ghost of a lover keeping an eye on his lady love. However, David Lowery has distanced his project away from the more conventional duo of films, again hewing closer to Ain't Them Bodies Saints' sensibilities. Also, it looks like the aspect ratio of the film will show the film as if it's framed like a photo from the 1970s, amping up the angle of personal reflection and thinking about the way things were.

With buzz from its Sundance Film Festival showing, and a beautiful trailer to boot, A24's A Ghost Story could be a very refreshing alternative to the summer blockbusters that will occupy the theaters around the same time as its debut. The film will haunt theaters on July 7th, most likely in a limited release platform, just as Spider-Man: Homecoming takes the dance floor.

One of the fascinating bits of world building that occurs during Batman V Superman is the quick shot of the Robin memorial in Bruce Wayne's (Ben Affleck) Batcave. This has kicked up a constant whirlwind of speculating regarding who could take on the role, including Ben Affleck's own brother Casey. What are the odds that the younger Affleck brother would ever sign on to play the Dark Knight's sidekick? He recently spoke to members of the press and admitted that he is not interested in taking on the iconic role. Affleck explained:

So I believe that we can pretty much put that idea to bed. Although the concept of a Robin exists within the DCEU, it does not look like Casey Affleck has a genuine interest in taking on the role at any point in the near future, according to his words to the press at The BAFTAs (via Metro). The odds of him taking on the role seemed fairly slim in the first place, but it is something that fans have considered ever since they first saw the Robin suit teased by Dawn of Justice.

Hypothetically speaking, even if Casey Affleck does eventually decide to sign on to play the role of Robin, we can pretty much guarantee that it would not be a traditional depiction of the character. At his core, Robin is designed from the ground up to be a young character that kids and younger members of the audience can identify with on a more personal level. At 41 years of age, it seems likely that the Manchester By The Sea star could only convincingly play an older and more seasoned Dick Grayson a.k.a Nightwing. That said, the DCEU has made plenty of changes to the comic book lore (in Affleck's words, "they mix it up a lot") so anything is possible.

It will be fascinating to see how Robin factors into Batman's story as time wears on. We know the Death in the Family story arc has already played out in this universe, and there are many different directions for this character to take. Todd could come back as Red Hood, or Bruce Wayne could enlist Tim Drake or Carrie Kelley as his new Robin. Beyond that, we may never even see a new Robin, and the franchise may stick with Nightwing and show Robin exclusively in flashbacks. The possibilities are endless, and we're excited to see how this pans out.

We will bring you more information regarding the future of Robin in the DCEU as more details become available to us. As of right now, we have no idea when the character will make his official debut in this universe, but Batman will make his next appearance when Justice League debuts on November 17.

Check out the official trailer for Justice League on the next page for a better look at the upcoming superhero epic!

It sounds like Sylvester Stallone didn't exactly have the best time at the Golden Globes this year. Although the legendary actor presented the Best Picture category and his three daughters served as Miss Golden Globes, viewers would be hard-pressed to find him grinning in the crowd during the telecast. According to some insiders, the Rocky star got in a bit of a skirmish with one of the night's big winners before the show started and chose to watch the ceremony backstage rather than share a table with him. Yikes; I definitely would not want to be on Rocky Balboa's bad side...

Reportedly, Sylvester Stallone was assigned to sit with the cast and crew of Manchester by the Sea, but when he got to the table with his wife Jennifer Flavin, he found that the couple had only been given one seat, insiders tell PEOPLE. The couple apparently didn't get any help from their would-be table mate Casey Affleck, and Stallone was reportedly frustrated by the situation and decided to just go sit backstage. Even when a second chair was brought to the table to accommodate Stallone and his wife, the actor decided not to return to the Manchester by the Sea group.

Although it sounds like an awkward situation, sources say that the mix-up wasn't an intentional slight against Stallone or anything like that, so you can most likely squash your Casey Affleck-Sylvester Stallone feud rumors before they start to bubble up. It was simply a small misstep in the planning process that didn't account for the correct number of people at the table.

But before he stormed off, Sylvester Stallone must have left some of his Golden Globes magic at Casey Affleck's table --- the Manchester by the Sea star went on to win the Best Actor in a Drama award that night. The year before, Stallone had won the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama category for his role in the Rocky continuation film Creed.

And it looked like Sylvester Stallone's unexpected change in seating didn't dampen his mood at Sunday night's awards show. The actor's three daughters Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet served as the ceremony's three Miss Golden Globes, and Stallone reunited with his Rocky costar Carl Weathers to present the Best Motion Picture - Drama award to Moonlight. Check out Stallone's appearance at the Globes below.

Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea sneaks up on you. It quietly lures the audience in with flawed, complicated characters who wrestle with a dreadful and universal certainty: death. When you least expect it -- truthfully, because you have been expecting it the entire time -- the movie unloads in one pivotal scene between Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, and in that moment, you'll be reduced to tears while also feeling an overwhelming desire to celebrate the power of Lonergan's accomplishment.

Stop reading this review if you want to go into this raw, honest and gut-wrenching drama unblemished, because I do believe that the less you know about the story, the better the emotional waves will work on you. Even in this review, I'll do my best to protect the bulk of what's going to happen, because Kenneth Lonergan controls how details are revealed using flashbacks, asides and conversations that arrive when he wants them to.

What you need to know is that Casey Affleck plays Lee Chandler, a Boston janitor who leads a quiet and unassuming life, because he's avoiding some difficult truths in his hometown of Manchester. Only, Lee gets called home when his older brother, Joe (the always dependable Kyle Chandler), dies from heart failure. Unexpectedly, Lee is named custodian of his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick (a fantastic Lucas Hedges), and the two independent men try to figure out how to move forward with that new reality.

And that's all that I really want to tell you. Lee has skeletons in his closet that have kept him out of Manchester, and that material allows Casey Affleck to underplay his part until it's time to exorcise those demons. Manchester director Kenneth Lonergan does two things extremely well: he weaves in scenes of Lee's happier moments in Manchester, when Patrick was a child and Lee had a normal life of his own; and he teases a powerful reveal of why townsfolk in Manchester don't trust Lee, and don't want him around.

Much like Manchester By The Sea patiently treads water until it's chosen moment to strike, Amazon Studios -- a new player in the annual awards race -- is quietly navigate the choppy waters piloted by perennial contenders such as Focus Features, The Weinstein Company and the "Big Boy" studios of Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Sony, and Disney. They know they have a compelling dramatic player in their hands, and they're waiting to see how the chips fall before they decide when and where to push. But when we least expect it, if they play their cards right, Amazon could be standing at the podium on Oscar night collecting trophies for Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, and a Best Picture statue for Manchester By The Sea, because the movie certainly deserves to be in those conversation.

Kenneth Lonergan's Manchester By The Sea sneaks up on you. It quietly lures the audience in with flawed, complicated characters who wrestle with a dreadful and universal certainty: death. When you least expect it -- truthfully, because you have been expecting it the entire time -- the movie unloads in one pivotal scene between Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, and in that moment, you'll be reduced to tears while also feeling an overwhelming desire to celebrate the power of Lonergan's accomplishment.

That same path to glory may be adopted by Amazon Studios, a new player in the annual awards race who can quietly navigate the choppy waters piloted by perennial contenders such as Focus Features, The Weinstein Company and the "Big Boy" studios of Warner Bros., Paramount, Universal, Sony, and Disney. But when we least expect it, if they play their cards right, Amazon could be standing at the podium on Oscar night collecting a Best Picture statue for Manchester By The Sea, which played the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, because the movie certainly deserves to be in the conversation.

