Zendaya and her stylist Law Roach have long been leaders in the art of method dressing, and that continues on the press tour for the actor’s first of many 2026 movies, The Drama. Since the movie is about a couple on the verge of marriage, they’ve been putting their own spin on the tradition “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” Well, Zendaya just checked off “something borrowed” by wearing one of Cate Blanchett’s famed looks.

Zendaya turned up at the Italian premiere of The Drama on Thursday in a black Armani Privé number previously worn by Cate Blanchett on two separate occasions. Take a look:

Bellissima! After Zendaya opted for white and pastels on recent public appearances, I love that she did a 180 here with this black gown with the ever popular plunging neckline. Per W Magazine, Cate Blanchett lent the dress to Zendaya from her personal archive, making the “something borrowed” of it all just perfect. Check out Blanchett in the same dress, and in Italy as well, when she attended the Venice Film Festival this past summer:

Prior to that, Blanchett also wore the same dress for the first time at the 2022 SAG Awards. Honestly, you love to see it. When a dress looks that good on you, I would wear it more than once if I was her, too.

Anyways, if you were curious how else Zendaya has implemented method dressing while promoting The Drama, let’s talk about it. At the Los Angeles premiere for the A24 movie last week, she wore a white dress and shared that it was her “something old” because she wore the same gown when she was 18 to the Oscars. Regarding her “something new,” it has to be the custom Louis Vuitton white and black dress she wore to the Paris premiere (check it out on Instagram) a couple of days ago.

Next time we see Zendaya at a premiere, we’ll be expecting to see her in “something blue,” and we can’t wait! Ironically enough, Zendaya’s wedding tradition-themed method dressing is all happening as the rumor mill suggests she and Tom Holland recently got married. It was Law Roach who claimed “the wedding already happened” in an interview early this month.

There’s also been a lot of talk recently about Zendaya rocking a wedding band since she was first spotted with it in late Februar, while it seems Holland has opted out of wearing the piece of jewelry. Anyways, as usual, Zendaya and Law Roach are absolutely slaying all the red carpet looks for The Drama. The movie stars Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a couple who get shaken when they learn some troubling things about each other just days before their wedding. It’ll be in theaters starting April 3.

While the live-action How To Train Your Dragon movies have recast the majority of the human characters, there are some who just can't be replaced. In the first film, for example, it would have been downright insane to see any actor other than Gerard Butler play the role of Stoick, so it was a natural choice to have him reprise the part. That same philosophy has now been applied to How To Train Your Dragon 2 as well: it would have been a major challenge for the audience to see anyone other than Cate Blanchett as Hiccup's mother Valka, and today we've learned that we won't have to worry about that.

The Hollywood Reporter has gotten word that the two-time Academy Award-winning star has signed a deal that will see her play the live-action version of her character from director Dean DuBlois' 2014 animated sequel. She joins a cast that presently also includes Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Julian Dennison, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James and Harry Trevaldwyn – all of whom will be reprising their roles from the hit remake released last summer. Filming is set to begin soon in advance of the June 2027 release date that Universal Pictures has already planted a flag on.

For those who don't recall the lore from How To Train Your Dragon 2, the sequel picks up years after the previous movie and sees Hiccup and the his friends in conflict with a collection of dragon trappers who aim to militarize the mystical creatures. It is during this conflict that the protagonist has a run-in with his long-lost mother, who left the village of Berk long ago because of the society's prejudice against dragons.

Blanchett is coming off of a standout 2005 that saw her in two features from acclaimed directors in addition to having a surprise cameo in the finale of Squid Game Season 3. Earlier in the year she starred alongside Michael Fassbender in Stephen Soderbergh's acclaimed spy thriller Black Bag, and last month audiences got to see her as part of the ensemble cast in Jim Jarmusch's Father Mother Sister Brother.

As far as other upcoming projects, she has completed work on the David and Nathan Zellner-directed sci-fi comedy Alpha Gang with Dave Bautista and Chris Pine, and she is also in writer/director Alice Birch's fantastical drama Sweetstick.

It goes without saying that getting Cate Blanchett back in the role of Valka is a massive win for How To Train Your Dragon 2, but there is still more casting to come. For example, will the film bring Djimon Hounsou back as the nefarious Drago Bludvist, the leader of the dragon trappers, or will the project aim to bring in a new name?

Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend in the coming weeks/months for more updates about How To Train Your Dragon 2 as we get ever closer to its planned theatrical release on June 11, 2027.

One of my “must see” titles on the summer portion of the 2025 movie schedule is the live-action remake of DreamWorks’ How to Train Your Dragon. I’m sure plenty of people share that sentiment, as the Mason Thames/Nico Parker-led adventure seems to have captured the spirit of the 2010 original rather brilliantly.

But of course, it’s never too late to worry about the future. That's why when director Dean DeBlois shared that he’s writing the potential sequel, the one person he’s hoping to see return for the revamped take on the believer series is someone I absolutely need to be back again.

How To Train Your Dragon Director Dean DeBlois Is “Hopeful” Cate Blanchett Will Return

Speaking with Gizmodo, the writer/director of Universal’s dragon tale was asked if there was room for Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett to reprise her role as Valka Haddock - the presumed dead mother to Hiccup, and wife to Stoick. With the live-action How to Train Your Dragon 2 already announced as in development for a June 2027 release, this statement from DeBlois takes on even more urgency:

That’s fair considering Gerard Butler’s return as the patriarch of Berk’s notable family was a welcomed surprise for the upcoming family fantasy release. It’s in the spirit of that decision that I must apologize for my next point, because it may seem a bit harsh. With respect to all involved in How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action cast, what Mr. DeBlois considers a “hope” is a non-negotiable in my book. Which means…

Without Cate Blanchett As Valka Haddock, You Can Keep How To Train Your Dragon 2

I say this without having been one of the lucky people present for CinemaCon’s early How to Train Your Dragon screening, so I admit there’s a chance my opinion may change. However, after the powers-that-be brought Gerard Butler back to reprise Stoick the Vast, I find it hard to think of anyone else who should play Hiccup’s mother.

Considering how that 2014 animated sequel’s storyline plays out, you can see why. But if you haven’t seen the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, you may want to log onto your Peacock subscription and correct that. Because I need to spoil the middle entry to really sell why Ms. Blanchett needs to return.

Still here? Good, because by the end of How to Train Your Dragon 2, we see the heartbreaking sacrifice of Stoick the Vast protecting Hiccup and his long lost wife… at the expense of his own life. I still remember seeing that happen for the first time, jaw dropped and eyes full of tears, my heart broken in my seat.

For that moment to really be sold though, you need the relationship between Stoick and Valka to really shine. That feat was more than achieved the first time out, as you can see in this beautiful movie moment:

Watching that moment again is bittersweet because of contrasting that emotion with the tragedy ahead. But much like How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action teaser picked Toothless and Hiccup’s first encounter as the moment to convince me it was worth seeing, this scene is all I’ll need to lock me in for the sequel. Provided that Cate Blanchett returns, of course.

For now, we’ll need to wait for the results of How to Train Your Dragon’s flesh and blood box office. As the film is set to open on June 13th, we’re not too far out from that day - and you can actually buy your tickets now. Honestly, it’s what Toothless would want you to do.

This week, April comes to an end, and May gets started. While this likely means temperatures are going up and people are looking to spend a little less time in front of the television, your favorite streaming services are certainly going their best to keep us on the couch.

From brand new films to classic franchises, the movie content coming in May is solid. We will, of course, get three new episodes of Andor this week, but that’s not the end of the Star Wars goodness, as there’s also some excellent new Star Wars content for May the Fourth. Here’s a look at what’s hitting streaming this week.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - May 1 (Disney+)

Spider-Man is the one Marvel character the studio still doesn’t completely own the movie rights to, but thanks to a deal with Sony, most of the live-action Spidey movies can now be found on Disney+. Starting May 1, the Spider-Verse grows even larger with the animated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse makes the jump from Netflix to Disney+.

Another Simple Favor - May 1 (Prime Video)

A Simple Favor was one of those simple, character-driven dramas that occasionally surprises with its level of success. Despite a solid box office return, the sequel, which will see both Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick return, will only be available with a Prime Video subscription.

The Four Seasons - May 1 (Netflix)

In The Four Seasons, three couples who vacation together go through major life changes over the course of one year. Based on the hit 1981 film written, directed, and starring Alan Alda, this adaptation reimagined for Netflix the story as a limited series and boasts an incredible cast including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, and Will Forte.

Ocean's Franchise - May 1 (Netflix)

With reports that George Clooney and Brad Pitt may be looking to get the team back together for another Oceans 11 sequel, now may be a great time to revisit the original series. All three previous Oceans movies hit Netflix this week.

Black Bag - May 2 (Peacock)

Based on Black Bag's meager box office take, you probably didn't see it. But based on Black Bag's reviews, this spy thriller starring Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett from the incomparable Steven Soderbergh is a movie you absolutely should see. If you've got a Peacock subscription, you can do exactly that this week.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge & Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Disneyland® Resort - May 4 (Disney+)

May the Fourth is celebrated as Star Wars Day, and Disney+ usually adds something from the franchise as a way to celebrate. This year, we’ll get the animated Star Wars: Tales From the Underworld, but far more interestingly, this week, a Disney+ subscription will get you a virtual walk-through video of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, as well as a full ride-through of the incredible Rise of the Resistance attraction. One can only hope this will be the first of a new breed of Disney Parks content on Disney+ that will let us experience rides when we're not in the parks.

Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor - May 4 (Netflix)

Conan O’Brien stole the show at the Oscars this year, and his performance as host was so popular he’s already set to return next year. It’s as good a time as any for Conan O’Brien to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Center. You’ll be able to watch the whole show with your Netflix subscription.

Next week, two popular series return. Fans of Conan O'Brien will get even more of him when his travel show Conan O'Brien Must Go returns, and the long wait for Season 2 of Natasha Lyonne's Poker Face finally comes to an end.

Cate Blanchett is easily one of our finest actors, as she’s turned in her fair share of phenomenal performances over the course of her career. It’s because of her stellar work that she's earned two Oscars from seven nominations along with a plethora of other accolades. Her body of work has been a true gift and, today, she continues to take part in entertaining productions. Given how consistently she still receives work, one may not think Blanchett has retirement on the brain, yet her recent comments on the matter are giving me pause.

The 55-year-old Oscar winner can be cheeky when she wants to be, but she’s often quite thoughtful when discussing certain matters, especially personal ones. With that in mind, fans may want to pay close attention to the comments she shared about her career with the Radio Times. She admitted (via The Standard) that she’s giving serious consideration to the notion of hanging it up and calling it a career:

As I’ve watched movies over the last couple of decades, Cate Blanchett has always been a highly-sought-after actress in Hollywood. The notion of her no longer acting feels somewhat weird, considering how much of a presence she’s been in the entertainment industry. Of course, as some stars have discussed, the profession of acting can be all-encompassing in some cases, so it’s understandable as to why Blanchett would at least consider walking away from the craft.

Should the Australian A-lister actually decide to call it a career, she’d arguably be going out on a high note due to some of her recent work. In late 2024, she marked the release of Disclaimer, a thrilling and surprising miniseries that’s available to stream with an Apple TV+ subscription. Also, this past March saw Steven Soderbergh’s highly praised thriller Black Bag hit theaters and, in it, she plays a cunning intelligence officer. Having seen the movie myself, I can tell you that it’s definitely worth your time.

It would also seem that there are still projects that Cate Blanchett wants to do or fans hope she’ll be a part of, at the very least. While promoting Black Bag, she spoke to CinemaBlend about possibly joining another Ocean’s movie produced by Steven Soderbergh’s. Blanchett was more than enthusiastic about the prospect, as she said she’s always in the director’s ear asking about it. On top of that, with the live-action How to Train Your Dragon sequel now greenlit, our own Sarah ElMahmoud is hoping Blanchett will reprise her role as Valka Haddock.

Regardless of whether she retires or not, Cate Blanchett will star in the comedy anthology film Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, which is set to be released amid the 2025 movie schedule. I’m selfishly hopeful that it won’t end up being one of the final entries in Blanchett’s filmography. However, what ultimately matters most is what she feels is right for herself as well as her family.

The CinemaCon festivities have continued in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday with the Universal Pictures and Focus Features Panel. While CinemaBlend was in attendance at the event, Universal started things off by announcing that a second How To Train Your Dragon live-action movie is already in the works ahead this summer's remake being among upcoming 2025 movies hitting theaters this June.

As a longtime fan of the DreamWorks movies, when I heard the news, I couldn't help about the character I'm most excited to see in live-action: Hiccup's mom, Valka. And who voiced the role in the 2014 animated movie? Cate Blanchett.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 Has Already Been Announced

I'll get to Ms. Cate in a moment. First, here's how director Dean DeBlois announced the sequel to CinemaCon attendees:

CinemaCon attendees actually started their days with a premiere screening of the live-action How To Train Your Dragon, which has already earned high praise from audiences. Our site's own Jessica Rawden called it "everything a live-action remake should be: funny, emotional, and sentimental – yet epic in scope." Other first reactions called it "gorgeous," "adorable" and had some even in tears.

I'm Going To Need Cate Blanchett To Join Live-Action Berk

The announcement of the sequel shows a huge vote of confidence from Universal about the success of the summer movie, but now I won't stop thinking about Cate Blanchett being another one of the animated voices from the How To Train Your Dragon movies who should reprise their role in live action.

In the first movie, which is just two months from release, Gerard Butler came back to play Hiccup's dad, Stoick, but in live-action. He called the costume and massive beard "five pieces of hell," and this time he and the cast battled freezing weather while making it, but it sound like it might have been worth it.

As you might recall from the sequel to How To Train Your Dragon, Hiccup and Toothless's second adventures takes place five years after the events of the first movie, at a time where a 20-year-old Hiccup and his Night Fury encounter his long-lost mother and a ruthless dragon hunter named Drago Bludvist, played by Djimon Hounsou.

When Dean DeBlois, who was the writer/director of the original trilogy along with these live-action versions, made the sequel for How To Train Your Dragon, he was inspired by the first sequel to Star Wars. I'm so excited to see what the production is going to do with the second movie, but I need to see this summer's version first!

Cate Blanchett’s fashion game has always been stellar. She's rocked some iconic accessories, including that back necklace she wore at the premiere of Disclaimer and has revolutionized the art of rewearing looks in a stunning way. I’m also obsessed with her street style, which often combines chic, high-end pieces and more casual fare. One of her signature casual pieces is her white sneakers but, apparently, Blanchett might be ditching the trainers after being told they were sending an unexpected message.

The Tár actress was recently a guest on Matt Rodgers and Bowen Yang’s buzzy pop culture podcast, Las Culturistas. The trio chatted about a number of topics, like Blanchett’s new movie from Steven Soderbergh, Black Bag, and some of her fashion choices. The movie star has been known to rock a white sneaker from time to time, but it would seem (as she explained via Instagram) that such footwear suggests a person isn't having that much sex:

This is absolutely absurd, and the podcast hosts seemed to think so as well. I thought white sneakers were just a comfortable way to dress down a look. They're also convenient, considering they go with almost everything. If this is the case, I think a lot of people are in the same boat, as White Air Force Ones have infiltrated their way onto college campuses and New York City subways for years. They are also admittedly a staple piece in my own wardrobe so, if this is true, I’ve also been unknowingly sending out a vibe.

It’s hard to figure out where this theory came from. The only thing I can possibly think of is that it has to do with the fashion staple being tired. The shoes are incredibly trendy and, after so many years of being in style, maybe the chunky white shoe is becoming lazy and more of a sign of unoriginality. The idea of them being a “boring” choice, could’ve led to the narrative that they are unsexy, and are thus, anti-sex. It’s a bit of a stretch, but maybe this is what it'll take to encourage me, and many other people, to experiment with their shoe game. (Or maybe critics will just have to pull my Air Force Ones out of my cold dead hands.)

While I like the idea that Cate Blanchett is open to experimenting more with her style after receiving this note, I hope she doesn’t ditch the white sneaker completely. There’s a place for elevated red carpet shoes but also for a casual choice as well. She looked impossibly cool at the 76th Venice Film Festival when she showed up in an all-white linen suit and box-fresh white trainers.

I also absolutely loved when the Oscar winner rocked a flatter white sneaker in 2015 while out and about in Australia. I don’t think anyone thinks Blanchett is sending out a sexless vibe with these looks, and I hope we can all find a way to evolve the traditional white sneaker without completely leaving them behind.

When she isn’t reassessing her own sense of style, Cate Blanchett is starring in incredible movies. At present, you can see her in Black Bag, which is playing in theaters nationwide. You can also see her alongside Adam Driver in the film Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, which is also set to hit the big screen later this year. For more information on other exciting titles heading to cinemas in the near future, make sure to consult the 2025 movie schedule.

This past weekend, Cate Blanchett had her latest movie, Black Bag, hit theaters, which has been getting good buzz from critics. The movie had the Oscar winner re-teaming with director Steven Soderbergh, who famously made the original Ocean’s trilogy in the early '00s before serving as a producer on Ocean’s 8. So when I talked to Blanchett, of course I had to ask the actress if she'd talked to him about coming back to the franchise.

Ocean’s 14 has been rumored for years, most recently with Variety reporting in January that Bullet Train director David Leitch is in talks to helm the sequel (after Conclave’s Edward Berger was previously reportedly in the mix). Here’s what Blanchett had to say when I asked her about the future:

Cate Blanchett has worked with Steven Soderbergh a few times over the years, starting with her starring role in his 2006 war drama The Good German. During our interview, Blanchett shared that she’s always up to work with the filmmaker, but in the case of both of them and Ocean’s, the filmmaker is likely stepping back this time around. That being said, she did mention that George Clooney and Brad Pitt are more likely fronting the next installment rather than a sequel to Ocean’s 8 coming along.

In the recent report about Ocean’s 14, it was shared that George Clooney’s production company Smokehouse was developing the feature with both Clooney and Pitt expected to return. But will the whole gang from the original be back too? Over the summer, Matt Damon shared he was “open” to returning to the franchise, but it would depend if the whole gang might get back together.

Sadly, since the last Ocean’s movie with Clooney and Pitt came out, two of the original Eleven have died: Bernie Mac back in 2008 and Carl Reiner in 2020. In order to keep the number right, I could see perhaps the new movie involving a few of the members of Ocean’s 8, especially if they can’t get all the cast from the original movie. I’d certainly love to see Blanchett in the mix.

As you might recall, Ocean’s 8 connected with Ocean’s 11 because Sandra Bullock’s Debbie was the sister of George Clooney’s Danny Ocean. How cool would it be to see them blending teams? I’m just imagining all the great one-liners that could be added to the Ocean’s franchise. While I continue to think about how Ocean’s could continue, you can see Cate Blanchett play a spy in Black Bag, now in theaters.

There’s something so satisfying about a good spy thriller, and we’ve seen many instances over the years of spouses being turned against each other in the name of espionage. That will be the case again in Steven Soderbergh’s Black Bag when it hits the 2025 movie calendar, and with this director and a stacked cast, audiences should be in for a treat. Critics have screened the movie ahead of its March 14 release, and while they agree it’s fun, some are saying it’s forgettable.

Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender star as Kathryn and George Woodhouse, two spies who are turned against each other when the former is believed to have gone rogue. In CinemaBlend’s review of Black Bag, Mike Reyes says the film defied his expectations, and movie-goers are in for fun, games and some dark and witty humor. He gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars, writing:

Jeremy Mathai of SlashFilm gives it an 8 out of 10, praising Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett for providing a sizzling good time in what the critic calls one of the smartest and most laser-focused spy movies in recent history. Mathai continues:

Siddhant Adlakha of IGN also rates Black Bag a “Great” 8 out of 10, writing that Steven Soderbergh turns “all the right screws with impeccable timing” in Black Bag, resulting in a “slick, self-assured, wildly entertaining” spy thriller. The critic says:

David Rooney of THR is slightly less enthused with the final product but agrees the director and his cast give Black Bag a “consistently pleasurable buoyancy,” even if the movie is mostly forgettable. In Rooney’s words:

Mark Hanson of Slant agrees, giving the film just 2 stars out of 5. This kind of “cool cucumber” film is easy for the Ocean's Eleven director to throw together, and that works against the project, Hanson says. The script shows its hand too early, and after its 93-minute runtime, it feels like nothing much happened. The critic continues:

Only 29 critics have clocked into Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing, but they seem mostly impressed, as Black Bag holds a 90% Fresh rating. It seems like everyone agrees there’s something to enjoy in this film, even if it doesn’t leave the strongest impression once the credits roll. If this sounds like one you’d like to check out, Black Bag hits theaters on Friday, March 14.

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

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

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

Kate Hudson - Alex & Emma

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

Michael J. Fox - Back To The Future Part II

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

Jodie Comer - Free Guy

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

Rory Kinnear - Men

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

Lupita Nyong'o - Us

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

Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood

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

Scarlett Johansson - Astroid City

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

George Burns - Oh, God! You Devil

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

Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin - Big Business

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

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

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

Christian Bale - The Prestige

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

Mel Brooks - History of the World, Part I

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

Tilda Swinton - Suspiria

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

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Man In The Iron Mask

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

Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

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

Arsenio Hall - Coming To America

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

Armie Hammer - The Social Network

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

Graham Chapman - Monty Python And The Holy Grail

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

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

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

Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks!

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

Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap

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

Mike Myers - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

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

Peter Sellers - The Mouse That Roared

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

Margaret Hamilton - The Wizard Of Oz

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

Eddie Murphy - The Nutty Professor

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

Mia Goth - X

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

Richard Pryor - Which Way Is Up?

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

Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Cigarettes

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

Tom Hardy - Legend

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

Hilary Duff - The Lizzie McGuire Movie

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

Adam Sandler - Jack And Jill

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

The Academy Award for Best Actress has been handed out every year since 1929 — it was initially awarded to star Janet Gaynor for her roles in 7th Heaven, Street Angel, and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans — and in the near-century since, it's been presented 97 times to 79 actresses. Winning that coveted statuette is unsurprisingly a dream come true for many a big-screen performer, but the award does come with added attention on the actress's next projects. Will whatever they work on next be as critically acclaimed or commercially successful? Here are 32 films that Oscar-winning actresses did after taking home the Academy Award, and how they were received.

Emma Stone

The whole La La Land Oscars brouhaha at the 2018 ceremony was quite memorable, but clearly so was star Emma Stone's performance as aspiring actress Mia Dolen opposite Ryan Gosling's jazz pianist Seb Wilder. One of Stone's best movies, the role earned the star her first Best Actress win (she would strike gold yet again with her 2024 victory for Poor Things). Her next performance also stirred up awards buzz: she was nominated for a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award for portraying tennis legend Billie Jean King in the sports drama Battle of the Sexes.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep's history with the Academy Awards is long and legendary: over her decades-spanning career, she's been nominated for a record 21 Oscar nominations, winning thrice. After taking home the Supporting Actress statuette for Kramer vs. Kramer, Streep got her first big Best Actress win for one of her most iconic performances: as the titular character of the devastating 1982 drama Sophie's Choice. Her next role was just as haunting: as Karen Silkwood in the 1983 thriller Silkwood, for which she earned yet another Best Actress nod.

Michelle Yeoh

Along with kicking major butt, Michelle Yeoh made history with her starring role as Evelyn Quan Wang in the 2022 action-dramedy Everything Everywhere All at Once, for she became the first Asian performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress. Following that notable win in 2023, the Wicked star lent her voice to the sci-fi flick Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as Airazor, a Maximal warrior who transforms into a peregrine falcon. That title earned largely mixed reviews, and it currently sports a 51% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Jessica Chastain

After losing out on the Oscar for Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain took the Best Actress trophy home for her transformative role as televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in the 2022 bio-drama The Eyes of Tammy Faye. Her next project was far less successful with awards bodies — the action-spy thriller The 355 was both a critical and commercial bomb, reportedly losing Universal an estimated $93 million. Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph wrote: "Despite the strong cast, this is the film equivalent of a corn-syrup-based fizzy drink being passed off as chic in taller, slimmer cans."

Frances McDormand

Three-time Best Actress winner Frances McDormand took home her first Oscar in 1997 for her instantly iconic performance as Minnesota police chief Marge Gunderson in the classic Coen Brothers dark comedy Fargo. Later that year, the acclaimed performer joined a heavyweight lineup of actresses — including Glenn Close, Cate Blanchett and Jennifer Ehle — in the World War II drama Paradise Road. However, despite that acting clout, the film received mixed reviews, with its approval rating at a lowly 43% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Brie Larson

Child actor turned Marvel superhero Brie Larson took her career to a whole new level with her performance as kidnapping victim Joy "Ma" Newsome in the 2015 survival drama Room, for which she swept the subsequent awards season and took home the Best Actress Oscar. In 2016, the Lessons in Chemistry lead starred in another survival drama, this time the Ben Wheatley-directed action-comedy Free Fire. CinemaBlend's own Gregory Wakeman wrote of the film: "Free Fire has enough gun blasts and violence to entertain, but ultimately lacks the requisite surprises or savvy to be anything more than a frivolous diversion."

