This past weekend was a huge moment for genre movies, considering two original horror film topped the box office —Backrooms and Obsession — with both directors hailing from YouTube, funnily enough. Backrooms has been earning rave reviews from critics by and large, but in a rare switch up, general audiences are the ones being much harsher on the movie. There’s one complaint in particular I keep hearing from people, and I want to talk about it.

The Popular Complaint About Backrooms

When I walked out of Backrooms’ premiere, I was surprised by how much scarier it is than what I expected. (I admittedly didn’t know much about Kane Parsons or liminal spaces before seeing it.) However, when I’ve since talked to others who went out to see it on opening weeked, and when looking around online, the same word came up over and over: boring. Pschaw! How dare!

Here are a few of many Twitter comments addressing the matter:

• “I will think it over tonight but my first impression is it's a very boring execution of an otherwise great idea. I enjoyed the YouTube episodes of Parson's take on The Backrooms that I saw. He is genuinely talented. But, for whatever reason, I genuinely think the story of the movie made the Backrooms less interesting.” - @TheLoneHandmaid
• “y’all i hate to say this but backrooms was lowk boring ngl” - @xaehdz
• “Cannot stress enough how terrible I thought it was. There are many bad horror films, but at least they keep you amused for how bad they are. But Backrooms was one of the most boring horrors I've ever watched. And it's 0% scary! What are people watching, I don't see it 😭” - @juanignacio_ac
• “i want to like backrooms but it was just so boring at times” - @sergiotbh
• “Just saw the Backrooms film. One of the most disappointingly boring films I've seen in a long time” - @Tiger_Rider_

Obviously, everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, and I'm ultimately bummed that such a sizable segment of the audience sitting through Backrooms was not digging it the way I was. But I'm also befuddled by those reactions, as I can't comprehend what any of those people were expecting out of this movie. Especially after I went to YouTube myself and watched Parsons’ series that got him the movie deal with A24. This is not a case of false advertising.

Why I Don’t Think The "Boring" Take Is Fair

The marketing for Backrooms hasn’t exactly suggested that it’s going to be a scarefest full of big surprises and scares at every turn, right? The teaser I watched multiple times in theaters was literally just a montage of liminal spaces. It's totally fine if that kind of movie is just not interesting to someone, but I'd assume that person would expect more of the same thing.

I don’t think Backrooms is boring, but I also didn't go into it with heightened expectations. If any naysayers can watch Parsons’ short film below and then tell me why the movie wasn’t what you were expecting, I would be happy to hear it.

I can see where people might be coming from regarding the pacing, but I definitely didn’t think it was too long, and I liked feeling fully immersed in this concept while going into each weird room with the characters. To me, Backrooms is an original concept that I’ve never seen before from a horror film, and the tension was beautifully executed. I was more scared by the idea that the backrooms might be a comforting place if the wrong person steps inside, and found myself unsettled by the themes of unresolved trauma, stagnation and existential unease during and after watching it.

No, it’s not the kind of movie with mile-a-minute scares. It's a much more cerebral film, but I fully respected the ride for what it was and would gladly take it over a lot of horror movies as of late that have been fully predictable to me. And, if it gave us every answer there wouldn’t be talk of a franchise, but I also think it would also lose some of its emotional weight. Backrooms isn't a perfect horror film to me, but I just don't get the "boring" allegations myself.

The director of Backrooms, the latest release from A24, Kane Parsons is only 20 years old. That’s remarkable for several reasons, of course, not the least of which is that he has already directed his first major motion picture. That is rarified air, and since Backrooms already looks to be a big hit, it’s even more impressive. I liked the movie a lot, and though I didn’t find it as scary as others have, I was really knocked out by how great the film looked. A big part of that for me was how well Kane and the set designers nailed the look of the 1990s.

Let’s Praise The Crew

Backrooms is getting kudos for a lot of reasons. Parsons’ direction, actors Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve for their great performances, and Jeremy Cox for his cinematography have all gotten well-deserved praise. I want to highlight some others on the crew, namely production designer Danny Vermette, art director Alan Derksen, and set decorator Trevor Johnston. They first deserve that praise for the most important sets in the movie, the endless maze of backrooms, but what really stood out to me was how well they captured the look and feel of the early ‘90s.

The movie mostly takes place in a furniture store, and looking at the various living room and bedroom sets on the showroom floor really took me back. They were exactly what I remember from the era, a time when I was just starting high school. The couches and TV stands and the rest all had that sort of faux wood, kinda-nice, but cheesy and flowery look. It’s that faux wood that really stood out. That plastic-y light brown wood just screams "1990." That goes for all the furniture, not just what was in the store.

It Wasn’t Just The Store

What really sparked all this for me was a scene in the home of the character played by Mark Duplass. As he sits down to watch his 27” TV (it seemed like every TV in that era was 27 inches), there is a CD stand next to the TV, with the discs stacked up in it. I’m pretty sure I had this same stand in the early ‘90s. It’s such a distinct piece of furniture, because CDs were relatively short-lived between the eras of vinyl and streaming. It’s a really subtle choice from the set designers and dressers, but it really evokes the era in which the movie is set.

The costume department, led by Mica Kayde, also deserve some love for their work, as well. All of the costumes are perfect. They aren’t over the top in the way they nail the era, though the bare midriff shirt that Bobby (Finn Bennett) wears is cutting it close–no pun intended. Ejiofor’s suits are exactly how I remember the suits from the time. I also loved Ejiofor’s character’s BMW. My mom had a similar one when I was a kid, and the shot of the radio brought back some powerful memories. I’m not much for nostalgia, but the design is subtle, which totally makes it work here.

Backrooms is going to be one of the surprise hits of the 2026 movie schedule, and I think a big reason why is how authentic it looks, despite having a director who wasn’t even born in the ‘90s.

As we inch closer to the halfway point of the year, there’ve already been a lot of good horror flicks on the 2026 movie calendar, but few are as unsettling as Kane Parsons’ Backrooms. Sure, the endless liminal spaces are creepy as heck, but so is the movie’s central character, Clark, who is played by Chiwetel Ejiofor. When speaking to the actor, CinemaBlend asked him about one key thing regarding his storyline. SPOILERS AHEAD!

Why does Clark find comfort in the backrooms? It’s ridden with yellow wallpaper and rooms that only open into more rooms. And yet, he ultimately decides to live there alongside who knows how many terrifying creatures. So, during our interview, I asked Ejiofor this question. Here's what he had to say:

We know that Clark is going through a tumultuous time in his life. He’s been seeking therapy after a breakup that left him homeless and secretly spending nights at his own furniture store. He’s kind of at his wits' end when he finds the backrooms. Here’s what else the actor shared with us:

And in contrast to Clark, his therapist Mary seemed to feel powerless in saving her own mother in her childhood, and perhaps feels like she’ll have some control over her trauma if she can help him. Otherwise, why the heck would she follow him through a creepy basement? While Ejiofor told me that he absolutely doesn’t find comfort in backrooms himself, he could understand where his character is coming from, adding this:

As a viewer of the film who certainly agrees with the wave of rave reviews Backrooms is getting, there’s something kind of perfect about this concept being introduced on the big screen with a character like Clark. While we’d expect most characters to get creeped out and turn around, the fact that he actually wants to stay there is part of why the movie works so well.

There’s an additional tension that is created when we know that Clark isn’t well and doesn’t mind exploring what else is in the seemingly endless space. Sadly, the backrooms end up being Clark’s demise and may have trapped his therapist forever as well.

If you’re looking to go down the rabbit hole of the backrooms, during our interview, we also talked to director Kane Parsons about filming the found footage elements of the movie. We also broke down what the ending means and why it may remind you of Severance. And if you're looking to take a trip to this unsettling place, you can catch Backrooms in theaters now.

Raise your hand if you just got out of Backrooms and simultaneously want to go down an internet rabbit hole about Kane Parsons’ horrific world based on an internet creepypasta and go outside to touch grass! I’m here and ready to break down what just happened during the ending of one of the most critically-acclaimed movies on the 2026 release schedule. Feel free to walk outside and read this… if you can find the door, that is. SPOILERS AHEAD.

Poor Mary! Renate Reinsve’s character goes after her patient Clark (Chiwetel Ejifor) to the backrooms and tries to help him out. What she finds when she goes through the invisible door he rambled about is a crazed man who would rather live in an unsettling place full of endless rooms than live among society.

She does manage to escape him after learning something really scary about the backrooms: it seems to create copies of whoever enters its space, except they are abnormal versions of humans that don’t seem to feel pain. It’s also unclear if they have minds of their own or not. The end of Mary’s journey that we see is when she meets a man named Phil (Mark Duplass).

Who Is Phil In Backrooms?

Phil is an employee of the fictional Async Research Institute, which is a prominent element of director Kane Parsons’ YouTube series this whole movie is based on. You definitely don’t have to have watched the series to enjoy or understand the movie itself, but it does help, perhaps, explain the movie’s ending. In the YouTube series, the backrooms were actually created or discovered by Async in an effort to solve global storage and residential problems on Earth. This episode from the series is a good place to start:

The YouTube series often follows Async as they explore the backrooms and attempt to explore its vastness, but several strange anomalies begin to be made known – including openings popping up in unexpected places, from a freeway to people’s homes. While Phil’s exact position isn’t clarified in Backrooms, he’s part of the company that is trying to contain the problems that the backrooms have started to create. We can definitely assume Mary is not safe now that she’s seen it extensively.

Does Backrooms Set Up A Franchise?

While the YouTube series kind of starts where the movie ends, it's a very smart way to introduce the masses to Kane Parsons’ backrooms lore without stepping on the toes of the web series. In the web series, it’s concluded that there’s an uptick in missing persons after the backrooms were opened because so many have found them through multiple portals. Clark is one of the latest casualties who will never be found, but Mary’s fate is more complex. Will they try to recruit her or do away with her?

Since the nature of Backrooms is infinite rooms based on places on Earth, I think this movie is absolutely setting up a franchise. Introducing Async gives Parsons the option to tell the story next from the institute’s perspective or involve them more in a potential sequel. I definitely see a second movie acting as an anthology of sorts rather than continuing where the end leaves off, but either option (or both) is definitely on the table.

All that being said, I absolutely love how Backrooms can work as a standalone movie, too. If it doesn’t inspire any upcoming horror movies, it gets its terrifying message across and could be one of the best scary movies of the year.

When you’ve seen a lot of the best horror movies like I have, there’s a sort of confidence that starts to set in about being able to handle any creepy concept that Hollywood comes up with. Never did I think a movie based on a creepypasta would affect me the way that the Backrooms movie did, but here we are, and I need to talk about the unique way the movie got under my skin. No jump scares in this article: these thoughts are spoiler free!

How Scary Can A Bunch Of Rooms Be?

Even though I very much grew up with the internet and literally contribute to it daily as a writer here on CinemaBlend, I’m the sort of person who’s always looking confused at popular memes and internet references when people quote them to me. I guess I just don’t really follow that side of the internet as much as my peers? So, when I saw the trailer for Backrooms, I had no skin in the game. It did pique my interest though. It looked like the kind of fresh concept I want to see out of more upcoming horror movies.

Before seeing Backrooms, I really didn’t think it’d be scary to me. Sure, a series of yellow-stained liminal spaces is unsettling, but what are they going to do? Clearly, I had no idea what to expect.

The Unexpected Way Backrooms Made Me Feel

Let’s cut to how I felt leaving the theater. After spending almost two hours in the backrooms, I couldn’t help but see everything around me differently. I realized the backrooms aren’t just weird-looking rooms – they also encompass an amalgamation of all of our man-made normalcies like street signs, fluorescent-lit rooms and such. We’re used to seeing these fixtures in our everyday life, but I don’t typically stop to think about them too hard.

After seeing them distorted to be a sort of monster of our human creations, it felt like everywhere I looked I was seeing the unnatural state of our world. It made me feel existential about the places we’ve created in the world we live in, and the abnormal and bizarre forms around us that we just accept as part of reality. It made me think about all the ways in which we’ve repressed the Earth’s inherent beauty just to build offices with ugly wallpaper and cubicles.

In my own life, I’m always trying to remember to go outside and I find stillness and peace in looking at blue skies or hearing the rustle of trees. Backrooms tapped into my fears because it’s an endless void of rooms without windows or doors to the natural state of our world outside. I realized being stuck in a place like this is actually a new nightmare of mine now... and yet somehow already was?

The whole movie made me want to run outside and go camping somewhere. I love when a scary movie can make me reflect on our own existence and ask questions I wouldn’t have thought about otherwise. Backrooms is one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, and I’d love to see more movies set in this world. Anyways, those are just my thoughts. You can check out what critics are saying about Backrooms and see it yourself in theaters now.

The 2026 movie schedule is filled with projects from filmmakers who made a name on YouTube first. Perhaps the most highly anticipated is the upcoming A24 movie, Backrooms, from Kane Parsons. When CinemaBlend sat down with the YouTuber-turned-movie director, he talked to us about making one of the best found footage movies in some time for the big screen. But how did it all work?

Much like Parsons’ viral Backrooms web series, which was 24 episodes and has been based around liminal spaces since 2022, the movie takes place in the 1990s and has tons of found footage elements where audiences experience his horrific visions of unsettling spaces through grainy camcorder recordings. When comparing his series to the movie, he told CinemaBlend the following:

So did Kane Parsons use a real old-timey camcorder for the found footage scenes or not? Here’s what he had to tell me when I asked (and he knows fans are going to have thoughts).

Actually, in both scenarios, Parsons doesn’t use a real camcorder. However, when it comes to his feature film, rather than the backrooms being created using CGI and animation software, the production team built 30,000 square feet of the backrooms, making his vision a real place. The space was big enough to cause crew members to regularly get lost on set.

While a camcorder wasn’t used to film any scenes, it’s certainly part of the movie. In one sequence, which is teased in the Backrooms trailer, Finn Bennett’s Bobby is carrying around his own camera, filming. They used a few "parameters" for the effect.

The Backrooms movie follows Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Clark, a manager of a furniture store, who stumbles upon a portal to a series of seemingly never-ending rooms in the basement of his place of business. When he tells his therapist, Dr. Mary Kline (played by Renate Reinsve), about it and then goes missing, she goes after him. During our interview, Parsons also explained one more reason why using a camcorder didn't make sense for this movie:

As one of the earliest viewers of Backrooms, I cannot recommend this film enough to horror fans, whether you’ve seen Kane Parsons’ YouTube series or not. It’s incredibly imaginative, scary, and thrilling to think of being inside a place like the backrooms, and I can’t wait to see it again.

Backrooms hits theaters this Friday, May 29, and you can always check out the other upcoming horror movies hitting the schedule in the coming months if this isn't enough in the way of scares for you.

The first trailer for Blumhouse and A24's The Backrooms has landed on the 2026 movie schedule, and it’s doing something that most Hollywood adaptations of internet series struggle to pull off, especially when it comes to new horror movies. It actually feels like the thing people fell in love with in the first place.

Based on the viral YouTube series created by Kane Parsons, The Backrooms' first trailer leans heavily into the lo-fi, found-footage movie aesthetic that helped the original videos explode online in 2022. At the same time, this is clearly a larger production, backed by A24, with recognizable actors and a wider theatrical release on the way.

That mix could have easily gone sideways. Instead, the trailer suggests the filmmakers understood the assignment because it's giving me all the creepy vibes I could have asked for.

A Rare Case Of Hollywood Not Sanding Down The Edges

One of the biggest risks when adapting internet-born horror is over-polishing it. The roughness is often the point. The original Backrooms videos worked because they felt like something you weren’t supposed to see or found on some forgotten corner of the internet. The camera drifted. The lighting was harsh and wrong, and the spaces felt endless and empty. The trailer keeps that all intact.

There are long, uneasy shots of fluorescent-lit hallways that seem to loop in on themselves. The camera perspective shifts to handheld and lofi, giving it an unstable quality in comparison to something closer to modern digital cinema. It doesn’t abandon the analog horror roots that made the series popular.

That’s where the surprise comes in. Studio horror, especially when it originates from a niche source, often trades atmosphere for clarity. Here, the atmosphere appears to be the priority.

Found Footage Meets A Bigger Canvas

What makes this version of Backrooms stand out is how it blends two approaches that don’t usually coexist. On the one hand, there’s the stripped-down, almost DIY feel of the best found-footage movies and the creepiness of the "liminal space" aesthetic. It's a similar vibe we got when the experimental viral film Skinamarink dropped in 2022. On the other hand, unlike Skinkamarink, there’s a clear expansion in scope, with actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve stepping into a story with more defined characters and stakes.

The original series hinted at narrative threads but often left viewers to piece together the story. The film looks like it will give audiences more structure without over-explaining the central mystery. That balance is tricky, especially with a concept built around liminal spaces and the fear of getting lost in an unexplainable universe that doesn’t follow the rules of physics as we know them.

Parsons, who was still a teenager when his Backrooms videos took off, is at the helm of this big-screen adaptation, making his feature directorial debut here. The upcoming A24 project also marks a significant step for the production company, which continues to invest in unconventional horror that doesn’t fit neatly into mainstream formulas.

Backrooms Feels Different From Other Internet Lore Adaptations

There’s a long track record of adaptations taking something strange and internet-specific and flattening it into something generic. That doesn’t appear to be the case here. Just look at Slender Man. Not the HBO documentary Beware the Slenderman, which is worth watching, but the fictional studio version. The original concept and online lore are genuinely unsettling. The film, on the other hand, misses the mark entirely and earned its 8% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

If anything, the trailer suggests The Backrooms is trying to preserve the unease that made the original series work, while expanding it into something that can sustain a full theatrical runtime. It doesn’t look like it’s explaining away the mystery or smoothing out the weirdness. That restraint might be the most promising sign.

The Backrooms is set to hit theaters on May 29, and if the trailer is any indication, this could be one of the rare cases where a viral horror concept survives the jump to the big screen without losing what made it unsettling in the first place.

SPOILERS are ahead for Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, now streaming with a Peacock subscription. No reading ahead in the diary until you’ve seen it yourself!

2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary is not only one of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever seen, it’s also such a comfort movie for me. While the quality of the sequels have certainly been debatable, I was very excited to see Renée Zellweger back in the role after nearly a decade. I was, however, unprepared to learn that the premise of the movie includes Bridget coping with the death of Colin Firth’s Mark Darcy after having two kids together. But, I really wasn’t prepared for Mr. Darcy to be done dirty like this – especially for what is likely the conclusion to the franchise. Lucky for the movie, I really enjoyed it, and I’m beginning to forgive it for the lack of Darcy for a few key reasons.

Now, for some context, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is based on the 2013 novel of the same name from Helen Fielding. Just like the movie, it takes place two decades after the events of the first Bridget Jones storyline, where she is in her 50s and has been a widow for four years. It should also be noted that the events of the story are inspired by Fielding’s own experiences dealing with the death of her partner, TV writer Kevin Curran, who died at the age of 59 of cancer. They had two children together as well.

Between Fielding's motivations and the execution of Mad About The Boy, it’s not so much that I’m upset that Mark Darcy died at all, but more so the lack of Colin Firth. Here, I’ll share my complete thoughts on the subject.

How Do You Hire Colin Firth To Play Mark Darcy Again, And Give Him Zero Lines?

So, here’s my main issue with how Mark Darcy was handled. It’s one thing to make a plot decision to kill off a character in order to tell the story about grief and moving forward amidst it – which, by the way, I think Mad About The Boy does tell well. But it’s another to literally hire Colin Firth and bring him on the set of the movie alongside Renée Zellweger after 20 years of legacy with the beloved rom-com character, and not give him a single line.

I understand the character is dead, but even awarding audiences one more flashback sequence of the last year of their life or some funny quippy line to break the tension would have been most welcome. Instead, all we get is him standing next to her for a moment and then clapping from across the room later in the movie. Don’t get me wrong, his presence was effective, but it feels a bit wasteful for the Oscar winner, doesn’t it?

I’m Making Peace With The Blunder For One Big Reason

The main reason I can think of to forgive the movie for having Firth’s Mr. Darcy only being seen and not heard in his last appearance in the franchise is pretty heartbreaking. From a story perspective, if it’s been four years since the death of Darcy. So perhaps having him not talk to her from the other side is there to symbolize that at this point in the loss she only imagines and misses his presence rather than it being so vivid that she imagines him talking to her.

I’m also not necessarily fond of those movies where the dead character talks to them from the other side, or the widow and dead person have full-on conversations in one’s imagination – especially since it’s become such a cliché. That goes back to the frustration I have over there not being a little flashback scene with dialogue to at least give fans more closure on the character.

And, I Wouldn't Trade One Emotional Scene For A Bigger Darcy Moment

Another reason why I’m starting to make peace with Darcy being majorly short-sighted comes back to a scene in between Bridget and her father, Colin (played by Jim Broadbent). In the scene early in the movie, Bridget looks at a picture of herself and her late father, and looks back to a time when he was in the hospital and he asked her to promise him to “live.” I think it’s the scene that made me tear up the most because I could relate to my own experience with my grandfather imparting his own wisdom on me before passing away.

There was something powerful about Bridget’s flashback scene that inspired her to move forward in her life being from her father rather than from Darcy, so I wouldn’t necessarily choose a Darcy scene over that if I had to pick between the two. It makes me think that maybe there was a flashback scene with Darcy that was filmed, but the filmmakers cut it in order to balance out the emotions of the movie, which could lean heavy sometimes. But I also can't imagine poor Colin Firth being cut from a Bridget Jones movie!

At Least The Movie Dealt With Darcy’s Death In A Careful Way

While I’m still upset that Darcy didn’t get his own last word in the franchise, I was happy to see the storyline carefully handle Bridget and her kids’ grief in a way that felt true to life. Because it was four years after his death, it made sense to be somewhat removed from the characters being so in the middle of it that it turns into a drama film. I was especially touched by the ways in which the movie handled the kids’ storylines. I am not surprised at all that Fielding was pulling from experience considering the conversations within the movie about keeping Darcy alive within the family.

And, Hugh Grant Clearly Had A Blast Adding Some Humor To It All

Then, there is what we did get out of the romance of Mad About The Boy. I did really enjoy the movie keeping the lighthearted fun of a Bridget Jones movie as the character navigates online dating and attempts to put herself out there in the ways of love and romance. I was totally in regarding Bridget Jones’ love story with Chiwetel Ejifor’s Mr. Walliker. When she kissed him in the snow, my heart fluttered, and Ejifor's character was so sweet and earnest. But I especially loved seeing at least Hugh Grant’s Daniel Cleaver get to have some memorable scenes throughout! Another Bridget Jones just wouldn’t have been the same without one of them interacting with Bridget. I got such a kick out of Daniel coming over to babysit and teach the kids to make a “Dirty Bitch”.

All in all, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is one of my favorite 2025 movies thus far. I just wish I wasn’t so mad about the piping hot lack of Mr. Darcy.

While the majority of the Bridget Jones cast is British, the film's star, Renée Zellweger, is American. However, you'd probably never know it, because her British accent is on point. To that point, we got to see her in the titular role again as Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy premiered on the 2025 movie schedule. She had some new co-stars too, including Chiwetel Ejiofor. Now, the actor is opening up about working with the film's star and how he didn't really meet the ‘American’ actress until after they wrapped the film.

The Love Actually alum caught up with Vanity Fair about the film that's available to stream with a Peacock subscription. While some of the great Chiwetel Ejiofor films breached the conversation, it was his experience on the threequel set and his thoughts about Zellweger’s commitment to Jones that took center stage.

He noted that the Jerry Maguire actress was already in character when he got to the set, and it was only after they wrapped that he got to know the real her, including her accent, saying:

It’s not a surprise that Ejiofor met the triple threat in that manner. Zellweger’s accolades and career have an impressive range, from hit musicals to period pieces and from comedy to kids' projects, so she knows no bounds. The dedication the Judy star commits to is nothing short of impressive, and honestly, half of the time I forget that she isn’t a British person while watching any of the Jones movies.