Stop reading if you want to go into this raw, honest and gut-wrenching drama unblemished, because I do believe that the less you know about the story, the better the emotional waves will work on you. Even in this piece, I'll protect the bulk of what's going to happen, keeping all spoilers off of the page. What you need to know is that Casey Affleck plays Lee Chandler, a Boston janitor who leads a quiet and unassuming life, because he's avoiding some difficult truths in his hometown of Manchester. Only, Lee gets called home when his older brother, Joe (the always dependable Kyle Chandler), dies from heart failure. Unexpectedly, Lee is named custodian of his 16-year-old nephew, Patrick (a fantastic Lucas Hedges), and the two independent men try to figure out how to move forward with that new reality.

And that's all that I really want to tell you. Lee has skeletons in his closet that have kept him out of Manchester, and that material allows Casey Affleck to underplay his part until it's time to exorcise those demons. Manchester director Kenneth Lonergan does two things extremely well: he weaves in scenes of Lee's happier moments in Manchester, when Patrick was a child and Lee had a normal life of his own; and he teases a powerful reveal of why townsfolk in Manchester don't trust Lee, and don't want him around.

It's precisely the type of material that the Academy embraces, which is why Amazon Studios -- which snapped up the distribution rights to Manchester By The Sea following its Sundance premiere -- has a fantastic shot at breaking new ground by being the first streaming service to back an awards contender, and possible winner. They'll have to campaign, and they'll have to spend money. But the categories in play for Manchester include Picture, Director, Actor (Casey Affleck), Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams), screenplay and beyond.

Wins in any of those categories will go a long way toward establishing these fledgling studios like Amazon, Netflix and more in the brand new landscape of Oscar contention.

Ever since it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival all the way back in January, Manchester By The Sea has been heavily touted as an awards season contender. With a limited November release date that's set to expand across the country in December, it's clearly being lined up for critical prizes, Oscar gongs and, at least, nominations. And from the first trailer for the film, it's clear to see why.

The plot for Manchester By The Sea hardly breaks new ground, as it sees Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) struggling to come to terms with the sudden revelation that he's the legal guardian of his nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges), following the death of his older brother Joe Chandler (Kyle Chandler). Because of this revelation, Lee Chandler moves back to his hometown of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, where he is confronted by his separated wife Randi (Michelle Williams), and also looks to reacclimatize to the surroundings that he left behind.

But while it's not exactly original, the trailer suggest that Manchester By The Sea should be buoyed by some tip-top performances from Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, and Lucas Hedges, who is all set to break out with this film following his smaller roles in Moonrise Kingdom, Kill The Messenger and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

At the same time, there's clearly plenty of humor, heart, and drama that all looks as though it's presented in a touching and powerful way, too. That's despite the fact that the trailer's over the top and heavy handed ballad song choice is immediately enough to make anyone wary.

Another reason to be excited about Manchester By The Sea is that it marks the return of Kenneth Lonergan to the big screen following a five-year absence. Lonergan's most famous piece of work is probably his Academy Award nominated screenplay for Gangs Of New York, but he drew a plethora of plaudits and accolades for his work on You Can Count On Me, including another Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Sure, he also wrote the truly awful The Adventures Of Rocky And Bullwinkle all the way back in 2000, but he also came up with the story and cowrote Analyze This, wrote _Margaret _-- which Lonergan spent five years in post-production on trying to agree on its final cut - and has repeatedly dabbled in theatrical works, too.

There's actually a bit of pressure on Manchester By The Sea to perform well at the box office, which you don't usually associate with an indie film. That's because Amazon Studios spent $10 million acquiring it at Sundance, meaning that they'll want to see a decent return on their investment.

If they don't then Amazon Studios might decide to release similar films they purchase online instead, which would diminish the impact of such cinematic fare. We'll see what Manchester By The Sea can muster up when it's finally released on November 18.

The next time Chris Pine sets foot on a ship as its captain, it won’t be on the bridge of Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise. The upcoming dramatic action-thriller, The Finest Hours, sees him trade the far reaches of space for a rough rescue mission with the Coast Guard during a historically disastrous 1952 New England nor’easter. Watch Pine and his crew embark on a daring rescue of sailors stranded aboard a weather-ravaged oil tanker in the new trailer below.

One glance at the characters and themes The Finest Hours displays in this debut trailer, coupled with the rough, aquatic atmospherics, and it immediately evokes the memory of The Perfect Storm, the 2000 hit that inspired an array of reality shows about commercial fisherman. However, it seems that this film actually aims to give a bit of a shout-out to the Coast Guard, showing their bravery as first responders, rather than being the target of snarky punchlines to jokes about avoiding military conscription. The film showcases a parallel of leadership dynamics as Chris Pine plays Coast Guard Captain, Bernie Weber and Casey Affleck plays Ray Sybert, the first assistant engineer and only surviving senior officer aboard the stranded oil tanker, the S.S. Pendleton.

The film is inspired by an actual event from February 18, 1952 in which New England was devastated by hurricane force winds that resulted in waves reacing up to 60 feet. With the storm devastating the coast, it also granted a serious misfortune to a number of ships in the area, notably the Pendleton, which was quite literally ripped in half, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the floating wreckage that threatened to claim even more lives for the unforgiving floor of Davy Jones’ Locker. There, Casey Affleck's Ray Sybert, in his new role as defacto captain, desperately attempts to calm the panicking crew.

Answering his obligatory call of duty, Pine’s Captain Weber leads a four-man team on an insane rescue mission with the killer conditions forcing them to take a small boat that is almost comically absurd in size. Along with the visually-impressive intensity of the storm scenes, the film also focuses on the family and tumult-tested romances as the loved ones of the brave rescuers and the trapped sailors are put through a different sort of agony during the ordeal.

Besides the aforementioned Chris Pine and Casey Affleck, the film sports an impressive supporting cast including Eric Bana, Holliday Grainger, Ben Foster, Rachel Brosnahan, and Graham McTavish in what looks like a heartwarming human element amidst the violently icy waters of a super-storm. The Finest Hours comes to the rescue at theaters on January 29, 2016.

After watching Interstellar, one name is firmly planted in your brain: Murph. Mathew McConaughey’s Cooper was so pre-occupied with his daughter that it’s easy to forget that he also had another child in Casey Affleck’s -- um, now what was his name? Tom. Yeah, that’s it, Tom Cooper. To ram home just how often Murph's name comes up in Interstellar, especially in comparison to her brother's, the folks at Screen Junkies re-watched Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic and counted the exact number of times it was uttered.

With Murph winning by a final score of 79-19, it’s no wonder that Tom Cooper ultimately turned into a huge jerk. I'm sure he was just doing it to get a little attention. In fact, I’m surprised that he actually went along with Murph’s explanation at the end of Interstellar, that their father used gravitational waves to encode TARS’ data onto the second hand of the watch via morse code. Just typing that out instantly reminded me of how far-fetched it was.

Portrayed by Timotee Chalamet when he is between 15 and 17 years old, and Casey Affleck when he is in his 30s, Tom Cooper is overlooked throughout Interstellar in favour of his younger sister. This is despite the fact that he does the honorable thing and takes over responsibility of the farm when his father leaves behind his family to try to find another planet that might possibly be habitable.

After Cooper’s departure, and the death of John Lithgow’s Donald, Tom is left on his own at the creepy, dust-filled abode when Murph gets a job working for NASA assisting Brand (Michael Caine) in his attempts to solve his gravity equation. As she’s off calculating sums with Brand in the top-secret, and undoubtedly cool NASA headquarters, Tom’s life goes from bad to worse.