Olivia Colman

Olivia Colman's Best Actress win for her portrayal of Queen Anne in the black-comedy period piece The Favourite was a deserved yet delightfully shocking moment at the 2019 Oscars. Her next role was equally strange, but less acclaimed: she appeared alongside Kaitlyn Dever, Jim Gaffigan and Walton Goggins as snake-handling fundamentalists in the horror mystery Them That Follow. Though it was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, it earned mixed reviews from critics.

Cate Blanchett

One of the most versatile actors in the industry — she's played Queen Elizabeth I and Bob Dylan, for crying out loud! — eight-time Oscar nominee Cate Blanchett secured her first Best Actress win in 2014 playing a neurotic former socialite in the Woody Allen-directed dramedy Blue Jasmine. And speaking of versatility, the Aussie star followed that awards win with a voice role in the animated fantasy sequel How to Train Your Dragon 2, which got its own Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature.

Sandra Bullock

Rom-com queen Sandra Bullock received her first Best Actress nomination and win in 2010 for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy in the biographical football drama The Blind Side. Her next film credit was the Stephen Daldry-directed 2011 drama Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, which did manage to score a Best Picture nod but not without controversy. Chris Krapek of The Huffington Post called the film "not only the worst reviewed Best Picture nominee of the last 10 years, [but] easily the worst film of 2011."

Katharine Hepburn

Hollywood icon Katherine Hepburn earned four Academy Awards for Best Actress out of 12 nominations across her illustrious film career—a record for any performer. The leading lady's first Oscar win was in 1934 for the Pre-Code drama Morning Glory (the rest would come later in the star's life), which she followed up with John Cromwell's Spitfire. Some viewers found Hepburn miscast as "hillbilly" faith healer Trigger Hicks — the film has a 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman didn't win the Best Actress Oscar for one of her most beloved performances, as cabaret star Satine in Moulin Rouge! but she instead secured the big win only a year later for playing English writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours. The Babygirl star's first post-award project was the 2003 avant-garde thriller Dogville, written and directed by Lars von Trier. Though the film prompted quite a polarizing response from critics at the time of release, it did end up on several best-of-the-decade roundups, including The Guardian and Paste.

Jennifer Lawrence

If they didn't already love her from her work in the David O. Russell dramedy Silver Linings Playbook, the world certainly fell for Jennifer Lawrence when she charmingly tripped up the stairs to accept her Best Actress statuette in 2013. That fall, she would reprise her role as Katniss Everdeen in the second Mockingjay movie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is widely considered the best installment of The Hunger Games film series (it's got a solid 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating) and earned Lawrence a Critics' Choice nod.

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren is a regal onscreen presence no matter what the role, but her performance as Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 docudrama The Queen welcomed her among the Hollywood royalty known as Oscar winners. However, despite the film title, she didn't strike gold with her next project: the Nicolas Cage-led adventure flick National Treasure: Book of Secrets, alongside Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Ed Harris and Diane Kruger. Per Rotten Tomatoes, critic consensus said of the 35% "Rotten" movie: "A talented cast goes to waste in the improbable National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

Jodie Foster

One of Hollywood's most acclaimed child stars — she was only 12 years old when she starred opposite Robert De Niro in the Martin Scorsese masterpiece Taxi Driver, earning her first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress — Jodie Foster successfully segued into more adult fare with the 1988 legal drama The Accused. As an assault survivor Sarah Tobias, Foster received a Best Actress win—it wouldn't be her last, with the star winning the same award for her next film release, one of the greatest horror movies of all time, The Silence of the Lambs.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry made Oscar history when she became the first African-American woman ever to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, for her performance as a struggling widow in 2001's Monster's Ball. After becoming an Oscar winner, Berry became a Bond Girl — bikini-sporting NSA agent Jinx, to be exact — in the 2002 spy flick Die Another Day, opposite Pierce Brosnan as 007. However, the latter is widely considered to be the worst entry in James Bond's canon.

Julie Andrews

A legendary performer across both screen and stage, Julie Andrews won her Best Actress Oscar in 1964 for a truly iconic role: as the titular nanny extraordinaire in Mary Poppins. And she didn't stop there — the very next year, she would get yet another Academy Award nomination for an equally beloved character, as The Sound of Music's Maria, the sweet, singing governess to the Von Trapp family. Talk about an epic filmography!

Kathy Bates

One of the best Kathy Bates performances, as obsessive superfan Annie Wilkes in the 1990 Stephen King thriller Misery, earned the talented actress her first Academy Award nomination and win. (She would have three more Oscar nods across her decades-spanning career.) Bates' next film role was in the South African drama The Road to Mecca, based on the Athol Fugard play of the same name — the performer was praised for both her acting and her accent work.

Hilary Swank

Before there were transgender characters like Emilia Pérez (Emilia Pérez), Sin-Dee Rella (Tangerine), or Raymond Rayon (Dallas Buyers Club), there was Brandon Teena, the real-life trans man at the center of the 1999 drama Boys Don't Cry. Hilary Swank's harrowing, career-making performance as Teena earned the star her first Best Actress award, with critics like Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman calling the actress a "revelation" in the film. Reactions to her next movie, the 2000 supernatural thriller The Gift, were far more mixed. A. O. Scott of The New York Times wrote: "The picture is saved from mediocrity by [director Sam] Raimi's smooth competence, and by the unusually high quality of the acting."

Renée Zellweger

After prior Best Actress nominations for two of her best movies, Bridget Jones' Diary and Chicago — plus a Best Supporting Actress win for Cold Mountain — Renée Zellweger finally got her big Best Actress win for her portrayal of Judy Garland in Rupert Goold's Judy. After taking a multi-year break from acting, Zellweger's much-anticipated next film credit will be a return to a beloved role, in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman was so convincing as a troubled ballerina in the 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan that she thought the film was a docudrama while making it. So, it's no surprise, then, that her tour-de-force performance garnered the star an Academy Award for Best Actress. Ever one to keep you guessing genre-wise, Portman's next role was in the 2011 stoner fantasy-comedy Your Highness, which sadly was a box office bomb and received largely negative reviews from critics.

Cher

The "Goddess of Pop" Cher officially added the title of "Oscar winner" to her already legendary showbiz career with her 1988 Best Actress triumph for one of her best movies, the acclaimed rom-com Moonstruck. Her next movie role came two years later as Rachel Flax, the saucy single mom to young Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci in the 1990 dramedy Mermaids. The heartfelt title has been dubbed an "underappreciated 1990s coming-of-age gem" by The Guardian, which singled out Cher's performance as "nothing short of magical."

Kate Winslet

One of the greatest performers of her generation, it took Kate Winslet a whopping six Oscar nominations before she finally took home the Academy Award for Best Actress, for playing a former Nazi camp guard in 2008's The Reader. Her next onscreen role was in the 2011 black comedy Carnage, by disgraced director Roman Polanski. The film received positive reviews, with critics praising the performances of the cast, including Winslet's — she earned a Golden Globe nod for Best Actress in a Motional Picture Musical or Comedy.

Julia Roberts

After a decade that solidified her as rom-com royalty, Julia Roberts proved her dramatic bonafides by winning the Best Actress Oscar for playing the title role in the 2000 legal drama Erin Brockovich, one of her best movies. America's Sweetheart returned to her romantic comedy roots with her next film, fittingly entitled America's Sweethearts, though critics weren't too sweet on the movie. It only holds a 33% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes, with the site's consensus reading: "Despite its famous cast, the movie lacks sympathetic characters and is only funny in spurts."

Susan Sarandon

After Oscar nominations for Atlantic City, Thelma & Louise, Lorenzo's Oil and The Client, Susan Sarandon was finally named Best Actress by the Academy for playing Sister Helen Prejean in 1995's Dead Man Walking. Her next film was the decidedly lighter kids' flick James and the Giant Peach, in which Sarandon voiced the character of Miss Spider. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with Randy Newman's score earning an Oscar nod; however, the film was a box office failure, grossing $300,000 less than its budget.

Marion Cotillard

French movie star Marion Cotillard became the first actor to win an Academy Award for a French-language performance for her transformative turn as legendary singer Édith Piaf in the 2007 music biopic La Vie en Rose. Her next film credit was another biographical drama — this time, the Michael Mann-directed gangster film Public Enemies, alongside Johnny Depp and Christian Bale. Though many critics praised the leading performances, reviews were mixed, with the title holding a 68% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Marlee Matlin

Marlee Matlin's acting debut in 1986's Children of a Lesser God saw the actress making Oscar history not once but twice: she became the first deaf performer to ever win an Academy Award, as well as the youngest winner in the Best Actress category. The CODA star followed up that momentous victory with the 1987 Western Walker, starring Ed Harris, Richard Masur and Peter Boyle. The historical drama was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 38th Berlin International Film Festival but received very polarized reviews and was a failure at the box office.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Fun fact: Gwyneth Paltrow wasn't initially supposed to star as Viola de Lesseps in the 1998 Bard-inspired romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love — Julia Roberts was. But Gwyn is no doubt grateful the latter ultimately left the production, as the role won her a Best Actress Oscar. Her next project was equally acclaimed: 1999's Anthony Minghella-helmed thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley scored five Academy Award nominations.

Audrey Hepburn

Screen legend Audrey Hepburn won her first Oscar in 1953 for her debut starring role, as Princess Ann in the classic black-and-white comedy Roman Holiday. The British beauty would later be nominated four more times for films like her first post-award project, the 1954 Billy Wilder-directed dramedy Sabrina, as well as The Nun's Story, Breakfast at Tiffany's and Wait Until Dark.

Sally Field

The Academy likes her, they really like her — yes, Sally Field has won not one but two Best Actress statuettes, the first being for her inspiring performance in 1979's Norma Rae and the second five years later for another one of her best films, Places in the Heart. Following her first win, Field reprised her role as Carrie, or "Frog," in 1980's Smoky and the Bandit II opposite her real-life love Burt Reynolds. Though the sequel was a box office success, prompting a third film, it received almost entirely negative reviews from critics.

Charlize Theron

One of the best Charlize Theron roles was also the star's most remarkably unrecognizable: the South African-born actress earned a Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of real-life prostitute and serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 crime drama Monster. Her next big-screen performance was the 2004 war drama Head in the Clouds, which saw Theron acting opposite her then-romantic partner Stuart Townsend. The film was a critical and box office failure; in the San Francisco Chronicle, Walter Addiego wrote: "If not for the presence of Charlize Theron, it's hard to imagine this film would have attracted anywhere near the kind of attention it's gotten."

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon proved she was more than just a musical sidekick with her Oscar-winning performance as June Carter Cash in the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line. The Legally Blonde star was next seen in the harrowing 2007 political thriller Rendition opposite Jake Gyllenhaal, Meryl Streep and Peter Sarsgaard. However, "the impressive cast cannot rescue Rendition, which explores complex issues in woefully simplified terms," reads the critics' consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, with the film at a paltry 47% approval rating.

Elizabeth Taylor

Through much of the mid-20th century, celluloid icon Elizabeth Taylor was one of MGM's most bankable stars. In fact, her final film for the studio — 1960's Butterfield 8, playing glamorous call girl Gloria Wandrous — earned the movie star her first Academy Award for Best Actress. Her next performance was just as iconic: as the titular Egyptian queen in the 1963 historical epic Cleopatra, which received nine Oscar nominations and four wins, though, alas, none for Taylor specifically.

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

Jared Leto - House Of Gucci

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

Charlize Theron - Monster

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

Christian Bale - Vice

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

Lily James - Pam & Tommy

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

Gary Oldman - True Romance

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

Jessica Chastain - The Eyes of Tammy Faye

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

Margot Robbie - I, Tonya

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

Glenn Close - Hook

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

Tilda Swinton - Trainwreck

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

Mike Myers - Bohemian Rhapsody

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

Colin Farrell - The Batman/The Penguin

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

50 Cent - All Things Fall Apart

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

Sarah Paulson - Impeachment: American Crime Story

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

Billy Bob Thornton In U-Turn

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

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

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

Mia Goth - X

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

Tom Hardy - Bronson

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

Donnie Wahlberg - The Sixth Sense

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

Steve Carell - Foxcatcher

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

Cate Blanchett — I’m Not There

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

Zac Efron - The Iron Claw

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

Renée Zellweger - The Thing About Pam

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

Jared Leto - Chapter 27

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

Missi Pyle - Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story

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

Sebastian Stan - A Different Man

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

Chris Hemsworth - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

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

Ryan Reynolds - Blade: Trinity

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

Nicole Kidman - Birth

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

Robert De Niro - Raging Bull

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

Margot Robbie - Mary, Queen of Scots

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

Gary Oldman - The Darkest Hour

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

Charlize Theron - Bombshell

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

It has been six long years since the brilliant Alfonso Cuaron delivered a follow-up to his masterful, Oscar-winning drama Roma, which was a deeply personal love letter to his home country, and his childhood. And if you wanted to see what Cuaron had in store, you needed an AppleTV+ subscription. That’s where Cuaron streamed the seven-part drama Disclaimer, which starred the magnificent Cate Blanchett as an award-winning journalist forced to confront a harsh memory when two people whose lives were impacted target her for revenge.

Please stop reading now if you somehow made it this far into the story without watching Disclaimer… and if you are bothered by plot details and spoilers.

The original series Disclaimer tells two versions of the same story, where Catherine (played by both Cate Blanchett and Leila George) encounters a young traveler named Jonathan (Louis Partridge) while vacationing in Italy. The duo has sex, even though Catherine is in charge of your adolescent son, Nicholas (George and Bertie Haarer). But the truth of the encounter keeps the audience guessing.

The narrative in Disclaimer builds to a harrowing water rescue. Young Nicholas, unattended, takes a boat out into the ocean. As many on the beach try to save him, Jonathan swims out to the boy. He manages to rescue him… but drowns in the process. It’s a heart-wrenching scene, filmed masterfully by Alfonso Cuaron, who uses all of his tricks to submerge us in the ocean alongside a very tired Jonathan.

When the master came on CinemaBlend’s official ReelBlend podcast to discuss his new work Disclaimer in full, we asked him about staging the ocean rescue. And we discovered that it was a LOT more complicated than one might imagine. As Cuaron told ReelBlend:

That is very much in line with the entire way that Disclaimer played with our conceptions of narratives, and reliable narrators. The show routinely shifted back and forth between the Italian incident and present day, when the impact of the affair landed on Catherine (Blanchett), as well as Jonathan’s parents (Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville). And it’s important to note that some of the recollections of the Italian incident are seen through rose-colored glasses.

But on top of all that, there are was the technical aspects of the ocean rescue, as Cuaron went on to tell us:

That’s why I love having filmmakers like Alfonso Cuaron on the ReelBlend podcast. You might have watched the boat rescue in Disclaimer and realized that it was intense. But would you ever think that the director had to move his production from Italy to South Africa so that they could shoot in a tank, protect their child actor, but still match the intensity of the natural light that already had been captured? SO crazy. And also, so awesome.

In my own opinion, Disclaimer is one of the best shows available on AppleTV+ at the moment, because of all of the talent involved. And now that you have seen it, keep talking advantage of that subscription by circling some of the upcoming AppleTV+ projects, to see what’s waiting for us in 2025 and beyond.

From warrior elves to dwarf princesses or queens and soldiers, there are quite a few incredibly empowering women in The Lord of the Rings franchise. Across the films and the prequel series Rings of Power, characters like Galadriel, Éowyn, Disa and more have displayed admirable and inspirational qualities, and they’ve proven time and time again that they are some of the strongest characters in Middle-earth.

Éowyn – Lord of the Rings

When I rewatched Return of the King, I was especially touched by Éowyn's story. All she wanted was to stand up and fight for her people, but the men wouldn’t let her. However, that didn’t stop her. With Merry by her side, the two defied expectations and found their way onto the battlefield.

Then, in an epic applause-worthy moment, Miranda Otto’s character found herself up against the Witch King. Not only did she defeat him, she also gave us this glorious and empowering line:

Witch King: No man can kill me. Die now.

Éowyn: I am no man.

It’s always amazing to see a woman find her strength and stand up for herself and others. Éowyn got to do that in these movies, and it was nothing short of inspiring.

Galadriel – Lord of the Rings and Rings of Power

Watching the Lord of the Rings movies, specifically Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel – who is played by the ethereal Cate Blanchett – is a powerful and graceful elf who occasionally assists Frodo and co, especially in the wisdom department. However, in Rings of Power, we get to see a totally different side of her.

Played by Morfydd Clark, who leads the Rings of Power cast, Galadriel is a tough warrior who is on the frontlines in the prequel series. While she was deceived by Sauron in Season 1, she showed off her resilience as she worked her way back to the elves. Then, in Season 2, she goes on an incredible journey of redemption as she works to do what she knows is right – take down Sauron.

Now, Galadriel, Gil-galad and Elrond are getting the elves together to fight the evil taking over Middle-earth, and it’s so empowering to see her leading this charge.

What I love about Galadriel is how strong-willed she is. Even though she’s down big time during Season 2, she never stops fighting and she’s so determined to try and do what’s right.

Nori – Rings of Power

While Nori has been assisting The Stranger (AKA Gandalf) on his journey to find his name and identity, she’s also on her own quest of self-discovery.

The Harfoot played by Markella Kavenagh is so caring, loving and kind. Throughout Rings of Power, we see her use those qualities to care for her loved ones and The Stranger.

Overall, though, I think Nori’s curiosity is what makes her extra empowering. She’s not afraid to ask questions, and she deeply considers topics she doesn’t know much about. For instance, when The Stranger arrived, while she and Poppy were scared in some ways, ultimately Nori approached him with an open mind and heart. He wouldn’t be where he is now without her, and this trio’s friendship and love for one another are inspiring.

Disa – Rings of Power

Sophia Nomvete’s Disa might be a princess of Khazad-dûm (for now), but in my mind, she’s a queen.

I adore Disa and Durin so much. They’re a healthy couple who love to bicker. They’re equal partners in their relationship, and they are both so strong, both physically and mentally.

For Disa specifically, she’s self-assured and strong-willed. As a stone singer, it’s her job to speak with and understand the caves and mines, and she’s very confident in her skills, so much so that she’s not afraid to stand up for herself and her fellow singers, which is always amazing to see.

On top of that, Disa is also a mother of Gerda and Gamil, and she’s caring for them, Durin and their other loved ones (like Elrond).

Overall, this dwarf is fabulous, funny and inspirational. Seeing her help Durin try to save Khazad-dûm is equal parts thrilling and awe-inspiring, because there’s nothing better than seeing a healthy couple working toward a common goal – even if said goal is as extreme as saving their civilization.

Míriel – Rings of Power

Queen Míriel has been through it. She lost her eyesight in Season 1 of Rings of Power, and then in Season 2, her throne was taken from her. However, that hasn’t stopped her. She has fought tooth and nail to save Númenor and those she loves, and through all of that, she’s proven her mental and physical strength time and time again.

Going into Season 3 of Rings of Power, Míriel is in a tough position as she’s been arrested by Pharazôn – despite passing the sea trial that everyone thought she’d fail. However, she knows she needs to do whatever she can to protect Númenor.

While speaking with CinemaBlend about Míriel and Elendil parting ways after she gave him Narsil and was taken into custody, Cynthia Addai-Robinson also told me her hopes for her character and her inner strength:

If I’ve learned anything about Míriel, it’s that no matter what happens to her, she’s going to fight for her people. And I can’t wait to see her continue doing that, despite the adversity she’s facing.

Arwen – Lord of the Rings

Liv Tyler’s elf Arwen is ethereal, beautiful, incredibly smart and very strong-willed. Throughout The Lord of the Rings, the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían, is seen supporting her love, Aragorn.

During the LOTR films, we see how driven Aragorn is to get back to her and their relationship. On the flip side, we also see Arwen defend her partner as her father nervously cautions her not to marry a mortal.

Ultimately, Arwen and Aragorn get married and rule together, and we love to see two incredible people in positions of power.

Overall, there are quite a few empowering women in the world of Lord of the Rings, however, there’s always room for more. Thankfully, with upcoming projects like the animated The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim and Season 3 of Rings of Power, we’ll get even more of that. And I, for one, can’t wait to see more strong, powerful women in the wonderful world of Middle-earth.

October rolls on, and with it, we get closer to Halloween. That means even more spooky content is coming to all the best streaming services. But don’t worry, if horror isn’t your bag, there’s still a lot more coming this week that will make your various streaming subscriptions worthwhile.

Video game fans with a Netflix subscription will want to be sure to check out what’s new on Netflix, while fans of The Simpsons will be getting something extra special for Halloween if they have a Disney+ subscription. Here’s a look at some of the interesting-looking new content streaming this week.

New TV

Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft - October 10 (Netflix)

Lara Croft has become one of the most popular video game protagonists ever, which explains why the character is being adapted for the screen by two different streaming platforms. While a live-action Tomb Raider series is currently in development at Prime Video, this week Netflix debuts an animated series with the iconic heroine voiced by the amazing Hayley Atwell.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, A New Short from The Simpsons - October 11 (Disney+)

The Simpsons and Halloween go hand in hand, and fans will get a bit of extra fun this year. While the newest entry in the Treehouse of Horror series won’t arrive until November, a new animated short for those with a Disney+ subscription, The Most Wonderful Time of Year, will see Sideshow Bob teaming up with Disney Villains. It sounds like a hilarious match which should make for some Halloween fun.

Disclaimer* - October 11 (Apple TV+)

Cate Blanchett may have flopped at the box office recently with the ill-fated Borderlands movie, but she’ll be back to doing what she does best with Disclaimer*. Blanchett plays a well-respected journalist who receives a copy of a new book that reveals a secret in her life she kept hidden for years. The series is written and directed by Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón.

New Movies

Caddo Lake - October 10 (Max)

The Maze Runner star Dylan O’Brien stars in Caddo Lake a new supernatural thriller that follows a family’s search for a missing eight-year-old girl. The disappearance triggers a family’s past trauma. Based on the look of the trailer, and the fact that the film is produced by M. Night Shyamalan, it appears there may be some supernatural forces at work here.

Mr. Crocket - October 11 (Hulu)

There’s something inherently creepy about a lot of children’s television. Maybe why Mr. Crocket looks so wrong. Originally a short film released by Hulu, now your Hulu subscription will give you access to a feature-length version of the story about a children’s TV host who comes out of a haunted VHS tape to steal children.

This week will also bring a new episode of Agatha All Along as well as big finale episodes on Apple TV+ for the newest season of Slow Horses as well Bad Monkey starring Vince Vaughn.

Whether it's in biopics or in other historical movies, playing an important person often leads to some of the most amazing performances put on film. There are far too many to count, much less list here, but we do think you'll agree that this list of 32 actors playing famous people rank among the best. 

Ben Kingsley - Gandhi

The 1982 epic Gandhi starring Ben Kingsley as the revered leader of India and icon to peaceful protestors all over the world is an amazing movie. At the heart is Kingsley's amazing, transformative performance. He looks and sounds just like Gandhi, it's almost uncanny. 

Margot Robbie - Tonya Harding

When the news first broke that Australian Margot Robbie was cast to play controversial US Olympic figure skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya, it's safe to say that many were skeptical. It took the actor all of about 30 seconds of screen time in the movie to prove those skeptics very wrong. Robbie is fantastic as the troubled skater with a family life that you wouldn't wish on anyone. 

Paul Dano - Brian Wilson

The Brian Wilson biopic Love & Mercy seems to have been overlooked by many, but if you're a fan of The Beach Boys, you need to see it. John Cusack plays the older Wilson in the 1980s and it is fantastic. Paul Dano, who plays the Pet Sounds-era Wilson, is simply amazing. He completely disappears into the role. 

Reese Witherspoon - June Carter Cash

Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix are both amazing in Walk the Line as June and Johnny Cash. Really both deserve to be on this list, but we've the honor to Witherspoon if only because she won Best Actress at the Oscars in 2006. 

Robert Downey, Jr - Charlie Chaplin

It took a long time for Robert Downey to win an Oscar, which he finally did for Oppenheimer. More than 30 years before that win, he earned his first nomination for 1992's Chaplin for playing the legendary actor and Hollywood trailblazer. It's a movie that doesn't get talked about much these days, but it's still great. Especially Downey's performance. 