The 12 Years A Slave actor then explained how he processed the whole experience, saying hearing Zellweger use two accents was something that took him a minute to take in. He also shared that it was like remeeting a person he already half knew, while reaffiming why her performance is so good:

Hearing the Doctor Strange actor expand on his experience with the A-List Texan is surprising, but it makes Renée Zellweger’s best flicks all the better. She's so excellent in films like Bridget Jones and Chicago, and hearing about her commitment to her accent and performance is incredible. (Honestly, I had to go watch a video of her accepting an award to remember she does have a pretty distinct Texas accent.)

If you haven’t dove into the world of the dorky yet lovable British reporter, watching Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy is 100% a move you should make. Both stars have films that are considered the best rom-coms ever, and their relationship in Mad About The Boy delivers some great performances that easily compare with their former roles. It also doesn’t hurt to have a lot of returning cast members, including Hugh Grant and a glimpse of Colin Firth alongside newcomer Leo Woodall.

As for Chiwetel Ejiofor’s eventual official meeting of the ‘American’ Renée Zellweger post-filming Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy–better late than never! Hopefully, he’s wrapped his head around it by now, and I follow suit and work through remembering that she is from Texas and not British.

As an avid reader, I love getting ready for upcoming book adaptations because it’s just so much fun how a book can compare to a novel. Sure, the source material is almost always better than the movie or TV show, but it can be satisfying to see how the different mediums tell the same story. And following a new announcement coming out about the movie Children Of Blood And Bone, I’m very much sold on finally getting into the book series.

I’m Floored By The Talent In Paramount’s Children Of Blood And Bone

First off, this cast is actually ridiculous. Per Variety, eight very talented actors have already signed on and there’s more in negotiations. To first talk about the heavy hitters, Viola Davis will play a Seer named Mama Agba. Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo will play an admiral named Kaea who is right hand to the king, played by Chiwetel Ejifor. Idris Elba will play a high priest named Lekan, and Lashana Lynch will play the mother to the main characters, Zelie and Tzain.

Oh, and apparently Regina King is currently in negotiations to play the queen of the kingdom of Orïsha, the setting of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling series. Paramount is assembling some of the biggest casts of talented actors we’ve seen in a minute. This is clearly a big production that the studio is investing in and has impressed a slew of talent.

I’m Excited To See Talent From The Woman King Reunited

Leading the adaptation will be Thuso Mbedu as the fantasy film’s heroine Zelie. I don’t know if you saw 2023’s The Woman King, but that was the first and only movie in which I’ve seen Mbedu, and she is amazing in her role. She co-starred with Viola Davis in that movie, who did almost every stunt in the action movie, along with Lynch. We loved The Woman King in our review, especially for the direction of Gina Prince-Blythewood, who will also be directing the Children of Blood and Bone.

Thuso Mbedu will also be joined by Snowfall’s Damson Idris, who is set to star in F9 with Brad Pitt this year, and The Acolyte’s Amandla Stenberg will play the children of the king who embark on a quest with Zelie to take back the magic that is stolen from their kingdom. House Party’s Tosin Cole will play Zelie’s older brother.

I Love The Idea Of A New Fantasy YA Trilogy Being On The Big Screen

As a book reader who loved following The Hunger Games series when it was being made into movies and is excited for the upcoming prequel, I love the idea of there finally being a big-budget YA adaptation again. So many of them in the past just weren’t not successful, oftentimes because the right attention wasn’t put into them. With this cast, its director and author Tomi Adeyemi even co-writing the screenplay, I’m ready to read this series (there are three books) and then get even more excited for the movie. The film has a release date of Jan. 15, 2027 and will be made for IMAX.

While MCU fans can still expect tons of adventures in myriad upcoming Marvel movies hitting the 2025 movie schedule and beyond, it doesn't sound like Tom Hardy's Venom will be around to cause chaos for it, at least if one believes Hardy's claims that he's finished with the role. But Eddie Brock still has to save the universe, or at least parts of Nevada, from utter destruction in Sony's superhero sequel Venom: The Last Dance.

The third film centers on Eddie and Venom trying to thwart an incoming alien threat spearheaded by comic book baddie Knull (portrayed by Let There Be Carnage helmer Andy Serkis), which brings a handful of other body-usurping symbiotes into the picture. Co-starring such talents as Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Venom: The Last Dance is hitting theaters on Friday, October 25, but not before the first wave of reviews from critics and early screenings could go public. And let's just say I hope nobody had high hopes for Knull as a crowd-pleaser.

I think anyone would agree that Sony's Venom movies are widely viewed as money-making fan-pleasers, as opposed to critical darlings in any way shape are form. They're more like critical gargoyles where the bird poop just doesn't wash off, and many of the same complaints are being made about this film as well. CinemaBlend's Venom review and Venom: Let There Be Carnage review fell on the low side. And in his Venom: the Last Dance review, our own Eric Eisenberg was not in the slightest bit impressed with any of the film's Dance moves either, slamming the film as being the embodiment of "shit happens," as opposed to a legitimate story.

ComicBook.com's Kofi Outlaw put the film on major blast by calling it "Sony's next Madame Web" while offering some praise for screenwriter and first-time director Kelly Marcel, saying her love for the franchise and character is obvious. But the critic then questions why that innate fandom would lead her to craft a finished product that puts more emphasis on new characters and non-Venom elements, and goes on to say:

Alison Willmore of Vulture is one of many critics who take direct aim at the multiversal nature of Knull as a villain — in a movie where Hardy's character says he's "done with that multiverse shit," no less — and how much his muddled exposition and one-note storyline rules detract from the mindless enjoyment that feels more like its true element.

Kristy Puchko of Mashable is all for scenes that showcase Tom Hardy's back-and-forth shenanigans in full, but like seemingly everyone else, has little to zero patience for any moments that pull focus away to track the gloom-mongering villain.

CBR's Howard Waldstein calls outVenom: The Last Dance as being on par with Joker: Folie à Deux as bottom-of-the-barrel superhero fare, saying Tom Hardy is at his all-time laziest in this sequel, extending from the narrative notion that Eddie Brock himself is suffering from an extended hangover and lack of sleep. This critic also wasn't impressed by the film's more absurd sequences, nor the side story involving The Amazing Spider-Man vet Rhys Ifans as a UFO-seeker and his van family.

David Erlich of IndieWire is responsible for one of the few reviews that came from a somewhat positive outlook, though one that's entirely self-aware of how flagrantly ridiculous Tom Hardy's dedication to this two-headed role can be, and how the three films' other creative elements never come close to being as enjoyable as Eddie and Venom's "Greatest Love Story in Superhero Movie History." As he put it:

I don't think anyone will be surprised to learn that the critics who didn't like the first two Venom films didn't about-face so hard for The Last Dance that whiplash kept them from turning their reviews in on time. But anyone who already adores this wonky superhero buddy comedy may just find themselves having a great time at the theater, assuming Venom doesn't slap the popcorn out of everyone's hands while seeking out chocolate.

Venom: The Last Dance hits theaters on Friday, October 25, and is looking at box office projects hitting somewhere around $65 million in the U.S. for its first weekend, and around $85 million from overseas tallies.

We’re still a couple of months away from the holiday season taking complete hold of the world, but when that happens, we can be sure that a lot of people will revisit their favorites by watching some of the best Christmas movies around. Among those will be the modern classic, Love Actually. The film tells numerous beautiful and heartbreaking stories, but one that seems to get more attention every year is the controversial love triangle between characters played by Andrew Lincoln, Keira Knightley, and Chiwetel Eijofor.

Lincoln plays a man in love with his best friend’s new wife. It’s not a position any of us would like to be in, but over the years, many have suggested that even letting the woman of his dreams know his feelings is a terrible thing – and Eijofor agrees. He recently told Comicbook.com that he has even told his co-star to his face that his character is a terrible best friend. He said,

One of the most famous Love Actually scene features Mark (Andrew Lincoln) silently professing his love to Juliet (Kiera Knightley) via cue cards while Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) aloofly believes she is enjoying the performance of some door-to-door carolers. It's intended to be seen as a cathartic moment for Lincoln’s character; now that he has unburdened his soul, he can move forward with his life. But as Ejiofor points out, the film never deals with the aftermath, which surely would have been significant if the husband/best friend ever discovered what happened.

As Love Actually has become a regular holiday season tradition, it seems more and more people are coming around to this way of thinking. Even director Richard Curtis has said that while he didn’t see the problematic nature of the scene originally, he has since come to understand what’s wrong with it and why people take issue. Even Andrew Lincoln has said he was afraid he’d come off like a “creepy stalker” while filming the movie.

To be fair, the "stalker" issue isn't even the only bad part of the relationship. Keira Knightley was only 18 years old when she made the movie, making her barely an adult, and Lincoln is more than a decade older than her. Knightley is closer in age to the children who co-star in the film.

All that being said, Love Actually is great because it tells so many different stories about the different ways love can manifest, and unrequited love is certainly one way that happens.

Over 20 years after the release of Bridget Jones’s Diary, it’s still one of the best romantic comedies of all time. So, it brought us a ton of joy when we learned a few months back that another one of Helen Fielding’s novels from the series was being adapted! Ahead of the rom-com joining the 2025 movie schedule, the production has finished rolling cameras, and now they're celebrating.

Working Title Films, which has been responsible for all the hilarious Bridget Jones movies, took to Twitter on Thursday to share an exciting photo from set to celebrate the production finishing up filming. Take a look:

How exciting! The post features an image of what we’d assume is Renée Zellweger’s chair on set alongside some monitors set up on the location of the new Bridget Jones movie. The company shared with audiences that we’ll see what they’ve made on Valentine’s Day. What a perfect date to venture back into the love life of the beloved British character who is inspired by Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

As we previously learned, Renée Zellweger will be playing Bridget Jones for the fourth time in an adaptation of Helen Fielding’s 2013 book, Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy. It will also see the return of Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver for the first time since 2004’s Edge of Reason. He didn’t want to be in the third movie, Bridget Jones’s Baby, but this time is a different story. Plus, the end of the 2016 movie showed Bridget finding out Daniel is alive, after all.

Emma Thompson is also reprising her role as Dr. Rawlings (from the third movie), plus Chiwetel Ejiofor and One Day and White Lotus’ Leo Woodall will make their debuts in the film series. Colin Firth is not expected to return, and as fans of the book may know, Mark Darcy actually tragically dies in the Mad About The Boy novel. Even so, we’re hoping the actor finds himself in the movie somehow. Firth has turned down a Bridget Jones movie before, only to change his mind, so who knows!

The Mad About The Boy novel, which is being adapted by Fielding herself alongside Abi Morgan and Dan Mazer and director Michael Morris, will follow Bridget as a 51-year-old single mother and widow who is navigating a sexual relationship with a younger man (who we imagine will be played by Woodall). This time Bridget also uses social media a lot more to express her feelings rather than an analog diary.

Unfortunately for American audiences, the new Bridget Jones movie is only going to those with a Peacock subscription on February 14th, whereas international fans will have the ability to check it out in theaters. However, we can't help but be thrilled about this film.

I don’t know about you, but seeing Bridget and Daniel’s reunion in Mad About The Boy just made the first draft of my 2025 New Year’s resolution.

One of the best horror movies of all time for various reasons, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist is still a powerful movie in and of itself, but it’d be silly to think that its impact is just as powerful today as it was when it hit theaters 53 years ago. Horror has come a long way since then, with diminishing returns for the franchise as a whole, but audiences are still fascinated by demonic possession stories, especially with genre masterminds like Mike Flanagan at the helm.

The writer and director behind The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher (still my favorite horror show of the 21st century) and Doctor Sleep, Flanagan is bringing his storytelling skills to the Exorcist universe, but obviously not in the most traditional ways. His project is still untitled, and fans still have a lot to learn about it, but we thankfully know more about it now than we did when it was originally announced.

So pour yourself a glass of pea-soup soda, or whatever beverage you’d actually prefer to be drinking, and read on for everything we know so far about Mike Flanagan’s upcoming Exorcist movie for Universal Pictures.

When Is The Release Date For Mike Flanagan's Exorcist Movie?

At one point earlier in its development cycle, in June 2024 to be more exact, Universal announced the new Exorcist project was being set to release on March 13. 2026. Considering not a lick of footage has been released, and casting updates are only just surfacing regularly here in February 2026, that initial premiere goal would obviously be impossible to hit.

Despite previous production delays stemming from Flanagan’s work on his new Carrie series adaptation, the new horror feature is rolling on all of its spooky cylinders currently, and in January 2026, the studio unveiled a new release date of March 12, 2027, which will hopefully remain the case without any further changes.

Scarlett Johansson Is Heading Up An Already Impressive Cast

Though it’s technically the follow-up to David Gordon Green’s box office disappointment Exorcist: The Believer, Mike Flanagan’s feature is based on an original idea, and it’s not expected that any previously introduced franchise characters will be involved, though that could obviously change. But that’s hardly disappointing when so many other solid actors have already been announced for the new movie.

Scarlett Johansson (Character TBA)

To date, Scarlett Johansson’s only real dabbling in horror features has been for Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin, which was technically more of a dark sci-fi tale with existentially horrifying concepts. So it was quite the shock to hear the Jurassic World: Rebirth star signed on for her first collaboration with Mike Flanagan, but I’ve no doubt they’ll be a match made in horror heaven.

Diane Lane (Character TBA)

With a slew of award nominations under her belt, Diane Lane was the second cast member announced for Flanagan’s new movie. And like Johansson, Lane is not an actor who has ever been synonymous with genre stories — I’ll blame Judge Dredd for that — though she’s well-equipped for psychological thrillers such as 2025’s darkly comedic Anniversary. I can imagine she’ll put those skills to work in this disturbing universe, though it’s hard to tell exactly who she might be playing.

Jacobi Jupe (Character TBA)

Young actor Jacobi Jupe has been on a career rise, going from Peter Pan & Wendy to the Apple TV thriller Before to Chloé Zhao’s universally acclaimed drama Hamnet, where he portrays the titular child of William Shakespeare. As such, he’s a promising addition to Flanagan’s Exorcist project, as the director’s projects are known for featuring nuanced performances from preteen actors. While not quite confirmed yet, Jupe is reportedly playing the son of ScarJo’s character.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Character TBA)

The first cast member announced for Mike Flanagan’s exorcism movie that has worked with the filmmaker in the past, Chiwetel Ejiofor has been tapped to play an unidentified character in the new horror movie. Ejiofor previously portrayed the character Marty Anderson in last year’s Stephen King adaptation The Life of Chuck, and I couldn’t be more excited for another A-tier actor to join the list of frequent collaborators. According to THR, the actor is allegedly playing an ex-con who becomes a priest.

Laurence Fishburne (Character TBA)

The most prolific of any previously revealed cast members, Laurence Fishburne is no stranger to both quality genre projects and franchises. The Pee-Wee’s Playhouse vet co-starred in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, Event Horizon, The Matrix series, Predators, Hannibal, and more. I’d expect him to take on the role of an esteemed priest or other authority figure within the Catholic church, but that could be all wrong.

Mike Flanagan is known for populating his projects with a dozen or more actors culled from a growing list of frequent collaborators, from his wife Kate Siegel to Carla Gugino to Rahul Kohli to Samantha Sloyan (who is co-starring in his Carrie series). As such, fans can expect another major casting announcement that addresses the slew of co-stars filling out the world.

Flanagan was revealed to be in talks with Blumhouse in early May 2024 to be tackling some kind of an Exorcist project, but it was unclear at the time if it would be related to prior plans.

Mike Flanagan Is Writing And Directing An All-New Story Within The Exorcist Universe

Rarely one to helm projects scripted by other writers, Mike Flanagan will indeed be directing from his own screenplay for this new project. At the time of the initial announcement, he shared an excited reaction that explained how impetus for joining another project meant to reimagine a classic horror release. In his words:

The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe. Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.

Though he’s still keeping all story details bundled up and locked away until a later point, Flanagan has confirmed that this new narrative is definitely not tied into the Believer storyline, which was meant to spark a full trilogy until low box office returns caused the studio to shutter its efforts. It’s neither a remake nor a sequel to any previous entries, and is merely described as being “set in” this world.

The new Exorcist film will also be produced by Flanagan’s Red Room Productions, and will be the fourth project that Flanagan teamed up with Blumhouse Pictures on, following 2013’s Oculus and 2016’s double dose of Hush and Ouija: Origin of Evil. Jason Blum shared the statement below around the time the project was announced:

Hopefully Mike Flanagan's new ideas for this universe are indeed strong enough to keep the franchise afloat without suffering another box office blow like The Exorcist: Believer, which unfortunately suffered even more due to Universal and Peacock having paid upwards of $400 million for the rights to Exorcist projects, which made it nearly impossible for a single movie to recoup those costs.

A New Production Start Is Now Set In Stone

Blumhouse-Atomic Monster and Morgan Creek are set to go into production on Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist project in New York City, with a starting window reportedly set for March 2026. Which will give Flanagan & Co. almost exactly a year’s time to go from the first slate to the absolute final post-production duties. With some filmmakers, that kind of a truncated timeline might seem dangerous, but Flanagan is known for delivering projects on time and without any publicized budget issues. So I wouldn’t expect any further delays.

So from now until March 7, 2027, start making your predictions on where and when in the film we'll see Mike Flanagan's cursed Lasser Glass show up as an easter egg, the same way he uses it in all his other projects.

One of the fun things about being a Mike Flanagan fan is seeing the way he casts his projects. Actors who sign on to a Flanagan movie or show regularly return for another – with standout names including Henry Thomas, Carla Gugino, Rahul Kohli, Bruce Greenwood and Kate Siegel (who is also the writer/director's wife) – and it's equally fascinating to see what new stars join his ever-expanding troupe. 

The filmmaker has already added a dash of both to his new movie based on Stephen King's novella The Life Of Chuck, with The Fall Of The House Of Usher's Mark Hamill and Flanagan first-timer Tom Hiddleston on-board – and now we have news that more fresh and familiar faces have signed on to the developing feature.

According to Deadline, The Life Of Chuck has added three names to its growing cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Jacob Tremblay. The Stephen King adaptation will mark the first time that Ejiofor has worked with Mike Flanagan, but the other two have prior experience collaborating with him. Gillan previously starred in the outstanding 2014 film Oculus (Flanagan's breakout feature), and Tremblay is featured in both 2016's Before I Wake and 2019's Doctor Sleep (where he memorably plays the ill-fated Baseball Boy a.k.a. Bradley Trevor).

As noted, The Life Of Chuck is based on the novella of the same name, which is featured in the 2020 Stephen King collection If It Bleeds. It's a fascinating and surreal story that plays out in reverse, beginning with the titular Chuck's death and ending with his childhood. Unfortunately, the trade report does not mention who Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Jacob Tremblay will be playing in the film, which has started production this month in Mobile, Alabama. If all goes according to plan, it will hopefully extend Flanagan's streak of annually delivering a new movie or TV show (a streak that goes back to 2016), but a release date has not yet been announced.

The Life Of Chuck is Mike Flanagan's third King adaptation, as he previously made 2017's Gerald's Game in addition to the aforementioned Doctor Sleep (a film so phenomenal that it actually helped changed Stephen King's opinion of Stanley Kubrick's The Shining). Both movies are among the best Stephen King movies of all time, and there are high hopes that his latest will have a matching reputation.

In addition to The Life Of Chuck, Flanagan is also in the process of developing his dream project, which is an adaptation of what many consider to be Stephen King's magnum opus: The Dark Tower series. You can find more details about it as well as every other King film and show in the works in our Upcoming Stephen King Movies and TV guide.

It’s been over a year since Morbius was released, but Sony’s Spider-Man Universe will be picking back up later this year with Kraven the Hunter, the franchise’s first R-rated entry. But that’s just one of a handful of other movies lined up for the SSU, with another one including Venom 3. While a specific timetable for the threequel hasn’t been set yet, word’s come in that Tom Hardy will now be joined by a Doctor Strange star in it.

Having already contributed his talents to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as two different versions of Karl Mordo, Chiwetel Ejiofor is reportedly boarding Venom 3. Unfortunately, Deadline didn’t share any details about his role, so it’s hard to say if Ejiofor will play another villain, or if he might be an ally this time around. Either way, this will also mark his first time working alongside Hardy, who will of course be back as Eddie Brock and his symbiote other half.

Ejiofor made his superhero movie debut in 2016’s Doctor Strange, with that version of Karl Mordo starting out as one of the mentors for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange, only to decide that Earth has “too many sorcerers” and dedicate his life to eliminating them. However, rather than that Mordo returning to cause trouble in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, the sequel instead introduced Earth-838’s Mordo, who was part of that universe’s Illuminati and the only member to surviving Scarlet Witch’s slaughter at their headquarters. Although Multiverse of Madness’ end-credits scenes laid the groundwork for Doctor Strange 3, it’s unclear if Ejiofor will back for that as any version of Mordo. 

Given that Venom: Let There Be Carnage ended with Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote being deposited into the MCU, only for Spider-Man: No Way Home’s mid-credits scene to toss them right back, it’s possible that Venom 3 might have a multiversal component, and thus might mean Chiwetel Ejiofor could appear as a Mordo. For now though, my money’s just on him being cast as a new character. Along with Venom 3, Ejiofor’s other upcoming movies include The Pod Generation and The Old Guard 2, both of which come out later this year.

Ejiofor is the third actor to be added to the Venom 3 cast, as it was revealed in April that Ted Lasso star Juno Temple would be coming aboard. Behind the scenes, having written the first two Venom movies, Kelly Marcel will now sit in the director’s chair on top of continuing her scripting duties with Hardy. Venom 3 began pre-production in February, but it hasn’t been shared yet when principal photography will begin.

CinemaBlend will continue passing along casting updates for Venom 3 has they trickle in, but for now, you can stream the first Venom movie, as well as both Doctor Strange movies, with a Disney+ subscription. If you’d like to watch Venom: Let There Be Carnage, you’ll need to be subscribed to Starz.

While sci-fi fans like myself wait for the highly-anticipated sixth season of Black Mirror to be released, one movie on the 2023 Sundance Film Festival lineup, The Pod Generation, provided the kind of 'what if' that could have fit with other episodes of the Netflix series. The movie stars Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke living in a version of the future where there’s an option to have a baby via a plastic (and very expensive) egg. My biggest takeaway from the whole thing is how probable it can feel. 

The Pod Generation takes aim at the fact that our phones control just about everything in our lives right now, so why wouldn’t it do so for childbirth someday? The movie from writer/director Sophie Barthes has a clever vision for what our futures could look like considering screen time is creeping up on more of our time than ever. But rather than it being some terrifying horror film, it’s an endearing and satirical approach to the topic, and it takes its audiences all the way down the road of its concept. 

The world of the film imagines the Siris and Alexas of the world being built into our homes and scheduling our entire lives. Because the world is so overrun with technology, Emilia Clarke’s leading character, Rachel, works for a tech company and has scheduled time to be in nature with a “nature pod” visit, where she sits in a chair and is fed scenes and sounds of natural life. Meanwhile, her husband, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Alvy, is a botany teacher who works around living plants all day. So when they get off the waitlist of getting an egg baby, Rachel is nervous to tell her husband she doesn’t want to have their child the old-fashioned way. 

The Pod Generation is the kind of movie that can kickstart some interesting discussions about the importance of pregnancy to having a baby. In a world where couples can have a child and place the womb on their shelf as a household object until it's ready, it especially speaks to the increasingly isolating world we find ourselves in when we can have so many things conveniently on our phones. When we do things like send a text message or have every song at our fingertips, there’s a bit of human connection that’s lost there. This movie takes it to the next level considering what we lose if pregnancy had the same access. The scary part underlying all this is the idea of tech companies having the very life of the next generations in their hands. 