His second child dies because of the global degredation, and he becomes increasingly stubborn. In fact, even when Topher Grace’s Getty (Murph’s boyfriend and a trained doctor) diagnoses both Tom’s wife and first child with a respiratory illness that has been caused by the dust storms, he still persists with his own agenda. Tom doesn’t allow them to leave the farm, and Murph is only able to distract him by burning a section of his precious crop, which allows enough time for Getty to get Lois and Jesse into his van.

Of course, that plan takes a back seat when Murph finally finds the communication from their father, which once again proves that Tom is a total dick, and she is a hero. At least Tom isn't as evil as Matt Damon’s Dr. Mann.

With some of the best programming on TV right now (and just about every year), HBO will always grab eyes and headlines when they announce a new project, and their latest one will take viewers back to the expansion of the United States of America. The network has ordered the six-part historical miniseries Lewis and Clark, which will bring Oscar-nominated actor Casey Affleck to the first major TV role of his career. Where you at, Ben?

Affleck will take on the part of explorer Captain Meriwether Lewis, while The Drop star Matthias Schoenaerts will play Second Lieutenant William Clark. The men are renowned for their legendary expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific coast, at a time when you couldn’t just take a quick flight into Portland International Airport. They traveled through uncharted lands, preaching the message of sovereignty to all of the unfamiliar tribes and natives that they came across. I can’t wait to see the cinematography on this thing.

The miniseries will be based on Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson and the Opening of the American West, the 1997 nonfiction look at Lewis and Clark’s travels as written by Stephen Ambrose. If you’re going to fictionalize one of the most important events in our country’s history, you might as well get the most definitive retelling of the story.

Affleck and Schoenaerts aren’t the only big names attached to this project, either, although they’re the only ones we know will be on screen at this point. The all-star team of producers for Lewis and Clark includes Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, and Edward Norton, along with Gary Goetszman (Game Change), Dede Gardner (The Normal Heart), Tim Kelly and Adam Leipzig. Norton co-wrote the adaptation with John Curran (The Painted Veil) and Michelle Ashford (The Pacific), with Curran serving as director for all six episodes.

Schoenaerts, who also gave an acclaimed performance in Rust and Bone, will be seen later this year in the period drama Far from the Madding Crowd and the crime mystery A Bigger Splash with Ralph Fiennes and Tilda Swinton. Affleck, meanwhile, is coming off of a weird turn in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, and his upcoming slate includes John Hillcoat’s star-studded crime drama Triple Nine and the Coast Guard thriller The Finest Hours with Chris Pine.

HBO is gearing up to bring its standalone service to the world, and will soon be a ratings monger when Game of Thrones kicks off Season 5. I wonder what Lewis and Clark would have thought of Westeros.

Production on Lewis and Clark is scheduled to begin this summer.

If you're going to make a movie about one of Boston's darkest hours, you'd better cast local, right? Right. Calling Casey Affleck!

Variety reports Casey Affleck is now attached to star in the docudrama about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. He will also produce alongside John Ridley (12 Years A Slave), and Dorothy Aufiero (The Fighter).

The movie may well be titled Boston Strong, after the non-fiction book by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge on which it is based. The Fighter screenwriters Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy penned the spec script, which focuses on the massive manhunt that followed the bombings, as well as exploring how the people of Boston reacted to this tragedy. At present, it's unclear what role Affleck will play in the narrative.

Casey Affleck was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts, but he and his family have strong ties to Boston. His father Timothy Byers Affleck worked at the Theater Company of Boston in the 1960s. Good Will Hunting, which featured Casey and brother Ben, shot in Boston, as has Ben's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone, which starred Casey. So, the star's attraction to this project is understood.

Interestingly, Casey Affleck hasn't done much producing. To date he's exec produced the Rugrats TV movie All Grown Up. (Yeah, that happened.) And he produced/directed the bizarre hoax/documentary/Joaquin Phoenix spectacle I'm Still Here. Nonetheless, with Affleck on board, Boston Strong's makers are finally gearing up to pitch the project to studios.

We first got word of this project in the summer of 2013, just four months after the Boston Marathon Bombing. At that time, Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy had bought the rights to Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge's yet-to-be-published book Boston Strong with the aim of translating it either into a film or a television drama series. In April of 2014, Johnson and Tamasy met with EOne Television to discuss turning Boston Strong into a mini-series. But by summer those plans had crumbled. The pair have since regrouped, and come up with a package that could play well to studios if the budget is small.

Though Casey Affleck is an Academy Award-nominated actor (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), he is not a box office draw in the way Ben Affleck (Gone Girl, Batman v. Superman ) is. Making Boston Strong a tougher sell is its topic, which moviegoers may not welcome seeing on the big screen so soon. When we did an informal poll of our readers in 2013, most showed disdain or reservations about adapting this tragedy into a film so soon after it occurred.

But an Oscar nominee and a true story that is compelling could be enough for a studio to take a chance here.

We'll give you more on Boston Strong as it develops.

War is an incredibly horrific thing to experience. It is tragically common how often soldiers head into battle and come out the other side a radically different person than they once were. We’ve seen it time and time again on the big screen, from The Deer Hunter to Born of the Fourth of July, and this weekend we’ll be able to see Casey Affleck confront those kinds of horrific demons in Scott Cooper’s Out of the Furnace.

In the film Affleck stars as Rodney Baze Jr., a young man and soldier living in Pennsylvania with his ailing father and brother, Russell (Christian Bale). Over the course of the movie we see him get sent back into the Iraq War multiple times, causing a deep change in him mentally. His only outlet his competing in illegal underground boxing matches – a profession that leads him down a deep, dark path.

I recently got the chance to sit down one-on-one with the actor at a press day for Out of the Furnace and talked with him all about his new role. Check out our conversation below in which he talks about his attraction to complicated characters, playing with post-traumatic stress disorder, and, as a bonus, what it’s been like working with Christopher Nolan on the upcoming Interstellar.

It may just be looking at your films this year, but with your work in movies like Gone Baby, Gone and Assassination of Jesse James and Killer Inside, I’m curious if you think that you’re drawn to darker material.

You know, that’s funny because I can see that if I look back at all of the movies I’ve done, but I’m not really. I’m drawn to, I guess, complicated characters, but I would love to do a complicated character in something that was light-hearted. That just hasn’t happened that way so far, but people definitely must have some impression of me. I don’t think it’s accurate, because I hate violence. I hate it. I don’t want to watch it in movies. I definitely hate watching it in like boxing, martial-arts fighting, so it’s definitely not representative of who I am, in a way. It’s just the movies I’ve wound up in.

What does draw you to those projects? Is it the characters?

It’s really just the characters, and I guess, you know, more often than not, on projects like that you’ll have, I don’t know, I feel like the directors who I really like are also drawn to those kinds of movies and you want to work with these certain directors and you like certain characters and they often end up being these darker movies.

And even just talking to Scott Cooper, he was saying how you’re kind of a hard sell, like it’s hard to get you to sign on for a project.

I guess I like to make sure that I’m making a, I guess so, I guess I can be picky. As long as I’ve made a good choice about what projects I’ll be a part of, then I feel safe making all kinds of mistakes, making bold choices, just letting myself go completely on set, because I know that I’ve made a good safe choice with who is guiding the whole ship. That said, I’ve also been in some very terrible movies and I’ve done movies just for money, because I was broke and you just have to just work. Guess you can’t have your cake and eat it too.