Natalie Portman - Jackie Kennedy

Jackie Kennedy has to be a tricky person to play. She is so iconic and so well known to so many people that the scrutiny would be stressful. Luckily for all of us, Natalie Portman hit it out of the park when she played the former First Lady in Jackie. 

Meryl Streep - Margaret Thatcher

It's hardly surprising to see Meryl Streep's name on any list of great performances. She has been arguably the best actor in Hollywood for 50 years. One of her finest performances came in 2011's The Iron Lady where she played the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom, Margaret Thatcher. 

Rami Malek - Freddy Mercury

You knew we couldn't have this list without including Rami Malek's incredible performance as Freddie Mercury in the biopic about the late Queen singer, Bohemian Rhapsody. It's not all about the prosthetic teeth, as Malek nailed so many nuances and mannerisms of the icon rock star. Just as in real life, the performance at Live Aid at the end of the movie brings down the house. 

Val Kilmer - Jim Morrison

If you grew up in the '90s, The Doors was probably a seminal film for you. Val Kilmer blew audiences away as the late Jim Morrison. It was so good you'd swear you were watching the real Morrison as he rose to fame and then burned out quickly before tragically becoming a member of the "27 Club" in 1971.

Denzel Washington - Malcolm X

A powerful personality takes an actor with equal strength to pull off and in Malcolm X, Denzel Washington is more than up for the task. Playing the combative, controversial civil rights leader could not have been easy, yet Washington brings him back to life in every way. It's the reason everyone should see this biopic. 

Faye Dunaway - Joan Crawford

Faye Dunaway gives the performance of a lifetime in Mommie Dearest. It's scary and mesmerizing. Joan Crawford was one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood in the Golden Age in Hollywood, but this movie changed the public's opinion of her forever - and not for the better. 

Jennifer Lopez - Selena

Before played the murdered superstar Selena in the movie of the same name, Jennifer Lopez had had a few roles in movies, but after Selena, she was the legend we all know today. It's a groundbreaking performance. 

David Oyelowo - Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Everyone in America has heard the powerful voice of Martin Luther King, Jr. hundreds of times. His speeches are part of everyone's education. That makes David Oyelowo's turn as the civil rights leader that much harder - and that much more impressive. It's just fantastic. 

Cate Blanchett - Bob Dylan

Okay, we admit, technically Cate Blanchett is playing a character named "Jude Quinn" in I'm Not There, but c'mon, let's be real, she's playing Bob Dylan. It's an uncanny performance as well. There is actual footage of Dylan from that time in his career in the excellent D.A. Pennebaker-directed Dont Look Back. Compare that to Blanchett and you'll realize just how great she was. 

Daniel Day-Lewis - Abraham Lincoln

Of all the amazing performances on this list, Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln just may be the best. It frankly could be the greatest acting performance of all time. There's an argument for it, at least. He's simply incredible and brings the tragic president to life like no one else has before or since, and likely never will. 

Cillian Murphy - J. Robert Oppenheimer

Cillian Murphy won a well-deserved Best Actor Award for playing J. Robert Oppenheimer in Oppenheimer. It's a subtle, smoldering performance, just like the personality of the real Oppenheimer. Playing the scientist in his greatest moments in life and his lowest, it's a fantastic showing by the Irish actor. 

Cynthia Erivo - Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman is one of the most important people in US history, but one that hasn't been explored on film nearly as much as you might expect. Luckily, when someone did decide to finally tell her full story on the big screen in 2019's Harriet, they had the good sense to cast Cynthia Erivo as the former slave-turned-freedom fighter. She's amazing. 

Forest Whitaker - Idi Amin

Forest Whitaker is pretty great in everything he's in. He cranks his talent up to another level in The Last King Of Scotland as the brutal dictator of Uganda, Idi Amin. He's so good there are even moments where viewers might feel compassion for the man, despite his worst tendencies as the leader of the country. 

Jessica Chastain - Tammy Faye Bakker

If you were around in the 1980s, you remember all the insanity around Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker. Jim Bakker crying on TV with Tammy Faye right next to him is something no one will forget. Jessica Chastain's turn as the evangelical preacher's wife is just as memorable. 

Philip Seymour Hoffman - Truman Capote

it's hard to imagine anyone will ever play Truman Capote as well as the late Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote. The role completely takes control of the actor in the best way. It might as well been the writer himself. You completely forget there is even an actor behind the role. 

Daniel Kaluuya - Fred Hampton

Fred Hampton was a controversial and complicated leader in the Black Panther Party in the 1960s. Casting a Brit like Daniel Kaluuya in the role was a daring choice by the filmmakers of Judas and the Black Messiah, but it paid off brilliantly as Kaluuya nails the role. 

Gary Oldman - Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill has been played on the big and small screen by plenty of great actors. John Lithgow (The Crown), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), and Albert Finney (The Gathering Storm) have all garnered praise for playing the legendary prime minister. Gary Oldman, who won an Oscar for playing Churchill in 2017's The Darkest Hour may just be the best. His reading of those famous speeches is just mesmerizing. 

Angela Bassett - Tina Tuner

Tina Turner was a fierce woman, who deserved a fierce performance and she got one with Angela Bassett in What's Love Got To Do With It. Bassett's performance is transcendent and certainly deserved the Oscar nomination she received. She should've won it! 

Austin Butler - Elvis Presley

Austin Butler got so caught up in his performance as Elvis Presley in Elvis that critics of the actor complained that even months later he was still talking like the King of Rock and Roll. he wasn't, but that does say something about how good he was in the Baz Luhrmann-directed bio flick. 

Jesse Eisenberg - Mark Zuckerberg

When The Social Network was first announced, many were confused as to how someone could make an interesting movie about the founding of Facebook. It turns out, that if you get a great writer like Aaron Sorkin, a great director like David Fincher, and someone like Jesse Eisenberg to play the Mark Zuckerberg, you can make it look easy. The movie is great, and Eisenberg's performance is pitch-perfect. 

Leonardo DiCaprio - Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes is one of the most mercurial and odd celebrities in US history. In The Aviator, Leonardo DiCaprio fully embodies everything about the director and businessman. He takes on his greatest triumphs and sinks to the depths of Hughes' despair in the lowest points of his mental illness with the same gusto. 

Charlize Theron - Aileen Wuornos

Serial killer Aileen Wuornos was a terrifying person. A true monster, as the name of the movie about her is called. That's not to say a viewer can't have some sympathy for the circumstances that brought her to the point of murder, but you can't excuse her. Charlize Theron does an incredible job bringing all of that to the role in Monster. 

Sean Penn - Harvey Milk

Milk is one of the great political movies of the last few decades and the biggest reason why, besides the inspiring story, is Sean Penn's performance as Harvey Milk. Like Penn has done so often in his career, he completely disappears into the character. It is Harvey Milk.  

George C. Scott - George Patton

George S. Patton was a great, and complicated leader in World War II. He was responsible for some of the greatest military gains in the war, and he couldn't keep himself out of trouble with his controversy. George C. Scott's portrayal of the general in Patton is amazing. Even though the opening scene of him making a speech in front of the flag is fictional, it sets the tone perfectly and the movie never lets up. 

Cate Blanchett - Katharine Hepburn

Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic in The Aviator as Howard Hughes, but he's not the only great performance in the movie. Cate Blanchett as the iconic Katharine Hepburn is, well, iconic. There's just no better word for either. It's not only a spot-on impression, the portrayal nails everything that was great about Hepburn. 

Robert De Niro - Jake LaMotta

Jake LaMotta was one of the toughest prizefighters of all time. His incredible story and Robert De Niro's performance are the two things that make Raging Bull legendary. Scorsese's direction is pretty great too. 

Helen Mirren - Queen Elizabeth II

it's really hard to play a person who has been on television screens all over the world for decades. Helen Mirren takes on that difficult task in Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen was an icon in every sense of the word and playing her could not have been easy, yet, when you have the talent of Helen Mirren, it looks easy. It surely wasn't. 

With the Venice Film Festival underway, tons of stars with projects on the 2024 movie schedule are getting the chance to show off some incredible fashion moments at various red carpet premieres. Now, after Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder rocked some awesome Tim Burton-inspired looks, Cate Blanchett strutted the carpet at her own premiere with a look reminiscent of a wild Sydney Sweeney fashion moment from last year.

The two-time Oscar winner put a new flair on a black catsuit while attending the premiere of Disclaimer, which is a new series coming to those with an AppleTV+ subscription. On the back of the dress, tons of cascading pearls went down her otherwise backless garment. The back cutout also has pearls lining it. Take a look:

Wearing pearls across the neck is typical, so why not let the party be in the back? Cate Blanchett wore a black Armani Privé catsuit to the glitzy event for Disclaimer, which is an upcoming series from Gravity and Roma filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón.

While the look is totally unique and stunning, it’s also reminiscent of a viral outfit Sydney Sweeney wore last year to the Berlin Film Festival. We could only describe Sweeney’s look as a butt necklace. Take a look:

The Alexander McQueen suit Sydney Sweeney wore last February involved the cutout trend that bares her back. But the most glaring element of the look was of course the silver jewelry all along her spine and rear end.

Now, it’s not the most practical of fashion trends considering it might be spikey to sit down, but I’m going to guess Sydney Sweeney changed out of the look in order to sit down that evening. The power of being a Hollywood star is you are allowed dramatic changes from a carpet to your seat!

It’s not a surprise that Cate Blanchett’s effortless red carpet outfit reminds of a Sydney Sweeney moment. The Euphoria actress is all over the hottest trends in fashion, and she has seriously been around promoting her various projects over the past year or so.

As of late Sweeney has been posting all sorts of summer swimsuit inspo, such as the beautifully retro one-piece she rocked last month. While we don’t expect to see her at the same festival as Blanchett, she has owned the carpet of the Italy-set event before. For example, in 2022 she wore a black dress with a large bow across the front, which you can see on her Instagram.

However, let's talk about this year's festival and Cate Blanchett. Her miniseries Disclaimer is a psychological thriller that sees her playing a veteran journalist. Also starring alongside her are Kevin Kline, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, HoYeon Jung, Louis Partridge, Lesley Manville and Leila George. The series is set to premiere on the 2024 TV schedule on October 11, and considering the stacked cast and master filmmaker behind it, it totally tracks why the actress pulled out the pearls for this big premiere.

Now, the question becomes: Will Cate Blanchett and Sydney Sweeney ever work together? I sure hope so, because not only would that project probably be great, but their red carpet fits would be fabulous.

When you watch the Marvel movies in order, there may be no more significant shift in tone than the one we see for Thor in Thor: Ragnarok. The film was a significant departure for both Thor as a character and the Marvel Cinematic Universe more generally. Taika Waititi brought a fresh energy and humor to the franchise that, while many think he overdid it in Thor: Love and Thunder, is just perfect in Ragnarok, and hearing Cate Blanchett talk, that movie was an absolute joy to make.

Cate Blanchett recently spoke with GQ about some of her biggest film roles, among them, the role of Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. Most would likely agree that she is fantastic in the role, and one of the best MCU villains to date. Blanchett says she learned a great deal on the set, which she still uses today about how to act in front of massive green screens. She also learned how to throw hammers from Chris Hemsworth. Blanchett explained…

Blanchett does say the quiet part out loud, that Marvel movies often start filming without a complete script, and that the pieces get put together as the movie is happening. This isn’t exactly a secret, but it’s not something that is often discussed. Still, it sounds like Blanchett enjoyed working on the “jigsaw puzzle” and was proud to be the first major female villain in the MCU, something she didn't even realize was the case until later. She continued…

While the end of Thor: Ragnarok certainly made a return for Hela seem unlikely, with the Multiverse still a thing in the MCU, despite the transition away from Kang and toward Doctor Doom, a return for Cate Blancett is far from impossible. Until then, we’ll have to make do with the actress appearing with Thor and Loki at Disneyland only.

Coming off of one of the best years for video game movies with offerings like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Gran Turismo and Five Nights at Freddy’s, the scene seemed all but set for projects like Borderlands to crush the 2024 movie schedule, especially with a cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Ariana Greenblatt, Jamie Lee Curtis and more. However, fans were given pause when it was learned the adaptation wouldn’t carry an R-rating, and those fears seemed to be warranted, as Eli Roth’s Borderlands has opened to a single-digit Rotten Tomatoes score and some pretty brutal comments from critics.

It definitely wasn’t a great sign for the movie adaptation of Borderlands when first reactions called it “repulsive dud.” As the sci-fi action comedy hits theaters on August 9, the movie holds a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Let’s see what critics are saying, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Borderlands. Eric Eisenberg rates the film just 1.5 stars out of 5, saying it was naive to ignore all of this film’s red flags, because it is “a total mess.” He explains:

Neil Smith of GamesRadar speaks to those red flags in his assessment — giving the movie 2 stars out of 5 — and warns fans of the video game that they may loathe this adaptation. Smith says:

Alison Foreman of IndieWire grades the movie a C-, saying the choice to make Borderlands a PG-13 movie and hire Eli Roth to do so resulted in a film that both betrays the hyper-violent video game that fans will be looking for and is still probably too mature for the younger audience who might enjoy the shallow story. Foreman writes:

Aaron Neuwirth of We Live Entertainment is one of many critics saying Eli Roth seemed to be going for the Guardian of the Galaxies misfit vibes. However, the critic says this project suggests no work was put into making the movie “funny, memorable, dramatically compelling” or interesting in any way. Neuwirth gives it a User Rating of 4, writing:

Another Guardians comparison comes from Matt Donato of IGN, who rates Borderlands an “Awful” 3 out of 10, calling it “a catastrophic disappointment” and a “hideous-as-sin recreation.” Donato writes that it’s an “inexcusably dull, one-dimensional chore of a movie [that] captures none of the creative chaos, exploration, or action-packed hilarity of the games that inspired it.” Yikes! And he continues:

From these and other critics’ reactions, it seems Borderlands may not end up on anybody’s list of best video game movies, but if you’re interested in seeing what Eli Roth’s latest movie is all about, you should definitely feel free to check it out and draw your own conclusions. The movie is in theaters now, and be sure to check out what other upcoming video game adaptations are in the works.

Cate Blanchett has done a fair number of auteur driven, critically acclaimed dramas like Tár, The Aviator, and Blue Jasmine. Now she is trying something different, and is taking on something more fun and wacky by playing Lilith in Eli Roth’s Borderlands. But even if the actress is known for her immaculate taste, she is telling audiences to not take her latest film too seriously. The actress opened up about some dumping on the movie before it’s even out, and praised her co-stars in the process.

In a recent interview with USA Today, Blanchett talked about her upcoming video game adaptation film, and why she joined the Borderlands cast. A mind like Eli Roth was a big motivator, as well as working with names like Jamie Lee Curtis and Gina Gershon. She lauded her co-stars performances and noted how fun the movie is, even if it won’t likely be associated with prestige. She said:

She also had a message to the naysayers, who haven’t been exactly kind to the movie. The film isn’t out yet, but early Borderlands reactions from creatives have called it a "dud," and haven't held back when predicting the movie’s failure. It's still too early to make a real call about the movie's quality, however signs aren't exactly positive. Blanchett defended the movie, saying it’s a good time and it was never intended to be an awards-worthy film. She continued:

The Lord of the Rings alum does have a point. A lot of films that were reviled when they first were released went on to find their audience and become cult classics. Fight Club, for example, was critically panned before later being considered one of the best movies of the '90s. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was another film that didn’t resonate when it first came out, and now is beloved by a very ardent fanbase. Even if Borderlands doesn’t hit this time around, there is still potential for it to live on in pop culture history.

However, this isn’t always the case. Borderlands already has a strong fanbase considering the game is so popular. Video game lovers can be awfully protective of big screen adaptations, and many are still hated amongst fans. It’s pretty agreed upon that Assassin’s Creed was a major misfire, and those Resident Evil films never quite worked. If Borderlands truly is as bad as early reviews are signaling, there’s always the “so bad it's good” genre of cult movie that could attract audiences to the theater. The movie hasn’t even come out yet, so we will have to wait to judge Borderlands to see if it hits with an audience more than critics.

You can see Cate Blanchett in Borderlands when it heads to theaters on August 9, 2024. Video game fans should also check out our feature on the best video game adaptations that you can check out now. For more information on other films hitting cinemas this year, make sure to consult our 2024 movie release schedule.

In a couple weeks, fans looking forward to the Borderlands release will finally get what they want, as the latest upcoming movie based on video games will be on screens. While not all fans are convinced the Borderlands movie will live up to the games, the best thing the movie has going for it is an absolutely insanely talented Borderlands cast. It has comic geniuses like Jack Black and Kevin Hart, one of the best young stars on the planet in Ariana Greenblatt, and two huge stars in Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis,. It turns out we can thank one for the other signing on.

In a post to Instagram, Jamie Lee Curtis, who invented Instagram, admits the entire reason that she signed on to film the Borderlands movie during a global pandemic was that she wanted to work with Cate Blanchett. Curtis’ post reads…

Honestly, can we blame her? Cate Blanchett is kind of amazing, so it’s not exactly a shock to learn that Jamie Lee Curtis joined the Borderlands cast because she wanted to work with the Oscar winner. It wouldn’t be that shocking to learn that most of the cast signed on for similar reasons.

To be fair, Jamie Lee Curtis is actually a video game fan, so she probably would have been at least interested in a Borderlands movie anyway. Still, the timing of the production might have convinced her otherwise under normal circumstances. But then, what’s normal when Cate Blanchett is involved?

Of course, this leads one to ask the question of why Cate Blanchett signed on to be in Borderlands in the first place. Blanchett was the first announced member of the cast, so she seemingly didn't sign on because of anybody else. What was the reason that she decided this was the movie for her? The Borderlands trailers certainly make her look like a complete badass, which may have been enough of a reason for her. This is not exactly the sort of movie where we expect to see Blanchett, so she may have decided she simply wanted to play that sort of role.

Whatever the reasons, the incredible cast is one big reason that Borderlands may be worth checking out. While it is going hard with the Guardians of the Galaxy vibes, that’s not a bad thing if it’s actually able to pull off a movie that has quality that’s nearly as good.

When it was first announced that Eli Roth was going to direct an adaptation of the video game Borderlands for the screen, a lot of fans got very excited. When the cast of Borderlands came together and included names like Cate Blanchett and Jamie Lee Curtis, fans began to get even more excited. Those fans have been waiting literally years for a first look at just what the game brought to life would look like, and now, we finally know.

The first trailer for the very long-awaited Borderlands movie is finally here, and honestly, it's looking like a lot of fun. The trailer shows off the world of Pandora (not to be confused with the Avatar planet of the same name) which very much looks like the video game brought to life. It also brings together an eclectic team on a quest, that is giving me serious Guardians of the Galaxy vibes, and I don't hate it. Check out the new trailer above.

A ragtag group of misfits that probably won't get along at first? Check. Strange and colorful alien worlds? Check? A solid sense of humor? Check. All of it set against a pop soundtrack? Check. Time will tell if the trailer soundtrack is a taste of what will come in the final movie, or just a cool piece of music to set the action against, but either way, it works. 

While the characters are certainly different, Borderlands certainly has a lot in common with Marvel's sci-fi action comedy. But it worked for Guardians, and there's every reason to believe it can work here. There are certainly worse places to take a little inspiration.

The trailer confirms that the Borderlands movie will basically follow the same setup as the original game. A group of Vault hunters, looking for a legendary treasure, set off across a less than hospitable world in search of fortune and glory. Along the way, they will shoot a lot of people. Like...a lot of people.

Kevin Hart plays Roland the Soldier and Cate Blanchett plays Lilith the Siren, two of the playable characters from the game. Several other recognizable characters are seen in the trailer. Most notably, Claptrap, the smart-mouth robot who will be voiced by Jack Black.

Borderlands as a video game is what has come to be known as a "looter shooter." A first-person shooter-style game where finding new gear and weapons is core to the gameplay loop. But the Borderlands franchise did set itself apart by making a solid sense of humor core to its story, and that's something the movie has certainly embraced.

It's been three years since Borderlands went through principal photography. Reshoots took place more recently, under Deadpool director Tim Miller, a Eli Roth was busy making his holiday horror movie Thanksgiving. A Borderlands release date of August was finally given last July. This movie has truly been a long time coming.

Spoilers for the seventh episode of Marvel’s What If…? Season 2, “What If… Hela Found The Ten Rings?” lie ahead.

The latest season of What If…? – the animated anthology series that provides alternate takes on pivotal moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – has been firing on all cylinders. Head writer A.C. Bradley and her colleagues have simply been knocking it out of the park when it comes to telling entertaining stories from the multiverse. While just about all of the installments have been well received by fans, one of the latest to be praised is the Hela-centric story. The episode, which sees Cate Blanchett reprise her role as the Asgardian Goddess of Death, marks the character’s first appearance since 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok but, interestingly, Bradley just revealed that Hela could’ve appeared in Season 1 of the series.

The Thor franchise has been well-represented throughout the first two seasons of the animated show, which is available to Disney+ subscribers. One of the most prominent instances of that was in “What If... Thor Were an Only Child?” The madcap adventure centered on a somewhat more irresponsible variant of the God of Thunder. As is, the story is wild enough but, after Hela’s episode of the show, A.C. Bradley revealed that she and her team wanted the villainess to appear. Bradley, while hyping up Season 2's Hela story, also explained why it didn’t happen:

It would’ve been so much fun to see the clean-shaven Thor and the Frost Giant Loki mix it up with a version of their sister. I’d imagine that the antagonist would’ve shaken up the proceedings had she been a part of them. However, the EP’s comments on X (formerly Twitter) seem to suggest that it was simply too challenging to fit her into the narrative in an organic way. Considering everything that goes down in the installment, I can certainly understand that.

While some may dwell on what might’ve been, it’s fair to say that Hela’s recent debut on the show – “What If… Hela Found the Ten Rings?” – more than makes up for it. The story incorporates plenty of elements from 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as it sees the Goddess being ousted from Asgard and landing in China, where she encounters Wenwu – the leader of the eponymous organization. That encounter sets Odin’s oldest child on a journey that takes her to Ta Lo, where she not only learns new fighting skills but realizes her purpose in life. By the end, Cate Blanchett’s protagonist not only regains her abilities and receives the throne of Asgard, but she also sets out (with Wenwu) to ensure that others across the Nine Realms have freedom as well. 

This is definitely a far cry from the version of the character that audiences saw smash Thor’s hammer during the events of Ragnarok. However, it was refreshing nonetheless to see the character in this light (and in a new costume to boot). Cate Blanchett also more than brought her A-game to the proceedings, providing just the right amount of soulfulness and camp. This also served as a solid refresher on Shang-Chi’s corner of the MCU, which is much appreciated since Simu Liu provided a disappointing update on the sequel. 

A.C. Bradley has been dropping some sweet BTS nuggets throughout What If…? Season 2’s run, and they are very much appreciated. (This week, she also explained why the Wasp was part of the Avengers roster in the Hydra Stomper episode.) I’d expect Bradley to share more details as the season comes to a close and, hopefully, they’re just as, if not more intriguing than what she spilled about the always dramatic Hela.

The season finale of What If…? is set to drop tomorrow, December 30, on Disney+ as part of the 2023 TV schedule. With the season almost over, be sure to read up on the upcoming Marvel shows that are on the docket.

When you look at the landscape of Hollywood A-List actors, it’s hard to believe how many haven’t been nominated for an Oscar. Even crazier is looking back on previous nominees like Meryl Streep and Gary Oldman’s careers and seeing where their first brush with golden glory came from. That’s what we’re gathered together to do today, as we look back on a who’s who of acting talent, and those first projects that put them on The Academy’s map! 

Meryl Streep - The Deer Hunter

Where does one begin when talking about Meryl Streep’s own personal golden dynasty? Well, if you want to start at the beginning, you’d take it all the way back to 1978. That’s when Michael Cimino’s The Deer Hunter put Ms. Streep on the Academy’s radar for the first time. At the time of publication, Streep is the most nominated person at the Academy Awards, thanks to a whopping 21 nods.

Daniel Day-Lewis - My Left Foot

The year 1990 marked an important moment for iconic actor, and three-time Academy Award winner, Daniel Day-Lewis. The now-retired thespian found himself winning on his first time out, with his nomination for the role of Irish writer and painter Christy Brown in My Left Foot. His portrayal of Brown, who created art while living with Cerebral Palsy, was only the beginning of a legacy involving method acting, which led to several more nominations and wins in the process.

Amy Adams - Junebug

Let’s put aside the fact that Amy Adams and Arrival were failed by awards boards in the 2016- 2017 season. Outside of that grudge that some still hold dear, Adams has a total of six Oscar nominations to her credit. That’s pretty amazing, with the first nod coming from her performance in 2005’s Junebug. With that noted, we can go back to grousing about how she deserves to be at seven nods, thanks to Denis Villeneuve’s brain-breaking masterpiece.