There are positives to it too, as we see Rachel able to work, drink and relatively enjoy her life as she has a baby in the oven in their plastic pod. But what happens is Alvy feels desperate to bond to it and begins taking the role of a pregnant mother, spending night and day with the pod. There are a lot of intriguing ideas explored here, and the movie has already been awarded with the Feature Film Prize from the Sundance Institute Science-in-Film initiative with Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Per Deadline, the prize was awarded for the movie’s “bold” depiction of its world, along with its “woman artist’s exploration of shifting gender roles dissociated from biology.” 

The Pod Generation doesn’t have a place on the 2023 movie release schedule just yet, but we’ll keep you posted. As Emilia Clarke moves on from Game of Thrones, the franchise has, of course, continued with House of the Dragon and other upcoming Game of Thrones shows. 

‘Tis the season to get deeply invested in random facts about some of our favorite holiday movies. This year, so far, the Internet has been astounded about a Home Alone plot point explaining how the family forgot Kevin, debated whether or not Die Hard is a Christmas movie, and engaged in the time-honored tradition of throwing out wild age-related Love Actually stats. 

It’s a particular fact about Keira Knightley and Thomas Brodie-Sangster that’s making the rounds again this week, but I honestly think there's a second wrinkle to this shocking stat that people aren't really talking about enough. Let's discuss.

The Love Actually Stat About Keira Knightley And Thomas Brodie-Sangster People Just Cannot Get Over

Here’s the gist: For the last several years, around the holidays fans have been reminding those who revisit Love Actually that there is in fact only a five-year difference in age between Thomas Brodie-Sangster (who was 13 when the movie filmed) and Keira Knightley (who was only 18 at the time). The viral tweets are often surprising to people, as Brodie-Sangster’s character is dealing with a middle school crush while Knightley’s character is married and dealing with some attention from her husband’s pal in the film. 

The stat first rolled around thanks to this viral tweet, but every year it's surprising to a whole new slew of people. 

In the time since, fans are continually doing the mental math for the 2003 Christmas movie and, as one Twitter user put it, it’s “breaking [their] brain.” Another Twitter user also noted “Just learned that Keira Knightley was only 18 when they filmed Love Actually. This is the most shocking revelation since finding out Thomas Brodie-Sangster was 15 in Nanny McPhee.”

Granted, while Brodie-Sangster looked young for much of his childhood career, and while these fan reactions are amusing, it is startling to think the two were only a few years apart when the movie filmed. However, if you've followed interviews about the iconic holiday film regularly, perhaps the Pirates of the Caribbean star's age shouldn't come as such a shock. In fact, Knightley has been open about still being a teenager while starring in Love Actually. She's said in the past she wore a hat in one awkward scene to try and hide an acne outbreak she was dealing with on her forehead. 

She was actually closer in age filming Love Actually to Thomas Brodie-Sangster than she was to Chiwetel Ejiofer, who played her husband in the film and Andrew Lincoln, who was even older and pining for her in the film. Which brings me to my next point. 

Maybe We Should Be Talking About The Age Gap Between Keira Knightley And Andrew Lincoln

We're sitting here discussing how Thomas Brodie-Sangster looked super young filming Love Actually while Keira Knightley (presumably) played up in age, but can we talk about how Chiwetel Ejiofer was 26 when the movie filmed and The Walking Dead vet Andrew Lincoln was already 30? There was actually a bigger gap between Knightley and Ejiofer (8 years) and Knightley and Lincoln (12 years) than there was between her and the younger actor. 

I know it's calling acting for a reason, but the fact that Andrew Lincoln is a solid 12 years older than Knightley at the time the movie was filming adds a whole 'nother layer to their oft-roasted scene. As you may well remember, Lincoln's character Mark is kind of rude to Knightley's Juliet, but she later realizes it's because he's in love with her. Toward the end of the movie, he shows up at the house she shares with her husband and quietly drops cards revealing a message ending with, 'To me, you are perfect.'

In the time since, Andrew Lincoln has referred to himself as a "weird stalker guy" and the moment has been roasted online and even spoofed elsewhere, such as on SNL. Still, love it or hate it, 20 years later, people are still talking about this scene. With the age difference in mind, it feels even more absurd. 

Despite all of this BTS info about the casting, Love Actually remains one of the most popular Christmas movies streaming, a head scratcher Keira Knightley has said she can't figure out. Catch it on Peacock with a subscription.  

When it comes to some of the biggest films of the last decade, one that always pops up in my mind is The Martian. The Academy Award nominated movie told the story of a lone astronaut who had to find a way to survive on Mars after mistakenly being left for dead by his team, and told a tale of perseverance and strength. 

But with a film that was so well-received and with many stars headlining it, one might be wondering where the cast of the feature adaptation of Andy Weir's popular novel might be today. Well look no further, as this is what The Martian cast has been up to, and what they have going on in the next couple of years. 

Matt Damon (Mark Watney)

First up on this list is Matt Damon, the star of The Martian, who plays Mark Watney. From his Academy Award-nominated role, Damon has gone on to star in several movies that you might recognize. He had a funny cameo role in Thor: Ragnorok, a role he's expected to reprise in the upcoming 2022 movie release, Thor: Love and Thunder. 

Besides that, he’s also had starring roles in films such as The Great Wall, Stillwater, and Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel. And he reprised his famous role as the titular character in Jason Bourne. Besides his upcoming appearance in Love and Thunder, Damon is also going to be appearing in the new Christopher Nolan film, Oppenheimer. 

Jessica Chastain (Commander Melissa Lewis)

Next up, we have another big-time star, Jessica Chastain. Since her role as Commander Melissa Lewis in The Martian, Chastain has appeared in a number of movies and been a part of television as well. 

In terms of films, she was in The Zookeeper’s Wife, It: Chapter Two, a part of The 355 cast, won an Academy Award for The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and more. She was also in the miniseries, Scenes From a Marriage, and in the TV series, George and Tammy. 

Coming up, she is going to be in several films, including The Good Nurse, Memory, The Division and Mother’s Instinct, so keep an eye out for this talented actress. 

Kristen Wiig (Annie Montrose)

Kristen Wiig portrayed Annie Montrose in The Martian. Known for her hilarious yet moving comedic roles Kristen Wiig has done plenty of movies since the film. She was in the 2016 version of Ghostbusters, closed off the How To Train Your Dragon trilogy, was one of the villains in Wonder Woman 1984, was in the comedic hit, Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar and more. 

She’s also appeared in TV shows as well, including a recurring voice role in the adult animated series, Big Mouth, voiced Jenny Hart in Bless the Harts, and was in MacGruber. Coming up, she’s going to continue her role in the Despicable Me franchise in the upcoming Despicable Me 4, and she'll also be appearing in Mrs. American Pie on Apple TV+.

Jeff Daniels (Theodore “Teddy” Sanders)

Now we have Jeff Daniels, who played Teddy Sanders in The Martian. Daniels has been in many TV shows since his appearance on The Martian. He did have a big role in the film Allegiant, but TV is where he really shined in recent years. 

Daniels had a part in the miniseries, Godless, The Looming Tower miniseries, and recently starred in the Showtime series American Rust. Coming up, he’s going to be appearing in a new Netflix limited series called A Man In Full. 

Michael Pena (Major Rick Martinez)

Michael Pena played Major Rick Martinez in The Martian, and has been quite active in his career. He had a voice role in The Lego Ninjago Movie, had a fun part in Ant-Man as well as its sequel, was in the latest rebooted version of A Wrinkle in Time, had a big role in Dora and the Lost City of Gold, and most recently was a part of the Moonfall cast.

He also had a huge role as Kiki Camarena in the TV series, Narcos: Mexico. Next up, he will be in the upcoming film, Secret Headquarters, as well as reprise his role as Luis in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. 

Sean Bean (Mitch Henderson)

Sean Bean played Mitch Henderson in The Martian. Bean has been very active in television, and has appeared in many shows. He appeared in Legends, Wasted, Broken, The Frankenstein Chronicles, The Oath, Medici, Curfew, World on Fire, Time, and most recently, Snowpiercer, all in main or recurring roles. Talk about a big-time actor.

He’s also appeared in films like The Young Messiah or Dark River, but television is where Bean really shined. Coming up soon, he’s going to be in another new BBC series called Marriage, as well as a new movie role in Knights of the Zodiac.

Kate Mara (Beth Johanssen)

Kate Mara played Beth Johansson in The Martian, and has grown her career even more since then. In terms of movies, she’s appeared in such hits like Captive, Morgan, The Senator, Ghostwriter and more, but television is also where she’s been able to show her talents. 

She had a voice role in Moonbeam City, played Zoe Barnes in the House of Cards cast, portrayed Patty Bowes in the Ryan Murphy drama, Pose, and starred in the miniseries, A Teacher. Soon, she’s going to be in a new TV miniseries for FX called Class of ‘09. 

Sebastian Stan (Dr. Chris Beck)

Sebastian Stan has only continued to grow in popularity since his role as Dr. Chris Beck in The Martian, appearing in many TV shows and movies. One of his biggest roles is playing Bucky Barnes, otherwise known as The Winter Soldier, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a role that he reprised for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier cast. 

Other than the MCU, Stan has been active in both movies and television. Some of his biggest roles were I, Tonya, where he received critical praise for his performance, Destroyer, The Devil All The Time, Monday, The 355, the Hulu original movie, Fresh and more. He’s also dived back into TV for a bit to play Tommy Lee as part of the Pam & Tommy cast on Hulu. Coming up, he's set to appear in the film Sharper. And in 2020 he was listed among the stars of the film The Brutalist, though we haven't seen updates on that project since. 

Aksel Hennie (Dr. Alex Vogel)

Next up, we have Aksel Hennie, who played Dr. Alex Vogul in The Martian. He’s appeared in films such as The Congo Murders, The Cloverfield Paradox, The Doorman, The Middle Man and more. He’s also had roles in TV shows such as White Wall and Nobel. 

In the next couple of years, he will be in a new film called Immortal. According to Deadline, the film began production in September 2021. 

Mackenzie Davis (Mindy Park)

Mackenzie Davis played Mindy Park in The Martian, and she’s appeared in films such as Blade Runner 2049, Freaks of Nature, Tully, Terminator: Dark Fate, the 2020 Christmas film, Happiest Season and more. She’s also had roles in TV shows like Halt and Catch Fire, as well as the miniseries Station Eleven. She even played Yorkie in the famous Black Mirror episode, “San Junipero."

In 2020, Variety included her among the cast of an upcoming film called Alpha Gang. 

Benedict Wong (Bruce Ng)

Benedict Wong's star has continued to rise over the last several years since The Martian released and he played Bruce Ng. His biggest role thus far has been playing Wong in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most recently as part of the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast, but Wong has done plenty of other TV shows and movies too. 

Some of his highlights include a big role in the film Nine Days, a role in the Raya and the Last Dragon cast, a starring role in the TV series, Deadly Class, a voice role in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, and more alongside his many appearances in Marvel. Coming up, he’s going to be in the new Disney+ Marvel show, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and in a Netflix TV series called The Three-Body Problem.

Donald Glover (Rich Purnell)

Donald Glover played Rich Purnell in The Martian. Besides his accomplished music career as Childish Gambino, Donald Glover has appeared in many movies, including Solo: A Star Wars Story, Guava Island, The Lion King, and more. 

He’s also been the creator and star of his own FX series, Atlanta, which as of writing this, just wrapped up its third season. Soon, he’s going to be starring in a TV series called Mr. & Mrs. Smith based on the movie of the same name. 

Chen Shu (Zhu Tao)

Chen Shu portrayed Zhu Tao in The Martian, and since then has appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies. These include, but aren’t limited, to the movie Fell in Love Like a Star, the miniseries A Love for Separation, the TV series, Peace Hotel, the TV series Behind the Scenes, the film Cloud Mountain and more.

Eddy Ko (Guo Ming)

Eddy Ko played Guo Ming in The Martian, and has appeared in a couple of films, including Beyond Redemption, The God of Wealth, and The Thousand Faces of Dunjia. 

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Vincent Kapoor)

Last but not least, we have Chiwetel Ejiofor, who has also continued to make a name for himself since his role as Vincent Kapoor in The Martian. Since the film, he appeared in Triple 9, Mary Magdalene, The Lion King, The Old Guard, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and portrayed Baron Mordo in both Doctor Strange and its sequel. 

He also had a role in the TV series, The Man Who Fell to Earth. Among his upcoming projects are The Pod Generation, The Old Guard 2, and Rob Peace (the latter which he's expected to direct, per a report from Variety in 2020.) 

With so many stars, it’s hard to sometimes keep track of all the amazing stuff that they’re doing, but it's clear everyone's been busy with interesting movies and TV shows since the sci-fi film released in 2015. 

There is no way of getting around it, Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of the best living actors, and one who can easily bounce from playing a shoe-obsessed drag queen with an entrepreneurial spirit to an unlawfully enslaved person on a 12-year crusade to secure his freedom, and a vengeful and overzealous sorcerer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without even so much as batting an eye. Yeah, he’s that good.

So good, in fact, that it is hard to settle on one, two, or even 10 of Chiwetel Ejiofor's best movies and we had to go and make a longer-than-usual list of his great performances that should all be required viewing for anyone who appreciates films that are better than just great. Let’s dive in...

12 Years A Slave (2013)

After being kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1840s Washington, D.C., talented violinist Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) spends the next 12 years of his life enduring hardships and atrocities no person should endure, while never letting go of his fight for survival, freedom, and reunion with his family back home.

Steve McQueen’s masterpiece, 12 Years a Slave, features one of the most outstanding and heartbreaking performances of Ejiofor’s career, one that sticks with you nearly a decade after its release. The actor’s take on the historical character is so raw and real you almost forget you’re watching an actor and not the real person.

Stream 12 Years a Slave on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy 12 Years a Slave on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

American Gangster (2007)

The lives of Harlem drug dealer Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington) and NYPD detective Richie Roberts (Russell Crowe) become intertwined as the former falls under the watchful eye of the latter over the course of a sprawling drug investigation.

The American Gangster cast is full of talented actors from top to bottom, and this includes Chiwetel Ejiofor and his portrayal of Frank’s brother and right-hand man, Huey Lucas. And even though he’s not front and center throughout Ridley Scott’s crime epic, Ejiofor further cemented his place in Hollywood with this gripping and unforgettable performance.

Stream American Gangster on Peacock.
Rent/Buy American Gangster on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Love Actually (2003)

Nine stories of varying levels of interconnectivity play out over the course of the holiday season, where people explore new beginnings, fresh starts, and one final shot at love before it’s too late. 

One of the best parts of Richard Curtis’ 2003 Christmas classic Love Actually is the story involving a love triangle shared by Juliet (Keira Knightley), her husband Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor), and his best friend Mark (Andrew Lincoln), who is madly in love with the new bride. It is hard not to feel bad for Peter throughout the course of this story, but it is somewhat comforting to know he has no knowledge of his friend’s obsession with his wife.

Stream Love Actually on Netflix.
Rent/Buy Love Actually on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Children Of Men (2006)

After a mysterious pandemic leaves the human population infertile and on the brink of disaster, Theo Faron (Clive Owen) finds himself in the middle of the fight for survival when he is tasked with escorting a young refugee with a history-changing secret to safety.

Chiwetel Ejiofor absolutely shines in Alfonso Cuarón’s 2006 dystopian thriller, Children of Men, with his portrayal of Luke, a colleague of Theo’s ex-wife Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore) whose role in the plan to deliver Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) to safety isn’t what it seems. And plus, he’s at the center at the movie’s most thrilling sequence, the one-shot escape scene.

Rent/Buy Children of Men on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Kinky Boots (2006)

With his family’s shoe factory on the verge of going out of business, Charlie Price (Joel Edgerton) teams up with Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a daring and confident drag queen, to come out with a line of kinky footwear in hopes of reversing their fortunes.

Ejiofor is to die for in Julian Jarrold’s 2006 comedy, Kinky Boots, and it's undoubtedly one of the actor’s most confident and lovable characters yet. The way he handles himself as Lola never comes off as anything but genuine. But, he should have won the Golden Globe if we’re being honest.

Stream Kinky Boots on Showtime.
Rent/Buy Kinky Boots on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Martian (2015)

After it is discovered that astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is not actually dead but fighting to survive alone on the surface of Mars, a global rescue operation is booted up to pull off the impossible and bring him home.

Ridley Scott's The Martian is a team effort through and through, and everyone gets time to shine in this thrilling astronaut drama, including Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Vincent Kapoor, the man in charge of NASA’s Mars program. It is also funny seeing the actor share the screen and work with Benedict Wong just one year before they’d do it again in Doctor Strange.

Rent/Buy The Martian on Amazon.
Get it on 4K/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Doctor Strange (2016)

Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) goes from having everything he could want in life to having nothing at all after losing the ability to use his hands following a near-fatal accident. But, his fortunes are changed when the meets a powerful sorcerer who can give him what he lost and more.

Although not the best Marvel movie, Doctor Strange does lay a great deal of groundwork for what was to follow in the MCU, as well as introduced several memorable characters, including Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). We’ll avoid all the details of his arc for those who haven’t seen the movie, but it is a tremendous turn with a prospect of an interesting future, especially in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, one of most anticipated 2022 movies.

Stream Doctor Strange on Disney+.
Rent/Buy Doctor Strange on Amazon.
Get it on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Dirty Pretty Things (2002)

Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is an illegal immigrant living in London who makes his living driving a cab during the day and working at a hotel at night. If life couldn’t be any more complicated enough for the young man, things take a turn when he discovers a human heart clogged in the toilet of one of the hotel’s rooms.

Although he had appeared in a number of movies and shows by this point, Ejiofor became a force to be reckoned with thanks to his brilliant performance in Stephen Frears’ incredible 2002 thriller, Dirty Pretty Things, a movie that also starred French superstar Audrey Tautou.

Stream Dirty Pretty Things on HBO Max.
Rent/Buy Dirty Pretty Things on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

The Old Guard (2020)

When a group of centuries-old mercenaries with amazing regenerative powers learns they are being hunted by a mysterious organization, they do everything in their power to preserve their secret, their lives, and the only family they’ve ever known.

There is just so much to love about Gina Prince-Bythewood’s 2020 Netflix superhero film, from its thrilling story, exceptional cast, and all those incredibly choreographed and painful-looking action sequences. But, one aspect that grounds the movie and gives it a lot of heart is Chiwetel Ejiofor’s portrayal of James Copley, a former CIA agent who goes to very extreme (and questionable) lengths to come to terms with his own grief. Let's hope this is the same when the upcoming The Old Guard 2 lands on the streamer.

Stream The Old Guard on Netflix.

Amistad (1997)

In the aftermath of a slave uprising aboard a ship heading from Cuba to America, those involved are held prisoner and forced to go trial in 19th-century Connecticut. When the matter reaches new levels and becomes one of the biggest topics of discussion, everyone from freed slaves (Morgan Freeman) to a former President of the United States (Anthony Hopkins) become involved.

Although Steven Spielberg’s historical drama is mostly remembered for the performances by Freeman, Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, and Djimon Hounsou, there is a tremendous early show of talent by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who plays James Covey, the man who served as an interpreter for the defendants during the heated trial. 

Stream Amistad on Paramount+.
Rent/Buy Amistad on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

Tsunami: The Aftermath (2006)

Set in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that claimed the lives of more the 227,000 people, the stories of multiple survivors, government officials, and journalists are told in great detail as they fight for survival and understanding against a ticking clock.

Bharat Nalluri’s 2006 two-part disaster film Tsunami: The Aftermath (which came out more than a half-decade before the emotionally taxing The Impossible) features a tremendous cast who tell all sides of the tragic story, including Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sophie Okonedo, who play a married couple searching for their young daughter who was swept away in the wave. The way in which Ejiofor captures the pain, confusion, and anger of a father searching for his missing child is gut-wrenching to say the least.

Stream Tsunami: The Aftermath Part 1 on HBO Max.
Stream Tsunami: The Aftermath Part 2 on HBO Max.
Buy Tsunami: The Aftermath on Amazon.
Get it on DVD on Amazon.

As you can see by the sheer number of impressive roles that touch just about every genre, there’s a strong case to be made for Chiwetel Ejiofor being one of the all-time greats. Let’s just hope he finally receives an Oscar and Golden Globe one of these days. If not that, maybe he'll receive some accolades for his performance in Showtime's The Man Who Fell to Earth, just one of the major series coming to the 2022 TV schedule.

At long last, the mind-bending spectacle that is Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is out in the wild, and not a moment too soon. One of the most anticipated 2022 movies includes everything fans of the sprawling film franchise have come to expect (and want), including a great story about the dangers of inter-dimensional travel and how grief can poison someone, as well as all that dazzling action that has become the norm in recent years.

Another thing that makes Sam Raimi’s return to the superhero genre such a gem is the outstanding Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast, which is stellar from top to bottom. If you have watched the movie, or at least plan on seeing it, and wondered why some of the actors look so familiar, don’t worry because we’re about to break it down. Also, there aren’t any spoilers or mystery characters listed below, so you’re safe!

Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Stephen Strange)

Donning the Cloak of Levitation as Dr. Stephen Strange once more in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the eponymous sorcerer in his first standalone movie since the character’s introduction back in 2016.

Outside of his various appearances in some of the best Marvel movies over the years, including the final two (for now) Avengers movies, Cumberbatch has made a career out of giving tremendous performances in a number of different genres and mediums. Whether it’s in gripping biographical dramas like The Imitation Game, the BBC mystery series Sherlock, or providing the voice and motion capture work for one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s most iconic creations in the Hobbit trilogy, there isn’t much the talented and versatile actor can’t, or won’t do, even when it comes to playing tormented and closed-off cowboys like in The Power of the Dog.

Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch)

Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Avengers: The Age of Ultron (if you don’t count the Captain America: Winter Soldier end credits sequence), takes on the tormented enhanced human once more in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, though she is a far different person than the young Avenger we first met all those years ago.

Outside of her appearances in various Marvel movies and the popular WandaVision Disney+ series (which first saw her take on the Scarlet Witch moniker from the comic books), Olsen has given several remarkable performances with her list of best movies including titles like Wind River, Very Good Girls, and the unforgettable and disturbing Martha Marcy May Marlene, which was her feature length debut back in 2011.

Xochitl Gomez (America Chavez)

Xochitl Gomez makes her MCU debut as America Chavez, one of the most exciting and promising members of the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast. Her portrayal of the young, energetic, hungry, and incredibly powerful character who has the ability to punch through the Multiverse instantly makes Gomez a star in the making.

Although she hasn’t done much as far as movies go (she was in a 2021 short film called Boob Sweat, and Shadow Wolves a couple of years before that), fans of the 2020 Netflix revival of The Baby-Sitters Club will recognize Gomez from her portrayal of Dawn Schafer. Gomez also showed up on Raven’s Home, You’re the Worst, and Gentified prior to that. And, with how likable her character is in the new Marvel movie, there's a good chance we'll be talking about Gomez for quite some time.

Benedict Wong (Wong)

Returning as Wong, The Sorcerer Supreme and sworn protector of Kamar-Taj in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Benedict Wong, who has now played the character in six movies (and seven times in total if you include the What If…? animated Disney+ series).

Throughout his impressive career, Wong has appeared in non-superhero movies like Moon, The Martian, Raya and the Last Dragon, Prometheus, and Sunshine, to name just a very small portion of his film work. His accomplishments on the small screen are just as notable with appearances on several dozen shows over the years, including The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Marco Polo, Top Boy, The Bill, and all sorts of one-off performances like the one he gave in a 2016 episode of the sci-fi anthology series, Black Mirror.

Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer)

Rachel McAdams is back again as Christine Palmer in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which makes this her third time taking on the role of Dr. Stephen Strange’s former colleague and one-time love interest, only this time she is playing multiple versions of the character throughout the multiverse.