What do you look for in a relationship with a director? In taking on the part of Rodney, are you looking for in collaboration? Are you looking for a filmmaker who really knows exactly what he wants?

I like a director who has some sense of what they like, you know, and I guess I like when a director has a specific vision for what he wants, but is also willing, has the confidence to allow for other people’s input.

What were the kinds of conversations you were having with Scott about this character?

I would say they were sort of like, how would this character treat this person. How much is he going to show? How much of this life stays contained. You know, you have someone who of going through a lot of stuff that’s all secret. That’s the point of it. A lot of these vets come back and they can’t talk about certain things that they’ve done or seen, so then how does it manifest itself. What are the symptoms, so that it’s realistic and makes sense and it’s also clueing the audience in on some of this stuff, because you want them to see the interior life a little, you know.

Is this a case of post-traumatic stress disorder? Is that what we’re looking at here?

Yeah, I’d say so.

Is that something that you researched as well? How much prep time did you actually have to get into this role?

We had a few months of prep time. It was definitely something, that was the focus of the research, I would say, just trying to understand what he’s carrying as he comes back, and that was eye-opening. It really was. It was pretty astonishing what’s, the degree to which these guys are shaken and how hard it is to reintegrate into society.

Rodney is so confident in every single move he makes, but that also includes getting right into the face of a scary mother fucker like Woody Harrelson’s character. Is he just that strong willed or do you think he has some kind of a death wish?

I just think that someone like Woody, who is scary to most people, is not at all scary to him, and he sort of thinks, I think it seems comical, the sort of posturing and intimidation that somebody who is like, might beat you up, is trying out on you, just is almost laughable to someone who’s been in danger every day of their life on the line and you know, every step there could be a land mine, there’s someone pointing a gun at their head.

So, it’s all just relative.

Yeah, I think he thinks it’s, and also, I think he’s most comfortable in moments of, when adrenaline and you know, in dangerous moments.

One thing that also struck me is when we meet this character he’s at the off-track betting and his brother comes to pick him up and you almost get the sense that he’s been bailed out before. Even before he gets really deep into fighting he’s still a guy who finds trouble. Do you think this is a character who’s been troubled his entire life, even before entering the army?

I don’t know. You know, it takes a certain kind of person to join the army and keep going back four times anyway. So, I would say he probably hasn’t had the easiest life. Their mother died when he was young and maybe he was troubled in some ways, yeah.

Do you look to Christian Bale’s performance as well, because the way the script works, there’s a mirrored trajectory between the two characters. One is being released from prison and is trying to put his life together. Meanwhile, on your side, you get back from army and it’s more about self-destruction. Is that something you’re looking at?

Honestly, it doesn’t help. I mostly focus on my own thing and sort of let the bigger picture and how all of the pieces are going to fit together, I leave that as much as possible to the director and you sort of carve out the piece that you’re responsible for and just do that as well as you can. You know, it’s like Lou Reed said, you’re a player for the coach. If every guy on that team is running a different play or is trying to call the play for the team, it’s going to be chaos. You’ve got to let the coach call the play and some guys block and some guys go for the pass, and do what you do.

I know I need to wrap up, but I do quickly want to ask about your work on Interstellar. Have you started your work yet?

Yeah!

What can you tell me about your character and what you’re even doing?

Oh man, they’ll kill me. They’ll hog tie me and cut my throat if I say something.

Can you give me anything, even a little bit? What has it been like working with Christopher Nolan?

A once in a lifetime experience. Honestly, everyone always just says nice things about each other, but the reality is he is not only like brilliant, but in the way, I don’t know if you’ve ever been around people like this, but they’re so good at what they do, that you can’t see them doing it. You go like, what’s he doing. He’s not doing anything. He’s not directing, but he’s totally controlling everything and it’s great, you know. And anytime in life when you get a chance to be around someone who is at the very top of their game, and see them doing it, you take it.

Braddock, Pennsylvania is a city named for a loser. A plaque on the east side of North Braddock, located 8 miles downriver from Pittsburgh, commemorates Braddock's Defeat, a turning point in the 1755 French and Indian War. Named for a defeated British general in a war now rarely remembered, Braddock, Pennsylvania somehow still remains, a cluster of half-empty storefronts and homes perched on a steep slope above the Monogahela River, looming over a massive blast furnace that sits quiet, hulking and as defeated as Braddock himself.

Just around the corner from that plaque and down by the furnace too, Hollywood has improbably come to town. Director Scott Cooper first heard of Braddock while on tour promoting his debut feature Crazy Heart-- the town's mayor John Fetterman has done extensive media appearances to bring the town's plight to national attention, which means Braddock was not like most depressed former industrial towns even before Cooper came calling. A thriving part of the steel industry until the Carrie Furnace shut down in 1982, Braddock now stands alongside Detroit and Gary, Indiana and any number of other Rust Belt towns as a symbol of America's lost industrial might. We've seen the pictures of rusted-out factories and crumbling towns; what Cooper wanted to bring to Braddock was a story, about what happens when the world collapses around you but also how a community moves on together. That fact that this story includes movie stars-- Christian Bale, Casey Affleck, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Sam Shepard and Forest Whitaker-- means that, when Out of the Furnace opens on December 6, Braddock will emerge into its biggest spotlight yet.

On an overcast but gloomily beautiful day in May of last year, Cooper did something maybe even more uncommon than dragging a full Hollywood production to a ruined steel town-- he invited a group of journalists to a set of a movie that doesn't include explosions, superheroes or giant set-pieces of a any kind. That day production was set up in Hidy's Cafe, a bar and restaurant in an anonymous brick building that sidles up to the underside of the Rankin Bridge. The bar had been renamed The Cellar Door for the shoot but barely transformed, with Hidy's handwritten signs all over, warning patrons not to sell drugs inside and offering the salmon burger (actually ordered by Woody Harrelson's character in the film).

The production team added Christmas lights but little else, and moved into the bar's back office to shoot that day's scene between Willem Dafoe and Casey Affleck. As the owner of The Cellar Door with significant ties to local criminals, Dafoe's character John Petty is helping Affleck's, Rodney Baze, get into a local bare-knuckle boxing match. In the scene Affleck pleads and pleads, Dafoe refuses but eventually gives in, making the phone call as Affleck shadow-boxes in the corner.

BR> But wait-- I wasn't supposed to tell you about the bare-knuckle part. When we catch up with Cooper later that afternoon and mention the bruises applied Affleck's face and knuckles, then ask about the bare-knuckle fighting, Cooper asks "How did you know about that?" Cooper seemed to delight in our complete confusing about the plot when we arrived on set, given that when the project was first announced it was called an adaptation of Brad Inglesby's script The Low Dweller, about "a man recently released from prison forced back into criminal life to settle an old score." There are more elements of that story in Out of the Furnace than Cooper might have wanted to reveal at the time-- he and Ingelsby are credited as the co-writers of the final script-- but Cooper was committed to maintaining a level of secrecy usually more familiar with horror films or Christopher Nolan projects. Now that a trailer is out there, both the bare-knuckle boxing and the revenge plot are out in the open-- so enjoy knowing more than I did on set by watching the latest below:

"I was told not to tell you," says Willem Dafoe when we ask him, standing in a parking lot around the corner from Hidy's, if he has any scenes outside that cinderblock back office. As a character Dafoe describes as "a bookie with a heart of gold," Dafoe is instrumental in getting Affleck's character Rodney into those brutal underground fights (you can see them filming one of them, inside the Carrie Furnace, above). But it's more complicated than just a man preying on a local veteran hard-up for cash:

The importance of family and community runs as a strong undercurrent in Out of the Furnace, which more than any saga of revenge of violence is a story of what happens when a town is abandoned by economic forces utterly beyond its control. And for Rodney, a veteran of Iraq who is stop-lossed and sent on another tour of duty as the film begins, he's been abandoned by the military he serves as well. Here's how Affleck explains the work he underwent to understand the character:

Bale, who was filming but not doing interviews that day, underwent his own kind of training, learning to work in the nearby steel mill that still functioned, handling blazing-hot materials and working in an environment that, as mentioned briefly in the film, is believed by many to cause cancer. Here's Cooper on the training that Bale underwent to look convincing in what wound up being brief steel mill scenes:

Our day in Braddock ended with a visit to the place to looms large both in a visit to the town and in Out of the Furnace: the Carrie Furnace. In the movie you see Rodney in a bitter fight inside the furnace, and the film's climax leads there as well, with the massive steel structures looking like a twisted Emerald City in the distance. We were lead through Carrie by Ron of Rivers of Steel, an organization committed to the preserving the steel history of the area. The Carrie Furnace is the only pre-World War II blast furnace to be preserved in non-operational state, and Rivers of Steel provides tours of the site, while working to include it as part of a proposed national park. It's an astonishing place, a tribute to human ingenuity both past and present-- in the midst of those ruined steel structures, there's also a sculpture by a local artist clearly glad for the space. You can see my pictures from inside the Carrie Furnace in the gallery below, and look for the location-- you can't miss it-- in Out of the Furnace on December 6.

Among fall movies there's the ones aiming for Oscars, the ones aiming for big audiences, and then every once in a while some that fall in the middle. We had pegged Out of the Furnace as pure prestige, coming from the writer and director of Crazy Heart and starring a laundry list of Oscar nominees and winners, from Christian Bale to Forest Whitaker. But this new trailer, which premiered at Apple and can be watched there in HD, seems to show off a much more entertaining side than we imagined. It's got economic distress and PTSD, sure, but there's also a ton of guns and underground boxing, and Woody Harrelson in super-villainous mode. Maybe this will be a more fun sit than we thought.

Writer-director Scott Cooper made his directorial debut with Crazy Heart after a career in acting, and its commitment to authentic run-down country music life-- not to mention its Oscar-winning original song "The Weary Kind"-- earned it far more attention than you might expect for a small indie. Cooper's ambitions are obviously bigger with Out of the Furnace, tackling a larger cast and a much broader range of topics. From this trailer it's a little hard to see how it will all tie together-- is a single movie really capable of telling stories about PTSD and economic hardship and underground fighting? But the trailer also seems to be actively aiming to keep the plot details at bay, using a cover of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" to keep all but the most crucial dialogue out of it.

And maybe the best evidence of Cooper's talent, and the kind of movie he's pulled together, is the offers that have come his way since he started making it. He's reteaming with Out of the Furnace producer Leonardo DiCaprio for the 1930s-set crime thriller The Road Home, he's attached to a remake of the French film 36th Precinct, and biggest of all, he's stepped in to replace Ben Affleck as director of The Stand, a new adaptation of Stephen King's massive book. It's hard to imagine much that's more different from Crazy Heart, but Out of the Furnace seems poised to show a whole new dimension of Cooper's talents. Hollywood clearly believes in him already-- will this convince you to do the same?

David Lowery has spent more than a decade helming little-known shorts and features, but he broke through this year with his star-studded drama Ain’t Them Bodies Saints that boasts Rooney Mara, Ben Foster, and Casey Affleck in its leads. It seems it was an experience both Lowery and Affleck are ready to replicate as THR reports the pair are re-teaming for a science-fiction tale about the perils of cloning.

Lowery has closed a deal to write and direct an adaptation called To Be Two, inspired but a short story “To Be Two or Not to Be” from Paul Broks’ anthology Into the Silent Land: Travels in Neuropsychology. Affleck is set to star, and will also produce alongside Jim Wilson, and Sailor Bear’s Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston, who both co-produced Ain’t Them Bodies Saints. The film is being described as “a thinking man’s sci-fi tale” that’s tone will be similar to Rian Johnson’s Looper. Notably, the two films share a similar theme of doubles causing chaos. THR describes “To Be Two or Not to Be” like so:

While Lowery and Affleck are clearly gung-ho to work together again, it’s unknown how soon To Be Two will be able to go into production. For one thing, Lowery has the script to write. But with Ain’t Them Bodies Saints having drawn him major attention at its Sundance debut last January, the writer-director has been courting much bigger deals. Last March, Lowery was hired to help Disney reinvent their 1977 mashup of live-action and animation Pete’s Dragon. He will pen its script with his writing partner Toby Halbrooks. Then in April Lowery signed on to adapt and direct a 2003 New Yorker article about Forrest Tucker, a career bank robber. Called The Old Man and the Gun, the Robert Redford vehicle is expected to show what happened when Tucker broke out of his retirement community at age 78 and gave bank robbing one last go. For Affleck’s part, he has just wrapped on Scott Cooper’s Crazy Heart follow-up Out of the Furnace, and is currently in production on Christopher Nolan’s mysterious Dark Knight Rises’ follow-up Interstellar.

So basically as promising as To Be Two might be, it could well be two or more years before we’ll hear more news on it. But in the meantime, you can check out Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, which is now in theaters.

This weekend marks the limited theatrical release of writer-director David Lowery’s Sundance hit drama Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, and while this of course means premieres, critical reviews and the like, Lowery is already offering the masses an additional story about the film’s main characters, Bob Muldoon (Casey Affleck) and Ruth Guthrie (Rooney Mara). Following in the footsteps of bigger budget films, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints received the graphic novel treatment, albeit in a limited format, which Entertainment Weekly is awesomely hosting in its entirety. Isn’t it nice when filmmakers and production companies don’t feel the need to relieve us of our money for extra material? (Pacific Rim graphic novel, we’re talking about you.) And from an indie movie, no less.

Adapted by comic artist and musician Matthew Southworth, with art by Criterion Collection designer Eric Skillman, this prequel story is titled New Tattoo, and gives us a look into the Bonnie and Clyde-lite lifestyle the two young loves are living before the events of the film pull them apart.

Initially, Lowery penned the story hoping to film it as a short to follow-up the feature, based purely on how much fun the director had with scenes where Affleck and Mara actually appeared together. “Casey and Rooney and I talked about it on set,” Lowery explains, “that we wanted to prolong that experience. But it never worked out because everyone’s schedules are so complex.” One suggestion from IFC Films later, and the short comic came together. You can take a look at the cover page and first two pages below.

It’s a nice, subdued story embedded with dread that thankfully doesn’t end in gallons of bloodshed. Southern lovers with guns are almost never a good thing when it comes to fiction, and the relationship between Bob and Ruth is captured subtlely but assuredly. The titular tattoo’s presence adds the extra emotional tug to a story that has admittedly been seen time and time again. I guess that’s why they chose that title. Not that the trailer doesn’t do a good job of hinting at this couple’s relationship, but this was a great touch, and it’s pretty fitting, given one of Lowery’s upcoming projects will be an adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis’ gruesomely fantastic graphic novel Torso.

If you haven’t gone out to see this one yet, maybe the trailer below will get you in the mood.