Leonardo DiCaprio - What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

While Leonardo DiCaprio could finally call himself a winner as part of 2016’s Academy Award nominees, the path to that victory for The Revenant kicked off in 1994. A hot young talent, DiCaprio’s first nomination was for his role alongside Johnny Depp in the drama What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Turns out, when it was winning time for Leo, the answer to that question was, “A bear.”

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

One of America’s sweethearts, Sandra Bullock can be counted as a member of the First Timer's Club. Her first nomination was also the one that won her the trophy, as the 2010 Academy Awards yielded a golden win for her role in The Blind Side. Despite the recent controversies and lawsuit from Michael Oher that have hit that film’s story about the football player and the Tuohys, this is a hard-earned win, and the first of two nominations so far for Ms. Bullock. 

Tom Hanks - Big

We all know that Tom Hanks is Academy Award-winning royalty, as America’s Dad has six nominations and two wins under his belt. Looking back at the fact that his first competition for Oscar glory came from 1988’s Big, it’s an impressive feat for happening so early in Hanks’ career as an actor. It’s even more stunning when you take into account that it was for a comedy performance, which isn’t as prevalent at the Oscars as one would hope.

Viola Davis - Doubt

Despite the title of the film she was first nominated for, there was absolutely no Doubt when it came to Viola Davis’ status as an Oscar contender. Her first round came in 2008, through that very film mentioned; and she would eventually be nominated three more times, at the time of this publication. Her first win came in 2016 after she starred with fellow Oscar titan Denzel Washington in the film adaptation of Fences. (It's also worth mentioning that this actress is also in the elite club of EGOT winners.)

Peter O’Toole - Lawrence Of Arabia

Tied with Glenn Close for the most Oscar nominations without a win, the late great Peter O’Toole banked his first Academy Awards nod with the movie you’d most expect. Thanks to the director David Lean’s 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia, O’Toole began a dance with Academy voters that only saw him net a 2002 Honorary Academy Award. 

Jodie Foster - Taxi Driver

In the world of Disney actors turned Academy Award contenders, Jodie Foster will always be one of the most notable in that field. At the age of 15, Foster saw her first nomination through her only Best Supporting Actress nod to date. The eventual victor for films like The Accused and The Silence of the Lambs, Jodie first competed for Oscar glory through the role of child prostitute Iris Steensma in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. 

Morgan Freeman - Street Smart

Even movies with Oscar buzz can become buried in the sands of time. Just ask Morgan Freeman, who first saw himself nominated at the Academy Awards in 1987 for Street Smart. A crime drama starring Christopher Reeve as an ambitious reporter profiling Freeman’s pimp character Leo “Fast Black” Smalls Jr., it’s a movie that most wouldn’t remember; especially when compared to the other films the prestigious actor would be nominated for.

Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth

Playing royalty almost feels like a shortcut to winning big-time gold. However, Cate Blanchett is one of those exceptions that sets the rules. While she would later win trophies for The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, Blanchett’s first bid for an Academy Award came in 1999, thanks to the titular role in director Shekhar Kapur’s Elizabeth. 

Anthony Hopkins - The Silence Of The Lambs

Horror is one of those genres that doesn’t seem to get much love on the awards circuit. However, when the results are something as chilling as director Jonathan Demme’s adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs, containing Anthony Hopkins’ equally unsettling performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter, it’s hard not to take notice. Score another First Timer’s Club victory, as Hopkins took home the gold his first time up.

Charlize Theron - Monster

Portraying the criminal mind provides such an allure for actors and auteurs alike. A case proving that point was Charlize Theron’s portrayal of convicted killer Aileen Wuornos in Patty Jenkins’ film Monster, her first nomination out of three at the time of this writing. Theron won the Best Actress trophy on the first try in 2004, all thanks to this tale of true crime. 

Christian Bale - The Fighter

Able to disappear completely in any character he plays, Academy Award winner Christian Bale has four nominations to his name. Equally split between Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor accolades, his first roll of the dice in 2011 landed him a win in the former category; thanks to David O. Russell’s The Fighter. 

Kate Winslet - Sense And Sensibility

The works of Jane Austen are another one of those sources that seem to periodically score nominations at the Oscars. Kate Winslet’s first is part of the proof, as the first of her current total of seven Academy Award nominations (and one win) came from 1995’s Sense and Sensibility. Ms. Winslet’s heart would go on to win Best Actress…in 2009, for Stephen Daldry’s The Reader.

Denzel Washington - Cry Freedom

Let’s see if King Kong knows this piece of movie trivia. Actor Denzel Washington has had 10 Oscar nominations, with two wins coming from that pool. While most would be tempted to cite his win for Glory as the first time he was nominated, that is incorrect. Washington’s first Academy Awards ceremony happened two years earlier in 1988, for his part in the film Cry Freedom. 

Kathy Bates - Misery

Frightening characters can make for the most golden of dreams, as was proven with 1991’s Academy Awards. Kathy Bates took home her first award on her first nomination, through the role of Anne Wilkes in Rob Reiner’s Misery. A “brilliant” adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, this fan favorite is one of many that’s seen the famed horror author’s work turning in some of the most well-regarded films and performances of all time.

George Clooney - Good Night, And Good Luck/Syriana

Here’s a wild story: George Clooney’s first Oscar nominations came from not one, but two films he was involved with. 2006’s Academy Awards saw the ER veteran land and win Best Supporting Actor for his role in Syriana, while one of CinemaBlend’s 100 best movies of the 2000s, Good Night, And Good Luck., netted him a Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay nod in that same contest.

Helen Mirren - The Madness Of King George

Did you know that half of Helen Mirren’s four Oscar nominations came from playing royalty? Surely most know of Mirren’s win in 2007 as Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen. But, dear readers, another queen marked the start of Dame Helen’s Academy Awards history. Her Best Supporting Actress nod in 1995 for The Madness of King George would be her initial foray into this circuit, playing Queen Charlotte to Nigel Hawthorne’s titular monarch.

Judi Dench - Mrs. Brown

Dame Judi Dench is another regal figure that practically screams “Oscar” when you see her. Another member of the club of actors winning as royalty, Dench would win in 1999 for her as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love. That was only on her second try, because in 1998 Dame Judi received her first nomination, playing Queen Victoria in the film Mrs. Brown.

Dustin Hoffman - The Graduate

And here’s to you, Mr. Hoffman; Oscar came a’calling very young. At 30 years old, Dustin Hoffman saw his first Academy Award nomination through starring in 1967’s The Graduate. What may be more surprising than the actual 6-year age gap between himself and co-star Anne Bancroft is that his first Oscar win would take place 12 years later, with 1980’s Kramer vs. Kramer.

Susan Sarandon - Atlantic City

Five nominations and one win are actor Susan Sarandon’s Academy Award legacy, at the time of this writing. But her first nomination was from an Oscar-buzzed title that most folks may not remember: 1981’s Atlantic City. With nominations in “The Big Five” categories, Sarandon and the film at large walked away empty-handed that year.

Russell Crowe - The Insider

Before his name was Maximus Decimus Meridius, Russell Crowe found himself heading to the Oscars under a different moniker: Jeffrey Wigand. Nominated for the first time in 2000, Crowe’s role in Michael Mann’s whistleblower drama The Insider gave the Australian actor his first golden thrill ride. One that he’d repeat in 2001, and win for through the strength and honor of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator.

Angela Bassett - What’s Love Got To Do With It

Surprisingly, Angela Bassett only received her second nomination as part of 2023's Academy Awards, thanks to Marvel Studio’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Bassett’s first nomination came from playing royalty of a different type, as her lead role in the Tina Turner biopic What’s Love Got To Do With It saw her walking the Oscar red carpet in 1994.

Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Count this as another shocker in Oscar nominations history: Gary Oldman only received his first Academy Awards nomination in 2012. You’d think the Bram Stoker’s Dracula actor would have had more than the three nods and one win he currently holds. However, his dreams of golden splendor only started after he played George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. 

Julia Roberts - Steel Magnolias

With three nominations and one win, Julia Roberts’ odds of firing you up or making you cry with her Academy Award-nominated projects are officially even. Her first time in the race came in 1990, in the dramedy classic Steel Magnolias. For those of you who haven’t seen the film, we’ll leave it to you to find out which bucket this particular nom falls into on your own time.

Al Pacino - The Godfather

Some roles are such an indelible part of an actor’s career, they just had to land an Oscar nomination for it. Al Pacino is certainly one of those cases, as he would turn his first Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Godfather into a Best Actor nod in The Godfather Part II. Both stem from his portrayal of Michael Corleone, the favorite son who descended into darkness and power.

Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married

“It came true.” Those three words marked the end of Anne Hathaway’s journey to Oscar gold, with her second nomination and first win for Best Supporting Actress in Les Miserables. But the beginning of Ms. Hathaway’s Academy Awards journey was in 2009, when she was nominated for Best Actress in Rachel Getting Married. 

Matt Damon - Good Will Hunting

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck both won their first Oscars for Best Original Screenplay, thanks to 1998’s Good Will Hunting. But much like other members of the First Timers Club in this list, Damon’s first victory was also his first time at the dance. How ‘bout dem apples indeed.

Jennifer Lawrence - Winter’s Bone

The second time was the charm for Jennifer Lawrence, as her role in Silver Linings Playbook made her a winner in 2013. That wasn’t too long after her initial foray into Oscar victory, which came in 2011 thanks to her lead role in the neo-noir gem Winter’s Bone. Who’d expect any less from the eventual "girl on fire" that would lead The Hunger Games to box office domination?

Ben Affleck - Good Will Hunting

Sailing on the same current as his writing partner and longtime buddy Matt Damon, Ben Affleck’s first Oscar nomination came from his co-authoring of Good Will Hunting. And to think, if Damon and Affleck’s hijinks involving the script hadn’t worked, we may never have seen either contributor go on to the storied careers they enjoy today.

Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction

Fans of Samuel L. Jackson are about to engage in some harsh language, as the current MCU star only has one Academy Award nomination. While it’s rightful for his Best Supporting Actor-worthy role in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, the man’s gone on to deliver several other powerhouse performances worth at least a nod or two. This is something that not even the tastiest beverage could wash away.

As an actor, you never know where that first win or nomination is going to come from. And when you're an A-lister as iconic as the people we've just discussed, those initial impressions are all the more interesting to look at as time goes on. Who knows where these blockbuster draws will find their next brush with golden glory, and how it will compare to these humble beginnings? 

As a longtime fan of Jennifer Lawrence’s work, I’ve always been in awe of all her films, of course, between The Hunger Games, The Silver Linings Playbook and the X-Men prequels. However, there’s always been the funny duality of her also being an absolutely hilarious person in real life who frequently goes viral for interview moments where her personality seems quite the opposite of a deep and dark dramatic actress. So, when No Hard Feelings hit theaters earlier this summer, I ran to my local cinema, and I was absolutely living for J-Law bringing out her comedy chops in a movie that I thought was equally raunchy, silly and very heartfelt. In honor of this, I was thinking about a host of Oscar-winning actresses who need to lead their own comedy next.

Why must there be lines drawn between who can be funny and who is a serious actress in Hollywood? Real talk, but I see male actors slide between movies with ridiculous concepts to award-buzzy ones all the dang time. I mean, just look at Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler or Owen Wilson. Why does Hollywood put so many talented (and already funny) women in boxes? Let’s look at more actresses with a golden trophy who fall in this serious trap who I’d love to see in their very own comedy, stat, especially because they have the power to give a ridiculous concept more gravitas. 

Olivia Colman 

One of my absolute favorite Oscar moments happened when Olivia Colman’s Best Actress win became the biggest bombshell of the 2019 awards show. At the time when Colman won, I wasn’t personally very familiar with the actress outside of The Favourite, in which she played a moody queen without the vibrant personality of the British actress. 

Colman has a really interesting career right now, between being part of more critically-acclaimed dramas like Empire of Light and The Lost Daughter, along with being part of the Secret Invasion cast, Heartstopper and Wonka this holiday season. But, I’d honestly love to see her fully bring out her truly hilarious natural comedic timing. I’m picturing her playing a socially-awkward British woman who travels cross-country through Europe to reconnect with a high-school crush or something random and endearing like that. 

Cate Blanchett

The same goes for absolute Oscar darling Cate Blanchett, who has been turning out dramatic performance after dramatic performance for years, between roles like Tár, Carol and Blue Jasmine. I’m a massive fan of her work, but if you’ve ever seen her in interviews, she looks like a super fun and interesting person, who deserves to totally let loose in a future role. 

Some offbeat highlights here are when she played the wicked stepmother in Cinderella and a monkey named Spazzatura in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, but what I would give to see her play a silly character that just goes off the rails. Hey, even if she were the star of a Judd Apatow movie, I don’t doubt she would earn an Oscar nomination for that, too. 

Michelle Yeoh 

Then there’s our most recent Oscar winner, Michelle Yeoh, who took home Best Actress for her trippy role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Yeoh is known primarily for being an action star in epics like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but she's also made stoic turns in movies like Crazy Rich Asians. After dancing with hot dog hands and so forth in her Oscar-winning role, I hope she follows that thread and leads a comedy of her own. Look, no matter what she does, I’ll follow her anywhere. 

Viola Davis 

Then there’s EGOT winner Viola Davis, who is beloved for nailing a host of powerhouse performances in movies like The Woman King, The Help, Fences and in the DCU. So many of Davis’ roles have her character pushing through some serious struggles, so I absolutely love the idea of her starring in a romantic comedy or musical comedy. 

I’m not sure it will ever happen, but I definitely think she deserves to emulate some more joy on screen at some point, and I’m sure she’d have a blast doing it. Since she’s frequently compared to Meryl Streep, perhaps she needs her own version of something like The Devil Wears Prada or Mamma Mia, ya know? 

Halle Berry

Then there’s Halle Berry, who became the first (and only) Black woman to win Best Actress for her role in Monster’s Ball. In recent years, she has primarily done action or science fiction movies like Moonfall, Bruised, and her incredible role in the third John Wick movie, but I’d love to see her take on another comedy where she has top billing (she has 1997's B.A.P.S. under her belt, of course). 

Berry is a really talented actress who I feel is underutilized. She’s always been very charming, thinking back to her role as Jinx in Die Another Day or even her breakthrough rom-com with Eddie Murphy, Boomerang, back in 1992. Give her a new silly comedy – perhaps of the action variety!!   

Brie Larson

And, what about Brie Larson? The actress who won for her emotional performance in Room is, of course, also Captain Marvel in the MCU, and recently lived her dream of being in the Fast and the Furious franchise, it’s not like Larson is constantly in a super realistic dramatic space. That being said, I find her to be a really genuine personality, who would absolutely thrive in a big Hollywood comedy of her own to lead. I could see her doing well in a buddy comedy, in particular, or a rom-com like 30 Going on 30. She already directed herself in the underrated film, Unicorn Store, but I’d love to see her in even more roles like it. 

Angelina Jolie 

Finally, Angelina Jolie desperately needs to be in a future comedy, in my humble opinion. She’s obviously an incredible talent and we’ll never forget her bringing out the funny in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Her career has certainly showcased that she’s more interested in the real meaty and emotional roles, but there must be the right one out there for her to explore the lighter side of life someday. Maybe after all that divorce drama with Brad Pitt is over? 

What can I say, Jennifer Lawrence’s No Hard Feelings really made me happy and reminded me how the comedy space is still vastly male-driven. Hollywood, how about you call up these talented women for your next big silly movie? 

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power heavily expanded the lore created by J.R.R. Tolkin years ago. While it mostly stays true to what longtime fans know, it also expands Middle-earth in some fresh ways and introduces some exciting new characters in the process. Among those new faces is the Silvan elf warrior Arondir, who’s played by Ismael Cruz Córdova. With his casting, Córdova made history as the first Latino actor to portray an elf in the long-running franchise. He’s quite proud to be a part of the beloved saga and recently opened up about crafting a character that looks like him while following in the footsteps of series alums like Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett. 

A longtime fan of the epic fantasy property, Ismael Cruz Córdova came into Amazon’s ambitious production possessing a lot of respect for what had come before. Of course, the actor was in a very interesting position because, as mentioned, there’d never been an elf like his before. He was aware of the typical characteristics that are associated with his character’s breed. Nevertheless, he was conscious of the fact that he was going to have to bring something unique to the proceedings: 

I’d say that the 36-year-old Puerto Rican actor was successful, as Arondir certainly has a demeanor that parallels many of the famous characters that came before him. However, he also has a distinct vibe that’s very unique to him. While speaking with Gold Derby, the Miss Bala star went on to discuss the work of other elf actors, including Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving. They all played notable elves Legolas, Elrond and Galadriel, respectively. The ROP star specifically discussed how his approach compares to theirs while also sending a little bit of love their way: 

Ismael Cruz Córdova has done a great job in the role thus far, and a number of fans seem to have taken to the character. Unfortunately, there are some who haven’t been as high on the new elf or Córdova’s casting. The actor sadly faced “vicious” backlash after he joined The Rings of Power, though he mostly seems to have handled it well. And on a more positive note, he’s since received support from Orlando Bloom as well as numerous fans. The negativity has been disheartening to see, but it’s definitely wonderful that Bloom, Elijah Wood and more alums have been defending Córdova and the show’s other actors of color. 

Season 2 of the LOTR series is currently set for release in 2024, and Ismael Cruz Córdova will once again be a part of the cast. One can’t help but shake the feeling that there’s still a lot to be explored with Arondir, and I’d wager that Córdova is eager to continue the journey. Here’s hoping he’s able to further flesh out the character in interesting ways and simultaneously serve as inspiration for those who’ve been waiting for such an elf.

Anyone with a Prime Video subscription can check out the first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power now. Those you’re looking for more small-screen fare can also read over the 2023 TV schedule.

Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure in the Disneyland Resort is the perfect place to go if you’re a serious Marvel fan. You never know just which heroes or villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe you might run into on any given day. It’s pretty cool for fans, but it has to be more than a little weird for somebody like Cate Blanchett who is actually part of the MCU and knows the “real” Thor and Loki personally.

Blanchett, who played Hela in Thor: Ragnarok, recently visited the Disneyland Resort and got her picture taken with her on-screen family, Thor, and Loki. I happened to tweet out the picture which went a little viral on its own even, before Chris Hemsworth himself apparently saw it and decided to chime in on Twitter, saying that while “Thor” was glad to see his sister, he still holds a grudge over that whole “destroying his hammer” thing.

It’s a great picture. With the helmets on it would be easy at a quick glance to think Cate Blanchett was actually standing there with Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. Of course, Thor and Loki are in their standard MCU outfits, and Hela is in full vacation mode, but somehow that makes this picture that much better. 

The only problem with the image is that the hammer this Thor is holding actually looks fine. A version of Jane Foster’s Mighty Thor from Thor: Love and Thunder has also appeared at Avengers Campus. That one carries the shattered and then reconstructed version of Mjolnir from that movie. 

Of course, this makes me realize that Hela is one MCU character who doesn’t appear at Avengers Campus. Every time we get a new Disney+ series or movie, we usually get at least one new walk-around character at Avengers Campus. We actually saw multiple variants of Loki when the Loki series hit Disney+. It was like we got a new one every week. Unfortunately, Thor: Ragnarok opened prior to Avengers Campus, and Hela hasn’t appeared since that film outside of What If…? So there hasn’t been a reason for Disneyland Resort to add her. The only character we've seen get added long after their debut was the Avengers: Endgame version of Hulk. And that was largely a focus on the tech necessary to create Hulk in the first place. 

Maybe they could consider creating a Hela character to appear during the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party. We’ve seen other MCU villains and monsters, like Agatha Harkness and Zombie Captain America appear in the past, and Hela would make a solid addition, and considering her MCU costumes she’d look amazing walking around Avengers Campus.

Besides, if we had a Hela character, then the next time Chris Hemsworth visited Disneyland, he’d be able to pose with her and return the favor, making for an excellent companion photo to this one. 

Cate Blanchett never fails to stun on the red carpet. She always looks classy and dons a spectacular ensemble fit for a two-time Academy Award winner. With such massive acclaim surrounding her film, Tár, Blanchett has attended her fair share of red carpet events including film festivals, premieres, and of course, awards shows this season. Now, the Blue Jasmine actress is getting real about re-wearing her dresses at different events and why she believes it should happen more often.

The Lord of the Rings alum recently explained that sustainability is one of the factors that plays into her decision to rewear a number of her dresses. She also honestly stated that public events like the ones she attends shouldn’t be treated any differently than everyday life. She detailed to Business of Fashion (via Harper’s Bazaar):

I love that the 53-year-old star supports repeating outfits. The fact is that people simply fall in love with clothes, and it would be a shame if we only got to wear something that we loved once. There's nothing wrong with repurposing looks, and you can always spice up an old ensemble with some styling and accessories. And Cate Blanchett certainly practices what she preaches. At the 2023 Independent Spirit Awards, the actress rocked a chic black Loewe cape suit with blue piping. It was so sleek and true to her style. You can see the iconic look below:

This may have seemed so perfectly fit for her, because she'd actually worn the outfit before. She previously rocked the suit in 2018 in France at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival, where she acted as the Jury President for the festival. You can see a photo of the star from that event: 

Cate Blanchett is not the only celebrity who has championed repeating red carpet looks. Kate Winslet has been a proponent of the practice for a long time, and even the dress she wore to the Avatar 2 premiere was one she had rocked before. Tiffany Haddish has famously worn her white Alexander McQueen dress many times as well, because she loved it so much. I’m already looking forward to the red carpet looks at this year's Academy Awards, and this support for rewearing dresses makes me think we might be seeing some familiar gowns at some point during the night.

You can catch Cate Blanchett in some more iconic suits in her latest performance as Lydia Tár in Tár, which is now streaming for Peacock subscription holders. She's nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars, which airs tonight, March 12 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. For more information on other films hitting theaters and streaming in the near future, check out our 2023 new movie release schedule.

There are certain movies that come around that really leave an impact on me. Sometimes it’s movies I’ll watch once and never want to watch again. Other times, it’s movies that I adore so much I’ll watch them over and over, like the Harry Potter series. Occasionally, it’ll be an animated film such as Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio and it’ll truly touch my soul. 

But for the first time in a while, an Oscar-nominated film moved me to tears, and that film was Tár.

Granted, there have been plenty of great movies that have come out over the past year – from Everything Everywhere All At Once to Top Gun: Maverick to Avatar: The Way of Water, but only Tár, starring Cate Blanchett, made me clutch my chest from crying. Out of all the contenders for Best Picture at the 2023 Academy Awards, Tár was the first that truly stuck with me for hours after watching it – and today, I’m going to give you my reasons why. 

First Off, Cate Blanchett Is Amazing In Her Role

I mean, everyone always expects Cate Blanchett to be amazing at whatever she does, but in Tár, she’s on another level. 

I’ve seen Cate Blanchett in many movies. I believe the first film I ever saw her in was Carol back in 2015, but I’ve watched her in many films since then. I saw her as an amazing villain in Thor: Ragnarok, I’ve seen her in my watch through the Lord of the Rings franchise, I saw her in Don’t Look Up, Cinderella, I’m Not There, and so many others, and no matter what she’s just always phenomenal. 

I think that’s also just a testament to how good she is at finding the right roles, but let me say that her performance in Tár is so visceral and gut-wrenching that I felt myself captivated by her every move. Tár is the perfect example of how subtle acting can be. Tár at its core, is about a famous composer/conductor who is going through a horrible ordeal and is experiencing mental side-effects because of it, and Blanchett perfectly captures all of it. 

The ways in which she acts in the movie is so subtle and perfectly executed that it makes it feel as if the camera isn’t even supposed to be there – everything feels so natural. It almost feels too natural because it’s as if we are invading Lydia’s space by seeing this deep into her mind. And that’s from the effectiveness of Blanchett’s performance. 

While I originally believed that other actresses nominated for Best Actress had it in the bag, I can fully say that I think Blanchett has a reason to win another Academy Award. Her performance in this was out of this world fantastic. 

The Cinematography Is Phenomenal

I feel like I say this with most movies, but the cinematography in Tár is just phenomenal. 

There are different levels of cinematography that truly get me. One is the otherworldly type that we see in big movies with CGI and crazy landscapes. I’m talking about movies such as Eternals, or Avatar: The Way of Water – scenes that are beautifully shot, but sometimes, there’s a lot of visual effects behind it, and that’s totally alright. 

But the cinematography in Tár is something else entirely, because it doesn’t need super flashy visual effects for its storytelling, as it's very grounded. Instead, the cinematography paints how Lydia, the main character, is feeling. Some shots show chaotic movements so the viewer can experience that same fragile state of mind that Lydia is in. Other shots are static and slow to simulate a beat of peace. Few show grand audiences and others are much more intimate. 