Ever since breaking out in 2004 with iconic performances in Mean Girls and The Notebook, McAdams has consistently been one of the most turned-to stars in Hollywood, with incredible and versatile turns in movies like Midnight in Paris, About Time, Spotlight, and Game Night, to name just a few of her big screen accomplishments. During that same stretch of time, McAdams has popped up on shows like Slings and Arrows, True Detective Season 2, and the best episode of What If...? Season 1.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo)

Reprising his role of Karl Mordo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Chiwetel Ejiofor, who once again plays Dr. Strange’s mysterious and vengeful former mentor and close confidant who has a bone to pick with the Master of the Mystic Arts.

Outside of the realm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ejiofor has found a great deal of success in a variety of different roles that range from Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated performances in the likes of 12 Years a Slave and Kinky Boots. And then there are notable appearances in movies like Children of Men, American Gangster, and Love Actually. Ejiofor has also popped up on a number of TV programs throughout his career, including Trust, Tsunami: The Aftermath, Dancing on the Edge, and the 2022 Showtime adaptation of The Man Who Fell to Earth.

Julian Hilliard (Billy Maximoff)

Julian Hilliard shows up in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as Billy Maximoff, one of two twin boys Wanda Maximoff originally created as a figment of her imagination on WandaVision.

Although he is mostly known for playing one of Wanda and Vision’s mysterious sons on the mind-bending and genre-jumping Disney+ streaming series (and now the Marvel Phase 4 movie), Hilliard has also made several appearances in some high-profile projects throughout his young career. This includes movies like The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Color out of Space, and Never Goin’ Back, as well as a list of TV credits that includes Penny Dreadful: City of Angels and The Haunting of Hill House.

Jett Klyne (Tommy Maximoff)

Jett Klyne returns to Marvel Cinematic Universe once again in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with his portrayal of Tommy Maximoff, the second twin son of Wanda Maximoff introduced on WandaVision.

Over the course his career, which started with him being a Gerber baby, per Penticton Western News, Klyne has been in a little bit of everything, including brief appearances on shows like Supergirl, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The X-Files, Supernatural, and several others. He has also popped up in movies like Skyscraper, Z, and The Puppet Killer, to name just a few.

Michael Stuhlbarg (Nicodemus West)

Michael Stuhlbarg makes a brief appearance in the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness cast, once again playing Dr. Nicodemus West, Stephen Strange’s rival surgeon from the 2016 origin story.

When he’s not playing a character that seems to get enjoyment out of trading barbs with Dr. Strange and talking about how his life was affected by Thanos’ “Blip,” Stuhlbarg takes on a number of different roles in various film, TV, and stage productions. Over the years, Stuhlbarg has appeared in movies like Hugo, Steve Jobs, Trumbo, Call Me by Your Name, and The Shape of Water. His TV credits include everything from Boardwalk Empire to The Looming Tower and Your Honor to Dopesick. He currently appears on the HBO true crime drama series, The Staircase.

Sheila Atim (Sara)

Sheila Atim, one of the Marvel newcomers to appear in the Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness cast, shows up as Sara, one of the fearless sorcerers tasked with defending Kamar-Taj during the deadly siege on the headquarters of the Masters of the Mystic Arts.

A classically trained actress, Atim has popped up in major stage productions throughout England, including several stints at Shakespeare’s Globe in plays like Othello and The Lightning Child. Atim’s TV work is just as impressive with appearances on shows like Harlots, The Feed, The Irregulars, The Underground Railroad, and more. She has also had roles in movies like Bruised and The Show. She’ll next appear in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King alongside Viola Davis, Lashana Lynch, and John Boyega.

Adam Hugill (Rintrah)

And then there is newcomer Adam Hugill, who provides the voice of Rintrah, the green Minotaur-like character seen defending Kamar-Taj from attack throughout Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Hugill made his professional acting debut in 2019 with an appearance on the DC Comics series Pennyworth. Later that year he would appear on World of Fire before making a brief appearance in Sam Mendes' intense military drama, 1917 (which also featured a brief performance by Benedict Cumberbatch). Hugill has also shown up on The Watch and Sherwood since then.

But, this is only a part of the Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, as there is no fun in ruining the movie's big surprises for those who haven't seen it yet. Since you're here, get a head start on all those other upcoming Marvel movies.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always growing, and there are a number of highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movies coming to theaters. With Spider-Man: No Way Home in the rear view, all eyes are on what Sam Raimi has in store for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. And a Doctor Strange 2 image has revealed the new look for a returning character.

The cast of Doctor Strange’s sequel is partly why anticipation is currently so high, as it’ll feature returning characters and franchise newcomers like Scarlet Witch and America Chavez. The ensemble will have actor Chiwetel Ejiofor return to the role of Karl Mordo, and now we can see the sweet new look he’ll be rocking through the blockbuster. Check it out below,

I mean, how cool is that? All of the sorcerers from the franchise are expected to get new duds for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Mordo is no exception. He’s also rocking a new hairstyle that will no doubt look awesome on Chiwetel Ejiofor throughout the movie.

The above image from Doctor Strange 2 comes to us from Twitter, and is sure to pique the internet of comic book fans out there. In it we see what appears to be a promo image for Sam Raimi’s upcoming flick, with Chiwetel Ejiofor suited up in a new costume. He’s also rocking some awesome braids, which shows how much time has passed since we last saw the ally turned antagonist.

Unfortunately, there’s no indication as to what Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mordo will be up to throughout the runtime of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Sam Raimi has been running a tight ship, and almost no information about the project has been leaked to the general public. But smart money says Mordo will be on the side of the villains, as he left the Mystic Arts at the end of the first movie.

Of course, one of the most highly anticipated cast members from Doctor Strange’s sequel is none other than Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch. She gained massive new powers at the end of WandaVision, and this will mark the first time the two magical superheroes share scenes. We’ll just have to wait to see how scary Sam Raimi’s vision for the project ultimately is.

The excitement around Doctor Strange 2 definitely spiked following Benedict Cumberbatch’s role in Spider-Man: No Way Home. We saw the multiverse in action, and it’ll presumably only get more complicated in the upcoming movie. And since the above teaser came as an end-credits scene for The Multiverse of Madness, fans are anxious for more footage.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will hit theaters before May 6th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

It has been nearly a decade-and-a-half since the story of Harlem drug kingpin Frank Lucas was brought to the silver screen with American Gangster. Like many of Ridley Scott’s best movies that have come before and since, the 2007 crime drama featured an outstanding group of actors like Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, and other established stars, as well as a few actors who were on the rise. 

If you have been wondering what the American Gangster cast has been up to all these years and where their careers have taken them since they appeared in one of the best movies of 2007, buckle up, because we’re about to go for a ride…

Denzel Washington (Frank Lucas)

American Gangster, which happens to be one of the best Denzel Washington movies, sees the two-time Oscar winner portray the late New York drug trafficker Frank Lucas. Washington’s career following his appearance in Ridley Scott’s epic drama has been just as successful as it was before, with the actor being nominated for four Academy Awards in the past decade alone. 

In the past few years, Washington has appeared in movies like The Equalizer 2, The Little Things, and, most recently, The Tragedy of Macbeth in which he plays the titular Lord in Joel Coen’s Shakespeare adaptation. Washington has also produced multiple projects, including Fences (which he directed and starred in) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 

Russell Crowe (Richie Roberts)

The best Russell Crowe movies are those that see the decorated actor portray complicated characters, and that's the case with detective-turned-attorney Richie Roberts in American Gangster. Since taking on the role of Frank Lucas’s pursuer (and later defense attorney), Crowe has continued to make a case for being one of the most interesting actors in Hollywood. 

In the past couple of years, Crowe has appeared in Boy Erased, Unhinged, and The Loudest Voice, for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Miniseries in 2020. Crowe is next set to portray Zeus in Taika Waititi’s second entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Love and Thunder.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Huey Lucas)

Chiwetel Ejiofor has a prominent role in American Gangster as Huey Lucas, Frank’s brother and an instrumental player in the family’s drug empire. Ejiofor was already a notable actor by the time he joined the American Gangster cast, thanks to Love Actually, Inside Man, and Children of Men, but the years following the film’s release have been some of the best for talented actor. 

Movies like 12 Years a Slave, The Martian, and Doctor Strange have done nothing but propel Ejiofor into superstardom, as have recent tiles like The Old Guard and Locked Down. Expect to see more of the Academy Award nominee in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and The Man Who Fell to Earth.

Josh Brolin (Detective Trupo)

Josh Brolin gave one of the best villainous performances of his career when he took on the role of Detective Nick Trupo in American Gangster. Although Brolin had already established himself as one of the best actors around, the 2007 drama came out just as the Hollywood star reached new heights. 

Some of the best Josh Brolin movies have followed in past decade-and-a-half, including No Country For Old Men, Milk, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame in which he portrayed Thanos. Brolin returned to the MCU in 2021 to voice the Mad Titan once again on an episode of What If…? the same year he would appear in Flag Day and Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune.

Lymari Nadal (Eva)

Lymari Nadal appears in American Gangster as Eva Lucas, the Puerto Rican beauty queen who becomes Frank’s wife. Not long after the release of Ridley Scott’s crime drama, Nadal appeared in Battlestar Galactica: The Plan (reprising her role of Giana from the show’s first season), America, and several other productions until 2016. According to a 2015 piece by KFOR News in Oklahoma City, Nadal moved to Oklahoma and was leading an initiative to recruit more bilingual teachers.

Ted Levine (Lou Toback)

Ted Levine shows up in American Gangster as Lou Toback, the Newark police captain who puts Richie Roberts up to the task of leading the department’s drug task force. The actor, who made a name for himself with a terrifying performance as Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs, has spent much of the past few years bouncing between film and television with major roles on shows like The Alienist and Big Sky, and a list of movies that includes Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom and A Violent Separation. 

John Hawkes (Freddie Spearman)

One of the best character actors around, John Hawkes portrayed detective Freddie Spearman in American Gangster. In the years following the release of the movie, Hawkes landed a few of the biggest roles of his career including spots in The Sessions and Winter’s Bone, both of which netted him numerous award considerations, including Academy Award nominations. 

More recently, Hawkes has appeared in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and End of Sentence. His television work includes a return to the role of Sol Star in 2019’s Deadwood: The Movie and Too Old to Die Young.

Cuba Gooding Jr. (Nicky Barnes)

Cuba Gooding Jr. takes on the role of crime lord Nicky Barnes in American Gangster. In the years following the release of Ridley Scott’s epic drama, Gooding Jr. went on to have some of the biggest success of his career including The Butler, Selma, and American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson, a performance that earned him a great deal of praise and multiple award nominations. The Academy Award winner’s most recent film appearance came in the 2020 drama Life in a Year.

Idris Elba (Tango)

Idris Elba only appears briefly in American Gangster, but his portrayal of the drug dealer named Tango is one to remember (he gets shot point blank by Frank Lucas, in case you forgot). Elba was only a few years removed from his turn as Stringer Bell on The Wire and was just about to become an even bigger star. 

Since then, Elba has appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Fast and Furious franchise, and several other major productions. Here recently, Elba has been in Concrete Cowboy, The Suicide Squad, and The Harder They Fall. Expect to see him soon in Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Beast, and the long-awaited Luther film adaptation.

Common (Turner Lucas)

Taking on the role of Turner Lucas in American Gangster is rapper-turned-actor Common, whose career has only continued to be on the rise in the nearly 15 years since the film’s release. In the past few years, Common has gone toe-to-toe with Keanu Reeves’ lethal assassin in John Wick: Chapter 2, showed up in movies like Girls Trip, The Hate U Give, and Hunter Killer, and just about everything else. He will next appear in Charlie Day’s star-studded comedy El Tonto. In 2018, Common even formed a jazz supergroup called August Greene, per Billboard.

Clifford Joseph Harris Jr. (Stevie Lucas)

Taking on the role of Stevie Lucas, Frank’s eager nephew, in American Gangster is Clifford Joseph Harris Jr., better known as Atlanta rapper T.I. The rapper-turned-actor’s appearance in the 2007 crime thriller was only his second film role, though he has since gone on to appear in the first two Ant-Man movies, Takers, Roots, and, most recently, Monster Hunter. 

And, even though he has increased his acting output over the course of the past decade, T.I. hasn’t really slowed down with his music career, releasing his 11th studio album The L.I.B.R.A. in 2020 with his 12th and final release Kill the King currently in the works, per Rap-Up.

RZA (Moses Jones)

Taking on the role of Moses Jones in American Gangster is Wu-Tang Clan member and actor RZA. Over the years, RZA has appeared in movies like Brick Mansions, The Dead Don’t Die, and most recently, Nobody, alongside Bob Odenkirk. RZA is slated to provide voice work in the upcoming animated film Minions: The Rise of Gru. The prolific music producer and rapper hasn’t lost track of his first love, as he continues to release records, including the 2021 album RZA vs Bobby Digital.

Ruby Dee (Mahalee Lucas)

And then there is the late, great Ruby Dee, who portrayed Mahalee Lucas, Frank’s mom, in American Gangster. Prior to her death at the age of 91 in June 2014, Dee appeared in countless film, television, and stage productions in addition to writing multiple books of poetry. 

Over the years, Dee gave landmark performances in A Raisin in the Sun, The Jackie Robinson Story, Do the Right Thing, and The Stand, to name a few. Dee also received a tremendous number of accolades throughout her life, including a Primetime Emmy Award, a Grammy, the National Medal of Arts, and the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal.

This is just a small portion of the outstanding American Gangster cast, as listing every single actor who appeared in Ridley Scott's crime epic would just keep going and going. After checking out this list, take a look at all the 2022 movie releases, so you can read all about where you'll see these actors in the very near future.

With the new streaming service Paramount+ finding its footing among other big studios carving their own space for at-home viewing, it has made a brand new movie initially meant for theaters to subscribers this summer. That movie is Antione Fuqua’s Infinite, a sci-fi action film starring Mark Wahlberg that explores reincarnation. The movie based on the novel The Reincarnationist Papers takes audiences on a ride as Wahlberg’s character learns that there’s an important past life of his that the world depends on him remembering. Let’s get into the Infinite ending.

Major spoilers ahead about the ending of Infinite**!**

In the nearly two-hour thriller, a lot goes down. And when there’s a lot to talk about, it helps to do a bit of a debrief. Now in Infinite, we learned right off the bat that the story will revolve around people known as “infinites” who have perfect memories of all their past lives. The “infinites” are split up into two sides, one who wants to use their memories to protect the growth of humanity and another who believe it to be a curse and want to end all life on Earth. Let’s break down what happened at the end:

What Happened At The End Of Infinite

First off, Mark Wahlberg’s Evan McCauley is someone who has forgotten the past incarnations of his lives, but is somewhat haunted by unknown memories. He’s been diagnosed as a schizophrenic and is just trying to get by when he is approached by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Bathurst. Bathurst represents the side of the infinites who wants to destroy civilization and he needs Evan to remember his past in order for him to do so.

Evan ends up being taken in by the good “infinites” who catch up with him on what’s going on in the world of infinites. He teams up with them to attempt to remember his last life (played by Dylan O’Brien) as Bathurst continues with his plan. In broad terms, Evan ends up embracing his role as an infinite and defeating Bathurst’s plans before drowning in the ocean and being reincarnated as the Asian boy that the movie follows at the end of the film.

The Villainous Plan Of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Bathurst

Bathurst is the main villain of Infinite and represents the nihilists of these eternal people who are tired of being reincarnated and remembering each of their lives. After being a good infinite for tons of lifetimes, for the last 300 years Bathurst has been looking for a way out from civilization and to find a way to stop reincarnating. In one scene, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character shares how his “infinite” power has grown so much over the years that when he is reincarnated, all his memories come back while he is in the womb and he is a fully conscious man of many lives stuck in a tight space for months upon end. In other words, this can become really messed up.

So Bathurst has found a technology that has the power to destroy all life on Earth and he plans to do so. It attacks life by attacking DNA itself at the source. In the third act of the film, we see the device he plans to use as the circular device likened to a bomb that Evan fights him for via a sword fight on the aircraft just ahead of him launching it from the skies. Evan is able to kill Bathurst and stop his lives’ work, but he’ll reincarnate at some point and likely continue the cycle.

The Key Past Life Of Mark Wahlberg’s Evan McCauley

The reason why Mark Wahlberg’s Evan is so important to the story is because he is the ancient old partner of Bathurst known as Treadway. Treadway and Bathurst used to be best friends, but over time they were the founders of this “infinite” split over time. With his life as Evan, he has lost his memories of all his past lives, with his immediate one before (O’Brien) containing an important secret that he took to the grave. So in order to jog his memory, the infinites have him undergo a specialized shock therapy along with major physical training.

When Evan remembers, he reveals that the thing that Bathurst is looking for, called “the egg” was hidden inside his previous body. Bathurst is able to get to the egg before Evan and the other infinites, but thankfully Evan ends up being able to embrace himself as Treadway and defeat Bathurst before he can unleash the evil plan on humanity.

Explaining The Reincarnation Message In Infinite

By the end of Infinite, Treadway has a new life, but it’s made clear to us that this time he very much remembers his past lives and is rebooted into the infinite he was before. During the final moments of the film, Mark Wahlberg’s character speaks about the act of reincarnating with a broader message to be said about humanity itself about “passing the sword” through each generation and continuing the legacies we begin. Infinite’s central message is “hope” as he blatantly says at the end, as the movie seeks to share this idea of each of our actions connecting to the world and what comes next.

Infinite seems to lean heavily in eastern Asian religions who believe in reincarnation, or the belief that our consciousness, mind and soul moves from one life form to the next after death. A common belief that goes hand in hand with that is the doctrine of “karma” which is a law of cause and effect that is about how the actions of one life will affect the next. In Hinduism, there is a way out of reincarnation when someone reaches “moksha” translating to “release” which is when one’s eternal core and their absolute reality are one.

The Paramount+ movie does not explore “moksha,” but perhaps if there was a second installment of the Infinite movie, Treadway and Bathurst finding a way to reconnect with their original friendship could be a good way to end the constant cycle and perhaps end their continuous reincarnation without you know… destroying humanity.

You can watch Infinite streaming now. And for more new movies coming out, check out our 2021 New Movie Release Schedule.

Yet another movie that faced many release delays is finally here. Mark Wahlberg's latest action flick, Infinite, was going to release in September of this year after delays, but Paramount cancelled its theatrical release and instead it's releasing digitally on Paramount+ today. The science fiction action film stars Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Cookson, Jason Mantzoukas, Rupert Friend, Liz Carr, Toby Jones and Dylan O'Brien, and was directed by Antoine Fuqua.

In his second collaboration with director Fuqua (the first being 2007's Shooter), Wahlberg plays Evan, a man struggling with hallucinations and having a hard time making ends meet. But one day, a woman arrives in a bulletproof car and tells him that he is actually an Infinite, a soul who has been reincarnated multiple times, and that he is basically destined to save the world. Infinite is now available on Paramount+, so let’s see what critics have to say about it.

Let’s start with the home team, as always. Eric Eisenberg rated Infinite 1.5 out of 5 stars (yikes). While he did enjoy some exciting action sequences in the film, that’s about where his enjoyment stopped. He highly criticized the movie for its reliance on exposition and the fact that it’s bloated with details and a cliché narrative. He was also disappointed with how Ejiofor delivered too much, while Wahlberg didn’t deliver enough. Eisenberg said:

The cliché’d nature of Infinite is mentioned in more than just Eisenberg’s review. Elizabeth Weitzman of The Wrap criticized the sci-fi action flick for its similarities to other action movies (like the entire Fast and Furious franchise). Though she also enjoyed some action sequences like Eisenberg did, she was disappointed overall, calling out its lack of emotional artistry. Weitzman said:

I’m definitely sensing a pattern in these reviews. Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times noted that there are infinitely better movies to watch than Infinite. (Get it?) He called attention to the movie’s recycling of other action films, the cluttered script, and the too-familiar narrative. Though he praised a few interesting characters whose time on screen was cut way too short, like Jones and Mantzoukas, he was pretty disappointed with the film. Chang said:

David Ehrlich of IndieWire also had pretty much nothing good to say about Infinite. He commented that the movie will soon be forgotten in the abyss of streaming content, which is a good thing, in his opinion. He, like every aforementioned critic, noted how the action flick ripped off other, better, action films. He criticized the screenplay by Ian Shorr, as well as Ejiofor’s over-acting and Wahlberg’s under-acting. Ehrlich said:

Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle liked the sci-fi thriller just a little bit more than the previously mentioned critics did. He noted that there’s always a little bit of a sparkle that gives viewers just enough reason to keep watching, and that it’s never dull. But he criticized the film for its absolute absurdity and lazy script, calling it “glorious, exalted trash.” LaSalle said:

Well, there you have it. Critics definitely aren't very impressed with Infinite. Will audiences agree, or will they enjoy Mark Wahlberg's latest flick a little bit more? You can check it out now on Paramount+.

If you're eager for more Wahlberg after watching his latest sci-fi action movie, check out his other upcoming projects.

This summer is shaping up to be a different kind of movie season with various studios going different routes with their big releases, between classic theatrical releases, the new hybrid model found on HBO Max and Disney+ and more big-budget movies than ever finding first homes on streaming than ever before. Mark Wahlberg’s upcoming sci-fi action film Infinite is going right to Paramount+ in just a couple weeks and we have a first look at it.

It was just announced the other day that Training Day director Antoine Fuqua’s latest movie would hit the new streaming service instead of theaters. And now we have a release date along with the trailer for the epic filled with car stunts, star power and a story centered on reincarnation. Mark Wahlberg stars as a mysterious man who learns that his hallucinations are actually real memories from his past lives. Trippy, right?

The trailer opens with a bearded Chiwetel Ejiofor entering an interrogation room with Mark Wahlberg’s character of Evan Michaels and laying down a number of items on the table. Ejiofor pushes him to his limits asking him if the various items belong to him while pulling a gun on him with a single bullet in it. While Evan holds one of the items, he started to remember something, perhaps jogging his memory about one of his past lives.

Then Kingsman actress Sophie Cookson zooms in to grab Evan from wherever he’s being held, leading to a high-pursuit chase through a building. We then learn through the voice over that Mark Wahlberg’s character is what is called an “infinite,” who has apparently lived and died thousands of times before. It sounds like the plot revolves around Evan needing to understand who he was in his past lives in order to unlock something extraordinary.

Infinite is an adaptation of the 2009 novel The Reincarnationist Papers, which is about a “mind-bending” conspiracy that he gets tied up in following his visions from a past life. It also looks like Chiwetel Ejiofor’s character will have an interesting role in the film, as we see a wall of compartments with the names of people on them and him presumably hunting him down throughout the film. The actor also played the villain to some eternal beings in 2020’s big Netflix hit The Old Guard too.

Infinite was originally going to hit theaters back in summer 2020, but was then delayed to September of this year due to COVID-19. Paramount has now decided to abandon its theatrical release altogether and debut the film on its new streaming service in just two weeks, on June 10. The decision was likely made as the studio aims to reel in more subscribers since debuting back in March.

Other big movies heading to Paramount+ in the near future are A Quiet Place Part II and Top Gun: Maverick, except those movies will have a 45-day exclusive theatrical run before hitting the new streaming site. The swift release of Infinite is a bit out of left field, but with competition next to Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+ and so forth Paramount+ is definitely joining the streaming war this summer.

When a franchise becomes as big as the MCU, there’s no guarantee that we will see the same characters from movie to movie. Well, unless it’s a major tent pole, such as Avengers: Endgame. That being said, a Doctor Strange star just confirmed that he will be reprising his role in the upcoming sequel, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who played Baron Mordo in 2016’s Doctor Strange, is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. When asked about his latest projects and current whereabouts, the actor had this to say:

The British-born actor revealed the news on BBC’s The One Show, where he was also asked about the plot details for Sam Raimi’s highly anticipated Phase 4 film. His response was jokingly on-brand for an actor working on one of Marvel’s secretive projects:

He was, of course, just joking. Ejiofor played Baron Mordo in Doctor Strange, the foil to Benedict Cumberbatch’s time-bending Steven Strange. It's unclear what Mordo has been up to in the universe, as he hasn't been seen since abandoning his sorcerer duties after the events of the 2016 film.