If you think the visuals in this summer's big movies have impressed you, just wait until you get a look at David Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saints. Without a single giant robot or skyscraper getting knocked over, Ain't Them Bodies Saints is easily one of the year's most visually impressive movies, crammed with the kind of lush cinematography and Texas locations that made Terrence Malick famous, and which have been brought new life in Lowery's gritty, emotional and heartfelt crime drama. Oscar nominees Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara star as a pair of criminals separated when he is sent to jail, leaving her at home raising their child. The real story happens, though, when he breaks out of jail to try and return to her. After premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in January Ain't Them Bodies Saints is coming to theaters on August 10, but you now have a chance to see it early-- and on the big screen, where it belongs.

We're co-hosting a special advance screening of Ain't Them Bodies Saints in Los Angeles, happening Tuesday, August 13 in Beverly Hills. 5 lucky readers will be able to attend the screening with a guest, and you'll be greeted by our own Eric Eisenberg, who will be on hand at the event. How do you enter? Just click on over to our Facebook page, "Like" it if you haven't already, and then leave a comment on this contest post. Tell us why you're looking forward to Ain't Them Bodies Saints and we'll pick five winners at random. The contest ends at 12 am EST on Saturday, August 10th. If you enter, please make sure we can contact you via Facebook. If you have it set to where we can't message you, your prize will go to somebody else. You must already be in Los Angeles to attend the screening-- we are not providing transportation or lodging.

For more on Ain't Them Bodies Saints, check out the film's trailer and official synopsis below. Even if you don't get into this screening, you can catch it in LA or New York on August 16, and it will be expanding to other cities after.

After spending nearly a decade redefining expectations for the superhero genre with his Dark Knight trilogy, writer-director Christopher Nolan has moved on to something just as fascinating, though slightly less fantastical. Co-written with his recurring collaborator and brother Jonathan Nolan, Interstellar promises to be a mind-bending science fiction narrative inspired by the concepts of theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, including gravity fields and wormholes. Beyond this, we know little about the soon-to-shoot film's plot, though reportedly it will center on a group of scientists who travel through a wormhole, that would take them to a different point in spacetime. For those who don't speak science, this means time travel will play a key role in Interstellar.

With Nolan's reputation for critical praise and box office dominance, he's had a pretty easy time pulling together an insanely impressive ensemble for Interstellar. Previously, he plucked two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain, Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway, two-time Academy Award winner Michael Caine, and Matthew McConaughey, whose lack of Academy Award nominations is quickly becoming criminal. As the production draws nearer its August start date, Casey Affleck has revealed he too has joined the cast.

Nolan Fans has uncovered this enticing casting news within an Elle interview with Affleck, who is currently doing press for the buzzed about Sundance selection Ain't Them Bodies Saints. When asked what else he has coming down the pike, Affleck answered that he is “going to work on a Chris Nolan movie in the fall.”

As is the case with those cast mates previously mentioned, we don't have word on what role Affleck will play in the film. What we do know is that the sci-fi spectacle that Nolan and Nolan have in mind is so grandiose and expensive that two studios, Warner Bros. and Paramount, have joined forces to bring it to life. And within this sure-to-be mind-blowing budget lies surely sweet fees for legend in his own time composer Hans Zimmer and Let the Right One In director of photography Hoyte Van Hoytema. (Nolan's usual cinematographer Wally Pfister will be unavailable, as he is at work on his own directorial debut, Transcendence.)

With all this going for it, expect Interstellar to crush the competition that dares come up against it when it opens in theaters on November 7, 2014. In the meantime, look for Affleck in Ain't Them Bodies Saints, which opens August 16th. Then coming December 6th, he'll co-star with Christian Bale, Zoe Saldana, Willem Dafoe, and Woody Harrelson, in writer-director Scott Cooper's Crazy Heart follow-up Out of the Furnace. Later, Affleck will be spotted in Paul Haggis' multi-pronged romantic drama Third Person. The film which co-stars James Franco, Mila Kunis, Liam Neeson, and Olivia Wilde is now shooting in New York.

For more on Kip Thorne and the ins and outs of spacetime, check out this helpful vid:

Peter Glanz, who recently wrote and directed his first feature film The Longest Week, has gotten two big time names to produce his next project and a great star attached as well. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are now both attached to Race to the South Pole as producers and Casey Affleck is set to play one of the lead roles. The project is being set up over at Warner Bros. where Damon and Affleck have their Pearl Street banner set up.

THR says that the film is based on the true story of two explorers who battle each other to become the first people to reach the South Pole (naturally, the story is set in the early 1900s). The race was between Robert Falcon Scott, who was an Englishman, and Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian. The race, according to the trade, "sparked international interest and galvanized the world to see who would reach Earth's southernmost point first."

Casey Affleck will play Scott in the movie. This past summer the Oscar-nominated actor lent his voice to the stop-motion animated film ParaNorman, and before that starred in Brett Ratner's Tower Heist. He recently wrapped on both Scott Cooper's Out of the Furnace and David Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saints.

After having roles in five movies that came out last year (The Adjustment Bureau, Contagion, Margaret, Happy Feet Two and We Bought A Zoo), Damon has kept it low key in 2012, with only Gus van Sant's Promised Land due out during the calendar year. As for Ben Affleck, his third directorial effort, Argo, will be in theaters next month and has an incredible amount of buzz coming out of the Toronto International and Telluride Film Festivals. Pearl Street is also currently developing a biopic about infamous Boston gangster Whitey Ford that Affleck will direct and Damon will star in.

Though MGM was underwhelmed by David Fincher's The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo—reducing it to a "modest loss" —the thriller was heralded by critics blown away by Rooney Mara Oscar-nominated turn as the incomparable Lisbeth Salander. Since then, major filmmakers have been lining up to work with the fast-rising starlet, including Terrence Malick, Steven Soderbergh, and Spike Jonze. Basically, Mara has her pick of projects for the foreseeable future, so it speaks well of the upcoming Ain’t Them Bodies Saints that she is now attached to star.

Deadline reports that Mara, Ben Foster and Casey Affleck are all presently circling the project which is said to be a contemporary crime drama in the vein of Bonnie and Clyde. Whether that means a pair of crooks who have a twisted love life that binds them together through their exploits, or that it's meant to shake up our expectations of the genre (or both) remains to be seen as no further plot details or even vague character descriptions are being released at this time.

Nonetheless, this film is already looking pretty good on paper—well—aside from its awkward title. Of course, the aforementioned, attached talented trio bodes well for Ain't's execution, but so does it's writer-director David Lowery, who garnered buzz last year with his short film Pioneer, which went on to win the Grand Jury Award at SXSW. The celebrated storyteller developed the screenplay for Ain’t Them Bodies Saintswithin the illustrious Sundance Writers Lab. And now it seems the script is ready to roll with casting kicking off and financing being lined up. Yet what's most enticing about this proposed production is not just the combined screen presence and performance savvy of Mara, Foster and Affleck, but the fearlessness of these three who have each been known to take on incredibly risky material for better or worse. It may not guarantee Ain’t Them Bodies Saints will be as groundbreaking as Bonnie and Clyde, but it does promise to be intriguing.

Finally reprieved from its grueling sentence in developmental hell, the gritty drama Out of the Furnace has at last secured its cast. Relativity Media is proud to announce that Christian Bale, who has been attached to the project since last August, has finally signed on the dotted line, along with Casey Affleck, Zoe Saldana, and Sam Shepard, to front the film that will serve as writer-director Scott Cooper's follow-up to his Oscar-winning directorial debut, Crazy Heart.