Every frame of this movie felt so well-thought out, and as someone who really appreciates that kind of stuff, I fully tip my hat to the cinematographer. 

And The Music Is Absolutely Stellar 

For a movie that surrounds composition and conduction orchestras, you better believe I was expecting great music. And boy, did Tár deliver. 

Admittedly, I am a huge movie music nerd. I’ve watched so many movie musicals, appreciated the scores of famous composers such as Hans Zimmer or John Williams, and just overall enjoy the feeling that music in a movie can bring. The music in Tár, composed by Hildur Guðnadóttir, is expertly done. 

Not only does the score accurately reflect the feelings you are supposed to feel during certain moments of the film, it almost feels as if it's an extension of Lydia’s character, which is something I don’t usually say about movies. It almost feels as if Lydia herself had composed the music. 

It’s Such A Poignant Story On The Downfall Of A Famous Person

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie that is more relatable to people of my generation right now than that of Tár, and I mean that wholeheartedly. 

Lydia herself is an incredibly talented composer that is lauded with awards, and often challenges her students (where she teaches a masterclass at Juilliard) to appreciate the music from composers despite their challenged pasts, but she, herself, has also had a challenged past with one of her students. 

This one instance of Lydia’s past comes back to haunt her when emails with said student are leaked, and edited videos of Lydia's lectures are posted online, sending her career into a spiral. Without spoiling too much, Lydia literally is what she preaches – she is a composer who has a dark past, but wishes for people to appreciate the music more than the person themselves. 

But even then, as her life slowly begins to crumble around her, she feels that not even her music is appreciated because she is slowly losing herself and the fame and the respect she had struggled to build up for so long is eradicated. 

It’s an intense story about the downfall of a famous person, a slow burn of sorts that takes its time, but once it gets going, it doesn’t stop. It’s a psychological drama about the effects of cancel culture and how even if someone deserves to be reprimanded for what they have done, it can slowly tear them apart from the inside out. 

And It Also Informs The Viewer About The Importance Of Staying True To Your Roots

But here we are – at the spot that truly made me cry. 

I won’t spoil the end of the movie, but it made me appreciate where I came from. There are so many times where people, when they get an ounce of fame or something else that boosts their ego, will forget where they came from. Their minds will become clogged with prestige and believe they are deserving of everything they are given, only to realize that it can all be taken away like that, with the snap of their fingers. 

The end of this film had me rethinking about how I’ve spoken to certain people in my life, how I’ve treated them, how I’ve moved past certain situations, so much so that it overwhelmed me and I felt the need to call my mom and tell her “thank you” just for always being there for me. 

A movie like Tár only comes around once in a while to really make you think about everything you should be thankful for and to keep striving towards perfection, but never forgetting where you come from. And I have to thank Tár for that. 

Tár is what I personally consider the dark horse for Best Picture in the Academy Awards this year, just because there are so many amazing films nominated. But it’s always going to hold a special place in my heart during awards season – and if you haven’t given it a shot yet, be sure to carve out some time to watch it. 

Stream Tár on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Tár on YouTube.

The Oscars race is heating up, and awards season is in full swing. Many stars and films are receiving golden statues for their cinematic achievements and on-screen storytelling that blew critics away. Cate Blanchett, who’s performance in Tár is outstanding, has been prominent in the conversation, and the Oscar-nominated film has actually hit an awards season milestone that’s beyond impressive. 

Tár just took home the Film of the Year award at the London Critics’ Film Awards, and with the win, the movie has been named Best Picture by every single major critics association – including Los Angeles, New York, and the National Society of Film Critics. Only three films before Tár have ever swept the critic’s awards circuit in the same way, and those were The Social Network, Schindler’s List, and LA Confidential. Focus Features acknowledged the achievement in a celebratory Facebook post. 

What this means for Tár in the Oscars race is unclear. The Academy has a ranked choice voting system which makes early predictions hard to make. Among the other films that have swept the critics circuits, only one has one the Best Picture Oscar, and that was Schindler’s List in 1994. Tár has some competition in this year's in Acaemy Awards race, and will have to beat fan favorites like Everything, Everywhere, All At Once and Top Gun: Maverick to come out on top. 

Cate Blanchett has already been recognized for her astounding and committed performance as Lydia Tár in the film. The actress has taken home a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice Award, and she has been nominated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. If Blanchett does take home the gold statue, it will be her third, as she previously won Best Supporting Actress for The Aviator and Best Actress for Blue Jasmine. Her nomination for Tár marks her eighth nomination overall. 

While Blanchett’s work in the film is a definite highlight and is a major take away, many other aspects of the film are receiving widespread recognition. The movie is also nominated for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Todd Field, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing. Tár also had a major presence at the BAFTAs and won Movie of the Year at the coveted AFI Awards. 

In the film, Blanchett's Lydia Tár is a successful classical composer who is largely considered to be the best in her field. Her career starts to come apart when events from her past start to surface. It’s a remarkable character study about a fictional individual, which convinced many audiences that Lydia Tár is a real person. The Todd Field-directed project tackles themes of power, justice, and the idea of genius. Early reviews back in September predicted it’s run as the major awards show contender it’s become, and it is an essential watch for cinephiles everywhere. 

To find out where to watch Tár before this year’s Oscars, you can check out our feature on where Tár is currently available to stream. For more information on other films coming to theaters and streaming in the near future, consult CinemaBlend’s 2023 movie release schedule. 

Halle Berry made Oscar history 21 years ago when she became the first Black woman to win the Best Actress award. Now as a group of legendary actresses made their way onto the list of 2023 Academy Award nominees over two decades later, the actress who took home a trophy for Monster’s Ball in 2002 is congratulating all the badass ladies for their excellent work. 

The actress started out her congratulatory Instagram story post, by sending her love to all the nominees, but specifically the ladies:

She then started calling out and congratulating specific actresses, starting with her “deserving” friend Angela Bassett. 

Bassett made history with her nomination for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This is because if you’ve seen the Marvel movies in order, and paid attention to the last decade and change of Academy Awards nominees, you’ll notice no Marvel actors have been nominated for their performance, until this year. The actress behind Queen Ramonda got her second Oscar nomination ever for her performance in Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther sequel, and Berry, who is both a Marvel and Oscar alum was quick to congratulate her colleague for one of Bassett’s best movies. 

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever love didn’t end there, as Berry also congratulated Ruth Carter, who picked up a Costume Design nomination. This is Carter’s fourth nomination, she has received recognition for her work on the costumes for 1993s Malcolm X as well as 1998s Amistad, and won the Oscar in 2019 for Black Panther. 

I could totally see Carter picking up her second Oscar this year for Wakanda Forever, and Berry seems to agree, as she posted:

Like Berry, Michelle Yeoh is making Oscar history. The actress picked up her first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Lead Actress for her outstanding performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, making her the first Asian to be nominated in this category.

While Yeoh’s co-stars Stephanie Hsu and Ke Huy Quan (who should be the frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor) both nabbed nominations too,  Berry noted Yeoh specifically (as well as Jamie Lee Curtis, but we'll get to that). This is because if she wins, this EEAAO star will make history, just as her fellow Bond girl did all those years ago. The actress wrote: 

Berry also gave a shout-out to Oscar legend Cate Blanchett, who picked up her eighth Oscar nomination for her performance in Tár. Todd Field’s film was welcomed with good reviews, and those critics noted early on that Blanchett was a frontrunner for an Oscar this year. If she wins it would be her third Academy Award.

In her post, Berry simply added some white hearts showing love for the legendary actress:

The X-Men actress was among many to congratulate Jamie Lee Curtis on her first Oscar nod. Following Curtis’ emotional response to the nomination in Best Supporting Actress, Berry chimed in noting just how deserving she is of the recognition. 

Much like Berry, many are celebrating Curtis’ nomination for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Many are also keeping the excitement alive for Stephanie Hsu, who was nominated in the same category for the same film, which was one of the biggest surprises of this year’s nominations. 

It’s so amazing to see women supporting women, and to see a legend like Halle Berry showing her love for all these phenomenal ladies. And, while there may be some historic wins this year at the Academy Awards, let us not forget what happened in 2002 when Halle Berry made history herself. You can check out her speech here:

Hopefully, as the awards season continues, we’ll see more from these actresses, including Berry, because it’s so empowering to see these amazing women supporting each other and making history.

You can tune in to celebrate these badass ladies and the other nominees on March 12 when the 95th Academy Awards air at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. 

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

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

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

Ewan McGregor - Sebastion J. Cricket

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

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

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

David Bradley - Geppetto

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

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

Gregory Mann - Pinocchio And Carlo

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

Burn Gorman - Priest

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

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

Ron Perlman - Podesta

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

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

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

John Turturro - Doctore

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

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

Finn Wolfhard - Candlewick

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

Cate Blanchett - Spazzatura

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

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

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

Tim Blake Nelson - Black Rabbits

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

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

Christoph Waltz - Count Volpe

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

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

Tilda Swinton - Wood Sprite And Death 

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

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

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

The Oscar race doesn’t end in November. That’s far too soon, with plenty more movies to screen before the calendar year comes to a close. But the annual Academy Awards field can (and usually does) crystalize in the run up to Thanksgiving, because Oscar contenders begin to show to wider audiences, giving critics and moviegoers a better look at the movies and performances that will dominate the conversation for the next few months. One movie eventually will join the prestigious list of Best Picture winners. In the Best Actor category, I personally have been singing the praises of Brendan Fraser for his performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, which earned him a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. And now that I have seen Tar, allow me to move Cate Blanchett’s name to the top of my leaderboard for Best Actress, because damn, is she incredible.

Todd Field’s third feature-length film, Tar, casts Cate Blanchett in the title role. Lydia Tar is a world-renowned conductor and composer who sacrifices everything else in her life in order to be considered one of the best – if not the very best – in her competitive field. Family, friendships, relationships all fall by the wayside as Tar rises to the top… and fights to remain there, despite external pressures that I’ll leave for you, as an audience member, to discover.  

Early reviews have sung Blanchett’s praises, which is understandable. Lydia Tar is a complex character who requires a multi-faceted performance, the kind in which Blanchett typically excels. But when getting the chance to discuss the role with the Oscar winner, I asked if her opinion of Lydia Tar changed at all from the moment she read the script to the moment she wrapped filming. And Blanchett explained: 

Cate Blanchett should know. She’s one of the actors in our generation who also pursues greatness in her work, leading to this collection of the best Cate Blanchett movies ever made. But that led to a tightrope walk of sorts in her performance, because she explained to us how she had to find that line inside of her fictional character Lydia Tar, while also continuing to push that effort inside of herself. And in doing that, it meant that she needed to avoid passing any judgement on Tar’s actions (which become controversial). Blanchett continued:

The audience seems to be dialing into the story of Lydia Tar, and the way that Cate Blanchett is portraying her. To the extent that many are leaving the theater and Googling “Lydia Tar” in hopes of learning more information about a fictional composer they think is/was real. Which thrills Blanchett’s co-star Nina Hoss, the actress playing Tar’s companion, and a musician in her orchestra. As Hoss points out:

As for the real-life artists that inspired Blanchett growing up, she thought back to the artists who came before her, and helped shape her into the performer that she has become. There’s a very humanizing scene in Tar where Lydia returns to her childhood home and unexpectedly rekindles the passion that put her on the path toward greatness that has consumed her. She remembers the artists who motivated her, and it makes us think she might fight to maintain that internal pursuit. Speaking of her own journey, Blanchett told CinemaBlend:   

These answers should, at the very least, help us to understand better how (and why) Cate Blanchett is one of the most respected actors of our generation, and why audiences look forward to every upcoming Cate Blanchett movie with anticipation. Her work in Tar should earn her another Oscar nomination, but we will have to watch the actual ceremony to see if a win is in the cards. In the meantime, grab tickets or stream Tar and appreciate Blanchett, and all that she brings to the table in every role.

The stars of “Tár” including Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss discuss their film in this interview with CinemaBlend's Sean O’Connell. They discuss their opinion on their protagonist, the online reaction to the film, creative inspirations and much more!

Video Chapters:

0:00 Intro
0:34 How Cate Blanchett's opinion of Lydia Tár changed throughout 'Tár'
2:10 Nina Hoss on audiences' reactions to the film’s characters
3:13 Cate Blanchett discusses her creative inspirations
4:17 The parallels of a composer and musician vs. a director and an actor

Cate Blanchett is an acting powerhouse. To say that many have been enamored by her performances over the years would be an understatement. Now, with early reviews trickling in from the Venice Film Festival, critics are saying she has proved this point yet again with her latest film Tár. A film and a performance bound to be a player in this year's awards season. 

Tár had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival where it received a six-minute standing ovation. Afterward, the critics published their reviews, focusing mostly on the power and nuance of Blanchett’s performance. According to many, the actress may have reached a new level of astounding. Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair called this performance her magnum opus. 

Ben Croll from The Wrap, and speaks at length about the unlikability of the character and her fall from grace. Calling it a “psychological portrait” of a woman whose life is spinning out of control. Praising much of the movie, Croll makes it clear that Blanchett is the strongest part of the film.  

The movie follows the story of  Lydia Tár, played by Blanchett. In the film directed by Todd Field, she is considered one of the greatest living composers and conductors. She is also the first woman to be the chief conductor of a German orchestra. 

Marshall Shaffer from /Film refers to Blanchett’s performance as a “masterclass.” Saying the film would not have worked without the actress’s “commitment and competency.” While at points the film got a bit monotonous for him, Blanchett’s stellar performance and control over the character is what kept him in it.  

The actress's performance as the aforementioned character also impressed Total Film's Jane Crowther, who wrote about Blanchett’s “towering performance.” Crowther writes about how Blanchett and the director Todd Field didn’t shy away from making this character unlikeable or the complexities of classical music. They went full speed ahead creating a love letter to “orchestras and the classical music world,” by way of the actress's performance as Lydia Tár, she writes. 

David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter wrote about how this movie takes what feels like a concept for “highbrow aficionados” and turns it into a “mesmerizing character study.” He explains that the film paints a portrait of Lydia Tár by way of her artistry and her obsession with her art. Rooney also points out that Blanchett’s performance does not ask audiences to try and like Tár but does demand respect for the character. He finishes his review off by saying this marks another high in Blanchett’s career.

The headline of Owen Gleiberman’s review for Variety says Blanchett “Acts With Ferocious Force.” He goes on to explain that the film feels immersive, and Todd Field has created “the work of a master filmmaker.” He also raves about Blanchett saying her performance is “destined” to play a big role in this year’s awards season. 

These early reviews have posited that Blanchett will be a part of this awards season because of her performance in Tár. Between her stellar track record and this possibly career-defining performance, it seems inevitable that she will be the talk of the town come 2023. 

But this really isn’t a surprise, throughout her career, she has shown off her staggering range and ability as an actor. She demands the screen when she is on it, whether she’s the main character or part of an ensemble. And her range is vast. From her role as Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings and Thor’s villainous sister in Marvel’s movie Thor: Ragnarok to her Academy Award-nominated performance in the critically acclaimed Carol, Blanchett has done a bit of everything. Now, she can add the complex protagonist that is conductor Lydia Tár to that list. 

Tár will be making the rounds at film festivals this fall and will hit theaters on October 7. In the last year, Blanchett was a part of the Don’t Look Up cast and co-starred in Guillermo del Toro's captivating film Nightmare Alley. Along with Tár this year, she is slated to appear in Eli Roth’s adaptation of Borderlands and Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio. While Tár could be one of her most legendary performances, there are so many other great Cate Blanchett movies out there that further prove she is one of the greatest actors working right now. 

There have been some amazing stop-motion animated movies released while I have been alive on this earth. And now, a master of horror and fantasy is going to be adding his own to the mix in the form of Pinocchio. That’s right, Guillermo del Toro’s vision of the famous fairytale is finally going to be coming to life soon on Netflix as part of the 2022 movie schedule.

But with more news coming out about this film, one might be wondering who's in the cast, or what the story will be about. Look no further, because we have some quick things about the upcoming Netflix movie that you’ll want to know as soon as possible, starting with when we'll see Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio. 

Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio Will Release In December 2022 On Netflix

It feels like this film has been in development for forever, but fortunately, we have some news on when this movie will debut. According to a new trailer that was released in July 2022, the new Pinocchio film directed by Guillermo del Toro will release in select theaters in November 2022, and release on Netflix in December. 

While there is no specific date of when in December, we can at least be thankful that this can be added to the 2022 Netflix movies, and it's surely one to look out for. 

Pinocchio Has A Star-Studded Cast Including Ewan McGregor, Finn Wolfhard, And More

If you’ve already watched the trailer at this point – and if you haven’t, you’ll find it below – you might have recognized that familiar voice behind Sebastian J. Cricket. That’s right, it’s Ewan McGregor who plays the little voice of wisdom for Pinocchio in the movie. And featured in the trailer are several other stars whose voices you may recognize. 

The Pinocchio cast list is stacked with stars. According to Deadline, several big names have signed on to the stop motion film, such as David Bradley (from the Game of Thrones cast) as Gepetto, Finn Wolfhard (who was recently in Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 2021) as Lampwick, Cate Blanchett (who was a part of the Don’t Look Up cast in 2021) as Sprezzatura the Monkey, Tilda Swinton as the Fairy with Turquoise Hair, John Turturro as Master Cherry, Christoph Waltz as the Fox, and more. 

You might be wondering who might be playing the titular character, and that’s newcomer Gregory Mann, per the Deadline article. The little boy will have his first big role in Hollywood voicing Pinocchio. 

With a cast list like this, and a great production team behind the scenes, how can this movie not be amazing?

Del Toro Is Teaming Up With Mark Gustafson To Direct Pinocchio 

While many know who Guillermo del Toro is thanks to some of his big-time hits, such as the dark fantasy movie, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, Hellboy and more, he's teaming up with a big-shot in animation to see that Pinocchio is done right, and his partner is Mark Gustafson. 

Gustafson, who has worked for a long time in the animation industry, is most known for being the animation director of Fantastic Mr. Fox, another fun stop-motion animation movie with an amazing cast. 

This partnership has been one that has been going on for some time - dating all the way back to 2012, per IndieWire - so here’s hoping that he and del Toro are going to bring this wonderful fairy tale to life perfectly. 

Alexandre Desplat Will Write The Score For Pinocchio

That name might sound quite familiar to you. Pinocchio already has an amazing cast, and some awesome people behind the scenes. All it really needed was a brilliant composer, and del Toro got that in the form of Alexandre Desplat. 

Desplat has written the scores to some very famous movies. Two of his best, written for The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Shape of Water (which del Toro directed as well) won him the Academy Award for Best Score, but he’s written the music for many films that you might recall. 

Some of his most notable scores include Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Parts 1 & 2, The Golden Compass, Rise of the Guardians, Zero Dark Thirty, Isle of Dogs, Moonrise Kingdom, The King’s Speech, and most recently, the latest addition to Wes Anderson’s films, The French Dispatch. 

Truly, he’s a pro at what he does, and as someone who loves many of his scores (I still cry when listening to "Severus and Lily" from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2), I can’t wait to see what he produces for his second collaboration with Guillermo del Toro. 

Pinocchio Will Be A Stop-Motion Adaptation Of The Classic Fairytale

Disney+ is also working on a new adaptation of the fairytale, but the streaming platform’s upcoming Pinocchio will be live-action, starring Tom Hanks and several other stars. As mentioned earlier here, Pinocchio is going to be a stop-motion animated movie. 

This means that it will join the ranks of other famous stop-motion movies such as Coraline, The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Corpse Bride, and more. I’ve always been a huge fan of this style of animation, so to see something like Pinocchio use the technique is so cool. 

According to the movie’s description, the main premise of this version of the story is that it will follow the titular character, Pinocchio, as he searches for his place in the world, taking him on a wild adventure.  

Del Toro Compares His Version Of Pinocchio To That Of Frankenstein 

While the premise of this movie is already interesting enough, del Toro, in an interview with Collider, said that he compares his version of Pinocchio to that of the classic monster movie, Frankenstein, and noted it’s always been a passion project of his: 

When the film was still in production, Del Toro spoke passionately about what he was making: 

And now, with the latest trailer already out, it’s looking like we’re going to get to see his version of the fairytale soon enough. Can I make a deal with God and just wish for December to come quicker? I need to see this movie sooner. Where’s my time machine?

Watch The Trailer For Pinocchio!

If you haven’t seen the trailer for Pinocchio yet, be sure to check it out down below:  

Which part of this movie are you excited for the most? I know that as soon as it’s available to watch, I’m going to stream it, and probably love the heck out of it. But until then, I must be patient.  

We all love a good cameo by a celebrity appearing as themselves for a brief, but fun, little moment. However, what I have always found more amusing is when a famous person portrays themselves in a more prominent starring role from a movie, or in a TV guest appearance that serves as the main focus of that episode (or episodes), or even as the lead of the whole story. With Nicolas Cage playing himself in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, we wanted to take a look at our picks for some more of the best performances by athletes, musicians, or actors who played themselves.

Neil Patrick Harris (Harold & Kumar Movies)

Future How I Met Your Mother cast member Neil Patrick Harris was still best known as the star of Doogie Howser M.D. when he stole the show in the 2004 stoner comedy classic Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle as a highly dramatized version of himself. The Emmy nominee would reprise the role in two sequels that more heavily blend the actor’s reality with increasingly absurd fiction, including getting kicked out of Heaven by Jesus in A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas after he was previously gunned down by prostitutes in Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. 

Cate Blanchett (Coffee And Cigarettes)

Every vignette in Coffee and Cigarettes - Jim Jarmusch’s 2003 anthology of short films starring celebrities as themselves - is gold, but Cate Blanchett leads one of the more unique and thought-provoking of the bunch called “Cousins.” The segment is, additionally, one of the most profound testaments of the two-time Oscar winner’s chameleonic talent, as she makes it so easy to forget she is playing both herself and her brunette relative, Shelly, who struggle to relate to each other while catching up in a hotel lobby.

James Van Der Beek (Don’t Trust The B**** In Apartment 23)

In 2012, James Van Der Beek made his big return to TV as a series regular on Don’t Trust the B**** in Apartment 23 in a role very close to his heart: James Van Der Beek. The actor brilliantly pokes fun at his post-leading the Dawson’s Creek cast career and predicts his future Dancing with the Stars stint as the famous best friend of Krysten Ritter’s Chloe - the title character of ABC’s short-lived, but much-acclaimed, comedy.

Bill Murray (Zombieland)

Most people would consider Bill Murray’s surprise appearance in Zombieland to be one of the greatest cameos of his career (and there are several incredible examples to choose from). However, with only four other characters in the main cast of the classic 2009 zombie comedy, I think we can justifiably count the Oscar nominee’s iconic, hilariously dead-pan portrayal as his post-apocalyptic self as a starring role despite lasting mere minutes. 

Keanu Reeves (Always Be My Maybe)

Another example of a relatively brief appearance that still earns the right to be called a starring role occurs in 2019’s Always Be My Maybe when Marcus (Randall Park) is shocked to learn that his childhood friend (and crush), Sasha (Ali Wong) is dating none other than Keanu Reeves. The John Wick star pulls no punches in his partially improvised portrayal of a wonderfully absurd version of himself in the Netflix original rom-com, in which, during a restaurant double-date, he shows up wearing glasses with no lenses and asks the waiter for a dish that plays with “the concept of time.”

Heather Langenkamp (New Nightmare)

After playing Nancy Kerrigan in two Nightmare on Elm Street movies made her one of the top Scream Queens of the 1980s, Heather Langenkamp would give, arguably, her best performance in the franchise when she returned - not as Nancy, but as herself - in 1994’s New Nightmare. The cleverly meta thriller, in which the actress is taunted by a demon assuming the appearance of Freddy Krueger, also stars fellow horror icon Robert Englund as this new take on the iconic villain and himself as well as writer and director Wes Craven.

The Beatles (A Hard Day’s Night)

The cinematic phenomenon of famous musicians offering a fictionalized peek into their lives off-stage (such as Nick Cave in 2014’s quasi-documentary 20,000 Days on Earth or Foo Fighters in the horror-comedy Studio 666 more recently) arguably began with The Beatles. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr exhibit solid comedic timing and profound athleticism while running from a swarm of screaming fans in 1964’s A Hard Day’s Night - the first of a number of dramatized films the Fab Four made together.

LeBron James (Trainwreck)

Pro basketball star LeBron James has portrayed himself onscreen several times and most recently in 2021’s Space Jam: A New Legacy - a sequel to the hit Michael Jordan/Looney Tunes collaboration from 1996. However, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Small Forward received the most acclaim of his acting career so far for playing himself in Trainwreck - star and writer Amy Schumer’s 2015 rom-com which depicts him and Bill Hader’s “sports doctor to the stars” as best friends.