The upcoming project has been shrouded in mystery since being announced back in 2019. While Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson was originally attached for the sequel, he has since parted ways with the production. But, it’s not all bad news. Horror legend Sam Raimi took over the project in 2020, in a decision that was even endorsed by Derrickson.

Fans may be familiar with Raimi’s work on the original Spider-Man trilogy, which featured Tobey Maguire as Peter Parker. The director’s involvement in the MCU is even more intriguing, considering some of the wild Spider-Man 3 rumors that have been circulating.

Since Raimi took over Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, there has been a fair bit of speculation on the implications of the multiverse in the MCU. Some believe that the film will open the door for a number of characters, even those from previous film installments, to make an appearance.

Heck, even Marvel executive Kevin Feige has been teasing the importance of the multiverse for some time. I think it’s safe to say that the upcoming sequel, and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s involvement, will have major implications for Marvel’s Phase 4.

We are still a long way off from seeing Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on the big screen. Right now, it’s scheduled to release on March 25, 2020. That being said, Marvel has been doing a great job of keeping fans satisfied with its Disney + offerings, including WandaVision and the upcoming Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

Marvel’s Phase 4 is set to kick off May 7, 2020 with Black Widow, which will be the first film installment since 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be the fifth entry of the eight films currently on the MCU's schedule.

In a sense, heist movies live or die by their climaxes. There are certainly exceptions, but the vast majority of stories within the genre are all about characters preparing for one massive score, and it’s in the unfolding of the climax that it’s determined whether or not the juice is worth the squeeze. Great films can be destroyed by this, and underwhelming films can be saved by this.

Doug Liman’s Locked Down, starring Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor, is no exception, but is also in many ways a wonderful success. It’s an entirely atypical heist movie that evades the tropes that haunt the genre, but also executes a fantastic climax that is wrought with tension as the big job goes down. So what happens in the HBO Max exclusive, and why does it happen? That’s what we’re here to analyze with this feature.

We here at CinemaBlend love to do a deep dive into films with third acts that are tense, twisty, and leave lingering questions, and Locked Down’s ending makes for excellent subject matter in that regard. But before we dig in…

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains major spoilers for Locked Down. If you have not yet seen the film, please continue at your own risk!

What Happens At The End Of Locked Down

Throughout the second and third acts of Locked Down, Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Linda (Anne Hathaway) repeatedly discuss what they call “The Moment” – which is the point in time in which they must make the decision to go ahead with their heist, or abort the wild idea and simply do their respective jobs. It specifically comes when they have both the real Harris Diamond and the store display replica in hand, and it also arguably marks the beginning of the film’s ending, and it’s where we will begin our recap.

"The Moment"

As the duo get to the fake Harris Diamond on the show floor in Harrods, Paxton uses a step ladder to reach into the tank where the gem is kept – told to be quick by Linda due to the fact that the display houses real piranhas. The motorcycle-loving ex-con successfully makes the extraction without his arm getting bitten off, and when he approaches his ex-partner and notes that the long-awaited moment has come.

Sidling away from the view of the security cameras, they have their brief discussion, and Paxton makes it clear that he thinks that they should take the real Harris Diamond out of its container and pocket it while swapping it for the fake. Linda, who argues with herself out loud throughout the movie, silently takes out the case, drops the £3 million ingot in her purse, and replaces it with the spurious stone.

They only get a moment to reflect on what they’ve done, because as soon as they start the last stage of their plan their excitement is decimated by the arrival of an out-of-breath Donald (Mark Gatiss). Linda’s former employee explains that he got an anonymous call saying that the transport driver for the Harrods job is operating under a fake name – surely the work of Paxton’s enemy, Martin (Sam Spruell) – and that the police are on the way.

The Escape

With time to make an escape now growing excruciatingly close, Linda decides to make a Hail Mary pass. Rather than come up with some kind of lie, she instead decides to totally come clean to Donald and explain everything that they are doing. Fortunately, Donald is still royally pissed off after having been fired, and after unleashing a rage-filled rant against the system he agrees to let them go.

For a moment it seems like they are free and clear, but then an announcement rings out on the PA system looking for Edgar Allan Poe. The urgency to find the exit exponentially increases, and tensions further rise as Linda nearly runs into uptight Harrods employee Michael (Stephen Merchant). Just as they turn in their passes and are prepared to get out the door, the security guard (Marek Larwood) from the entrance approaches them calling out, “Edgar Allan Poe.” For a moment it seems like they’re caught… but it turns out that the guard simply wanted to return Paxton’s badge, which was dropped at some point during the job. Paxton and Linda make their way to Heathrow Airport on the former’s bike, and the job is done.

Back Home

An undisclosed amount of time later, the pair is back at their house, and once again in the middle of a fight. Linda has hidden the flour that Paxton purchased to make bread; Paxton gets chided for holding a funeral for his opium-addicted backyard hedgehog; and an accusation is levied at Linda that she put up a piece of tinsel just to fuck with him. Paxton packs up a suitcase and is all ready to go – the one problem is that lock down has been extended for two more weeks. With no move to make, he flops down on the bed next to her and airs his number one grievance: she has forgotten his birthday. Fortunately, she has a present for him handy: the stolen bag of flour.

Considering what it will be like to be at home for another two weeks, Paxton contemplates another poetry recital for the streets, and settles on “Counting The Beats” by Robert Graves.

Will Linda And Paxton Get Away With It?

One of the coolest things about Locked Down when looked at in contrast to other heist films is that stealing the diamond is, for lack of a better word, easy. As horrible as everything has been for Linda and Paxton, the universe gives them an amazing layup that turns them into instant millionaires. Not only is it coincidental that the two of them happen to be transporting the Harris Diamond with zero oversight, but the circumstances in the aftermath are practically miraculous.

It’s established in the middle of the film that the reason the diamond is being moved is because it has been purchased – namely by an anonymous murderous despot. Under normal circumstances you’d think that pissing off a guy like that would be the last thing on anyone’s To Do list, but it really doesn’t matter. Linda is specifically told that after being put on a plane at Heathrow Airport, the diamond will arrive in New York and instantly be put in a safe – with the owner more interested in owning the stone than actually possessing it. Surely somebody will eventually figure out that what is in the safe is a fake, but by then the trail to Linda and “Edgar Allan Poe” would presumably disappear.

Another instance of the universe working in their favor is the process of actually selling the diamond, given Paxton’s old criminal contact and the fact that Paxton once saved his life. That being said, this is still the least secure aspect of the endeavor given that it means telling a third person about the heist, and, to quote Benjamin Franklin, “Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.” No matter what, there is no absolute security in the transaction.

So will Linda and Paxton get away with the heist? Given the good they plan on doing with a third of the money, and the complete lack of victims other than a corporation and a tyrant, we can certainly hope so. But it’s not guaranteed (and, who knows, if not maybe that will wind up spawning sequel discussions).

Do Linda And Paxton End Up Together?

It’s a tricky question to ask about the consequences of the heist in Locked Down, but far trickier to ask about the future of Linda and Paxton’s relationship. While it’s true that as an audience we only see a fraction of their time together, the time that we do see is heavy on the toxic. They are both individually miserable people who can’t even find solace in being miserable.

There certainly are positive overtones in the end of Locked Down. While Paxton is apparently ready to move out as a result of a cascading fight, the final notes suggest that they are happier together than issue ridden, evidenced in his pleasant reaction when she tells him about the extension of stay at home orders.

But can money totally fix a relationship? It’s hard to say. It certainly reduces their stress, particularly as it allows them to quit their respective terrible jobs and focus on their artistic passions. That by itself is only going to be healthy for their coupling. Unfortunately, however, there are also important fractures to recognize in just who they are as human beings (a standout moment is when Linda notes that she stopped being in love with him when he did as she wished and lost his rebellious spirit). The excitement of pulling off the heist may reignite their flame, but the candle still may not burn forever. Again, there’s plenty of material here to be explored in a potential sequel.

What did you think of Paxton and Linda’s choice at the end of Locked Down? Do you think it was a fitting ending for the film? Hit the comments section with all of your thoughts, feelings, and opinions about the new release, and if you’re interested in checking it out again, the film continues to stream as an HBO Max exclusive.

As is typical with life-changing global events, the movie world has not wasted any time analyzing life during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s a shared traumatic experience that has touched us all in one way or another, and like any artists filmmakers have taken the opportunity to use their craft to reach a better understanding of humanity in the moment. An unfortunate side effect of this process is that we’re going to see a fair amount of exploitative trash, but balancing that material out we will get works that are both insightful and entertaining.

Doug Liman’s Locked Down is a film of the latter variety, and quite a fantastic one at that. Based on an original screenplay by Steven Knight, it’s a genre movie that tries to wear a lot of hats – including pitch black comedy, romantic drama, and heist thriller – and not only pulls all of them off, but pairs them with a stylish matching mask. Though it doesn’t have the benefit of great hindsight on 2020 (it was shot in the span of a few weeks this past fall), it’s impressive how it taps into the exact formula of equal parts nihilism and optimism in the attitude of the moment, and it’s brought to life by two incredible performances from Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor that are both hilarious and emotional.

Set in London during the early weeks of the pandemic, Locked Down centers on Linda (Hathaway) and Paxton (Ejiofor), a couple that can no longer be called a couple because they have made the decision to break up… a decision made particularly problematic as a result of the fact that they live together and can’t go anywhere. Their cohabitation results in constantly escalating friction, made only worse by their very different professional situations. Paxton, an ex-con who has spent years getting his life on the straight and narrow, is furloughed from his work as a truck driver and is launched into an abyss-like depression. Linda, meanwhile, can’t seem to do anything but succeed as an executive at the soul-sucking corporate job that she hates. They are both completely miserable, but can’t even function well enough to commiserate with one another.

Then, by some grace of the universe, the stars align. As a result of being short drivers without a criminal record, Paxton’s boss (Ben Kingsley) creates fake IDs for him so that he can be brought in for a series of lax security transport runs, with the last being from the famed posh department store Harrods. Linda, meanwhile, is given the responsibility to oversee pandemic-related transactions from her company, including the sale of the Harris Diamond, a stone valued at £3 million… which just so happens to be stored at Harrods.

Without lifting a finger, the protagonists find themselves with the opportunity to pull off what may be the world’s simplest heist – but the lingering question is whether or not they can actually go through with it.

Locked Down goes to some dark places, but it’s super funny throughout.

Doug Liman and Steven Knight make an interesting pair as eclectic director working with an experimental writer, but their styles click in the best way, and while Locked Down is a film that runs the gamut in terms of emotional response it’s best quality is how hilarious it is – particularly when it’s going to some weird and dark places. Paxton’s wit is what saves him from total desolate despair, unleashing drama-filled rants during catch-up video calls with his half-brother (Dule Hill), and Linda’s expressions are priceless as she exasperatingly deals with her totally out of touch boss (Ben Stiller).

It has great boiling-over energy in the main relationship that provides a kind of brilliant awkward funny, and peppers in all kinds of odd and fantastic details (such as Paxton being given the fake name Edgar Allan Poe and being repeatedly surprised when nobody knows who that is).It’s sensibilities could be described as manic – which most certainly is fitting with the overall experience of this past year.

Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor are fantastic together.

Thanks to the convenience of video conferencing, Locked Down sports an ensemble cast packed with talent (I’ve purposefully kept some names out of this review to maintain surprises), but it’s truly Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s show, and both carry the day. Linda and Paxton are not easy characters to play, as in the wrong hands their anxiety, self-loathing, and mutual hostility could be sincerely off-putting, but the actors’ awesome charisma and perfect timing in their banter instead make them both engaging and even empathetic. Over the course of the film you get to appreciate them in all varieties of their dynamic – alone, at each other’s throats, remembering the good times, and working as a team – and each step of the way you appreciate what’s unique and what’s utterly real about them during a very strange moment in all of our lives.

In its own way, Locked Down is an impressive cinematic feat.

Equally impressive in it all is also just the impressive craftwork and logistics that brought Locked Down to life. It’s admittedly not exactly scaled like a big blockbuster, and the vast majority of the action takes place within Paxton and Linda’s home, but when you take a step back from it you can marvel at the accomplishment. This is a film that came together with a star-studded cast from first draft to final cut in less than a year, and while doing so it not only manages to capture the chaotic state of affairs, but never feel cheap, or rushed, or undercooked. In spirit it feels like a full-on Hollywood heist movie inspired by unforeseen global events, replete with a big showy third act at a landmark location (albeit without the genre’s most useless tropes). Even though it’s a heightened story, future films trying to capture the moment, even with the benefit of hindsight, will probably struggle to achieve the level of veritas.

It’s all but guaranteed that the next decade is going to feature all varieties of stories set during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what’s perhaps most exciting about Locked Down is the very real potential for quality in that approach. Sometimes limitations and constrictions – like stay-at-home orders and mandated social distancing – can breed wonderful creativity, and with its fun take on multiple genres that excises cliché, the film is bursting with it, and it’s brought home by a pair of amazing performances and smart style.

The year 2021 has only begun, but quarantine and the COVID-19 pandemic are starting to show up in some of the latest content. There are already films capitalizing on the difficulties of everything from social distancing to mortality to working from home. One such film seems to be Locked Down, which is headlined by Oscar winner Anne Hathaway and Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor as a couple struggling during the quarantine. Recently, the trailer for the HBO Max film dropped online.

In the upcoming film, Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor play couple Linda and Paxton who are living in London, dealing with being locked down together during the quarantine. A mix of high drama and relatable laughs ensue as the couple deal with the pressures of working from home from their respective employers. So, things become desperate following Paxton being furloughed and Linda suffering a moral crossroads at her job. This leads to the couple plotting a jewelry heist during the quarantine.

From the looks of the trailer, Locked Down seems like it will hark on current issues dealing with quarantine and all the trappings that came with it. Seeing Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor go toe-for-toe as they endure working from home while their romantic relationship seems to be falling apart. Just like real-life lockdown, the two characters deal with both anxiety and moral dilemma as they become increasingly desperate to find means to sustain their income.

While the trailer highlights some intense drama and action, a good chunk of it deals with witty, relatable humor as both Hathaway and Ejiofor deal with outside forces – passive bosses and insensitive co-workers. While Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor are masters of their craft as seen in the trailer, the supporting cast is nothing to sneeze at. Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley plays Paxton’s boss while Ben Stiller, Lily James, Stephen Merchant, Dulé Hill, Jazmyn Simon, Mark Gatiss, Mindy Kaling and Lucy Boynton round out the cast. In another “art-imitating-life” angle, much of Hathaway and Ejiofor’s interactions with the supporting cast happens over Zoom.

Locked Down was one of many films that decided to film after the Hollywood shutdown was lifted. Anne Hathaway was announced to be starring in the heist film in Sept. 2020 with Chiwetel Ejiofor and other cast members joining her later in London to shoot the film. The film was directed by Doug Liman and based on a screenplay by Steven Knight. Liman has a proven track record with films of a similar ilk to Locked Down, having directed and produced The Bourne Identity franchise and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Given the film’s prompt subject matter, it might be a better quarantine film compared to other releases. If you want to check out Locked Down, it will be released on HBO Max on Jan. 14.

Little by little (or maybe lot by lot), Netflix is trying to work its way into the blockbuster game. They've established themselves as a premier place for acclaimed, award-winning television, and the next hurdle is figuring out how they make a splash with their movies.

When it comes to big-budget action spectacles available in the comfort of your home, The Old Guard certainly made an impression on subscribers, becoming one of the biggest blockbusters in this unconventional year (to say the least). But it's safe to say that a lot of people found the time to watch the immortality-based action-drama. And there were many people left wondering where they've seen The Old Guard cast before.

In an ensemble that includes A-listers like Charlize Theron, up-and-coming talents like KiKi Layne, and familiar faces like Harry Melling, The Old Guard is filled with famous and/or promising actors who've demonstrated their talents in various past and recent projects. Here's where you might recognize the cast of Netflix's summer blockbuster.

Charlize Theron (Andy/Andromache of Scythia)

As Andy, a.k.a. Andromache of Scythia, Charlize Theron produced and played the lead role in Netflix's The Old Guard. An Oscar-winning actress for her transformative performance in 2003's Monster, Theron has since become one of the most versatile and highest-paid A-list actresses working in Hollywood today. The award-winning actress also received Oscar nominations for North Country and last year's Bombshell, and she's known for her work in Mad Max: Fury Road, Atomic Blonde, The Italian Job, Young Adult, Prometheus, The Fate of the Furious, The Devil's Advocate, The Cider House Rules, Snow White and the Huntsman, Hancock, Tully, Long Shot, Aeon Flux, That Thing You Do!, Reindeer Games, and Mighty Joe Young, to name only a few films.

In addition to her film roles, Charlize Theron appeared in Arrested Development and HBO's TV film, The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. Next, she stars in F9.

KiKi Layne (Nile Freeman)

In the role of Nile Freeman, a former U.S. Marine who discovers her previously-unknown immortality and joins the ranks of the Crusaders, Kiki Layne received a breakthrough leading role with Netflix's The Old Guard. Prior to this performance, Layne impressed many viewers with her beautiful work in Barry Jenkins' If Beale Street Could Talk. Additionally, the actress earned acclaim and notice for her strong work in HBO's Native Son, and she starred in Captive State. She can also be seen in a 2016 episode of Chicago Med, as well as a pair of short films, Veracity and The Staggering Girl, from 2015 and 2019, respectively.

Next, Kiki Layne stars in Coming 2 America, and she has a starring role in Don't Worry Darling, Olivia Wilde's directorial follow-up to last year's Booksmart. While she's still so early into her career, Layne should hopefully have a very bright future ahead.

Matthias Schoenaerts (Booker/Sebastian Le Livre)

Playing the part of Booker, i.e. Sebastian Le Livre, a French Crusader who once fought with Napoleon and carries questionable allegiance, Matthias Schoenaerts plays the most prominent supporting role in The Old Guard. Making his film debut in 1992's Daens at age 13, which went on to be an Oscar-nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, Schoenaerts' most notable screen credits include Rust & Bone, Loft, Bullhead, The Drop, Far From The Maddening Crowd, The Danish Girl, Suite Francaise, Red Sparrow, Disorder, Black Book, A Bigger Splash, A Hidden Life, The Mustang, and The Laundromat, another Netflix exclusive.

On television, Matthias Schoenearts might be known for his work in Los zand and The Emperor of Taste. He'll soon be seen in the upcoming series, Lockdown, based on the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Additionally, he'll reunite with Terrence Malick for The Last Planet and possibly star in Ruin.

Chiwetel Ejiofor (James Copley)

As James Copley, a former CIA agent with a special (and personal) interest in the Crusaders, Chiwetel Ejiofor plays a key role in The Old Guard. An acclaimed English actor who found success early in his career with a supporting turn in Steven Spielberg's Amistad, Ejiofor appeared in Kinky Boots, Children of Men, 2012, Serenity (2005), Four Brothers, Dirty Pretty Things, She Hates Me, Inside Man, Talk to Me, Redbelt, and American Gangster before his leading performance in Steven McQueen's Best Picture-winning 12 Years a Slave skyrocketed his career.

Following this Oscar-nominated performance, Chiwetel Ejiofor gained more leading roles in films like Z for Zachariah, Secret in Their Eyes, and Come Sunday. Additionally, Ejiofor played prominent supporting parts in The Martian, Doctor Strange, Mary Magdalene, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and 2019's The Lion King. He also directed and starred in Netflix's The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

Harry Melling (Steven Merrick)

In the role of Steven Merrick, the wealthy CEO of a pharmaceutical empire who isn't too dissimilar to Martin Shkreli, Harry Melling played the main antagonistic role in The Old Guard. As a former child actor, Melling's most well-known role was playing Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter franchise. Once that series came to an end in 2011 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, he branched out into other cinematic endeavors, away from Hogwarts, starting in 2016 with James Grey's The Lost City of Z.

From there, Harry Melling starred in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Keeper, Waiting for the Barbarians, and, most recently, The Devil All The Time — another high-profile Netflix title. Outside of these film roles, Melling also appeared in TV shows like Merlin, His Dark Materials, 2019's War of the Worlds, and, most recently, Netflix's The Queen's Gambit.

Marwan Kenzari (Joe/Yusuf Al-Kaysani)

Playing the part of Joe, i.e. Yusuf Al-Kaysani, a Muslim warrior who participated in the Crusades, as well as Nicky's romantic partner, Marwan Kenzari provided a prominent supporting turn in The Old Guard. Outside of this Netflix role, Kenzari is best known for playing Jafar in 2019's live-action Aladdin remake. Additionally, he won a Golden Calf for Best Actor for his 2013 performance in Wolf. Some of his other prominent performances are found in The Angel, The Promise, 2017's The Mummy, 2016's Ben-Hur, 2017's Murder on the Orient Express, What Happened to Monday, Instinct, Reckless, The Last Days of Emma Blank, Loft, Rabat, Black Out, Accused, and Collide.

Meanwhile, on TV, Marwan Kenzari is known for his roles in Flikken Maastricht and Black Widow. Next, the actor stars in The East, which premiered at the Netherlands Film Festival in September prior to his Netherlands release later this month.

Luca Marinelli (Nicky/Nicolò di Genova)

Playing the part of Nicky, i.e. Nicolò di Genova, an Italian Crusader who forms a loving bond with Joe through their shared immortality, Luca Marinelli provides one-half of The Old Guard's romantic center. While not as well-known in America outside of this performance, Marinelli has forged a strong career in Italian cinema, notably through his performances in Every Blessed Day, Don't Be Bad, They Call Me Jeeg, The Great Beauty, 2011's The Last Man on Earth, Rainbow: A Private Affair, and the title role in Martin Eden, which recently received its stateside release.

Additionally, Luca Marinelli played a primary role in FX's mini-series, Trust, from 2018. Next, the actor plays the title role in Diabolik, which is expected to come out on December 31st in Italy.

Veronica Ngo (Quynh)

As Quynh, an immortal ally from Andy's past, Veronica Ngo is at the center of inarguably the darkest segment in The Old Guard. A singer and model in addition to being an actress, Ngo's other film and television credits include Bright, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny, Once Upon a Time in Vietnam, Two in One, Clash, Rogue, The Rebel, Saigon Love Story, Bitcoin Heist, The Tailor, Going Home for Tet, Furie, and House in the Alley. Additionally, Ngo can be seen in two other noteworthy Netflix productions, Bright and Da 5 Bloods, the latter of which also came out this past summer.

In addition to these acting credits, Veronica Ngo directed and starred in 2015's The Lost Dragon and 2016's Tam Cam: The Untold Story, the latter of which she also co-produced. She also produced Clash, The Tailor, and Song lang.

Anamaria Marinca (Dr. Meta Kozak)

In the role of scientist Dr. Meta Kozak, Anamaria Marinca plays a supporting character in The Old Guard. The Romanian actress is best known for her award-winning performance in the acclaimed drama, 4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days, for which she won several awards, including the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress. Additionally, Marinca also gained acclaim for her work in Channel 4's two-part TV film, Sex Traffic. The performer can also be seen in films like The Countess, 2017's Ghost in the Shell, Europa Report, The Girl with All the Gifts, Five Minutes in Heaven, Storm, Youth Without Youth, and Boogie, i.e. Summer Holiday.

In addition to her various film credits, Anamaria Marinca can also be seen in numerous shows, including Doctor Who, Wallander, Mars, River, The Politician's Husband, The Missing, The Last Enemy, Hotel Babylon, Holby City, and Tin Star.