Originally titled The Low Dweller and penned by insurance salesman-turned-screenwriter Brad Ingelsby, Out of the Furnace has since been polished by Cooper, who showed his capability to craft compelling characters with Crazy Heart. Here, Bale will star as Russell Baze, a tough customer who tries to forge a path for himself and his younger brother Rodney (Affleck) in the poverty-stricken Rust Belt. The two aspire for better lives, but when a cruel twist of fate lands Baze behind bars, his little brother falls in with a dangerous crowd and suffers a terrible fate. Four years later, when Baze is finally released from prison, he must choose between a fresh start or a more treacherous path, seeking justice for his wronged brother. Saldana will play Bale's love interest, Lena Warren, while Shepard is slated to portray the brothers' uncle, Red.

As an Oscar-winner who is poised to break box office records once more with The Dark Knight Rises, Bale has his pick of projects so his inclusion here bodes well for Out of the Furnace on many levels. Add to that Affleck and Shepard, who are both Oscar nominees—for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and The Right Stuff, respectively—and you've got a solid trio of acclaimed actors at the film's core. As for Saldana, it'll be intriguing to the stunning actress in something outside the genre features in which she's best known.

Relativity's Co-President, Tucker Tooley, is certainly enthusiastic about the cast, declaring:

Beyond star power, Out of the Furnace also has some incredible producers on board. Leonardo DiCaprio, who was once rumored to being grooming the picture as a vehicle for himself, is producing along with Jennifer Killoran (The Ides of March), Ridley Scott (The Grey), Tony Scott (Man on Fire), Michael Costigan (American Gangster) and Ryan Kavanaugh (The Fighter). With a line-up like this you can bet Relativity's hoping Out of the Furnace will draw major box office and some serious acclaim.

Curiously, there's no word on the film's genre outside of "drama," yet Out of the Furnace's story, themes, director and some of its cast indicate that this feature will be a Western. That's not to say there will necessarily be horses and cowboy hats, but Relativity has pulled together a team that could craft the kind of neo-western for which the Coen Bros. have twice gotten Oscar acclaim (No Country for Old Men and True Grit). Perhaps the producers are avoiding the label of "Western" at present so as not to pigeonhole the production too soon, but personally this sounds like a premise worthy of a Western incarnation with a cast that's perfectly suited to the task.

Production on Out of the Furnace will begin later this month in Braddock, Pennsylvania.

Welcome back to FlixWorthy, your weekly guide to Netflix streaming. Yet again we're bringing you a handful of new or notable selections from Netflix's streaming catalogue. Some will be classics, some will be little-seen gems, some will be shows you might have missed, and some...some will be crap so awful they simply has to be seen to be believed. Here's what's FlixWorthy this week, kids.

Rosemary's Baby

(1968, Rated R, 136 min.)

We're on the cusp of a new year, often portrayed in the form of an adorable baby wearing a dated sash and doomed to planned obsolescence a mere 365 days later. It's an image I can appreciate, having had a pair of such critters entire my life two months ago. Babies are all potential, flush with innumerable possibilities. Maybe they'll grow up to be president. Maybe they'll cure cancer. Or maybe, let's be honest, one of them is the Antichrist. It's a prospect every parent must be wary of, keeping an eye out for any sign that junior is commanding beasts through his sheer unholy will, bathing in the blood of the innocent, or offing the neighbors and babysitters through a string of unfortunate "accidents." Thankfully all my wife and I have to deal with right now is soy vomit and leaking diapers. Not so poor Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), who mysteriously becomes pregnant with the spawn of Satan. That's what she gets for working with Roman Polanski.

Double-Feature It With:

The Omen

(1976, Rated R, 111 min., HD)

If you thought nine months with a devil child poisoning your womb was inconvenient, just wait till you have to raise the damn thing. Especially if you make things worse and name him "Damien." I mean, the window replacement bills alone...

Superman/Batman: Apocalypse

(2010, Rated PG-13, 75 min.)

This one tackles an entirely different type of Apokolips, with the World's Finest duo of Superman (voiced by Tim Daly) and Batman (v. Kevin Conroy) squaring off against notorious big bad Darkseid (v. Andre Braugher). A direct sequel to last year's Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Apocalypse again adapts a story arc from Jeph Loeb's Superman/Batman comic series. Along with Darkseid, this one introduces Kara Zor-El, the modern Supergirl, into this animated continuity, voiced by the lovely and multitalented Summer Glau. I was no great fan of the first Superman/Batman flick, and I was hoping they might get their ducks more properly in a row for this follow-up. Unfortunately, it didn't win over reviewer Ed, and his low score was echoed by many others around the internets. If you're a die-hard fan, it might be worth checking out, but approach with eyes open and standards appropriately floor-level.

Double-Feature It With...

Hellboy: Sword of Storms

(2007, Not Rated, 77 min.)

If you're in the mood with sticking with the doomsday theme we've pursued so far but would like something a little more entertaining than the above pick, this animated Hellboy tie-in is good fun. Designed to co-exist more or less comfortably with the two live-action films, it has many of the films' actors providing voices, including the definitive Hellboy, Ron Perlman, as well as John Hurt, Selma Blair, and Doug Jones. If you like the cut of their jib, also be sure to check out Hellboy: Blood & Iron.

The Long Kiss Goodnight

(1996, Rated R, 120 min.)

All right, that's enough with all the world-ending doom and gloom; it's time for something a little more fun. If only Netflix had added this in time, The Long Kiss Goodnight would definitely have made it into my Christmas suggestions last week, because, well, if you're not familiar with the long association between Christmas and screenwriter Shane Black, go read Eric's excellent piece on the subject right here. (Hell, it's worth clicking that link just for the picture of Michelle Monaghan in her yuletide get-up.) Long Kiss isn't the best Shane Black movie -- it's not even the best Shane Black movie that begins with the letter L -- but it is good fun nonetheless. And since neither Kiss Kiss Bang Bang nor the first Lethal Weapon are streaming, this will have to do. Geena Davis stars as amnesiac schoolteacher Samantha Caine, whose forgotten past comes back to haunt her in the form of violent, unexplainable impulses. She hires private dick Mitch Hennessey to figure out who she used to be, and from there things go pear shaped in a highly entertaining manner.

Double-Feature It With:

The Caveman's Valentine

(2001, Rated R, 105 min., HD)

Moving away from the pure popcorn fun of Long Kiss, I'm following the Sam Jackson tangent (also known in technical circles as the "Motherfucker Isthmus") to something a bit more eclectic. Based on a rather intriguing novel by George Dawes Green, The Caveman's Valentine casts bad mofo Jackson as Romulus Ledbetter, a homeless schizophrenic and former Julliard musical prodigy who now lives in a cave in a New York park. He also believes that a man named Cornelius Gould Stuyvesant is beaming out mind-control rays from the top of the Chrysler building. Needless to say, he's not the best suited person to solve a murder, but that's what he sets out to do after he finds the frozen body of a man outside his cave.

I'm Still Here

(2010, Not Rated, 107 min., HD)

As you can see from that box art up there, Sam Jackson sports quite the 'do in Caveman's Valentine, and everyone knows that one unfortunate hair choice deserves another. Thus, I give you Joaquin Phoenix in the Casey Affleck-directed sort-of-maybe documentary I'm Still Here. People were confused in 2008 when Phoenix started making surreal talk-show appearances and sporting a mountain-man beard; all the more so when he announced that he was retiring from acting to pursue a rap career. Was it a publicity stunt? Some sort of insane performance art? The outward evidence of a truly spectacular mental breakdown? Nobody knew for sure, and the fact that brother-in-law Casey Affleck was filming the whole mess only made things more interesting. Whether or not you'll come away from I'm Still Here with any satisfying answers remains to be seen, but the sheer train-wreck appeal cannot be denied. If only somebody had been following Crispin Glover around with a camera back when this was happening.