Stan Lee (Mallrats)

Before his heartbreaking death in 2018, Stan Lee perfected the art of the cameo by appearing in countless Marvel movies. One of his first and most prominent acting gigs (for which he was actually mentioned in the opening credits, too) was as himself in Kevin Smith’s 1995 Clerks follow-up, Mallrats. The comic book icon makes you a “true believer” in his acting ability when he shows up for a couple of scenes to give comic book-obsessed Brody (Jason Lee) some much-needed relationship advice. 

Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm)

It is no secret among die-hard Seinfeld fans that Jason Alexander’s deeply neurotic and troublesome character, George Costanza, was heavily inspired by the personality and life experiences of co-creator Larry David. On his follow-up to Seinfeld - the long-running, HBO original comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm - David has earned several Emmy Award nominations for playing a version of himself who makes George look like a saint, burning bridges with Hollywood heavies and alienating friends and average bystanders at every turn.  

Kate Winslet (Extras)

Star and co-creator Ricky Gervais’ Hollywood satire Extras is chock full of amazing celebrity guest appearances, but Kate Winslet made a damn good case to be considered the funniest in the Emmy-winning comedy’s history. The British Titanic star is seen playing a nun on the set of a film about the Holocaust (which she admits she agreed to star in purely to win an Oscar, having not yet won for The Reader) before later proving herself to be a master in double entendres when offering fellow extra, Maggie Jacobs (Ashley Jensen), phone sex tips.

John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich)

It is a bit rare for an actor to appear in a movie as him or herself while also playing the title character, but 1999’s Being John Malkovich - from from writer Charlie Kaufman and director Spike Jonze - is also a rare kind of movie, and in many ways, too. The two-time Oscar nominee is understandably shocked and frightened by the discovery that a Manhattan puppeteer (John Cusack) has been using a magical portal to be able to take a walk in his shoes for 15 minutes at a time in this wildly creative comedy.

Bruce Campbell (My Name Is Bruce)

Another rare example of an actor playing themselves in the titular role of a film is Bruce Campbell in My Name is Bruce, which is also the last film the B-movie icon directed himself. Campbell is hilarious in the 2007 horror-comedy as a boozy, washed-up version of himself who is forced to channel his iconic Evil Dead character, Ash Williams, in order to defeat a demon wreaking havoc on a small town in Oregon.

Oprah Winfrey (30 Rock)

Another example of a memorably, and often awkwardly, hilarious guest appearance on an acclaimed TV comedy is Oprah Winfrey on Season 3 of 30 Rock. Liz Lemon (star and creator Tina Fey) is delighted to find the larger-than-life media mogul seated next to her on an airplane and cannot help but seize the opportunity to received a dose of wisdom, but who could really blame her for that?

Kevin Garnett (Uncut Gems)

As much as I agree that Adam Sandler deserved greater awards attention for his lead performance in the relentless 2019 thriller Uncut Gems, I think we should be more angry at the fact that former NBA player Kevin Garnett received no awards attention at all. I would go so far as to say I’m glad the Safdie Brothers did not get the athlete they originally wrote the part for (the Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire) because Garnett is electrifying as himself (circa 2012), whose interest in a rare opal sets off a series of increasingly dire circumstances for the Sandler as self-destructive jeweler, Howard Ratner.

The This Is The End Cast

The whole point of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s 2013 directorial debut This is the End is to watch the entire cast (including Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Craig Robinson, and many, many more) as hilariously exaggerated versions of themselves who struggle to endure the Apocalypse and a merciless barrage of gags at their expense. Highlights also include an excruciatingly vain (and demonically possessed) Jonah Hill; a lewd, coke-snorting Michael Cera; an axe-wielding Emma Watson; and Channing Tatum employed by a cannibalistic Danny McBride as his sex slave.

You've got to love seeing a famous person let loose and introduce a different, completely fictional side of themselves to the world on screen. I cannot wait to see more examples of actors playing themselves in the future.

The TV side of the Star Trek franchise is back in working order thanks to shows like Discovery, Picard, Lower Decks and Prodigy, but we haven’t been treated to a movie since 2016’s Star Trek Beyond. That finally looks to be changing due to a Star Trek movie bringing back the crew of the Kevin timeline’s Enterprise being scheduled for late 2023, but for a while, it looked like a separate movie being developed by Noah Hawley could have moved forward. To that end, apparently  the Fargo and Legion showrunner was looking to have his Star Trek movie star Cate Blanchett.

This information comes from Star Wars Insider and Fangoria contributor Brandon Wainderdi, who said on Twitter that he attended an event where Noah Hawley was speaking and signing books. During the event, he apparently let slip that he was planning to bring Cate Blanchett onto his Star Trek movie, although he didn’t divulge any details about what her role would have been. 

Although Cate Blanchett has spent a fair amount of time in the fantasy realm through movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy and Thor: Ragnarok, aside from the upcoming Borderlands film adaptation, she hasn’t done any deep diving into the sci-fi genre. Being the lead actor in a Star Trek movie could have rectified that, and Noah Hawley has said that his feature would have featured new characters rather than bring back Chris Pine’s James Kirk and the rest of the gang we’ve followed along with on the big screen since 2009’s Star Trek. So right off the bat, it’s easy enough to envision Blanchett playing the captain of a Starfleet vessel, or really any kind of authoritative figure.

Alas, Noah Hawley’s Star Trek movie didn’t get the greenlight from Paramount Pictures, so unless the writer/director is will to disclose more details about what he had planned, we’ll likely never know how Cate Blanchett fit into the picture. At least Hawley’s Star Trek movie isn’t the only Star Trek Beyond follow-up project collecting dust in this franchise. It joins the movie Quentin Tarantino was working on with The Revenant writer Mark L. Smith that was inspired by The Original Series’ gangster-themed episode “A Piece of the Action,” as well as the movie S.J. Clarkson was once on board to direct that would have seen Chris Pine’s Kirk meeting his father, Chris Hemsworth’s George Kirk, who died shortly after his son was born in the Kelvin timeline.

Now the plan is for the unofficially-titled Star Trek 4 to be directed by WandaVision’s Matt Shakman, who’s working off a script that’s being rewritten by Josh Friedman and Cameron Squires. Paramount Pictures announced that Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldaña, Karl Urban, John Cho and Simon Pegg were in talks for Star Trek 4, though this reportedly came as a surprise to the actors, as they hadn’t even known this movie has made significant progress forward. Star Trek 4 is slated for December 22, 2023.

As for Noah Hawley and Cate Blanchett, the former is still working on Fargo and also has the Alien series coming up, while the latter is lending her voice to Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion Pinocchio movie and will play Lilith in the aforementioned Borderlands. Keep your eyes peeled on CinemaBlend for more updates on Star Trek 4’s progress and news on other upcoming movies.

With Oscar nominations right around the corner, CinemaBlend is taking a look at which films and performances are likely to be in contention for nominations. Let’s break down the state of the Supporting Actress race.

Locked In

Fresh off of a Golden Globe win, Ariana DeBose is easily out front in her category. Her performance as Anita in West Side Story, a role that won Rita Moreno an Oscar for the 1961 adaptation, has no shortage of scene-stealing Oscar moments, many of which show off her incredible talent as a singer and dancer as well. Caitríona Balfe’s role as the protective mother in Belfast looks close to a lock as well. She was the only actor from her film nominated at the SAG awards, making the cut even as Jamie Dornan and Ciarán Hinds were brutally snubbed.

Kirsten Dunst is likely to finally be recognized by the Academy for her role in the Best Picture heavyweight, The Power the Dog. From her breakout role at age 12 in Interview with the Vampire to her Cannes Best Actress winning role in Melancholia, many feel it’s her time. These three are the only actresses with a Critics Choice, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild nomination in the category, so it would be a huge shock if any of them didn’t show in the Oscar lineup. 

Likely Bets

It wasn’t before her SAG snub that I even considered the possibility of Aunjanue Ellis missing a nomination for King Richard. What may hurt her chances is that so much of her performance hinges on one scene, but in that one scene she steals the whole show. I expect she’ll overcome this snub, and being part of a likely Best Picture nominees film will help secure her the nomination. Also likely to be recognized is Ruth Negga for her brilliant performance in Passing. Though she would likely be only nomination for the film, she’s in good hands with Netflix campaigning, and that SAG nomination really sealed the deal for placing her in my predictions.

Dark Horses

The aforementioned five are the safest picks in the category, and it would be a hell of a lineup. But should someone miss the nomination, who is on the outskirts vying for a slot? 

Ann Dowd should be in the winning conversation for her role as a grieving mother looking for catharsis in Mass. Unfortunately, the film failed to gain any traction at the box office and is suffering from being underseen, though a Critics Choice nomination offers some hope. Rita Moreno offers a compelling narrative for voters for a side-by-side nomination with Ariana DeBose, considering she played that role in 1961. Though her role is a bit light on screen time, she has an emotional musical number and a legacy that can’t be underestimated.

Cate Blanchett surprised at SAG with a nomination for her role as a cunning psychiatrist in Nightmare Alley. This will be her only major nomination however, as she missed the BAFTA longlist. Judi Dench seemed like a possible candidate for her role in Belfast, but has been ignored by awards voters so far in favor of the her three co-stars who have more to work with in the film. Meryl Streep’s role in Don’t Look Up seems compelling on paper, but she has also failed to gain any traction. Surprisingly, Marlee Matlin’s performance in CODA has also been ignored by awards voters, despite the film’s rise as a Best Picture contender.

If anyone can surprise without a major precursor nomination, maybe it’s Jessie Buckley for The Lost Daughter. Her performance has been singled out and awarded by critics, and if The Lost Daughter has a strong showing, she could go along for the ride. It’s also not impossible that BAFTA could show her some love, given her Lead Actress nomination for Wild Rose two years ago. 

Check back here at CinemaBlend for more category breakdowns. You can check out Lead Actor, Supporting Actor, Original Screenplay and Adapted Screenplay.

In my opinion, Cate Blanchett is one of the greatest actresses of modern times. If you watch a movie with Blanchett, you can expect a riveting performance that will capture your heart and mind. She effortlessly makes you believe she’s an eloquent elf, a neglected older sibling out for revenge, an iconic screen actress, or even a very influential queen. Blanchett has so many gripping roles, that you’ll constantly find something new and exciting to watch starring or featuring her. Luckily, for those who want to stream or rent her movies, some of Cate Blanchett’s best movies are currently available on streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu.

For this list, I picked a variety of her movies that showcase her in various roles and emphasize her talents. Many are well known Blanchett films, but there may be a few that are new to you. Let’s look at some of Cate Blanchett’s best movies to stream or rent. 

The Lord Of The Rings Films (2001-2003)

Peter Jackson's acclaimed adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s beloved books brings Middle-earth to the big screen as Frodo (Elijah Wood), Sam (Sean Astin) and others set off on a quest to destroy the One Ring. We encounter a host of different creatures, from hobbits to elves and wizards. Jackson’s trilogy includes Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 

Cate Blanchett plays Galadriel in all three Lord of the Rings films. This role made Blanchett an even bigger global name, at least among Lord of the Rings film fans, which represents a pretty large fan base. 

Stream Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on HBO Max.
Stream Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on HBO Max.
Stream Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on HBO Max.

Rent/buy Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on Amazon.
Rent/buy Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers on Amazon.
Rent/buy  Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King on Amazon.

Get The Lord of The Rings trilogy on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Notes On A Scandal (2006)

Notes on a Scandal stars Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett in two of their most toxic but gripping roles. Blanchett plays Sheba Hart, a teacher who begins an affair with a teenage student. Dench plays Barbara Covett, a veteran teacher who discovers the affair. She becomes obsessed with Hart and becomes increasingly volatile.  

Notes on a Scandal offers a master class from both Dench and Blanchett as they pour everything into these roles and this film. The film earned them both Academy Award nominations at the 79th event.

Rent/buy Notes on a Scandal on Amazon.
Get Notes on a Scandal on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Carol (2015)

Carol is a romantic drama set in the 1950s. It follows the affair of a woman going through a divorce and an aspiring photographer working at a department store. The two women seem like opposites, and they know the danger of their romance, but they have an unbreakable bond and love for one another. Carol stars Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara.

Carol is a quiet love story, but that’s what makes it compelling. It feels authentic and you can’t help but go through the same emotions with the two leads as you watch. Blanchett also received an Academy Award nomination for her role here.

Stream Carol on Tubi.
Rent/buy Carol on Amazon.
Get Carol on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (2008)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows a man as he ages in reverse. Brad Pitt plays Benjamin Button as an adult, and Cate Blanchett plays his love interest, Daisy Fuller. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’s cast also includes Taraji P. Henson, Julia Ormond, Tilda Swinton, and Mahershala Ali.

Daisy was one of the standout characters in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Blanchett gave a layered performance as a complex character whose struggles and personality went beyond her relationship to Benjamin.

Rent/buy The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on Amazon.
Get The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Aviator (2004)

Martin Scorsese directed The Aviator, a movie based on the billionaire Howard Hughes' life. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as the complex lead, while the film also stars Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn, Kate Beckinsale as Ava Gardner, and Alec Baldwin as Juan Trippe.

Katharine Hepburn is one of the most well-known actresses of all-time, so Blanchett had huge shoes to fill with her portrayal of the mesmerizing screen actress. Blanchett manages to give her own interpretation of Hepburn while making sure to pay tribute to this influential and respected film icon. Cate Blanchett won her first Academy Award for her role in The Aviator. 

Stream The Aviator on HBO Max.
Buy The Aviator on Amazon.
Get The Aviator on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor: Ragnarok takes Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to a new planet as they must find a way to return to and save Asgard from  Thor’s sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett).

The film is without a doubt (in my opinion) the best Thor movie, and one of the best Marvel movies. It manages to be fun, while also upping the stakes, as Thor and Loki really could lose it all this time. Blanchett’s Hela is a great addition to the Marvel franchise. She manages to be a terrifying villain and different from many that we’ve seen before, especially because her agenda seems more personal than global. Hela is one of the best Marvel Cinematic Universe villains thus far. 

Stream Thor: Ragnarok on Disney+.
Rent/buy Thor: Ragnarok on Amazon.
Get Thor: Ragnarok on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Blue Jasmine (2013)

Blue Jasmine tells the story of a socialite who has her life disrupted and must move in with her sister. Jasmine's (Cate Blanchett) personality often collides with her sister’s boyfriend Chili (Bobby Cannavale). Woody Allen directed the Blue Jasmine cast, which also includes Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard, Louis C.K, and Sally Hawkins.

The film clearly takes some influence from A Streetcar Named Desire, which means many will draw comparisons to Blanchett’s Jasmine and Vivien Leigh’s Blanche. Both women give breathtaking performances while giving each character their own unique style and personality. Blanchett won her second Academy Award for Blue Jasmine. 

Stream Blue Jasmine on HBO Max.
Rent/buy Blue Jasmine on Amazon.
Get Blue Jasmine on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Queen Elizabeth I Films (1998, 2007)

Cate Blanchett portrayed Elizabeth I in two films, Elizabeth and its sequel Elizabeth: The Golden Age. She received an Academy Award nomination for both films, which were directed by Shekhar Kapur. 

No matter how you feel about the films, there is no denying that Blanchett gives great performances in both. They also have lush costumes and set designs that may appeal to fans of historical fiction. 

Rent/buy Elizabeth on Amazon.
Rent/buy Elizabeth: The Golden Age on Amazon.

Get Elizabeth on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.
Get Elizabeth: The Golden Age on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

I'm Not There (2007)

Todd Haynes directed and co-wrote the screenplay for this unconventional biopic, inspired by the life and art of Bob Dylan. It features six different actors taking on various personas of the singer/songwriter. I’m Not There stars Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw. 

I’m Not There earned Blanchett numerous award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination, a British Academy Films Award nomination, a Golden Globe nomination and win, and a Chicago Film Critics nomination and win. 

Stream I’m Not There on Roku Channel.
Rent/buy I’m Not There on Amazon.
Get I’m Not There on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Gift (2000)

Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Epperson co-wrote the script for The Gift. Sam Raimi directed the film. Cate Blanchett plays Annie Wilson, a woman who has psychic visions. She tries to use her abilities to assist the police in solving a murder mystery. The Gift’s cast includes Giovanni Ribisi, Keanu Reeves, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, and Hilary Swank.

The Gift is a very exciting thriller that takes you along with every new twist and turn, until you finally reach the end. There's an impressive cast, but Blanchett stands out as the lead. The Gift is as much about Annie as it is about solving this murder.

Stream The Gift on Starz.
Rent/buy The Gift on Amazon.
Get The Gift on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004)

Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou follows oceanographer Steve Zissou (Bill Murray) as he sets out to get revenge on a jaguar shark who ate his partner. While on this journey, he meets Ned Plimpton (Owen Wilson), a man who believes Zissou maybe his father. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’s cast includes Cate Blanchett, Anjelica Huston, and Willem Dafoe.

Blanchett plays Jane Winslett-Richardson, a pregnant reporter who comes along to chronicle Zissou’s journey. She ends up creating a bit of tension between the potential father and son, as both develop feelings for her. With Blanchett in the role, it’s easy to understand how Zissou and Ned could both fall for Jane. 

Stream The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on Amazon Prime.
Rent/buy The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on Amazon.
Get The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou on DVD/Blu-Ray on Amazon.

Don’t Look Up (2021)

Don’t Look Up is Adam McKay’s black comedy about an impending comet that could end the world. The Don’t Look Up cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Rob Morgan, Mark Rylance, Cate Blanchett, Tyler Perry, and Timothee Chalamet.

Blanchett plays Brie, a morning show host who's the right amount of self-absorbed and shallow without going into a cartoonish realm with the character.

Stream Don’t Look Up on Netflix.

These are just a few of Cate Blanchett’s best movies available to stream or rent. If you want a few more suggestions, Veronica Guerin, Little Fish, Babel, Hanna, The Turning, Cinderella, Ocean’s 8, and Where’d You Go, Bernadette are all also available to stream or rent. 

You can next see Blanchett in TAR and Borderlands. You can also hear Blanchett in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio cast. Blanchett fans can also watch her in another del Toro movie, Nightmare Alley, which is playing in theaters now.  

Whether he’s making movies in the fashion of Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, or like The Big Short, Adam McKay has always been able to assemble large groups of big-name actors to get the most out of his stories. That, too, can be said of his latest offering, the satirical disaster comedy Don’t Look Up which features everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep to Jonah Hill, and so many more.

If you have watched the 2021 Netflix comedy and want to know where you’ve seen the Don’t Look Up cast before, fear not, as we have put together a list of all the major players and a few of their most recognizable performances.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Dr. Randall Mindy)

Leonardo DiCaprio appears in Don’t Look Up as Dr. Randall Mindy, one-half of the two-astronomer team tasked with convincing humanity they have only six months to live before an asteroid collides with the planet. 

One of the most recognizable actors of the modern era, Leonardo DiCaprio has gone from child star in Parenthood to heartthrob in Titanic, and finally Academy Award winner for his commanding performance in The Revenant. Basically, there haven’t been any prolonged periods of time over the past 30 years where he didn’t have at least one movie crushing at the box office.

Jennifer Lawrence (Kate Dibiasky)

Taking on the role of Kate Dibiasky, the astronomy student who first discovers the asteroid in Don’t Look Up, is Jennifer Lawrence.

Throughout her career, Jennifer Lawrence has won two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes for riveting performances in movies like Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, and Joy. In addition to appearing in some of the most decorated movies of the past decade, Lawrence has also spearheaded massive blockbuster franchises, including The Hunger Games and X-Men, appearing in multiple installments in each property.

Meryl Streep (President Janie Orlean)

Portraying the apathetic and unconcerned President Janie Orlean in Don’t Look Up is none other than Meryl Streep, adding to the long list of movies featuring the dynamic actress.

A three-time Oscar winner (Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, The Iron Lady), Meryl Streep has carved out a nice legacy for herself over the course of the past 45 years with memorably performances in Silkwood, The Devil Wears Prada, Little Women, and so much more. Her TV work is just as admirable, with acclaimed series like Angels in America and Big Little Lies.

Cate Blanchett (Brie Evantee)

Appearing as the dismissive television news anchor Brie Evantree in Don’t Look Up is two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett. 

Over the years, Cate Blanchett has been recognized for her work in movies like The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, while also appearing is massive film franchises like The Lord of the Rings and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a turn as Thor’s vengeful sister Hela in Thor: Ragnarok. In addition to Don’t Look Up, Blanchett also has a role in the 2021 psychological thriller Nightmare Alley. 

Rob Morgan (Dr. Clayton 'Teddy' Oglethorpe)

Rob Morgan shows up in Don’t Look Up as Dr. Clayton “Teddy” Oglethorpe, a scientist who aids the film’s protagonists in their attempt to persuade the public.

Declared one of 25 greatest actors of the 21s Century by the New York Times in 2020, Rob Morgan is perhaps best remembered for his portrayal of Turk Barrett in the various Marvel Netflix series, though he has also played a prominent role as Officer Powell on Stranger Things. More recently, Morgan has shown up in The United States vs. Billie Holiday and The Unforgivable.

Jonah Hill (Jason Orlean)

Taking on the role of White House Chief of Staff Jason Orlean in Don’t Look Up is Jonah Hill, who brings with him years of experience in the world of comedy.

Ever since making his feature film debut in 2004’s I Heart Huckabees, Jonah Hill has gone from one of the most prominent comedic actors of the 21st Century to one of the most interesting and versatile faces in Hollywood. With movies like Moneyball, 21 Jump Street, and Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, Hill has found a great balance.

Mark Rylance (Peter Isherwell)

Mark Rylance appears in Don’t Look Up as Peter Isherwell, an investor who discovers that the asteroid contains a large quantity of precious metals worth a fortune.

The Oscar and Tony Award winner has given several notable performances in the past decade, including Bridge of Spies, Dunkirk, and The Trial of the Chicago 7, making each of the movies better with his presence. Mark Rylance has also shown up in The BFG, The Other Boleyn Girl, and dozens of stage productions around the world.

Tyler Perry (Jack Bremmer)

Taking on the role of the dismissive news anchor Jack Bremmer in Don’t Look Up is media mogul and philanthropist Tyler Perry.

One of the most recognizable faces and names in show business today, Tyler Perry has made a career out of writing, directing, producing, and starring in a series of successful comedy movies and TV shows featuring Madea, his signature character. Perry previously worked with Adam McKay in 2018’s Vice, in which he portrayed the late Colin Powell.

Timothée Chalamet (Yule)

Timothée Chalamet pops in Don’t Look Up as Yule, a young character who takes a liking to Kate Dibiasky and thinks of her as a prophet of some kind.

The release of Don’t Look Up caps off a rather successful year for Timothée Chalamet, who had major roles in Dune and The French Dispatch as well. In the years leading up to one of the most anticipated Netflix movies, Chalamet appeared in The King, Beautiful Boy, and Call Me By Your Name to name only a few.

Ron Perlman (Colonel Ben Drask)

Taking on the role of Colonel Ben Drask, the ring-wing leaning former military leader in Don’t Look Up, is Ron Perlman.

Perlman is one of those actors who can appear in everything from comic book adaptations like Hellboy and hard-hitting crime dramas like Sons of Anarchy and pull off both without much effort at all. Over the years, Perlman has appeared on the Beauty and the Beast TV series, in the movie Drive, and dozens upon dozens of other projects.

Ariana Grande (Riley Bina)

The multi-talented Ariana Grande shows up in Don’t Look Up as Riley Bina, an international pop star who has some run-ins with Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky on their journey.

Ariana Grande is mostly known today for her successful music career and chart-topping albums like Yours Truly, Dangerous Woman, and Thank U, Next, but she is no stranger to acting. Over the years, Grande has had major roles on Victorious, Sam & Cat, and Scream Queens, to name only a few. Oh, and she's also a coach on The Voice.

Scott Mescudi/Kid Cudi (DJ Chello)

Scott Mescudi, also known by his stage name, Kid Cudi, shows up in Don’t Look Up as high-profile musical artist DJ Chello.

Over the years, Scott Mescudi has found a way to balance his successful music career with a spin at acting, including roles in Need For Speed, Entourage, and Meadowland. In the past couple of years, Mescudi has popped up on Westworld, We Are Who We Are, and Creepshow.

Melanie Lynskey (June Mindy)

Melanie Lynskey appears in Don’t Look Up as Randall Mindy’s wife, June. Throughout her career, which goes back to the early 1990s, Lynskey has appeared in everything from Detroit Rock City to The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Up in the Air to Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. She has also been a major force in TV over the years, including Two and a Half Men, Castle Rock, and Mrs. America.