Joey Ansah (Keane)

As Keane, a rogue C.I.A. agent who's hunting down the Old Guard team of mercenaries, Joey Ansah plays an action-intensive role in The Old Guard. A martial artist in addition to being an actor, Ansah's most prominent role was in The Bourne Ultimatum, though he can also be seen in Batman Begins, Mission: Impossible - Fallout, How to Talk to Girls at Parties, Knock Out, Attack the Block, Snow White and the Huntsman, UFO, The Numbers Station, Green Street 3: Never Back Down, Love Struck, The Kid Who Would Be King, and Left for Dead. He's also in Netflix's The Stranger.

In addition to these acting parts and stunt roles, Joey Ansah co-wrote, co-directed, and stars in the 2010 short fan film, Street Fighter: Legacy. He also stars in and co-created the 2014 web series, Street Fighter: Assassin's Fist, where he reprises his role as Akuma.

Micheal Ward (Lykon)

In the role of Lykon, a companion fondly remembered by Andy, Michael Ward doesn't get a ton of time to shine in The Old Guard, but the actor makes the most of it anyhow. Prior to his work as an actor, Ward was a model. While his acting credits are slim at-the-moment, Ward can also be seen in Blue Story and Brotherhood, as well as shows like The A-List and Top Boy. He also has a couple of music video appearances to his name, including Tom Walker's "Blessings" music video and Dave's "Black" music video. Additionally, Ward acted in this year's short film, Good Thanks, You? and the upcoming short film, Looking Back.

Michael Ward's other upcoming roles include Lovers Rock, one part of Steve McQueen's upcoming feature-length Amazon Prime anthology series, Small Axe, and the romantic drama, Beauty, which is written by Lena Waithe (Queen & Slim).

Natacha Karam (Dizzy)

Playing the part of Dizzy, a Marine who shares some screen time with KiKi Layne's character early in the film, Natacha Karam plays a brief but shocking character in The Old Guard. Outside of this performance, Karam is also known for her role in NBC's short-lived military series, The Brave. She can now be seen in Fox's procedural drama, 9-1-1: Lone Star. Additionally, Karam appears in The Hurricane Heist and she guest-starred in episodes of Homeland and Casualty.

Olivia Ross (Celeste)

In the role of Celeste, a woman who helps Andy in her time of need, Olivia Ross plays a brief-but-dramatic role in The Old Guard. Most notably, Ross starred in Knightfall and 2016's War & Peace mini-series. She also starred in Trauma last year, and she appears in Killing Eve, Personal Shopper, Non-Fiction, and White Lie. Additionally, Ross guest-starred in NBC's Rosemary's Baby mini-series 2014.

Who's your favorite Old Guard character or cast member? Please be sure to let us know in the comments!

When you spend your days working on set, collaborating with various filmmakers (both of renown and otherwise), and honing your craft, there's a good chance you're gonna pick up a few lessons along the way. Indeed, having the opportunity to work with many different filmmakers and various people in the industry allows many actors to not only get better at their given profession but also explore themselves behind-the-camera as well. 

In the process, these actors expand their talents (hopefully) and showcase their prowess. We've seen several famous actors prove themselves as directors in the past. Dave Franco is just the latest. His feature directorial debut, The Rental, is a surprisingly solid genre piece, showcasing his strong potential as a filmmaker. Whether or not Franco lives up to that promise is undetermined, but he's not alone. Here are just a few actors who've recently proven themselves to be promising new filmmakers.

Dave Franco

Who would've thought that Dave Franco would be one of the more promising horror directors of the new decade? Or, at least, that he would prove himself surprisingly confident in this genre, producing a commendably slow-burning chamber thriller with The Rental, featuring strong performances from Alison Brie (his wife), Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, and Toby Huss. 

Having previously worked in the comedy field with the occasional drama or action movie in the process, The Rental wasn't the direction that his fans likely expected him to go, but Franco proved himself adept at handling the atmosphere and dread of his premise, while also exploring themes on privacy, surveillance, and people's fears of others. It's not without its flaws, but he showcases some serious talent behind-the-camera, and if he wanted to direct more in the future, he could have a bright future. He's apparently working on a rom-com next.

Jonah Hill

Having previously collaborated with some of the finest filmmakers working today, including (but not limited to) Martin Scorsese, Bennett Miller, Quentin Tarantino, Gus Van Sant, and more, it was only a matter of time before Jonah Hill jumped behind the camera. Sure enough, in 2018, Hill finally jumped into the director's chair with Mid90s, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age drama featuring a fantastic sense of time and place, fine attention to detail, and some well-crafted performances. 

Though the movie itself doesn't lean too far away from the tropes you expect this genre, resulting in a screenplay that's earnest but ultimately not especially unique, Hill's direction allows his vision to flourish, establishing a key sense of this time period without the nostalgia or wistfulness that is often seen in other movies of this variety. The results are a bold, clear-eyed, Harmony Korine-inspired reflection with honest performances and finely-crafted emotional resonance. Hill learned well.

Bo Burnham

Though technically more of an internet personality and stand-up than an actor prior to his outstanding directorial debut, 2018's Eighth Grade, it's clear that Bo Burnham spent years honing his craft, his style, his voice, and his point of view before he decided to finally make his directorial debut. What's most impressive about this movie, however, is that Burnham's approach is oddly reflective. 

It's not showcasing his noticeable voice but rather making an authentic and believable reflection of what it is like to be socially awkward and emotionally insincere in our social media age, where your presence is always demanded in some fashion or another and you always feel pressured to be "true to yourself," even if you don't exactly know who you are yet. It's an exceptionally accomplished directorial debut, allowing Burnham to paint a startlingly relatable and uncomfortable reflection of adolescence with an excellent lead performance from Elsie Fisher.

Olivia Wilde

While it didn't take the box office by storm as much as people hoped it would, Booksmart became one of the most acclaimed, celebrated directorial debuts in recent memory, earned nearly unanimous praise from critics and general moviegoers alike and finding a wide, adoring audience worldwide. It's safe to say that most directorial debuts don't capture that same fervent appeal, but that's a great credit to Wilde's early talents as a director. 

While she has established herself as an actress for roughly 15 or so years now, it's clear that Wilde has an energetic, passionate desire to push herself as a filmmaker and showcase complex, outspoken women who are both funny and dynamic, producing an entertaining but also engaging new take on the always-expanding high school comedy genre. While it got easy comparisons to Superbad, Wilde's debut allows the new filmmaker to take her own path.

Paul Dano

One of the best directorial debuts of the past few years came from Paul Dano's intimate, involving coming-of-age period drama, Wildlife. This evocative Sundance tale, based on the novel of the same name by Richard Ford, features outstanding performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Ed Oxenbould, and especially Carey Mulligan, who continues to remain an undervalued talent. 

Dano's directorial presence is gentle but commanding, showcasing fine attention to character and time but also allowing him to explore the darker recesses and impulses of people unchecked and caught fighting against the restrictions of their conservative time period. Having worked with some truly remarkable filmmakers throughout his career, not the least of which includes Paul Thomas Anderson, Steve McQueen, Denis Villeneuve, Bong Joon-ho, Rian Johnson, and more, it wasn't shocking to see Dano prove so adept as a director, but it was still very encouraging. Here's hoping he makes another movie soon.

Regina King

An accomplished, Oscar-winning actress with several noteworthy film/TV titles to her name, Regina King has been an outstanding acting talent for decades, and she finally got her well-deserved due with her award-winning turn in If Beale Street Could Talk. But in addition to King's acting highlights, the three-time Emmy-winning Watchmen actress has steadily built a solid career behind the camera, notably helming episodes of Scandal, Southland, This Is Us, Shameless, The Good Doctor, Insecure, and more. 

Now, King makes her feature directorial debut with One Night in Miami, based on the play by Kemp Powers, which follows Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown, and Cassius Clay who meet up to change history in the South. It'll premiere at TIFF and it was recently acquired by Amazon Studios. Though we haven't seen the film yet for ourselves, we're hopeful that King demonstrates her talents once more with this exciting new project.

Karen Gillan

Though she remains a bright, appealing screen presence, Karen Gillan's recent directing turns showcase a young filmmaker with intriguingly dark and mournful ambitions, exploring the darkness of the human psyche and women with complicated histories and mentalities. This was shown with striking interest in both her horror-drama short film, Conventional, and her feature directorial debut, The Party's Just Beginning, both of which she starred in in addition to writing and directing. 

As a filmmaker and actress simultaneously, Gillan isn't afraid to be vulnerable and unsettling, showcasing how many movies haven't fully explored the recesses of her talents, while also exploring complicated themes and concepts with probing intellect and insight and a splash of dark comedy to boot. Her directorial output is uniquely different than what we've seen from her as an actress thus far. It's fascinating to wonder what she'll do as a director as she moves forward.

Chiwetel Ejiofor

While Chiwetel Ejiofor has continued to receive some major roles in high-budget blockbusters, including Doctor Strange, The Lion King (2019), and, most recently, Netflix's The Old Guard, in recent years following his excellent Oscar-nominated performance in 12 Years A Slave, his directorial debut, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, didn't gain much notice when it appeared on Netflix earlier this year. That's a shame because, while it's a small film by design, it was praised as a compelling film that showed promise for Ejiofor as a director. 

While the story itself as considered predictable when it comes to plotting, Ejiofor's vision and the fine performances he brought out of his actors showed audiences that he had the chops to be a strong dramatic director if given the chance. This isn't surprising, but it's disappointing that the movie hasn't gotten much notice on the streaming service since its premiere.

Amy Seimetz

At the end of July, Amy Seimetz's latest film, She Dies Tomorrow, finally released. Though she has more indie credits to her name than mainstream titles, audiences might know her from her work in Stranger Things, Alien: Covenant, The Killing, Get Shorty, and Pet Sematary (2020). As a director, Seimetz made the indie Sun Don't Shine and she directed several acclaimed episodes of television for The Girlfriend Experience and Atlanta. Based on the early reviews for her newest film, a horror film that is getting David Lynch-esque comparisons, it's not one you want to miss.

Which actors-turned-directors have impressed you lately? Please let us know in the comments!

Don’t forget, Marvel’s Phase Four is still coming! Sure we’re waiting a bit longer to see our favorite heroes share the big screen, but the studio is currently gearing up to get back to work. When the next batch of MCU films was announced last summer, many were instantly fired up about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in particular. Since that announcement, some behind-the-scenes changes have been made, but that has only amplified returning actor Chiwetel Ejiofor’s excitement.

The Spider-Man trilogy’s Sam Raimi has taken over for Scott Derrickson as director on the Doctor Strange sequel. Here’s what Chiwetel Ejiofor thinks of the switch-up:

Yes! It’s awesome how tied to Sam Raimi’s filmmaking Chiwetel Ejiofor is. 1990’s Darkman was an important film to Doctor Strange 2’s upcoming villain, and that respect for the director will only motivate him to offer up a more intriguing performance come 2022. If you remember, the end credits scene of the 2016 introduction to the Master of Mystic Arts had Baron Mordo being revealed as a direct threat to Stephen Strange.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will lean into more horror elements of the comics, a segment of film Sam Raimi is all too familiar with due to his roots in The Evil Dead franchise. Add in his experience with Marvel during the genre’s beginnings as a blockbuster with the Spider-Man films, and he’s a really inspired choice. Ejiofor also pointed out to GamesRadar+ that he's to see how Raimi builds the world of Doctor Strange with his own eye.

It was confirmed just last week by Chiwetel Ejiofor that he’d be returning for the sequel for the sequel, along with Benedict Wong reprising Wong. Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch will also be involved in the second Doctor Strange movie following an expanded storyline in her Disney+ series Wandavision coming later this year. Some fans are speculating she’ll be a villain in The Multiverse of Madness as well, but we’ll have to stand by for more details on the Marvel film.

Before that, Chiwetel Ejiofor will star with Charlize Theron in Netflix’s upcoming action flick The Old Guard. The movie coming to streaming on July 10 is based on a graphic novel about secret immortals who have grown weary of protecting the world. Check out what else is new on Netflix in July with CinemaBlend’s list of new releases.

When 2016’s Doctor Strange came to its full, post-credit enhanced conclusion, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Karl Mordo had officially broken bad. Proclaiming the world as having “too many sorcerers,” Mordo struck his first blow to pay that ever present bill that comes due with the sort of actions similar to what we saw Benedict Cumberbatch accomplish in the film’s finale. And after several years in hiding, we’ll definitely be seeing Karl Mordo returning in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

As he was on hand for the press day to Netflix’s The Old Guard, Chiwetel Ejiofor was naturally going to be asked by Comicbook.com about whether or not Sam Raimi’s sequel to the first Scott Derrickson directed film would bring this underused villain back properly. While he was naturally cryptic about what exactly the future would bring, Ejiofor did confirm that his adversarial presence would make Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness a little more complicated for Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sorcerer Supreme.

This is probably the most natural move for this bold sequel to make, as the world building in Phase 4 will obviously present Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness the opportunity to build Stephen Strange’s mystical mythos into a greater launchpad. It’s also a welcomed piece of news in light of the fact that Rachel McAdams’ Christine Palmer will reportedly be one of the major omissions from the cast list of the next chapter.

Karl Mordo is the second returning, support player who's confirmed to return for the Doctor Strange sequel, as Benedict Wong’s character, Wong, has also been implied to be along for the ride in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. At least, his seemingly intimated knowledge of the shooting schedule for this spirited sequel, as well as Wong’s return cameo in Avengers: Endgame would have the world thinking that way. Anyone who wants to start placing their early bets on how a potential Mordo/Wong showdown would end, it looks like you’re about to start seeing some odds posted any day now.

Any production on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is, obviously, on hold due to the health crisis pausing the world of movie production and releasing. But that doesn’t mean the wheels aren’t turning in favor of the film’s fates. And hiding out there, somewhere in the MCU’s current universal fabric, is a scheming Karl Mordo, ready to reenter the life of his former allies. If that’s not the bombshell used as a stinger to the first teaser trailer, then it’s not too late to change that fate.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness makes its way into this dimension’s theaters on March 25, 2022, with Chiwetel Ejiofor returning to screens in Netflix's The Old Guard on July 10.

Disney has an impressive library of animated movies, but since the start of the decade, the studio has been selecting numerous tales from this collection to adapt for live action. This includes using the best special and visual effects the movie-making industry has to offer to achieve a live action look for Disney movies that couldn't be fully or partially adapted in traditional live action. The Jungle Book did that in 2016 with everything that wasn't Mowgli, and following in its footsteps is The Lion King, arguably the biggest hit from the Disney Renaissance era.

The 1994 Lion King is still one of Disney's most popular releases, so this "live action" remake has its job cut out to come anywhere close to the legacy its animated predecessor has built up. That being said, the news surrounding the movie indicates that this is shaping up to be one of the studio's most ambitious projects. With that in mind, we've gathered all the details that have been released so far about The Lion King so you have a better idea of what to expect from this new journey into the Pride Rock kingdom.

What Have We Seen From The Lion King?

It took a while, but after getting a teaser in late November 2018, we finally got the full trailer for The Lion King in early April 2019, and, as you can see from the above video, it gave fans of the original a good look at how the characters in this version will fulfill all our dreams of the classic. Got chills yet?

What Is The Lion King's Release Date?

The Lion King will be released in theaters on July 19, 2019, a little over 25 years after the animated movie was released. Disney's recent live action remakes have traditionally come out between March and May, so putting Lion King in the latter half of the summer movie season is an interesting move. The main reason for this is likely because Dumbo already came out on March 29 of this year, and Aladdin debuted on May 24, so this gives each remake a bit of breathing room.

Of course, this is Disney we're talking about; the studio's track record with movies in the summer (even if it's more on the commercial side than the critical) is typically great. Plus, the original Lion King movie remains one of Disney's most popular animated releases, so you can be sure that audiences will come out in droves to see this new adaptation. So, the July release date probably won't affect The Lion King's performance negatively, and it doesn't seem that this will change, since no other studio has scheduled its own highly-anticipated blockbuster for that same opening weekend.

What Is The Lion King's Rating?

It took a while for us to learn what The Lion King's official MPAA rating would be, but looking at the studio's other live action remakes and the target audience, we were able to logically surmise that it would end up being a PG feature. Look at 2016's The Jungle Book. That was rated PG for "some sequences of scary action and peril." While The Lion King doesn't have a human as its central character like The Jungle Book did, the animal-centric action from the latter was a good indicator that the former would earn a similar rating.

Disney wants this movie to be accessible to almost everyone, so while the remake may have taken some creative liberties to be darker than its predecessor, the studio wouldn't risk making it PG-13. The Lion King has been rated PG "for sequences of violence and peril, and some thematic elements." So, it might be wise to leave the little ones at home and let them enjoy the animated Lion King for a few years before exposing them to this more intense version.

The Lion King's Director

Jon Favreau kicked off his directing career with 2001's Made, and he followed that up with 2003's Elf and 2005's Zathura. 2008's Iron Man, however, marked his biggest blockbuster venture yet, and, along with 2010's Iron Man 2, he helped lay the groundwork for what the Marvel Cinematic Universe would become in later years. After scaling back his MCU duties, Favreau kept the blockbuster train going with 2011's Cowboys and Aliens, and three years after that, he released the acclaimed comedy-drama Chef, which he also wrote and starred in.

This brings us to 2016's The Jungle Book, which was one of Disney's biggest hits of that year and no doubt the reason Favreau was tasked with tackling The Lion King before The Jungle Book 2. Favreau has proven he can deliver a compelling story revolved around realistic-looking, talking animals, so giving audiences a good Lion King re-telling should be no sweat for him.

Is The Live Action Lion King A Musical?

Disney's live action remakes have varied in terms of how closely they match the animated movies they're based off of. Some are straightforward adaptations that have taken a few creative liberties, like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. Others have been significantly different from their animated predecessors, like Maleficent and Alice in Wonderland.

It remains to be seen how much of the live action Lion King's plot will deviate from the original movie, but it's been confirmed that this new version (which is being penned by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales writer Jeff Nathanson) will remain a musical that features songs that we remember Simba and the gang belting out. Like Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King remake has thrown in an original tune to add extra flair, and, as a side note, Hans Zimmer has also been brought back to score the remake. Here's the complete soundtrack list:

Simba

After J.D. McCrary from K.C. Undercover is done voicing young Simba in The Lion King remake, Donald Glover will take over as the adult prince. Some of you may know Glover better as the rapper Childish Gambino, but since the start of the decade, Glover's acting profile has soared to impressive heights. For years he was primarily known as Troy Barnes on the TV series Community, but since then, he's appeared in big movies like Magic Mike XXL, The Martian and Spider-Man: Homecoming, and he also played Lando Calrissian in last year's Han Solo movie.

Glover has also been keeping his foot in the TV world through his work on the Emmy-nominated Atlanta. Even though we won't see his face, Glover appearing in The Lion King (and following in Matthew Broderick's footsteps) will be a good way for him to reach a younger demographic that isn't old enough to watch his other work.

Mufasa

The Lion King remake has only brought back one actor from the original movie, but of all the original performers who could have returned, no doubt this is the person most people wanted back for a reprisal. James Earl Jones will be voicing Mufasa again, and this is a solid choice. Jones' voice is one of the best in Hollywood, and if he's willing to bring life to the king of Pride Rock for a second time on the silver screen, then all power to him. This is the second character that Jones has recently revisited, as he reprised Darth Vader in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and the Star Wars Rebels TV series.

Nala

It's now official: Beyonce has snagged the role of Nala, taking over once Shahadi Wright Joseph from Hairspray Live! is through voicing the lioness. It was reported at the end of March 2017 that Beyonce was Favreau's top choice to voice Nala, but at the time, she hadn't made a decision about accepting the role because of her pregnancy. By August 2017, Beyonce was said to be nearing a "huge deal" to portray the lioness, and months later, she was finally announced as part of the cast.

We also know that her involvement won't just be acting-related. She was reportedly in talks to produce The Lion King's soundtrack, filling the same position that Elton John did in the animated movie. While that doesn't seem to have come to pass, she will be singing at least one song for the remake. With a colossal production like this, her talents will be incredibly valued.

Scar

Having signed on the dotted line, Chiwetel Ejiofor will succeed Jeremy Irons as the voice of Scar in The Lion King remake. This will be Ejiofor's first foray into voice acting, but his face has become all too familiar on the Hollywood circuit. Some of you may remember Ejiofor's earlier appearances in movies like Love Actually and Kinky Boots, but he scored worldwide acclaim in 2013 with his performance as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave.

Since then, he's had major roles in The Martian, Triple 9 and Doctor Strange. Ejiofor typically plays good guys on the big screen, but with that deep voice of his, we have no doubt he can deliver an intimidating Scar to the masses.

Timon

Simba left Pride Rock at a young age, but, thankfully, he has two figures to guide him into adulthood and give him a unique perspective on life. One of those animals was Timon, who was originally voiced by Nathan Lane. For the remake, Billy Eichner will take over as the meerkat, whose voice is just as memorable as Lane's, albeit in a different way.

Eichner is best know for playing Craig Middlebrooks on Parks & Recreation and Bill Epstein on Difficult People, as well as for chatting up New York City pedestrians on Billy on the Street. With Eichner playing Timon, we can't help wondering if this version of the character will be louder as he's explaining the merits of Hakuna Matata.

Pumbaa

You can't have Timon without Pumbaa right by his side, and while Ernie Sabella has continued to voice the flatulent warthog in various Lion King spinoff material, Seth Rogen will take over for the remake. While Rogen is famous for being one of Hollywood's top comedy actors, most of his movies definitely aren't family friendly (don't be fooled by Sausage Party).

However, he did voice Hogsqueal in 2008's The Spiderwick Chronicles, B.O.B in 2009's Monsters vs. Aliens and Mantis in 2016's Kung Fu Panda 3, so he can build off those performances with The Lion King to broaden his reach to younger moviegoers. They'll still have to wait a few more years to see what he does in live action, though.

Zazu

Even great rulers need help running their kingdoms efficiently, and Mufasa was fortunate to have the hornbill Zazu aiding him. Rowan Atkinson breathed life into the uptight majordomo in the original Lion King, and for the remake, John Oliver is taking over as the bird-brained confidant. Oliver is primarily known for his political comedy work on The Daily Show and currently with Last Week Tonight, but he's also built an impressive resume of voice work, from Bob's Burgers to Rick and Morty to the first two Smurfs movies. We're confident Oliver can deliver a stellar performance as the new Zazu, so he shouldn't ruffle any feathers.

Rafiki

Another member of Musfasa's "staff" is Rafiki, the mandrill who serves as the shaman of Pride Rock. The late Robert Guillame's version of Rafiki is best remembered from the animated Lion King for holding up the baby Simba for all the animals in front of Pride Rock to see. For the live action remake, Captain America: Civil War's John Kani will take over as Rafiki, and we're confident that he'll remain an important ally to both Mufasa and Simba. The big question is if Rafiki will be just as eccentric as he originally was or if he'll be toned down for this re-telling.

Sarabi

Simba's mother, Sarabi, didn't have nearly as much to do in The Lion King as daddy Mufasa did, but her presence was nonetheless valued. We're hoping that Alfre Woodard's version of the lioness will have more to do in the remake than Madge Sinclair's version did (maybe she can more actively aid Simba in overthrowing Scar). Regardless, Woodard is still a welcome addition to the cast. Her recent credits include State of Affairs, Luke Cage, Burning Sands and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

The Hyenas

The final characters on this list are Scar's goons, the hyenas Shenzi, Banzai and Ed. Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings voiced the trio, respectively, in the animated movie, and their realistic-looking counterparts will be played by Emerald City's Florence Kasumba, Man Seeking Woman's Eric Andre and Key & Peele's Keegan-Michael Key. However, while Kasumba's hyena is still named Shenzi, Andre and Key's hyenas have been renamed Azizi and Kamari, respectively.