Double-Feature It With:

Paper Heart

(2009, Rated PG-13, 88 min.)

You can read Katey's thoughts on this pseudo-documentary right here, and it's bound to make an interesting double-feature with the Joaquin madness. Actress/comedian Charlyne Yi examines the nature of love in a tale that intertwines the real with the scripted. You might recognize her as the giggly girlfriend from Knocked Up, and she stars here with at-the-time supposed real-life sweetheart Michael Cera as fictionalized versions of themselves. Her screenplay for Paper Heart also won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival, so it's got that going for it, which is nice.

Darkon

(2006, Not Rated, 106 min.)

From the realm of pseudo-documentaries, let's move on to some films that are more concrete in their identity. The first I heard of Darkon was when a screenplay by Daily Show staple John Hodgman landed on the Black List, which polls producers about the best-liked unproduced screenplays each year. The script itself is a lot of fun, wrapping Hodgman's wit around an exploration of the strange world of LARPing -- live action role playing. What I didn't realize at the time was that that script was apparently based on an already existing documentary on the same subject. The script covers territory similar to the Paul Rudd/Seann William Scott comedy Role Models, but does so in a funnier and somewhat less condescending manner. I'd love to see Hodgman's script make it to screen, but in the mean time I'm definitely looking forward to checking out the original source material.

Double-Feature It With...

Confessions of a Superhero

(2007, Rated R, 89 min., HD)

Speaking of peculiar subcultures, we move on to Confessions of a Superhero. If you've ever visited Mann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, you've probably seen them: the costumed crazies posing for pictures with tourists while dressed as beloved superheroes. Confessions puts a human face on four of these characters, and finds them to be just like many of the rest of us: flawed, confused, and sometimes a little sad...but still chasing their dreams as best they can.

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Earlier this year, while promoting his film Green Zone, I was able to participate in a roundtable interview with Matt Damon. One of the busier and more talented people working in movies today, the discussion was all over the place, from his potential role in a Bobby Kennedy biopic to his role is Steven Soderbergh's Contagion. One of the more interesting things he commented on was the possibility of directing a film himself. Just about to go film True Grit with the Coen brothers, he mentioned that he was "going to learn so much watching." Now it might be his time for him to put those lessons in use.

Speaking with MTV while promoting The Town, Ben Affleck began to talk about The Trade, a project he has been developing about two New York Yankee pitchers, Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich, who become involved in wife swapping. According to the actor/director, he and his brother, Casey, are currently doing a rewrite on the script and while they're not sure who will play the baseball players, it may be time for Damon to step into the director's chair. Said Affleck:

Over the course of his career, Matt Damon has worked with the Coens, Soderbergh, Clint Eastwood, Paul Greengrass, Martin Scorsese, Terry Gilliam, Gus Van Sant, and Steven Spielberg - better known as some of the best directors working today. If Damon has indeed been taking lessons from all of the filmmakers he's been working with, I can't even begin to imagine how great he could be as a director. Here's hoping that Affleck isn't just throwing his out there as a possibility and Damon actually does it.

Casey Affleck has finally come out and admitted what we knew all along: that the bearded rap career of his brother in-law Joaquin Phoenix wasn’t really a rap career, just an elaborate hoax. That the documentary he made about his rap career, I’m Still Here, wasn’t really a documentary, just a lame attempt at a mockumentary.

He comes clean in an interview with the NY Times where Affleck says of Phoenix’s act in the film, “It’s a terrific performance, it’s the performance of his career.” Is it really? Because mostly it’s just this guy in a beard wandering around and muttering. It didn’t exactly fool anyone, it wasn’t really that convincing, and I suspect no one would have believed it at all except that Affleck himself kept running around insisting that the whole thing was absolutely real.

Except now that the movie is out, and nearly everyone who’s seen it has hated it or been generally indifferent to it, suddenly he doesn’t understand why anyone thought the movie was real. Says Casey, “I never intended to trick anybody… The idea of a quote, hoax, unquote, never entered my mind.” Not even when he dodged questions, as recently as last week, about the true nature of the movie? Because it really seemed like he was trying to trick people then.

That the movie was fake seemed brutally obvious when, only a few days after its release, Joaquin Phoenix suddenly abandoned his rap career and returned to acting, so I’m not sure we really needed Casey to clear things up. But at least we can put this I’m Still Here thing to rest and stop wondering.

Maybe it would have bothered people less if Affleck and Phoenix’s big hoax had actually resulted in something worthwhile, but the movie has nothing to say and worse it’s pretty useless as entertainment too. It's defenders will compare it to what Sacha Baron Cohen did with Borat but Borat actually has something to say and what's more it's funny. I'm Still Here exists only to cash in on Joaquin Phoenix's celebrity by toying with his fans and treating them with disdain. I'm Still Here accomplished nothing and really all we got out of this two years or so of self-imposed Joaquin Phoenix retirement is one fairly hilarious, utterly bizarre Letterman appearance. What a waste.

Remember last year when Joaquin Phoenix grew a beard and started acting all kinds of nutter-butters? Then remember how it was revealed to be an idea for a mockumentary directed by Casey Affleck which confirmed to everyone that it was all just a hoax? Well, you may be able to see the whole mess in film-form soon in a theater near you.

According to Deadline, Affleck is close to closing a distribution deal with Magnolia Pictures. While things look promising, there are some that are arguing against the purchase due to it's content, which, according to the report, includes "Phoenix--or the bearded and distant character he was playing--engaged in sordid deeds that included snorting what looked like coke off the breast of a prostitute."

After that last sentence, is there any one on Earth that doesn't want to see this movie? Despite the fact that it was obviously phony from the get-go, the whole thing was entertaining - or at least it was after we realized that it wasn't really a man experiencing a total breakdown. There is no doubt a lot of material that we still haven't seen from the whole affair, and you can color me intrigued. In the meantime, you can watch what was certainly the highlight of the whole affair, when Phoenix sat down for an interview on The Late Show With David Letterman:

The surprising thing about the trailer for director Michael Winterbottom’s The Killer Inside Me isn’t that Casey Affleck seems brilliant. I’ve seen The Assassination of Jesse James. I’ve seen Gone Baby Gone. I know how good Ben Affleck’s little brother can be. No the surprising thing here is that Kate Hudson is in it, and the trailer at least, seems good.

Kate Hudson hasn’t been in a good movie, an even halfway bearable movie, since Almost Famous in 2000. It’s one of the most reliable track records in Hollywood. If Kate Hudson’s in something, you know it’s going to suck. So even though the trailer seems kind of brilliant, it’s hard to believe The Killer Inside Me will be anything but terrible. Hudson has taken down bigger talents than Affleck and she’s perfectly capable of ruining a little independent film like this one. Our own Katey Rich’s review from Sundance earlier this year seems to support that notion. She called The Killer Inside Me “clichéd” and “overly familiar” and “nasty”, ranking it one of the worst movies she saw in Park City this year.

Still, there’s this seductive trailer which, looks almost as though it’s for a Coen brothers movie. The film stars Affleck as a small town sheriff’s deputy who becomes entangled with a prostitute (Jessica Alba) and in the process unleashes his own dark urges. Watch The Killer Inside Me trailer below or in HD on Apple and let us know what you think.