Himesh Patel (Phillip)

Taking on the role of Phillip, Kate Dibiasky’s boyfriend in Don’t Look Up, is Himesh Patel, who has been on quite a run as of the past few years.

Fans of the BBC series EastEnders will certainly recognize Himesh Patel from his portrayal of Tamwar Masood on more than 500 episodes of the long-running series. More recently, Patel has led movies like Yesterday and played prominent roles in others, including Tenet. He is currently one of the stars of the HBO Max original series, Station Eleven.

Tomer Sisley (Adul Grelio)

Tomer Sisley shows up in Don’t Look Up as Adul Grelio. Throughout his career, Sisley has made appearances in movies like The Nativity Story, We’re the Millers, and Lucky Day, as well as TV series like Messiah, which, like Don’t Look Up, also ran on Netflix.

Michael Chiklis (Dan Pawketty)

Taking on the role of over-the-top news personality Dan Pawketty in Don’t Look Up is Michael Chiklis, who is perhaps best remembered as the tough-as-nails and morally-ambiguous detective, Vic Mackey, on the FX crime series The Shield. Chilkis also portrayed Ben Grimm, also known as The Thing, in Fantastic Four and its sequel Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Hettienne Park (Dr. Calder)

Hettienne Park has a small role in Don’t Look Up as the character Dr. Calder. Throughout her career, which has been mostly on TV, Park has appeared on Hannibal, The Blacklist, The Outsider, and the 2021 reboot of Gossip Girl. 

Robert Joy (Congressman Tenant)

Robert Joy shows up in Don’t Look Up as Congressman Tenant. Over the years, Joy has appeared in movies like Land of the Dead, The Hills Have Eyes, and The Goldfinch, as well as a list of shows that includes Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI: NY, and most recently, Prodigal Son.

You can see all these faces (and some surprise cameos) by watching Don't Look Up streaming and in select theaters. And, don't forget to check out our list of all the best movies on Netflix if you're looking for something else to watch.

2021 was probably the worst year in the Golden Globes’ 77 year history. They were rightfully called out earlier this year for a total lack of Black members, as well as other unethical practices, resulting in NBC refusing to air their ceremony for 2022. 

The HFPA is currently in the process of making reforms to their organization, and has recruited 21 new members this year (their total prior was about 86). It was uncertain if the HFPA would even announce nominees and winners for the films of 2021, but on October 15th they confirmed they would hold a ceremony in some capacity, with nominations to be announced December 13th at 6 A.M. PST. 

A consequence of the chaos this year for prognosticators is that we don’t actually have confirmation on what films will be campaigned in comedy or musical, making predicting films like CODA much more difficult. So in my predictions below I’m also predicting category placements.

Motion Picture Drama

If Belfast, Dune, King Richard, and The Power of the Dog don’t all show up here, I’d be shocked. In my mind that leaves open one slot for a wildcard to sneak in. Part of the challenge predicting this year is that we don’t know which films will be slotted in comedy or drama. If CODA is in drama, I think it has a shot here. Despite underwhelming reviews, we shouldn’t underestimate Nightmare Alley or Being the Ricardos either. Spencer and The Tragedy of Macbeth could certainly contend, as could either of Ridley Scott’s films: House of Gucci and The Last Duel. Right now I’m hesitantly predicting CODA, but I expect to be swapping out this slot up until nomination morning.

Drama Actor

Will Smith (King Richard), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), and Denzel Washington (The Tragedy of Macbeth) are near-locks in this category. The remaining two slots are tricky, as much of the competition they’ll face at the Oscars is on the comedy/musical side. Joaquin Phoenix has a shot for his understated performance in C’mon C’mon (assuming that’s in drama), and though it's a long shot, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nicolas Cage sneak in for Pig. For now, I’m predicting Javier Bardem for his portrayal of Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos, and Bradley Cooper for Nightmare Alley.

Drama Actress

Don’t bet against these four: Kristen Stewart (Spencer), Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye), Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos) and Lady Gaga (House of Gucci). As for that final slot, Penélope Cruz and Olivia Colman are certainly in the conversation for their roles in Parallel Mothers and The Lost Daughter respectively, but those films could be a little under the radar for the Globes. They love actors who play musical icons (see Andra Day’s shocking win last year), so I’m predicting they’ll nominate Jennifer Hudson for her portrayal of Aretha Franklin in Respect. 

Motion Picture Comedy / Musical

This was the best year for musicals in recent memory, and unlike some years, the Globes have plenty of riches to pick from in this category. West Side Story, Tick, tick… Boom!, Cyrano, and In the Heights all have a great shot to make it into this lineup. But they’ll be competing with comedies Licorice Pizza and Don’t Look Up. I expect the lineup will be pulled from these six films. In the Heights and Cyrano are probably the most vulnerable of the musicals. Though recency bias would favor Cyrano, I’m predicting it to miss, as it’s the least acclaimed the bunch. Or maybe both will show up at the expense of Don’t Look Up, whose divisive reactions could work against it.

Comedy / Musical Actor

There are four actors in this lineup that no one should be betting against: Andrew Garfield (Tick, tick… Boom!), Peter Dinklage (Cyrano), Leonardo DiCaprio (Don’t Look Up), and Anthony Ramos (In the Heights). The final slot is keeping me up at night. I would love for them to go with Simon Rex for Red Rocket, but that’s probably wishful thinking. I could honestly see them going for Ansel Elgort in West Side Story, but in a year where the organization is on thin ice, I think they’ll know better than to bring that sort of controversy their way. I’m perhaps optimistically going with Cooper Hoffman for Licorice Pizza. Although he is young and hasn’t been as seriously in the awards conversation as his co-star Alana Haim, it certainly helps that he is part of a bigger overall contender. 

Comedy / Musical Actress

The two no-brainers here are Alana Haim for Licorice Pizza and Rachel Zegler for West Side Story. I also expect Emma Stone may pretty easily get a nomination for Cruella, considering that things start to get a little thin beyond here. If CODA is in comedy, Emilia Jones will be nominated. And if Haley Bennett is lead for Cyrano, I’d say the same. If not, the most realistic options in my mind are Melissa Berrera (In the Heights), Jennifer Lawrence (Don’t Look Up), and Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World). I am far too cynical to pick the latter, but I would jump for joy if it happened. I’m settling for Berrera and Lawrence for now.

Supporting Actor

I’m expecting both Ciaran Hinds and Jamie Dornan will make it in for Belfast and Belfast respectively. Jared Leto has a shot here for House of Gucci, especially considering he was surprise nominated for The Little Things last year. For the remaining two slots there are a lot of options. Jon Bernthal has a great shot at coat-tailing off of King Richard. And I’d love to see Robin de Jesus in for Tick, tick… Boom!, a film I expect they’ll adore. I’m predicting those two for now. Kodi Smit-McPhee has been garnering lots of critics awards, but I’m skeptical he’ll perform as well with certain major precursors. Troy Kotsur has been gaining steam for CODA, but like Yuh-Jung Youn or Paul Raci last year, he may be too unknown for the HFPA. I’m also watching out for Mike Faist (West Side Story), Bradley Cooper (Licorice Pizza), and Ben Affleck (The Tender Bar). Unfortunately I don’t have much hope for Jason Isaacs (Mass).

Supporting Actress

Four performances widely expected to be nominated here are Ariana Debose (West Side Story), Caitriona Balfe (Belfast), Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), and Kirsten Dunst (The Power of the Dog). Fighting for that last slot we have Cate Blanchett (Nightmare Alley), Meryl Streep (Don’t Look Up), Ruth Negga (Passing), and Ann Dowd (Mass). I am also considering Rita Moreno for West Side Story. Though this is somewhat of a long shot, it could be a great moment for the Globes to pick a veteran all-star for what will likely be their favorite musical there. But considering how CODA seems like it’s starting to take off, I’m going with Marlee Matlin.

Director

The contenders who seem most likely here are Steven Spielberg (West Side Story), Kenneth Branagh (Belfast), Denis Villeneuve (Dune), and Jane Campion (The Power of the Dog). Many are predicting Paul Thomas Anderson for Licorice Pizza. I am skeptical. The director has never been nominated for a Golden Globe before. We can’t count out Adam McKay (Don’t Look Up), who was nominated for Vice and The Big Short. Nor should we underestimate Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard) or Guillermo del Toro (Nightmare Alley). However, I’m going with Lin Manuel Miranda for Tick, tick… Boom! Some would call this a long-shot, but I think the film is stronger than many are assuming and this feels like just the kind of celebrity actor-director nomination they’re notorious for embracing.

Screenplay

To make up for the director snub, I’m predicting Paul Thomas Anderson will land his first Golden Globe nomination in screenplay for Licorice Pizza. I also feel confident writer-directors Jane Campion and Kenneth Branagh will be nominated for their widely celebrated films. Despite Being the Ricardos’ lackluster reviews I cannot in good conscience underestimate 7-time nominee, 3-time winner Aaron Sorkin in this category. I’ve got my eye on Don’t Look Up here, as well as King Richard. But I feel the love for West Side Story will be so strong that Tony Kushner will take a nomination.

With the Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations both taking place Monday the 13th, there will surely be a lot to discuss in terms of how it shapes the Oscar race. Check back here on Cinemablend for more awards analysis in the coming weeks.

The last time Guillermo del Toro directed a feature film it was The Shape of Water and it went on to be named Best Picture at the Academy Awards. And so, it would make a lot of sense to pay attention to del Toro’s next movie, the dark noir tale Nightmare Alley. Critics have now had a chance to see the new movie starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, and even more impressive stars, and while it’s not being reviewed quite as warmly as the last movie, this is still a film you’ll likely want to check out.

CinemaBlend’s Mike Reyes reviewed Nightmare Alley and he was a big fan of Guillermo del Toro’s journey into noir. He gave the film a perfect five star review, and lauded the impressive cast and the remarkable story with equal measure, saying... 

But he’s not the only one who has fallen for Guillermo del Toro’s noir remake. THR is equally smitten with the film. It’s an incredibly dark story, practically the definition of noir, but it shines no less brightly for what it is able to accomplish... 

Nightmare Alley is a remake of a 1947 film (itself based on a 1946 novel) and stars Bradley Cooper as a man who falls in with a traveling carnival, and falls in love with one of the performers while learning the ways of being a mentalist himself. Eventually he moves on to greener pastures, but in doing so his reach exceeds his grasp.

Most of the praise on the screen is going to the two main leads. Bradley Cooper is getting his share of praise for playing a character who is utterly unsympathetic, and yet, one we still follow all the way to the end. But Cate Blanchett, who plays a psychologist who joins forces with Cooper’s character, may be the true star, as Slashfilm says… 

However, while Nightmare Alley may be a cautionary tale about the dangers of overgrown ambition, there are some critics who ultimately feel that the movie itself is actually that. The Playlist says the movie tries to do a lot, but succeeds at very little of it, explaining... 

While certainly not all critics love the new movie, most do, and so it seems likely that audiences will finds something to appreciate here. Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley arrives in theaters December 17 

Some people might think that, for the most part, 2021’s movie rundown is pretty much finished. Though if you pay attention to the awards season chatter, or even if you’re just looking out for Spider-Man: No Way Home, you’d know December is a pretty big month. It’s about to get bigger, as Guillermo del Toro’s final trailer for his latest film Nightmare Alley shows Bradley Cooper reading the mind of Cate Blanchett, and a whole lot more, in bloody detail.

As Searchlight Pictures is positioning this film for an awards qualifying run, the promotional machine is starting to rev up rather fiercely. Our latest look at Stan Kenton (Bradley Cooper) includes everything from a lie detector test to good old fashioned noir movie seduction. The one thing you won’t find in here is the del Toro staple of supernatural monsters, and that’s for good reason. In the world of author William Lindsay Gresham’s source novel, humanity is the beast, and its denizens can shed blood just fine without any powers. 

This is a slicker, meaner beast than the previous trailer we saw for Nightmare Alley, which brooded a little more as it laid the foundation. With the introductions to the world of Stan Kenton, and his transition from carnival performer to high society adviser already established, it’s time to throw some threats into the pot. Bradley Cooper’s ambitious huckster certainly gets his share of warnings from multiple parties, with varying degrees of anger being presented. 

On one hand, the ever busy Cate Blanchett cryptically warn him of keeping the right people happy, with a cool and icy demeanor. Which is a perfect juxtaposition from Richard Jenkins, who gets a bit fiery with his insistence on results from his mind reading friend. Nightmare Alley wouldn’t be a film noir if it didn’t have its slimy protagonist pinned into a corner every so often, so this tracks. 

Marking Guillermo del Toro’s first directorial effort since 2018’s Best Picture winner The Shape of Water, his departure from the world of fantastical monsters is as slick as you’d expect. Going hard on the noir aspects, as it fulfills a lifelong dream of his in the world of filmmaking, Nightmare Alley looks like a dream that promises a swift passage to Hell. In a world like the one we’ve just gotten a glimpse at, such a prospect is probably seen as a kindness among the cruelest of people. 

Nightmare Alley will invite viewers into its web of deceit, only in theaters, on December 17th. Don’t be afraid to check out the 2021 release schedule, as there’s plenty more where this came from in the next month. Though considering that other trailer that dropped earlier this week, it wouldn't take a mind reader to guess another anticipated December release. 

There does not appear to be any kind of social media embargo on the set of the upcoming film based on the video game Borderlands – and that's particularly apparent when you look at the social media accounts of the stars. Jamie Lee Curtis in particular has been sharing photos regularly and providing followers and movie-goers with a sneak peek at the blockbuster, with posts about everything from size differential in her co-stars, to COVID-19 protocols, to jokes about the yogurt for which she used to be the spokesperson.

Her latest share is most definitely the best one yet, however, as the Halloween actor has provided Borderlands fans with a silhouetted first peek at Cate Blanchett's look as Lilith. Check out the post from her Instagram page below:

Cate Blanchett is certainly no novice when it comes to the world of blockbuster moviemaking, having played Galadriel in Peter Jackson's Middle-earth franchise and Hela in Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok, but even just this photo suggests that she'll be giving off a fresh new vibe in Borderlands, and that is tremendously exciting. As described by Jamie Lee Curtis in the caption, Lilith is the film's "legendary heroine, psycho blasting, vault hunting, vixen with a bad attitude," and given Blanchett's extreme talent it should be a blast to watch.

Certainly only making us more hyped is also the tease of more to come that Curtis writes about. The fact that the image hasn't been removed yet is a pretty clear signal that the studio approves of it (it probably would have disappeared in a manner of seconds otherwise), and that's surely only going to encourage the star to post even more shots of her co-stars in the coming days/weeks. The caption suggests that she will be the one who gives us our first looks at Kevin Hart as Roland, Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina, Florian Munteanu as Krieg, Jack Black as Claptrap, and herself in character as Tannis. So look forward to that!

Directed by Eli Roth, Borderlands is a sci-fi action adventure that will follow Cate Blanchett's Lilith as she returns to her home planet while on a mission to find the daughter of the most powerful man in the universe – teaming up with ragtag group of heroes to help get the job done. In addition to the aforementioned actors, the video game blockbuster also stars Edgar Ramirez, Haley Bennett, Gina Gershon, Cheyenne Jackson, and Bobby Lee. Lionsgate is producing the film and will be distributing the blockbuster, but the studio has not yet announced a release date. We here at CinemaBlend will be eagerly awaiting the arrival of new teases posted by Jamie Lee Curtis, so be on the look out for those and more updates about the movie as it continues to move through production.

Kevin Hart, while wildly successful himself, has been in the fortunate position to be surrounded by big Hollywood players. His famous friendships seem to know no bounds, and it’s no different with his new role of Roland in the live-action, film adaptation of Borderlands. He is opposite totally iconic leading ladies in Jaime Lee Curtis and Cate Blanchett, and he recently paid a lovely tribute to the two epically strong female Hollywood leads -- as one should when regularly graced with their commanding presences.

Kevin Hart isn’t anywhere close to a shy guy, and that goes double with giving us updates and reminders that he is, in fact, going to be in the Borderlands film. Clearly, he’s both grateful and incredibly pumped for the role and to be working with so many big names. He gives us another reminder of the film on his Instagram, this time with a sweet tribute to Borderlands leading ladies Jaime Lee Curtis and Cate Blanchett, which really shows just how grateful he is to work with the two classic icons. You can check out the post for yourself down below:

Kevin Hart is known for being insanely confident, almost to the point of cockiness, which has probably helped him get to the place he is today. However, he does a great job of showing the side of him that can be incredibly humble, which is more than evident in the major props he gives to Jaime Lee Curtis and Cate Blanchett, as well as the rest of the Borderlands cast and crew.

Fans also recognize just how great the two strong female leads are, as they both have many iconic roles to their name. In the comments of Hart's post, they're gushing over the three stars together. In between all the heart and fire emojis are also words of encouragement toward Hart and the two ladies on both sides of him.

In fact, the comments are pretty much all positives, and you’d have some trouble finding a negative one. What’s weird, though, is that no one seems to be commenting on the absolutely killer outfits the two women are wearing, Jaime Lee Curtis in all black and Cate Blanchett in all white. The two icons look kind of like a devil and angel on both sides of Kevin Hart, which gives the photo an even cooler feel.

There has been some pushback regarding the casting choices, with longtime fans of the Borderlands video game series not thinking the cast is up for the task, which usually always happen when a beloved series gets a reimagining. If enthusiasm was enough though, there would be no question of their capabilities. When you add in the fact that the cast is pretty remarkable, as Kevin Hart acknowledges in his tribute post, there really shouldn’t be much for fans to be worried about on the acting front.

Borderlands is still currently filming and, even though we do know a little about the upcoming film, a release date still eludes us. Hart and the gang will surely update us when one is announced, though!

There have been plenty of great video game adaptations over the last few years, such as Uncharted, the Mortal Kombat reboot, as well as the TV adaptation of The Last of Us on HBO.  And now, we’re getting close to Borderlands, which has been in development since 2015 and has been making steady progress forward.

Horror heavyweight Eli Roth is directing the Borderlands movie so clearly there’s some major talent behind the cameras of this project. But who’s making up the on-camera talent for this film adaptation of the popular sci-fi, first-person shooter video game series from Gearbox Software and 2K Games? Let’s go over the actors who will star in Borderlands. 

Cate Blanchett (Lilith)

Cate Blanchett’s casting was announced first in May 2020 by Entertainment Weekly, where it was confirmed that Blanchett would star as Lilith, a siren thief. As far as major franchises go, Blanchett is best known for playing Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, Irina Spalko in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Hela in Thor: Ragnarok and Lou in Ocean’s 8. In 2022, she received her second Academy Award nomination for her leading role in Tár.

Kevin Hart (Roland)

In January 2021, it was confirmed by Variety that Kevin Hart would star alongside Blanchett. Hart has been cast as Roland, a skilled soldier who used to serve the Crimson Lance, the private military of the Atlas Corporation. Kevin Hart has starred in the last two Jumanji movies, Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level, as the Franklin “Mouse” Finbar avatar, and Hart also collected some action-related experience on Central Intelligence andThe Man from Toronto. So Borderlands will be relatively familiar territory for him. Kevin Hart recently had a comedy special premiere on Peacock in July 2023, but I can’t wait to see him back in action in a movie.

Jamie Lee Curtis (Tannis)

In early February 2021, it was announced by Deadline that Jamie Lee Curtis was cast in Borderlands. She’ll take part in this video game adaptation as Dr. Patricia Tannis, an archaeologist specializing in Eridian artifacts and technology who provides missions to the players and assists the Vault Hunters. 

Following her reprisal of Laurie Strode in 2018’s Halloween and its two sequels, as well as her turn as Linda Drysdale-Thrombrey in Knives Out, Curtis has gone on to do so much more in the film industry. She even won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2023 for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once. 

The official description for Curtis’ version of Tannis states that she may have the key to finding the sought-after vault containing priceless treasures on Pandora, but her complicated relationship with Cate Blanchett’s Lilith will cause problems. Jamie Lee Curtis has talked about her time as Tannis pretty often, even offering first glimpses at her character for fans to see. 

Jack Black (Claptrap)

Also in early February 2021, it was confirmed by Deadline that Jack Black joined the cast of Borderlands. Look at that, Borderlands is also serving as a Jumanji reunion! 

Jack Black also took part in Welcome to the Jungle and The Next Level by playing the Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon avatar, and you might have also seen him starring in the Goosebumps movies or The House with a Clock in Its Walls, which was directed by Eli Roth. 

For Borderlands, Black will voice Claptrap, an overenthusiastic robot manufactured by the Hyperion corporation that’s been met with mixed reception by Borderlands players over the years.  Still, it wouldn’t feel like a Borderlands story without Claptrap involved, so maybe Black’s performance might improve the character’s reputation. And after his well-received performance of Bowser from The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it feels like he’ll do just fine in this voice role. 

Ariana Greenblatt (Tiny Tina)

Announced by The Hollywood Reporter in early March 2021, it was confirmed that Ariana Greenblatt joined the cast as Tiny Tina, an unstable, teenaged explosives expert who’s seeking revenge against the man who sold her and her parents to be experimented on by the Hyperion corporation. She may be the youngest cast member in Borderlands, but Ariana Greenblatt has assembled an impressive filmography over the last several years, from starring in the Disney Channel series Stuck in the Middle to playing Young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War, and in 2023, she had a co-starring role in the hit Barbie movie, which continues to impress in theaters.  

Florian Munteanu (Krieg)

Also announced in early March 2021 by The Hollywood Reporter was that Boxer Florian Munteanu was cast in Borderlands, where he will play Krieg, who’s described by THR as “the musclebound, rhetorically challenged protector of Tiny Tina.” So expect Munteanu and Ariana Greenblatt to share a lot of screen time with each other.

Munteanu made the jump to acting in 2018 playing Ivan Drago’s son, Viktor, in Creed II, and also appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Most recently, he returned to the Creed franchise for Creed III in 2023.   

Haley Bennett (TBA)

According to IGN in mid-March 2021, it was confirmed that Haley Bennett would co-star in Borderlands, but unlike the other people who’ve been listed so far, Haley Bennett isn’t playing a character who originated from the Borderlands video games, but has instead been tapped for a brand-new role.  The only details that have been provided about this mysterious individual is that they’ll be "key to the past of Cate Blanchett’s character, Lilith." Bennett’s notable credits include The Equalizer, The Magnificent Seven, The Girl on the Train, The Devil All the Time, Till, She Is Love and Cyrano. 

Édgar Ramirez (Atlas)

As if there wasn’t enough on Pandora to give Borderlands’ heroes trouble, there will also a villain further complicating things. Édgar Ramirez, who’s appeared in movies like The Bourne Ultimatum, Zero Dark Thirty and Bright, has been cast as Atlas, a business titan and arms manufacturer. With Atlas’ daughter missing on Pandora, Cate Blanchett’s Lilith is hired to retrieve the girl, who may hold they key to unimaginable power. Atlas already fits the antagonist mold by pitting so many parties against one another in the Borderlands universe, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Atlas isn’t so much concerned about his daughter’s well-being as wanting to obtain this mysterious power.

Olivier Richters (Krom)

Revealed by IGN in early April 2021, it was confirmed that Olivier Richters was cast as Krom, the leader of the psycho bandits that rule Pandora, making it an even more chaotic environment. This is the latest high-profile project that Richters, a pro bodybuilder, has lined up. He appeared in Black Widow, followed by The King’s Man, the Kingsman franchise’s World War I prequel. Richters also scored a role in the Gareth Evans-created series Gangs of London.

Janina Gavankar (Commander Knoxx)

Here’s another actor joining Borderlands who won’t be playing an established character from the video games. Janina Gavankar has come aboard to play Commander Knoxx, although as of right now, it’s unclear where her allegiances lie. TV viewers might recognize Gavankar from shows like The League, True Blood, Sleepy Hollow, The Mysteries of Laura and The Morning Show, while on film, she’s popped up in Blindspotting and The Way Back.

Gina Gershon (Moxxi)

In late-April 2021, several stars were announced to round out Borderlands cast from Deadline, and one of those was Gina Gershon, who is playing Moxxi. There’s no question that Mad Moxxi, the hostess of the Colosseum matches in the Underdome, is one of the most recognizable characters from the Borderlands video game series, so to have her sit out the Borderlands movie would have been a baffling decision.  Gershon has appeared in movies and TV shows like Showgirls, Face/Off, The Insider, Rescue Me and Riverdale. In 2023, she had a guest role on Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.  

Cheyenne Jackson (Jakobs)

In that same Deadline article from late April we learned that Cheyenne Jackson was confirmed to simply play a character named Jakobs. In the Borderlands video game universe, Jakobs is a weapons manufacturer that primarily churns out firearms styled after Old Western guns. The company is a family business, and evidently in the Borderlands movie, we’ll meet at least one of those individuals. It hasn’t been clarified yet which Jakobs Jackson will bring to life, though assuming he’s not popping up in flashbacks, it’s likely he’ll be the current CEO of the weapons company. The actor has appeared in shows such as American Horror Story, Glee, Call Me Kat and more.  