It's unclear why there's been a name change, but let's not discount that they might be significantly altered in other ways. Perhaps the hyenas' comedic tendencies will be toned down in favor of making them scarier. The footage we've gotten so far from The Lion King hasn't given us a better idea of how they'll fit into the movie, but at the very least, you can expect them to continue carrying out Scar's will and to drop some sass while doing so.

The Lion King is just a little over a week from opening now, so be sure to bookmark this guide and stay tuned to CinemaBlend for important updates on Disney's live action remake!

Can you believe we're only 50 days out from The Lion King's big 'live-action' debut? Director Jon Favreau, armed with one of Disney's biggest animated hits of all time and a couple surprises up his sleeve, is about to test that Mouse House magic once again with a remake of this famed film from the '90s.

To celebrate this occasion, the studio has issued brand new posters of the new photo-realistic versions of your favorite characters from The Lion King. And in an interesting exercise, we placed those new character renderings next to their respective voice actors for comparison. See how the circle of life has spun its magic as we work through the list, starting with Simba himself.

Simba – Donald Glover

First off, let it be said that the family resemblance between older Simba and Mufasa is pitch perfect in terms of their new photo-real lion forms. Keep that in mind when you get to Mufasa further down the line, but for now let's get back to the future king. Donald Glover has assumed the vocal responsibilities for the new version of The Lion King, and if they can animate a smile that matches half of his charming grin onto that new form, it'll be a historic achievement.

Nala – Beyonce Knowles-Carter

While The Lion King's cast is definitely supposed to resemble a sort of hybrid between actor and animal, Beyonce and Nala are a pretty fine character match. Both have that regal air about them, and we wouldn't be surprised if after all is said and done, Nala starts to take after her real life counterpart by ruling with firm formation.

Mufasa – James Earl Jones

As the only returning cast member from the original Lion King cast, James Earl Jones will once again play Mufasa. But don't let the translation of Mufasa's looks into a more standard lion form fool you, Jones has indeed recorded all brand new vocals for the remake; even if the material is pretty close to what he had back in 1994. So that warm, authoritative voice will have a brand new animated face to speak out of, with new pearls of wisdom to boot.

Sarabi – Alfre Woodard

As the matriarch of the Pride Rock royal family, Sarabi is played in the modern Lion King cast by none other than legendary actor Alfre Woodard. Looking at both Woodard and Sarabi, there's definitely a similarity between the actor's face and the characters. But strangely enough, a case could be made to say that Simba's grown form gets his eyes from his father, but his finer facial features from his mother.

Scar – Chiwetel Ejiofor

Now here's where we run into a big point of push back between the fans and the animators. With the stellar casting of Chiwetel Ejiofor suiting the role of Simba's evil uncle Scar to a tee, there are some arguments as to whether or not the live-action rendering of this Lion King baddie does the original justice. Sure, he has the characteristically pronounced scar on his face, but depending on if you're a purist or not, the lack of a black mane or sparkling green eyes will have some prepared to accept and others to reject this variant.

Timon – Billy Eichner

Looking at the full poster for Timon's new Lion King makeover, it's comical how his character is proportioned on his one-sheet versus the rest of the cast. While most others have close ups that span between the title block and the character credit at the top, Billy Eichner's neurotic guru of the jungle is not so lucky, what with meerkats being of smaller stature than most of the other characters on display. Though, to be fair, that just lends to his credibility as an adorable singing dispensary of wisdom.

Pumbaa – Seth Rogen

The folks at Disney are really nailing it with Seth Rogen's Pumbaa, as The Lion King's better half to Billy Eichner's Timon looks like another one of those renderings that captures the spirt of character and performance perfectly. What's even funnier is the fact that when it comes to Rogen's smile, as well as the texture of his hair, Pumbaa seems to be a spiritual match, which will probably make him even more emotional about taking his place in Disney history.

Zazu – John Oliver

While you can't make a Hornbill look perfectly like John Oliver, at least not without some serious explaining to do, Zazu's new look in The Lion King is exactly what you'd expect when it comes to the king's majordomo. An air of informative wisdom and self-serious behavior show in both Oliver and his animated avatar, which has us thinking that if HBO and Disney could be the best of friends for one night, we could get an episode of Last Week Tonight in Pride Rock with Zazu.

Rafiki – John Kani

Wise counsel to Mufasa, and later Simba, in matters of Pride Rock, Rafiki's life lessons and blessings unify the royal family in their fates, and bring Simba back to his homeland when it needs him the most. Black Panther's John Kani plays the role of the shrewd baboon, who's always ready to literally knock some sense into someone in their darkest hour. Honestly, out of all of the characters we've seen so far, the resemblance between Kani and Rafiki is so close it's awe inspiring.

Young Simba – JD McCrary

We close out our cast rundown from The Lion King with the youngest characters in the main cast, young Simba and Nala. In the case of the young cat who wants to be king, recording artist and actor JD McCrary is the guy with the skills to bring Simba's cub days to life. And much like that little lion who will ascend to the throne, Mr. McCrary matches the light, eager energy that we know Simba to radiate in this part of his journey.

Young Nala – Shahadi Wright Joseph

Simba and Nala: a pair as iconic as any you could dream of from Disney storytelling. Just as it's important to see Simba go from wild eyed wander to restless voyager, we need to see Nala go from partner-in-crime to a stalwart supporter against Scar's legion. You can see both in the expression of the lion component of Nala, and you'll surely be able to hear it in not only Beyonce's adult version of the character, but also in Us star Shahadi Wright Joseph's performance as young Nala.

Remaking The Lion King is a task that could go either wonderfully right or horribly wrong. From the looks of the characters we're seeing come to the screen in these images, it looks like things are trending towards the better. If that's not Disney magic, then we don't know what is.

The Lion King graces Pride Rock with its presence, and that modern Disney magic, on July 19.

In 1994’s animated classic The Lion King, Oscar-winner Jeremy Irons provided the voice of Scar, one of Disney’s most menacing and captivating villains. For this summer’s photo-realistic CGI remake from director Jon Favreau, Chiwetel Ejiofor takes on the mantle and the mane of Simba’s treacherous uncle. It was the prospect of getting inside his head that made Chiwetel Ejiofor really want to play Scar, as he explained:

Scar is, simply put, a fascinating character, and the opportunity to examine his psychology and see what makes him tick is what interested Chiwetel Ejiofor about the role and what he wanted to explore in his performance. Chiwetel Ejiofor wanted to understand who Scar is, why he feels the way he does and how that leads to him doing the things that he does.

It’s not a simple psychology because Scar isn’t a black and white villain in the way characters like Maleficent (not the live-action one) and Ursula are. He’s evil to be sure, but like many great villains, he thinks that he’s the good guy, or at least that his actions are somehow justified.

As Chiwetel Ejiofor told Entertainment Weekly, Scar feels that he isn’t where he is supposed to be, that the universe is out to get him and he is being denied something that he feels he’s owed; in this case, the throne. It has shades of Stannis Baratheon’s claim to the Iron Throne, but instead of being governed by a strict sense of duty and right, Scar is governed by envy and desire.

That psychology results in Scar having a massive chip on his shoulder and crafting a narrative in his head that he’s the downtrodden hero that has been mistreated by the world and those around him. And he naturally sees Simba as someone else who stands in his way.

Despite being a member of the royal family, this character, inspired by Hamlet’s King Claudius, sees himself as an outcast and pals around with the hyenas that also don’t have a place within the circle of life governed by the pride. You can see why Chiwetel Ejiofor was so excited to dig into Scar’s psychology because there’s a lot going on there.

Chiwetel Ejiofor talked about what that psychology would do over time, but it’s also interesting to ask what birthed those feelings in the first place. Therefore, I’m curious if The Lion King will explore the history of Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Scar at all. In the original film, Scar is simply named Scar and we never really get much about how he got his namesake.

However, in The Lion King: Six New Adventures, a collection of spin-off books released in 1994, one of the books titled A Tale of Two Brothers tells the story of Mufasa and his younger brother when they were princes. In that, Scar’s real name is Taka, which means trash in Swahili, and honestly, that would kind of explain why he’s so pissed off.

The elder Mufasa is either the first in line or chosen for the throne (Pride Lands succession rules are unclear) and Taka tries to get him attacked by a buffalo in order to make him look foolish and have their father pick Taka to be king instead. This plan backfires and Taka is hurt, getting his scar in the process.

We don’t know if this backstory is canon, but it would be interesting to see The Lion King give us something new by touching on Scar’s backstory, whatever it is. In this instance, he in many ways was always jealous and deceitful. Like Walter White was always Heisenberg, Taka was always Scar, long before his looks reflected what was on the inside.

Whatever the case, it sounds like Chiwetel Ejiofor is diving deep into the mind of an the iconic villain for his portrayal of Scar. You can see his Scar when The Lion King hits theaters on July 19. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule for all of this summer’s biggest movies.

Disney has a lot of remakes of their classic animated movies coming down the pipeline, and The Lion King is definitely among the most anticipated. While not live action in the literal sense, the new Lion King will use the same realistic CGI that The Jungle Book used last year to re-tell the House of Mouse's beloved tale in an eye-catching new way. The remake has been gathering its cast since February, and now there's word that Disney wants Doctor Strange's Chiwetel Ejiofor to play Scar.

According to The Wrap, Chiwetel Ejiofor is currently in talks to voice Scar in The Lion King remake. This news comes a few weeks after it was rumored that Hugh Jackman had signed on to voice the feline antagonist, who was previously voiced by Jeremy Irons in the 1994 animated movie. Should a deal be signed, Ejiofor would join a cast that consists of Donald Glover as Simba, Billy Eichner as Timon, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, John Oliver as Zazu and James Earl Jones reprising Mufasa. Beyonce was also eyed to play Nala, but it hasn't been confirmed yet if she accepted the role.

Chiwetel Ejiofor's cinematic credits from earlier in his career include Love Actually, Serenity, American Gangster and 2012, but he rose to worldwide fame in 2013 for his performance as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe. Since then, he's built a larger fanbase with The Martian and Doctor Strange. Ejiofor baritone voice would be a good fit for Scar's intimidating personality, and I'm already excited at the idea of his iteration of Scar facing off with James Earl Jones' Mufasa. Ejiofor also demonstrated his singing ability in 2005's Kinky Boots, so it will be interesting to see how his rendition of "Be Prepared" sounds.

The Lion King will follow in Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella's footsteps by being a straightforward re-telling of its animated predecessor, as opposed to a creative departure like Maleficent. Having delivered a hit with the new Jungle Book, Jon Favreau is directing the feature and working off a script written by Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales' Jeff Nathanson. The Lion King kicked off its production earlier this summer, and attendees at D23 last month were treated to exclusive footage that teased what this remake's landscapes and animals will look like, before ending with the classic shot of Rafiki holding up the baby Simba on Pride Rock as "The Circle of Life" played.

The Lion King opens in theaters on July 19, 2019. While we wait for more updates on the remake, look through our 2017 movie guide to find out what's being released during the remainder of the year.

It's pretty clear that Chiwetel Ejiofor's Mordo is going to have a very key part in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- particularly within the Doctor Strange stories. While the character was a mostly-mustache twirling villain when introduced in the comics, he earned a surprising amount of depth in his first live-action outing - going from being the titular hero's friend to potential worst enemy. It's one of the most significant arcs in the movie, which is why director Scott Derrickson felt that it was very important to make it all stick with blockbuster's post-credits sequence.

We've written extensively about the Doctor Strange post-credits scene and what it means for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but earlier this week I had the pleasure of specifically talking with Scott Derrickson about its creation. Doing an interview over the phone, I asked the filmmaker about the sequence, and after noting that it wasn't an idea that was developed until the midst of post-production, he explained why giving Mordo the extra moment wound up being incredibly important for the development of the character. Said Derrickson,

Mordo most definitely did go through some bad experiences in the first Doctor Strange. When we meet him, he is a completely devout follower of The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), and is willing to sacrifice his own life in the name of the greater good. Unfortunately, learning that The Ancient One has been siphoning powers from Dormammu and the Dark Dimension most definitely pisses him off, and when Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) begins to manipulate time, it proves to be the final straw. The post-credits scene most definitely solidifies this, as we not only learn that Mordo has been sticking to the solo path, but that he is now doing his part to rid the world of sorcerers.

As Scott Derrickson mentioned to me, however, the post-credits scene wasn't just about giving Mordo an extra scene either. The writer/director also loved the idea that it allowed him to bring back the character Jonathan Pangborn, as he really enjoyed his time collaborating with Benjamin Bratt - even if it was just for one scene.

Sadly, while it seems all but 100 percent guaranteed that we will get to see Chiwetel Ejiofor again in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Benjamin Bratt's time has probably come to an end.

We have plenty more from my interview with Scott Derrickson coming your way in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that -- and look for Doctor Strange on Blu-ray and DVD on February 28th.

Warning: MAJOR spoilers ahead for Doctor Strange. Don't read any further if you have not seen the latest Marvel movie!

Marvel Studios has done something truly amazing over the course of the last eight years. In the span of 14 stellar films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has introduced an army of amazing silver screen heroes that come in all shapes and sizes, and never fail to entertain. However, by placing so much emphasis on heroes, the MCU's villains have historically suffered. That all seems to have changed with Doctor Strange, because the film officially set up Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) as Marvel's most compelling villain since Tom Hiddleston's Loki. Seriously, he's that great.

For the most part, Marvel has treated the majority of its villains as disposable analogs to our heroes. With the notable exception of Loki, most of the villains in Phases 1 and 2 were introduced, fought and killed within the course of a single movie. While Doctor Strange certainly continues that trend with Kaecilius and (possibly) Dormammu, the film goes one step further by grooming Mordo as a fascinating villain for a future Doctor Strange adventure. The movie takes time to explore Mordo's rationale and mentality for thinking the way he does, and allows him to develop as a character before developing him as a villain.

That idea pretty much gets to the root of why Mordo works as a new villain: his point of view actually makes sense. It's hard to truly empathize with bad guys such as Kaecilius or Dormammu because their respective outlooks on the universe are utterly apocalyptic. By contrast, Mordo simply cares about rules, law and order. He abandons Stephen Strange and the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj not because he loses faith in his own mission or because he decides he wants to live a selfish existence; he strikes out on his own because he believes that Strange and Wong have lost their way. Mordo cares about upholding "Natural Law," and his views (despite their hard line, fundamentalist nature) make quite a bit of sense from an outsider's point of view. It's a perfect reversal on the typical hero/villain dynamic because Doctor Strange shows how the hero is the one willing to bend the rules for the greater good - rather than the other way around.

As previously mentioned, this brings Mordo closer to Loki-status than any other Marvel villain to date. They're two of the only Marvel villains whose missions have not been driven by a simple lust for power. Just as the Thor films have spent time to establish Loki's deep-seated resentment of his brother, Doctor Strange gives Karl Mordo a legitimate gripe against Stephen Strange for his actions -- creating a conflict that's equal parts ideological and supernatural. Marvel hasn't offered too many personal battles between heroes and villains over the course of the last 14 films outside of Thor's rivalry with Loki, so the impending conflict between Mordo and Strange already seems like it's going to have a far stronger emotional element than anything we've seen from the MCU before. We already cannot wait for Doctor Strange 2.

Much of this success lies in Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance. Nothing about his take on Mordo is one-note, and he really takes the time to flesh out Mordo as a man. He shows genuine compassion for Strange during our hero's training in Kamar-Taj, fear for the future of the world when it seems that Kaecilius may win and pain when he believes that his friends have started down a path that he cannot follow. There's a look in his eyes as he leaves his allies in Hong Kong that almost makes us want to follow him. We will just have to wait and see where this new course takes him.

One thing is absolutely certain: the success of Baron Mordo shows quite a bit of promise for the future villains that we will see during Phase 3. What did you think of Chiwetel Ejiofor's take on Mordo? Do you think he is going to become one of Marvel's best villains in the near future? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

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

Fitting into the tradition of Marvel Studios origin films, Doctor Strange traces the narrative of the titular arrogant surgeon as he goes on a life-changing adventure that puts him on the path to become one of the most powerful superheroes on Earth. He is, however, not the only character who winds up undergoing a massive change. Playing a key supporting role, Chiwetel Ejiofor's Karl Mordo goes through a key transformation himself... and it's one that we will see important consequences from as the Marvel Cinematic Universe moves into Phase Four and beyond.

So what exactly happens with Mordo in Doctor Strange? That's exactly what we're here to discuss in this extended feature analyzing the ending of the Scott Derrickson-directed blockbuster. So strap in, and let's take a look at what we've seen from Mordo thus far, and what we can expect from him in the near and distant future!

Why Mordo Left Kamar-Taj

For years, Karl Mordo was a student at Kamar-Taj, learning in the ways of the mystic arts with The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) as his teacher. Like Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), he entered the Nepal training facility as a stubborn, close-minded individual - but after learning to open his mind and accept that there are elements of our universe he didn't understand, he became an incredibly powerful sorcerer at The Ancient One's side. He spent years as a loyal warrior for the forces of good in our universe -- proudly willing to take evil lives in order to spare innocent others -- but in Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange we watch as a major revelation and an incredible abuse of power causes Mordo's faith to waiver, and for him to turn against what he formerly believed.

The first blow comes at the end of the second act, when Doctor Strange makes the unfortunate decision to reveal a dark secret that The Ancient One has been keeping -- potentially for centuries. While the Sorcerer Supreme forbade any of her followers from abusing dark magic and tapping into the power of Dormammu in the Dark Dimension, it turns out that she was actually doing it herself. Because there is no such thing as time in the Dark Dimension, The Ancient One tapped into it in order to extend her own life. It was discovering this that led Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelson) to see her as a hypocrite and seek Dormammu's power for himself -- but this was kept hidden from Mordo. When he does finally learn about it from Strange in the New York Sanctum Sanctorum, it most definitely rocks him to his core -- as he truly put all of his confidence in the ways of The Ancient One, and was very clearly disturbed to learn that she isn't the perfect force for good that she portrayed herself as.

Deeply troubled as he was after losing trust in his mentor, Mordo was still willing to fight with Strange to prevent Kaecilius from bringing Dormammu to Earth -- but it's this battle that winds up being the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back for the green-robed sorcerer. While Mordo is more than willing to kill Kaecilius and his zealots, what he's definitely not cool with is watching his surgeon-turned-wizard ally/friend bend the rules of nature to stop the encroachment of the Dark Dimension. It's foreshadowed early in the movie that Mordo has a serious problem with Strange using the Eye of Agamotto a.k.a. the Time Stone, and it's Strange's continued abuse of the talisman that drives him away from the Kamar-Taj.

For those familiar with Karl Mordo from the comics, this is a significant deviation from the way that the character was originally introduced, as Mordo was immediately presented as Doctor Strange's arch-nemesis in the hero's second issue/adventure. For the big screen adaptation, however, the filmmakers agreed that the best way to use him would be to make him Strange's ally at first, thus giving his relationship with the protagonist more weight and meaning. As co-writer Jon Spaihts explained to us in an interview,

It's a tale that we've seen play out in dramas for centuries, as two former allies find themselves in philosophical conflict, and become enemies as a result. Over the course of Doctor Strange, the titular hero learns how magic can be utilized to help our world, while Mordo instead learns how magic can be utilized to corrupt it. It should make for some great narrative material moving forward in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

What's Next For Mordo?

Within the main portion of Doctor Strange, the last time we see Karl Mordo is when he is walking away from Strange and Wong (Benedict Wong) after together they have managed to save the world from Kaecilius and Dormammu. Those who stayed for the post-credits sequence, however, got an extra moment with the sorcerer -- and it's one that helps spell out what we can expect from him in the not-too-distant future.

After spending months away following the events in Hong Kong, Mordo finds himself in the workshop of Jonathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt) -- another former student from Kamar-Taj. It's during this encounter that the powerful wizard reveals that he has begun to understand a new way to look at the world of magic -- understanding that it corrupts and distorts natural laws. While crippling Pangborn, reducing him to the condition he was in before his studies in the mystic arts, Mordo explains that he now sees it as his duty to help stop this perversion and rid the world of sorcerers.

So who is Mordo going to go after? Well, pretty much anyone who was taught by The Ancient One certainly now has a target on their back -- but it's not exactly hard to imagine that Mordo is going to have a specific interest in taking down Doctor Strange. Not only was it Strange who was the messenger who revealed The Ancient One's dark secret and ultimately drove Mordo from his faith, but he also happens to simply be one of the most powerful sorcerers around.

Of course, in order to take out Doctor Strange and all of the other masters of magic in the world, Mordo is going to need both a plan and probably some assistance. It's entirely possible that he himself could wind up teaming with Dormammu -- as one of the first major Doctor Strange arcs in the comics saw Mordo using power from the Dark Dimension to take out the Sorcerer Supreme -- but we'd be just as happy seeing him work with another new character. Perhaps it could ultimately be the Marvel Cinematic Universe's way of introducing us to Mephisto.

That catches you up on what we can expect from Karl Mordo going forward, but there's still the question of exactly when we will start to see all of this unfold...

When Will We See Mordo Again?

It's made pretty damn clear in Doctor Strange that Marvel Studios has big plans for the future of the mystical side of their big screen comic book universe. So far the biggest evidence of this is the fact that both Doctor Strange and Wong have been confirmed for Joe and Anthony Russo's upcoming The Avengers: Infinity War. What remains up in the air, however, is exactly when we can expect to see Chiwetel Ejiofor reprise his role as Karl Mordo, as there are three distinct directions in which the franchise can go.

The first option is that, like Strange and Wong, Mordo will make his next Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance in aforementioned The Avengers: Infinity War. The Russos and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have discussed at length their efforts to have the blockbuster include every available character we've seen in the franchise thus far -- and that's a list that should include Mordo. That being said, considering Thanos should be taking up most of the film's villain time, it probably wouldn't give him ample opportunity to really start executing his master plan.

If we don't see Mordo's plan start coming into play in The Avengers: Infinity War, the second possibility is that it will begin to unfold in the still-untitled Avengers 4. Because we know literally nothing about the movie yet, it's actually legitimately possible that we could see the movie feature Mordo as a central villain a la Loki in the first Avengers. If Strange's new enemy does in fact team up with another dangerous entity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it may present a threat that Strange can't take on himself, leading him to call in the help of some superhero buddies.

The third -- and most likely -- choice is that we will really get to see Mordo start his arc as a villain in the not-yet-announced Doctor Strange 2. The benefit of saving Mordo for a direct sequel to Strange's first solo adventure would be that the narrative could really focus on the relationship between the former friends, and create deeply personal conflict without the distractions that come packaged with Marvel's capstone blockbusters. Sadly, this would mean not seeing the subject matter teased in Doctor Strange's post-credits scene until at least 2020 -- but we're willing to wait so long as it's quality.

What did you think of Mordo's role in Doctor Strange? What do you think his master plan will be? Who would you like to see him team up with? When do you think we'll get to see him on screen again? Hit the comments section below with your thoughts, and be sure to stay tuned for more updates about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Doctor Strange. If you have not yet seen the film, and don't wish to know any details about the ending, we recommend clicking away to another one of our wonderful articles!

As played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Baron Mordo in director Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange isn't really a perfect representation of the character from the comics. In the source material, the green robes-clad sorcerer is immediately introduced to readers as a villain who wants nothing more than to kill Strange and The Ancient One -- but the movie adaptation changes this to make him a close ally and mentor to the titular former surgeon. Some comic book purists may wind up taking some issue with this -- but the filmmakers did it for a very important reason: it was the only way to actually have the relationship between Strange and Mordo actually mean anything.