Charles Babalola (Hammerlock)

If you’ve seen movies like The Legend of Tarzan or Gretel & Hansel, or TV shows like Broadchurch or Thirteen, then you’re familiar with Charles Babalola. For the Borderlands movie, he’s been brought aboard as Hammerlock, or Sir Hammerlock in the video games. Hammerlock is distinguishable by his Victorian fashion (including a monocle) and his artificial appendages. It’s unclear if Babalola’s version of Hammerlock will look similar to his video game counterpart or if they’re going in a different visual direction with the character.

Benjamin Byron Davis (Marcus)

In the Deadline article from late-April 2021, it was announced that Benjamin Byron Davis would play Marcus, who is an arms dealer in the video games and shows no mercy towards those who interfere with his business. Davis has been around the movies and TV block, with appearances ranging from The Belko Experiment and Ant-Man and the Wasp to Bones and How I Met Your Mother. If film Marcus is anything like the one from the games, the main characters will need to be careful not to get on his bad side. 

Steven Boyer (Scooter)

Alongside several other cast members, Steven Boyer was announced from that late-April 2021 Deadline article, where he would play Scooter, the son of Mad Moxxi and a mechanic who provides her services at various warehouses on Pandora in the video games. Presumably he’ll be just as handy with machinery on the big screen. Along with appearing in movies like The Wolf of Wall Street, Bridge of Spies and Hustlers, Steven Boyer has assembled an impressive lineup of TV credits, such as Trial & Error, Chicago Fire and two of the FBI shows.  

Ryann Redmond (Ellie)

The late-April 2021 Deadline article also reported that Ryann Redmond would play Ellie, Mad Moxxi’s daughter and Scooter’s sister who also has a lot of mechanical experience under her belt. You may not be familiar with Ryann Redmond from movies or TV shows, but she’s proven herself as a tremendous talent on stage. For instance, she originated the role of Bridget in Bring It On the Musical, and she also had a brief tenure as Olaf in the Frozen musical.  

Bobby Lee (Larry)

Last but not least from that Deadline article from late-April 2021, it was confirmed that Bobby Lee would have a role in Borderlands, where he, like Haley Bennett and Janina Gavankar, isn’t playing an established character in Borderlands. Instead, he’s been cast in the new role of Larry, though no details were provided about him. So while it’s easy enough for fans of the Borderlands video games to deduce how the other characters will play into the narrative, when it comes to Larry, they’ll be just as much in the dark as the newbies.

Borderlands has a release date of August 9, 2024, according to Deadline, which was announced at the 2023 Comic-Con in San Diego, so now we’re almost a year away. I can’t wait to see what this epic video game adaptation has to offer – and honestly, I just need to see a trailer right now.  

If you’re interested in the Borderlands movie, here is what we know so far. 

There ain't no rest for the wicked. It was only a matter of time before Borderlands found its way onto the big screen. Gearbox Software's space-western sci-fi shooter game was ripe for a bonkers movie adaptation, and we'll soon get it from director Eli Roth. 

With an all-star cast — including Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, and Jamie Lee Curtis — attached for this out-of-this-world ride, Borderlands has the potential to be an excellent video game adaptation. That being said, here's what we know about Eli Roth's Borderlands.

What Is The Borderlands Release Date?

Get ready, because Borderlands is releasing on August 9, 2024, according to Deadline. The movie was originally talked about almost eight years ago in 2015, and now, it finally has a release date. 

This is major news. We can at least look forward to Borderlands appearing on our 2024 movie schedule and counting down the days. 

Check Out The Crazy Borderlands Trailer

If you were expecting to see a trailer that is filled to the brim with intense action, then Borderlands is the one for you. The trailer was released on YouTube and it’s probably one of the craziest ones you’ve ever seen, featuring our first real look at the characters.

The Borderlands Cast

If you’re wondering who is going to star in the Borderlands cast, here is what we know:

Cate Blanchett as Lilith

Cate Blanchett is set to star in the upcoming film, which was announced in May 2020. The actress and Eli Roth made for an unlikely pair when they teamed up for 2018's The House with a Clock in its Walls, and now they are reuniting with this film. She will play Lilith, also known as "The Siren." She's one of only six of her kind, though she's only playable in the original Borderlands. 

Blanchett has appeared in a variety of films, including Carol, Thor: Ragnarok and many others.  

Jack Black as Claptrap

In addition to Cate Blanchett reuniting with her House with a Clock in Its Walls director, Jack Black is also set to collaborate with Eli Roth once more in Borderlands. He'll play arguably the game's most endearing character: Claptrap, the sarcastic robot sidekick.

Black is a comedic actor who has voiced the lead in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, as well as starred in movies like Nacho Libre and School of Rock.  

Kevin Hart as Roland

In the role of Roland is Kevin Hart, who previously worked with Jack Black in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level. The actor has recently worked on a comedy tour, and appeared in the film Lift. 

Jamie Lee Curtis as Dr. Patricia Tannis

Furthermore, filling in the role of Tannis is none other than Jamie Lee Curtis. Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Jamie Lee Curtis were all announced in early 2021, and the casting announcements kept coming. 

Curtis won an Academy Award for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, and is known to be a certified scream queen from the Halloween franchise. She appeared in Haunted Mansion in 2023. 

Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina

The Hollywood Reporter announced in March 2021 that Ariana Greenblatt signed on to the movie to play Tiny Tina, another notable character from the game series, and who received her own spin-off game in 2022. 

The actress even posted a picture of her character on the poster for her fans to see on Instagram in February 2024, showing her excitement: 

Greenblatt was seen most recently in Ahsoka and as part of the Barbie cast. She spoke about working on the film in March 2023 to Screenrant, saying that fans of the franchise could expect “a lot of laughs” and that it’s so much fun:

Seeing as how Tiny Tina was even given a spinoff game, you know her character is essential to the movie. 

Florian Munteanu as Krieg

Also announced by The Hollywood Reporter in mid-March 2021 was that Florian Munteanu signed on to the film, where he will play Krieg, the protector of Tiny Tina. 

The actor has appeared in Creed II, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and more.  

Edgar Ramirez as Atlas

In April 2021, it was reported by Deadline that Edgar Ramirez is going to play Atlas. 

The actor has appeared in The Bourne Ultimatum, Zero Dark Thirty, Hands of Stone and more. 

Gina Gershon as Mad Moxxi

Deadline reported in late April 2021 that Gina Gershon had signed on to play Mad Moxxi in the Borderlands movie, a known character to many fans of the game. She’s appeared in movies such as Face/Off, House of Versace, The Insider, Red Heat, and more. 

Additional Cast Members For Borderlands

According to Deadline in mid-March 2021, Haley Bennett (Cyrano) is also set to star in the film, where she will play a new role that is apparently connected to Lilith’s past.

Announced by IGN in early-April 2021 was Krom’s casting, who will be played by Olivier Richters, a Dutch bodybuilder. Janina Gavankar (The L Word) was also cast in the film, according to Deadline in mid-April 2021, and will play Commander Knoxx. That Deadline article regarding Gershon also noted that Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story) signed on to the film in late-April 2021, and will play Jakobs. 

The same Deadline article revealed casting details for Hammerlock, Marcus, Scooter and Ellie. They will be played by Charles Babalola (Black Mirror), Benjamin Byron Davis (Fright Krewe), Steven Boyer (Love Life) and Ryann Redmond (A Good Person). Also, Bobby Lee (Magnum P.I.) will play Larry, a new role. 

Talk about an intense cast list, but I have a feeling this ensemble is about to blow the minds of every person watching.  

The Film Will Follow Several Well-Known Characters On A Quest To Find A Missing Girl

Notably, Eli Roth's Borderlands will focus on Lilith, who was typically a secondary character, rather than the other assorted personalities we follow throughout the Gearbox Software game series. Even so, the character was a big fan-favorite, so having her be center-stage isn’t that surprising. 

As for the story, Borderlands is going to follow Lilith when she returns to her home planet in order to find the missing daughter of a powerful leader. In order to do so, she forms a team of unlikely allies to go on a journey that takes them across the universe, fighting aliens and bad guys, all to find this one girl who could end up changing their lives forever. 

An executive producer for the film, Randy Pitchford, actually spoke with IGN in February 2024 when asked about the official story revealed in the trailer and how the vibes were very similar to that of Guardians of the Galaxy. Pitchford actually revealed that the film was being worked on at the same time as this one, which is why they might feel similar and that there was “mutual influence:” 

Either way, I’ll still be sitting down to watch this movie because it sounds like a heck of a fun time. 

Eli Roth Directed The Film

It’s confirmed that Eli Roth directed the Borderlands film. Roth has made a lot of noise with some of his movies, such as 2013's The Green Inferno, as well as Knock Knock, Death Wish, The House with a Clock in Its Walls, and more, but Borderlands will be a major movie with its ensemble cast.

This will unquestionably be one of his biggest movies yet — if not his biggest. 

Craig Mazin Was Credited As A Writer, But Has Been Replaced By “Joe Crombie”

Okay, so this is where things are a little tricky. For a long time, Craig Mazin, known for creating Chernobyl on HBO as well as the 2023 hit, The Last of Us, was credited as a writer on Borderlands. It was announced back in February 2020, according to Deadline, and still on the press site by about mid-way through 2023 that he is credited as a writer. 

However, in July 2023, according to World of Reel, Mazin’s name was taken off the project, and replaced by the name “Joe Crombie.” The article stated that it was a pseudonym, but Variety reported that same month that Mazin denied this, saying that he is “not a credited writer” on the film whatsoever and that the pseudonym is not his:

Yes, I am just as confused as you are. It’s obvious that the Borderlands movie finished filming, so someone must have written the movie. Mazin’s name is also removed from the directory of the film for the Writer’s Guild of America, again replaced by Joe Crombie. 

Another thing to point out is that on the official Borderlands website, Crombie also shows up in the credits, alongside Eli Roth’s name as the screenwriters who really know what’s going on, but maybe we’ll have this be cleared up as the movie comes closer. 

The Movie Does Not Have An Official MPA Rating Yet

As of March 2024 , there is no official word on what the MPA rating is going to be on Borderlands, but there have been rumors that it could be R. 

With its intense violence, crass humor, dystopian themes, and strong language, among other adult content, Borderlands, the video game, most assuredly earns its M rating. In 2016, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the plan was to make a hard-R movie based on the popular video game series. 

This news did come out before Roth entered the director’s chair, but he’s made several movies that have all carried an R rating. With the noted exception of The House with a Clock in its Walls, every movie that Eli Roth has directed has been R-rated. Thus, it wouldn't be shocking if Borderlands was only intended for adult audiences. 

Again, nothing is confirmed, but it is something to think about. 

What are you the most excited for when it comes to Borderlands? There are so many other great video game adaptations out there, and hopefully, this one ends up joining that list. 

Having conquered the world of big screen comedy, biographical dramas, comic book movies, and even starred in a few horror flicks, the next venture for Bradley Cooper is film noir, with none other than Guillermo del Toro as his guide. The celebrated visionary filmmaker cast the Academy Award-nominated A Star is Born actor as the lead of his next big project, Nightmare Alley, in 2019.

The mystery thriller, set in the 1940s, tells the story of a man named Stanton "Stan" Carlisle - Bradley Cooper’s character - who makes a living at a traveling carnival with his manipulative skills in mentalism. His ambition for greater glory eventually leads him to cross paths with Lilith Ritter (Oscar winner Cate Blanchett), a psychiatrist for the upper class with her own penchant for deceit.

The upcoming film will be many audiences’ introduction to this classic story of suspense, but it will not be the first time it has been told on the big screen. That being said, what is the legacy of Nightmare Alley and what else is there to know about it before it finally hits theaters? The answers will be revealed in the following collection of confirmed facts surrounding this anticipated production, starting with when we can expect to see it.

Nightmare Alley Is Set For A December 3, 2021, Release

Principal photography on Nightmare Alley first began in January 2020, but just two months later, it would join the club of countless Hollywood projects put on pause in the wake of Covid-19’s global outbreak. Disney, which owns the film’s distribution company Searchlight Pictures, would continue to keep the production on hold until the following September.

After it had initially finishing shooting in November 2020, followed by reshoots, Nightmare Alley officially wrapped on production on December 12, 2020. By then, it was scheduled to hit theaters nearly a year later - specifically on Friday, December 3, 2021.

Bradley Cooper Is Joined By A Star-Studded Cast For Nightmare Alley

Before Bradley Cooper got the part of deceptive carny Stan Carlisle, Leonardo DiCaprio was in talks to lead the cast of Nightmare Alley in early 2019 before scheduling conflicts forced him to abandon the project. Cooper’s stepping in was confirmed the following September, along with Cate Blanchett as Lilith Ritter, and her Carol co-star Rooney Mara as Molly Cahill.

That same month, in another instance of casting replacements for the project, David Strathairn took over Michael Shannon’s original role of Pete Krumbein, while Toni Collette was announced as his carnival performer wife, Zeena, followed by Willem Dafoe’s inclusion that October and Mindhunter’s Holt McCallany the next month. Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson, veteran Italian actress and singer Romina Power, and Oscar winner Mary Steenburgen all joined the cast of Nightmare Alley during the first few months of shooting, following the January 2020 additions of The Shape of Water’s Richard Jenkins and Ron Perlman, who has an extensive history with the director.

Guillermo Del Toro Makes A Long Awaited Directorial Return With Nightmare Alley

It was announced that Guillermo del Toro would be directing Nightmare Alley while he was still riding high on the widespread acclaim for The Shape of Water in December 2017. The romantic fantasy, which earned the 56-year-old, Mexican-born filmmaker Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director, was actually the last movie for which he was at the helm.

Of course, the man has still been keeping busy since, directing episodes of his trilogy of animated Tales of Arcadia series on Netflix or producing films like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the 2018 sequel to Pacific Rim, or the completed but not-yet released horror film Antlers, for instance. He will follow-up Nightmare Alley as co-director of a dark, stop-motion take on Pinocchio (which has been in and out of development hell since 2008) and a documentary profiling the career of Michael Mann that is currently untitled.

Guillermo Del Toro Co-Wrote The Screenplay With Movie Critic Kim Morgan

While he is not sharing the director’s chair this time, for Guillermo del Toro, penning the script for Nightmare Alley was not a solo effort. The famously collaborative talent had a co-screenwriter in the form of Kim Morgan, who is better known for her journalism background.

The film aficionado and critic has written for many notable entertainment-based publications, such as Sight & Sound and Playboy, and has also contributed to The Criterion Collection, presented films airing on Turner Classic Movies, and sat in for Roger Ebert as a guest on Ebert & Roeper in 2007. Nightmare Alley is Kim Morgan’s third screenwriting effort, but neither she nor Guillermo del Toro are the first to tell the story.

Nightmare Alley Is The Second Film Adaptation Of A Novel

The inspiration for Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley is a book of the same, published in 1946. The bleak commentary on the seedy inhabitants of show business - complete with slimy schemers, femme fatales, and all the classic elements of noir - is the debut novel and best known work of American writer William Lindsay Gresham.

Just a year after its release, Nightmare Alley was adapted into a film by Twentieth Century Fox starring Tyrone Power (whose daughter, Romina, appears in the upcoming reinterpretation) in the role now held by Bradley Cooper. Guillermo del Toro has described his new version as not a remake of the 1947 picture, but a “re-adaptation,” which may likely be from his reputation for darkness.

Nightmare Alley Will Be Rated R, According to Guillermo Del Toro

If there was any question of just how dark Nightmare Alley could be, Guillermo del Toro has already made sure to set that record straight. While speaking to Collider in promotion of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, he mentioned how he had been a fan of the William Lindsay Gresham’s novel since the early ’90s. When asked if the film would be rated R, he assured that “double-R” would be a more fitting rating for the noir when he was a done.

While there likely should not have been any question of an R-rating for a traditional film noir from Guillermo del Toro, his promise does come with much reassurance, nonetheless. With the exception of Hellboy, I have always preferred his darker, more adult stories, such as Pan’s Labyrinth or The Devil’s Backbone, believing them to match up with his vision more smoothly than his lighter efforts. That being said, with its mega-talented cast and heavy source material, it appears that we may be in for yet another Del Toro masterpiece with Nightmare Alley.

With two Oscars to her name, and several other accolades to boot, Cate Blanchett is undeniably considered one of our finest working actresses. In movies both big and small, as well as the new limited series Mrs. America, the award-winning actress has often demonstrated her incredibly dynamic and adaptable talents, proving herself willing to tackle many different on-screen personalities with gusto.

That tradition is set to continue with many exciting new projects in her future, including two upcoming Guillermo del Toro pictures (one of which is Netflix's animated Pinocchio), a new Adam McKay film, a video game adaptation, and more. Certainly, Blanchett's well-distinguished, well-recognized acting chops will stand out in any type of project — be it a blockbuster or prestige drama. So, we should expect only the best from Blanchett.

If you're a big fan of Cate Blanchett, like I am, here's what you can look forward in the near future.

Pinocchio - TBA 2021 (Filming)

Several storytellers have attempted to bring the fable of Pinocchio to life on the big screen. Unfortunately, only a select few have succeeded. Generally speaking, the ones that work tend to be the animated ones, with Disney's 1940 classic being the shining star example. With that said, if any working filmmaker could do justice to the tale of the wooden puppet who wants to be a real boy, it's fantasy director Guillermo Del Toro.

The Oscar-winning moviemaker is currently in the midst of making his own stop-motion animated version of the beloved fairy tale, and he's assembled a great ensemble of voice actors for the project. The talented stars set to lend their pipes to this forthcoming family film include Ewan McGregor, Christoph Waltz, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Tim Blake Nelson, Tilda Swinton, and Cate Blanchett. That's a mighty fine roster right there!

With a screenplay written by Guillermo Del Toro, Patrick McHale (Adventure Time), Matthew Robbins (Jaws), and Gris Grimly, with a visual design that's evoking Grimly's 2002 re-design of the classic 1883 novel, Pinocchio will be the first feature-length animated movie directed by del Toro, and it's a project that the director has been trying to lift off the ground for years before Netflix finally agreed to foot the bill. The plan is to release the new movie, which is currently still in production, sometime next year.

Co-directed by Mark Gustafson, this latest cinematic take on Pinocchio is meant to be a "brutalist fable," in del Toro's words, of the familiar story. Certainly, del Toro's take on the tale is bound to be interesting — no matter which way he approaches the material. Anticipations are very high for Netflix's newest animated production, and we hope it's another winner for Guillermo del Toro!

Nightmare Alley - TBA (Filming)

In addition to Netflix's much-anticipated Pinocchio, Cate Blanchett is also starring in Guillermo del Toro's other new movie: an upcoming live-action psychological thriller, Nightmare Alley, based on the 1946 novel of the same name by William Lindsay Graham.

Adapted by del Toro and Kim Morgan, the tale of a corrupt con-man teaming up with a psychiatrist to trick people into giving them money will star Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, Richard Jenkins, David Strathairn, Mary Steenburgen, and several other notable stars. As the follow-up (or, at least, one of the follow-ups) to the filmmaker's Best Picture-winning The Shape Of Water, it shouldn't come as a surprise to see how much talent and interest thrown into this new project. Alas, while filming started back in late January, the production was shut down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, production resumed again in mid-September under safety protocols, and it's presumably still going on at the moment. Though, with the timeline in consideration, one would assume that filming should be wrapping up soon — if it's not finished already. Therefore, while there's no release date set for Guillermo del Toro's latest live-action feature, one could reasonably believe that it might be ready to screen sometime next year.

Certainly, the tantalizing promise of not one, but two new Guillermo del Toro movies to look forward to in the months ahead is exciting for movie lovers everywhere. But nothing is currently confirmed when it comes to the movie's release. More details should hopefully arrive in the months to follow, but if Nightmare Alley does decide to come out sometime next year, it's possible that we might be looking at another awards contender for del Toro. But only time will tell.

Don’t Look Up - TBA 2021 (Pre-Production)

Don't Look Up is the latest satire written and directed by Oscar-winner Adam McKay (Anchorman, The Big Short). And it's gearing up to host one of the most impressive ensembles we've seen in recent memory. In addition to Jennifer Lawrence frontlining, this Netflix comedy will also star Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothee Chalamet, Jonah Hill, Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Himesh Patel, Matthew Perry, Rob Morgan, and Cate Blanchett. Certainly, that's one great line-up of stars. And the premise itself might prove to be highly relevant for today's times. The plot follows a pair of astronomers (Lawrence, DiCaprio) who try to warn the world of an impending meteorite that will destroy the planet in six months. Chaos ensues from there.

While McKay is more well-known for his more dramatic endeavors, Don't Look Up is said to be a rip-roaring comedy, which is intriguing to hear.

While The Big Short and Vice have their fair share of critical praise and awards consideration, it's hard not to miss Adam McKay's looser, goofier broad comedies — notably, the five he made with Will Ferrell. The filmmaker has an Oscar to his name now, though. So, no matter how big or wacky his future films might get, they'll garner some awards consideration — which makes it easy to see why McKay was able to wrangle up such an impressive cast-list.

Nevertheless, outside of Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence's roles, it's currently unknown how big of a part these other actors will have in this new movie. It's possible they're prominent players, and it's possible that they're glorified cameos. With an A-list cast this big, neither one is out-of-the-question. Therefore, we'll have to wait to see what becomes of this new Netflix production. It's currently in pre-production and expected to start filming early next year for a release later in 2021.

Armageddon Time - TBA (Pre-Production)

The time of Armageddon will soon set upon us. Following up last year's acclaimed space drama, Ad Astra, writer-director-producer James Gray is set to helm Armageddon Time, a coming-of-age drama exploring friendship, loyalty, and adolescence while growing up in Queens in the 1980s. Currently, details are limited on the project otherwise, but Gray has already scored a hell of a cast for his latest film. The forthcoming film will star Anne Hathaway, Oscar Isaac, Robert De Niro, Donald Sutherland, and Cate Blanchett in undisclosed roles.

As an autobiographical period piece meant to be evocative of the works from Federico Fellini and François Truffaut, Armageddon Time might pose a scary title, but it's said to be a warm and emotional piece reflective of Gray's previous film, Two Lovers (and, for my money, one of his finest films yet). Hopefully, more details will come out soon.

What we do know, however, is that it's going to be filmed in New York City — which seems like a no-brainer, given the setting in mind. But in the midst of this ongoing pandemic, it's hard to know when productions will begin in earnest in the Big Apple. Most likely, the goal will be to shoot this film next year, with the intention of releasing it either that same year or the year after. No matter what happens with Armageddon Time, it's certainly going to be one worth following. Hopefully, Gray will get another great performance out of Cate Blanchett, similar to how he's gotten several great performances from several of his past notable collaborators, including Joaquin Phoenix, Marion Cotillard, Brad Pitt, Robert Pattinson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more.

There's currently no release date in place for the upcoming movie, currently in pre-production. Whenever more details arrive, we'll certainly keep you posted.

Borderlands - TBA (Pre-Production)

Cate Blanchett and director Eli Roth made for an unlikely pair when they collaborated on 2018's darkly comedic family fantasy film, The House with a Clock in its Walls. But the resulting film is one of the best-reviewed films in Roth's filmography, and it became a stealthy hit at the box office to boot. So, it might not be terribly surprising to learn that Blanchett and Roth are planning to reunite for an upcoming project. Nevertheless, it's surprising that the movie they picked is an adaptation of Gearbox Software's apocalyptic video game series, Borderlands.

Set in the abandoned fictional planet of Pandora, this new movie will follow the inhabitants of this decrepit planet as they search for a mysterious relic. It's still early in development, but it's already securing some major talent. Chernobyl's Craig Mazin, for instance, is set to write the screenplay alongside newcomer Aaron Berg.

Developments made on the film remains limited otherwise, though it was reportedly set to enter pre-production earlier this year before COVID-related shutdowns halted several productions. How ironic it is that an apocalyptic wasteland movie might've been delayed by the threat of a real-life disaster. Nevertheless, we'll have to wait to see what happens next for this project. It'll be a big film with a sizable budget, so these things take time. It might be a while before it's geared up and ready to go.

In any case, Cate Blanchett is keeping herself busy with a variety of different projects at this time. Whether or not this one comes together, there's no doubt that the two-time Oscar-winning actress will find some projects that hopefully complement and continue demonstrating her incredible acting talents. Whether or not that project is a film adaptation of Borderlands by director Eli Roth still remains to be seen.

Which upcoming Cate Blanchett movie gets you excited the most? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below!