This week, I had the pleasure of sitting down one-on-one with Doctor Strange co-writer Jon Spaihts, and amongst the many topics we discussed was the connection between Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor's Marvel Cinematic Universe characters. Referencing the earliest Doctor Strange comics by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, I asked about the process of morphing Mordo to make him a deeper and more complex character. Spaihts noted that this was something that Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, and he noted early in the process, acknowledging that it would prove to be very important in the future of the big screen franchise. Said Spaihts,

While Mordo does start out as Doctor Strange's ally in the film, audiences watch that relationship take an unfortunate turn as the end of the movie plays out (including the second post-credits sequence). Up until Strange's arrival, Mordo is a devout follower of The Ancient One who believes that he is doing the right thing in initiating Dr. Stephen Strange to the world of magic... but due to some important revelations, his faith is rocked. By the end of the story, he is not only shocked to learn that The Ancient One has been hypocritically stealing power from The Dark Dimension, but also watched Doctor Strange corrupt the laws of nature in order to save the world. These events prove to be a wedge between Strange and Mordo, and it's a conflict that we will likely say play out further in Doctor Strange 2 (if not sooner).

This emotional drama winds up playing out effectively in Doctor Strange, proving that Jon Spaihts and company were 100 percent correct -- as I, as a fan, am definitely invested in seeing what happens between Strange and Mordo in the future. Unfortunately, it's a similar lack of connection between characters that winds up harming Mads Mikkelsen's Kaecilius' role in the blockbuster -- making him a mostly underwhelming villain. At least we can be 90% sure that won't be a problem in the sequel.

Hit the comments to tell us your thoughts about Mordo's representation in Doctor Strange, and stay tuned for a whole lot more from my interviews with the Marvel film's cast and filmmakers!

Making movies based on religious material is always an interesting proposition. While there are millions interested in the subject matter, it can also be somewhat divisive. Take, for example, the new movie about Jesus' most well-known female follower, Mary Magdalene. It's probably destined to be controversial, but the filmmakers behind it seem to be trying balance the scales by building the greatest cast they can. Chiwetel Ejiofor is reportedly up for a role in the new film that would see him playing Peter, the most well known of Jesus' apostles.

The planned film will follow the life of Mary Magdalene, one of the female followers of Jesus Christ. Rooney Mara will play the title role, while Joaquin Phoenix will portray Jesus. Now, The Wrap is reporting that Chiwetel Ejiofor is in talks to take the role of Peter. In Roman Catholicism, Peter is recognized as the first Pope, making him a major figure in modern western Christianity. Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of the hottest actors working today, making him a great choice for the role. His career now spans every sort of movie imaginable. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in 12 Years a Slave. He'll also be playing Baron Mordo in Marvel's Doctor Strange later this year.

It's unknown at this time exactly what sort of a story the Mary Magdalene film is planning on telling. The character of Mary has been a controversial one throughout the centuries. In the middle ages, she was portrayed as a reformed prostitute, though none of the official books of the Bible actually refer to her in that way. In popular culture, Mary has been portrayed as one of Jesus' closest followers, going so far as to make her a romantic partner of his in such films as The Last Temptation of Christ and The Da Vinci Code.

At this point, it appears that Chiwetel Ejiofor is only in talks for the role of Peter, so time will tell whether or not he winds up signing on the dotted line. With Rooney Mara and Joaquin Phoenix playing the two leads, and Chiwetel Ejiofor also in the mix, it would appear that the filmmakers are trying to put together a diverse cast for the film. It should make for a unique telling of this well-known story, and could potentially be a crossover hit if played right.

A Mary Magdalene movie is bound to have a very different perspective on the events of the Bible. Are you interested in seeing it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

"These dudes," indeed! With Scott Derrickson’s Doctor Strange setting up shop in New York City to film some very public scenes, photos of Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor in full costume as Stephen Strange and Baron Karl Amadeus Mordo started to surface. Rather than run from them, Derrickson embraced the frenzy with this amazing tweet:  

Previously, Marvel had shared official photos of Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, a brilliant surgeon whose hands are irreparably damaged in a devastating car accident. Instead of accepting the loss of his greatest assets, Strange embarks on a journey in search of a healing factor, opening his mind to the mystic arts. While we previously understood that Strange was going to look like this:

But this new image, shared by Scott Derrickson, gives Marvel fans the first real look at Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo, another sorcerer whose role in the Doctor Strange film remains mysterious. This photo (and a few others that are floating around online) suggests that Strange and Mordo are working together in these New York City scenes. Marvel Comics readers might wonder about that, as Mordo has often been a villain on the pages of the Doctor Strange stories. Now we have to wonder if that dynamic might shift for Derrickson’s movie.

The costumes, however, are spectacular. Just incredible. Benedict Cumberbatch was a spot-on choice for Strange, and the touches of white in his hair are beautiful accents that ALMOST distract from the cape that he’s rocking in the photo. Simply put, that IS Stephen Strange. Baron Mordo also looks in line with his comic counterpart, and adding Chiwetel Ejiofor to any ensemble makes it that much better.

Doctor Strange is the first solo Marvel Phase Three movie to introduce a new character, after Captain America: Civil War adds Black Panther and Spider-Man to the MCU. And now we’re wondering if there will be some form of Strange footage tied to Civil War - be it a post-credit sequence, or an official trailer attached to the Marvel movie in May. Scott Derrickson has time, and he’s still filming (as you can tell). In the meantime, Marvel is getting fans ready for Doctor Strange as it opens in theaters on November 4.

After Captain America: Civil War hits theaters in May, Marvel's Phase Three will continue later this year with Doctor Strange. One of Marvel's most prominent heroes since 1964, there have been many attempts to get a Doctor Strange movie made over the years, but now that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is growing exponentially more popular, the time has come to finally have the Sorcerer Supreme get his live action due.

Compared to the other MCU movies, Doctor Strange is (no pun intended) one of the stranger entries. Although magic and mysticism has been alluded to in previous projects set in this franchise, the movie is going to swing that proverbial door fully open. Just like Marvel's other movies, a lot of details surrounding the movie are being kept secret, but every so often, new information makes its way online, whether it's from a casting announcement or one of the creative team dropping tidbits and teases. Taking these into account, here you'll find everything we know so far about Doctor Strange!

Let's start with a look at the trailer:

Warning! Some possible SPOILERS are ahead.

What Is The Doctor Strange Release Date?

Marvel's releases have varied, but most of the time, they've come out around the summertime. Doctor Strange is breaking away from that tradition by hitting U.S. theaters on November 4, 2016. This will be Marvel's second November release, preceded by Thor: The Dark World on November 8, 2013. Early November is typically when blockbusters start to come out in full force following those glorious summer months, so Doctor Strange will help kick off that period, and better yet, it comes only a few days after Halloween.

What Is The Doctor Strange Rating?

Doctor Strange has yet to be officially rated, but like all the MCU movies before it, it's guaranteed to be PG-13 in the United States. Marvel wants their movies to reach the widest audience possible, but they also want to tell stories that are more mature than what kids are seeing in the cartoons. So even though Doctor Strange will feature a fair amount of violence, intense images and maybe even some cursing, it will still fall into that area where it will be accessible to people of nearly all ages, although the younger viewers may need a parent with them. After all, just because something is PG-13 doesn't mean it won't push the boundaries. Remember The Dark Knight?

The Director

Director Scott Derrickson was hired to helm Doctor Strange in June 2014, and given the tone the movie is going for, he seems like a good choice. Derrickson's background is primarily rooted in horror, having directed movies like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister and Deliver Us from Evil. He also has some sci-fi experience directing 2008'sThe Day the Earth Stood Still, so transitioning into a superhero movie should be easy. So, why does he seem like a fit for Doctor Strange? Well, the good Doctor spends his time harnessing magic to fight otherworldly threats, many of which look monstrous and scary. While Doctor Strange shouldn't be considered a horror movie, it will definitely have some scary elements, so, naturally, you'd want a horror director to be the one to realize that vision.

What Is Doctor Strange About?

Just like the comics, Doctor Strange will follow the adventures of Stephen Strange, a brilliant neurosurgeon whose life is veered off course when he's caught in a car accident. Although he survives, his hands are irreparably damaged, thus ending his career. Desperate to restore his hands, Strange travels around the world for a cure and eventually finds The Ancient One (more on that individual in a bit) in the East. Rather than help him return to his old life, The Ancient One tutors him in the mystic arts, and after completing his training, he moves to New York and sets up shop in the Sanctum Sanctorum as the new Sorcerer Supreme.

Using both his own natural abilities and objects like the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation, Doctor Strange will battle mystical threats on Earth and in alternate dimensions like the Astral Plane and the Dark Dimension. The movie has also been described as "psychedelic", and having a different feel compared to the other Marvel movies, so fans should be in for a visual treat.

Stephen Strange

After months of rumors over who might play Stephen Strange, with names like Joaquin Phoenix and Keanu Reeves tossed out as contenders, Benedict Cumberbatch was officially confirmed as the Sorcerer Supreme in December 2014. Over a year later, we got our first look at the actor in the Doctor's costume, but until a preview comes out, fans will have to keep waiting for a taste of his performance. We don't even know if Cumberbatch will use Strange's America accent or if he'll retain his own British one. Fun fact: Cumberbatch's Sherlock co-star, Martin Freeman, has also been added to the MCU as Everett Ross in Captain America: Civil War.

Although Doctor Strange will be an origin story, Stephen Strange was first mentioned in Captain America: The Winter Soldier as one of the folks that could pose a threat to HYDRA. Marvel hasn't revealed yet when exactly in the MCU timeline Doctor Strange takes place, but given how these movies tend to follow one after another, the reasonable assumption is that it will happen after Captain America: Civil War. So even before he studied magic, Strange's reputation was big enough that he was on the terrorist organization's radar.

The Ancient One

Stephen Strange couldn't have become the Sorcerer Supreme without training under The Ancient One, and in Doctor Strange, that mysterious instructor will be played by Tilda Swinton. This casting is without a doubt the most radical departure from the source material. In the comics, The Ancient One is an elderly, Asian man, while, as you can see above, Swinton is a white woman. That being said, Doctor Strange is a story featuring magic, and with a figure like The Ancient One, their physical appearance can be adjusted if necessary. There will presumably be some explanation about how they assumes many forms or may be neither fully woman or man. Whether we get a specific reason or their gender is left ambiguous, The Ancient One (who is the latest individual to carry that title) will train Stephen Strange in the mystic arts after he comes to them originally to heal his hands. Since the comic book Ancient One continued to advise Stephen Strange in the spirit realm after he died, even if something bad happens to Swinton's Ancient One in the movie, we could still see her guide her pupil from the great beyond during the rest of the story or in a sequel.

Baron Karl Mordo

Stephen Strange won't be the only student of The Ancient One seen in Doctor Strange. Baron Karl Mordo will be played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, and although he also doesn't look exactly like his comic book counterpart, he's being set up as a major player in this movie. Doctor Strange fans know Mordo as the Sorcerer Supreme's chief human antagonist, but moviegoers won't see Ejiofor's iteration as a villain...at least not right away. Instead, this Mordo is described as an "amalgamation" of several characters from the Doctor Strange mythos who won't be entirely villainous. His long relationship with The Ancient One was also described as "very deep and very connected." It sounds like Mordo will start out as an ally/associate to Stephen Strange when we first meet him, but given their history in the comics, don't be surprised if Mordo eventually turns to the dark side, whether in this story or another.

Rachel McAdams' Character

Last September, Rachel McAdams was confirmed to be playing the female lead in Doctor Strange, and for a while it was rumored she might play someone like Clea or Night Nurse. At the time of this writing, her character hasn't been named yet, but we do know how she fits into the story. McAdam's character is a fellow surgeon of Stephen Strange's who serves as a "lynchpin to his old life" after he becomes a sorcerer. It's thanks to her that he'll be able to "reconnect and anchor" his humanity, so although she won't be a magic user, she'll still play a crucial role in helping the good Doctor balance between his old, normal life and his new, magical life. Unless the MCU has decided to radically change the background of one of the women in Strange's life in the comics, it sounds like McAdams is playing an original character rather than someone established, but time will tell.

Mads Mikkelsen's Character

Since Mordo isn't Doctor Strange primary antagonist, someone else needs to fill his villainous shoes, and that's where Hannibal's Mads Mikkselen comes in. Like with McAdams, Mikkelsen's character hasn't been named yet, but he's been described as a sorcerer who "breaks off into his own sect." He also believes The Ancient One is only keen on protecting her power base and believes our world would be better off "if we were to allow some of these other things through." When Mikkelsen's casting was first rumored, many fans speculated he was playing Dormammu, the Dark Dimension's ruler and arguably Strange's greatest enemy. That doesn't appear to be the case anymore, unless they've altered Dormammu so that he was originally a human, but later transforms into a demon. Either way, it sounds like Mikkselsen's character is not only powerful, but has a fair amount of followers at his side, so it won't be easy for Strange to take him down.

Wong

When he's studying at the Sanctum Sanctorum or physically traveling the world (as opposed to his astral self), Stephen Strange is accompanied by Wong, and The Martian's Benedict Wong (how appropriate) will play him in the movie. Rather than being Strange's manservant, MCU Wong is described as his "valet" who "performs healing duties, assists in occult matters, is knowledgeable in martial arts, and tends to Strange's affairs. Although Wong can't conjure magic on his own in the comics, he has read many texts about the mystic arts, so he's been able to assist Strange with performing spells. He's also a talented martial artist, so if a physical threat veers his way, he can defend himself. Wong was assigned to work for Strange by The Ancient One in the comics, so maybe that's how they'll meet in the MCU. Aside from his assigned tasks, we don't know what's in store for Wong in the movie, but presumably he'll be looked at more as an equal of Strange's rather than just his assistant.

Nicodemus West

Rachel McAdams' character won't be the only character from Stephen Strange's former life. Boardwalk Empire's Michael Stuhlbarg will play Nicodemus West, a "rival scientist" to Strange, so clearly these two either didn't get along or were highly competitive. In the comics, West performed the surgery that saved Strange's hands, but when he learned that the nerve damage is permanent, he was devastated. West then traveled to the East to find Strange, but when he just missed him, he stayed behind to study magic under The Ancient One. Although he didn't complete his training, he used what he learned about healing in his profession. West eventually became an adversary to Strange when he became desperate for power, but there's no word yet on how involved he'll be with Strange's life when he returns to New York. At best, we may see him somehow join forces with Mads Mikkelsen's character to ruin Strange's life.

Differences Between The Comic Books And Movie

Going off the news that's been release so far, it looks like Doctor Strange will be mostly be faithful to the comics. He'll still have his unique abilities and artifacts, his hideout will still be the Sanctum Sanctorum and the movie will feature major players from his supporting cast. Character-wise, the most notable changes are, as pointed earlier, with Mordo and The Ancient One, who don't physically resemble their comic book counterparts, but will ideally stay true to the spirit of what makes the unique. In Mordo's case, he doesn't appear to be an antagonist, though that could change for a sequel.

Perhaps the biggest thing hasn't been confirmed yet is whether the magic in Doctor Strange will legitimately be magic, i.e. unexplainable phenomena. So far in the MCU, forces beyond human comprehension have been attributed either to advanced science, like what the Asgardians have, or something cosmic, like the Infinity Stones. Magic is one of the few forces from the comics that has yet to be explored in the MCU, and for the sake of making Doctor Strange unique, many will agree that the magic seen on the big screen will be the classic kind of mysticism rather than something explained away in a few minutes.

Like all MCU movies, Doctor Strange promises to be something to look forward to, and, from what we've heard so far, there's no doubt that it will bring something totally new to Marvel's film world.

This November, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is finally exploring the world of magic through Doctor Strange. Previously described as "psychedelic," it’s already expected to be one of the most visually exciting movies this franchise has produced, with the Sorcerer Supreme battling all kinds of supernatural threats. In fact, according to Chiwetel Ejiofor, a.k.a. the movie’s Baron Mordo, and Anthony Mackie, a.k.a. the MCU’s Falcon, Doctor Strange will be 2016’s biggest superhero movie hit.

While interviewing Ejiofor and Mackie about their new movie, Triple 9, DesdeHollywood asked the actors which Marvel movie will be better: Captain America: Civil War or Doctor Strange? Ejiofor obviously supported his own project, but despite starring in Captain America: Civil War, Mackie agreed with him about Doctor Strange. As he put it:

Thanks to concept art that’s come out over the last six months, we know exactly what Mackie’s talking about when it comes to how Doctor Strange will be "stimulating." Thanks to learning the mystic arts from The Ancient One, Stephen Strange is able to conjure all sorts of weird magic, whether it’s uttering a simple spell or using one of his ancient artifacts in the Sanctum Sanctorum. However, the mind-blowing will come when Strange starts traveling to other planes of existence, like the Dark Dimension, which will be home to all kinds of creatures and entities that would freak us out in our world. As director Scott Derrickson put it, there’s going to be a lot of "crazy shit" going on, so it’s no wonder the actors are excited for it. Of course, Mackie also recently said that Captain America: Civil War is Marvel’s best movie to date, so he’s really just eager for all the projects in this ever-expanding world.

Like in the comics, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange will start out as a talented surgeon whose hands are damaged in a car accident. Desperate to get them cured, he’ll eventually come across The Ancient One, who teaches him the ways of magic and sets him on his path to being Earth’s defender from supernatural forces. Unlike his comic book counterpart, Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo is said to not be completely villainous, and instead an "amalgamation" of several characters. Co-starring alongside Cumberbatch and Ejiofor in Doctor Strange are Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One, Rachel McAdams as an unnamed surgeon colleague of Strange’s, Mads Mikkelsen as an unnamed sorcerer bad guy, Michael Stuhlbarg as Strange’s surgeon rival Nicodemus West and Benedict Wong as Strange’s valet Wong.

Doctor Strange will cast its spell on moviegoers November 4, while Mackie gets to reprise Falcon sooner for Captain America: Civil War on May 6.

Marvel Studios holds its cards incredibly close to the vest. It’s become almost a punchline of late as actors have had to brush off questions about plans for their characters by saying that the studio won’t let them answer. It’s become obviously frustrating for many actors who would love to talk more about what they’re doing, but at least one Marvel man doesn’t seem to mind it. Chiwetel Ejiofor sees the secrecy as normal. Who really wants to know all the answers early anyway?

As part of the promotion for his new film Triple 9, Chiwetel Ejiofor was asked about his upcoming role as Baron Mordo in the upcoming Doctor Strange movie. Actually, to be fair, HeyUGuys prefaced their question by asking what Ejiofor was allowed to talk about in regards to the project. Then, he was asked what he thought about the need for secrecy in general. The actor didn’t really think much of it to be honest.

Chiwetel Ejiofor makes the point that it’s normal to not talk about movies until the right time, and he uses the press junket for Triple 9 as a prime example, saying that he hasn’t spoken about that movie very much until now. The difference, of course, is that he probably hasn’t been asked nearly as many questions about Triple 9 as he has about Doctor Strange. It isn’t that Marvel is actually any more secretive than any other studio, it’s that they need to be more protective because there are many more people trying to pry answers out of them.

The actor’s comments echo those made by other actors who have been in the same situation regarding high profile films. Harrison Ford made it clear that he didn’t want to give anything away regarding Star Wars: The Force Awakens because he wanted fans to enjoy seeing the film for the first time. In the end, fans are always dealing with the double edged sword of wanting answers, while also avoiding spoilers. What we really want is for the movie to be out already, but since we can’t have that, we go looking for new details to help satiate our hunger for our favorite franchise. Check out Chiwetel Ejiofor’s thoughts on Baron Mordo in the interview below.

Would you be happier if Marvel was giving away more answers, or are you, ultimately, glad that they keep the lid down tight?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up to introduce its next roster of headlining members, and one of the more intriguing prospects on the horizon is the upcoming Doctor Strange. Production of the film has only just begun, and as such we have had very little glimpses of the film’s headlining cast such as Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor – until now that is.

According to Comic Book Movie, new photos have leaked from the production of Doctor Strange. They show a very much bearded Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) walking through the streets of Nepal with Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo. Check one of the images below, and see for yourself:

Just off of this picture it is difficult to extrapolate much about the relationship between these two. As these images are unofficial, and not directly released from the production, their quality leaves much to be desired. Still, that does not mean we are unable to glean anything from them, as you'll see in the following image of Chiwetel Ejifor on his own.

From what we've seen in the photos above, the two men seem on friendly enough terms to walk through the street together, which seems odd considering Baron Mordo is a villain in the Marvel canon. One possible hypothesis that explain this is that Mordo helps Strange uncover and learn more about his abilities early on in his career as a sorcerer. Strange’s slovenly appearance suggests a man lost – searching for something to save him after his careers as a surgeon is threatened by the loss of his abilities as a world class surgeon.

Strange and Mordo’s relationship could start off on amiable terms, but devolve when Strange learns of Mordo’s villainous nature – not unlike the relationship between Batman and Ra’s Al Ghul in Batman Begins. However, as logical as this seems based on the images above, numerous rumors have suggested that Marvel is opting to steer clear of a direct origin story for Doctor Strange's titular character, so perhaps these scenes will take place in some sort of flashback – or Strange has simply hit a rough patch in his career as a mystic.

Until more details are released it will be difficult to tell exactly what sort of relationship these two characters share. They look friendly enough, but then again looks have a way of deceiving. We will keep you up to date on any and all information that comes out regarding Doctor Strange over the course of the next year. The mystical Marvel Studios movie will arrive in theaters on November 4, 2016.

Doctor Strange has been a project developing at Marvel Studios for quite some time now. Studio President Kevin Feige revealed back in 2008 that a movie about the Sorcerer Supreme was being developed, and while it obviously took a few years to make it happen, now it finally is. Principle photography begins on the 2016 blockbuster this month – and it’s easily one of our most anticipated Phase Three movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Director Scott Derrickson is taking the helm on the project, and he has put together one hell of an ensemble cast – which not only includes star Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role, but also Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, and possibly Mads Mikkelsen. Obviously that list of names raises our expectations significantly – but what is it exactly what we want out of the Doctor Strange movie? That’s the subject of this week’s Hero Blend.

Joining me this week for a fun chat is the always-awesome Roth Cornet from HitFix, who joins me in having some very clear expectations for the new Marvel film. Enjoy the show!

Secret In Their Eyes was something Julia Roberts wanted to do, but at the same time it was something she was dreading. The 47-year-old actress and real-life mother of three stars in this dark thriller as a mother who discovers her daughter has been murdered and left for dead in a dumpster. The first Secret In Their Eyes trailer has dropped online, and you can see the anguish, turmoil and soul-crushing emotion Roberts had to pull from within herself in order to tackle this role. According to writer-director Billy Ray, she did it was gusto. Watch the first footage below.

Yahoo Movies debuted the Secret In Their Eyes trailer, which also features reported Doctor Strange baddie Chiwetel Ejiofor and Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman. In the footage, we see the transformation of Roberts’s Jess. She begins the story as a promising FBI investigator with a bright future ahead of her and a good rapport with her colleagues. When she is called to the scene of her daughter’s crime, the event is too much to bear. Even though the authorities found her daughter’s killer, they were forced to release him due to lack of evidence. Thirteen years later, Jess discovers the location of this man and sets herself on an obsessive path for revenge.

Ray told Yahoo that there was one particular scene that was so difficult to perform and watch, and it was the moment Roberts was dreading the most. However, she was able to perform the demanding and emotionally exhaustive scene in just two takes. The first was gut-wrenching, and no one on set could believe what they were witnessing. Because he is the director, Ray asked her to perform it again, and the second time was just as staggering. As he said,

Secret In Their Eyes is based on the foreign film of the same name. Juan José Campanella directed it and it won an Oscar in 2009. For the adaptation, however, the lead role was gender-swapped. While the original was written for a man, Ray said that Roberts didn’t want him to rewrite the part too much and that she dove right into the material.

In addition to the first trailer, STX Entertainment released a batch of new photos from the film, which can be seen by clicking the link below. Billy Ray's Secret In Their Eyes stars Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor. It opens in theaters on October 23. To get you prepared, we have a slew of official movie still that just dropped. Check them out below: