Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson are certainly keeping themselves busy with multiple projects on the 2026 movie calendar, not to mention Ritchson’s continued success on Reacher. However, while fans wait on a release date for the Prime Video action series, it seems like they are finding new appreciation for a movie Ritchson and Cavill did together back in 2024. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is an under-rated gem, and it’s absolutely crushing on streaming right now.

Movie lovers with a Peacock subscription seem to have rediscovered The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, because according to the streaming service’s May 26 numbers, it holds the No. 1 movie spot, beating out titles like Another Man’s Wife (a romantic thriller starring Taye Diggs), Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and the family-friendly Secret Life of Pets.

So why is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare moving the needle now, two years after its release? The movie just landed on Peacock last week, so its subscribers may just now be getting a chance to see the film — or rewatch it, for that matter.

It doesn’t hurt that Alan Ritchson is always in high demand, and it’s been over a year now since Reacher Season 3 ended. One can only rewatch War Machine (streaming with a Netflix subscription) so many times, right?

However, I have to think that In the Grey's current run in theaters might also have something to do with it. Both the new release and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare were directed by Guy Ritchie, reuniting him not only with Henry Cavill but also Eiza González in one of her best roles.

In the Grey may have served as a reminder to audiences just how bizarrely fun a Nazi-killing movie can be. The movie received mixed reactions from critics at the time, but even with its tepid 68% Tomatometer score, audiences loved it, giving it a cumulative 91% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter. It seems even then that people knew The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare cast had set this movie up for long-term fandom, as reactions included:

• Great film wonderful cast chemistry under rated soon to be cult classic!!! – B
• There was no time to get a breather in between all the action! I enjoyed it immensely. – Mirabel
• Such a great spy thriller with the right amount of action and comedic witt! Masterful cast, classic Guy Ritchie film. They dont make them like this enough anymore. – David
• Never have I laughed so much with killing Nazis! Its goofy but cool at the same time. – Grae

We haven’t seen the last of Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson on our screens this year. Cavill will reprise the role of Sherlock Holmes for Enola Holmes 3, while Ritchson has Runner and The Man with the Bag slated for 2026 releases.

However, it’s nice to have a little blast from the recent past to throw on in the meantime. If you haven’t seen The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, or just haven’t seen it in a while, head on over to Peacock and see why this title is so popular.

Do you know which Guy Ritchie movie rules? 2024’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which we gave a positive review.

Do you want to know another great recent movie of his? 2023’s Guy Ritchie's The Covenant (his name is literally in the title), which was a compelling action drama set in Afghanistan. That said, even though Guy Ritchie is still making great modern movies, does anybody else miss the early Guy Ritchie films from the late ‘90s/early 2000s? I mean, I can’t be the only one, right?

Because even though 2019’s The Gentlemen - which we also gave a positive review - was a nice return to that form for Ritchie, I kind of find myself going back to his older work time and time again. Here’s why I think that is.

Guy Ritchie Was Like The Second Coming Of Quentin Tarantino, But British

Picture this. The year is 1998, and just the year prior, we got Jackie Brown from Quentin Tarantino. Now, Jackie Brown is not a bad movie at all (in fact, even back then, it felt like a bit of a cult movie). But, after a groundbreaking film like 1994’s Pulp Fiction, 1997’s Jackie Brown kind of felt like a letdown. Not for me, mind you, but for many people who found it slower and less frenetic than Tarantino’s second (and best) movie, Pulp Fiction.

So, for those who were disappointed in Jackie Brown, what should come around the corner but a movie with all of the same energy and verve as Pulp Fiction called Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels. In truth, it almost felt like a spiritual successor to Pulp Fiction, but with thick, Cockney accents. The setting of London also had a unique vibe that separated it from Tarantino’s work, giving it a fresh feeling all of its own. Guy Richie truly exploded on the scene with this film, and it’s definitely one of his best movies (It’s actually my favorite of his).

Not to be outdone by, er, himself, he followed it up with 2000’s Snatch, which actually had Brad Pitt as a bare-knuckle boxer sounding almost incomprehensible. Jason Statham, who made his debut in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, was back, and similar to how Tarantino uses some of the same actors repeatedly, Ritchie did the same with actors like Statham and Vinnie Jones.

These two movies just felt like the second coming of Tarantino, and I miss that side of Ritchie. That’s not all that I miss.

Not Only That, But Even Films Not Directed By Ritchie, Like Layer Cake, Felt Like Guy Ritchie Movies

When you become a prominent enough director, other directors start imitating you. So, when somebody does a surreal movie with bizarre characters, like Under the Silver Lake, it’s often called “Lynchian,” which is named after the late auteur, David Lynch. Films that often feel nihilistic or even cold might be called Kubrickian, named after my favorite director, Stanley Kubrick. Films that have gritty settings and morally ambiguous characters might be called Scorsesian, and if a movie has tons of banter and violence, it might be called Tarantino-esque.

For a time, movies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, or Snatch would be called just that: Tarantino-esque. However, Guy Ritchie was able to carve out such a niche for himself that people started imitating HIM, which is how we got films like Matthew Vaughn’s directorial debut, Layer Cake. And even a movie like 2012’s Killing Them Softly with Brad Pitt, which has serious Guy Ritchie vibes.

I miss this era. I’m talking crime dramas from the mid-00s and early 2010s that weren’t by Guy Ritchie, but you could get a hint of that Guy Ritchie flavor. These were films that didn’t feature characters talking a mile a minute, but still had that aura of Ritchie’s influence. It’s like, for a time, you would find lots of Tarantino imitators, and Richie seemed like one of them at the beginning of his career.

But, in the mid-00s and early 2010s, Guy Ritchie started getting his own imitators, and I guess I just sort of miss that period. It feels so long ago.

I Like A Lot Of Ritchie’s Later Work, But It’s Just Not The Same

I mentioned The Gentlemen earlier, and I like that Ritchie was returning to form when he made it. It felt comforting like a warm blanket. In a lot of ways, it was kind of like Sam Raimi returning to his horror roots with movies like Drag Me to Hell and Send Help. But, much like Raimi, even though I think Ritchie did a phenomenal job of going back to the basics, it still doesn’t feel like it has the same rugged energy as something he would have done when he was younger

WHICH IS NOT HIS FAULT! Guy Ritchie IS older, and if anything, my bringing this up is more a commentary on my own lost youth than it is of Ritchie’s current style. However, I do feel that even though Ritchie is trying to harken back to the style of his earlier work with a film like The Gentlemen, it just doesn’t feel the same.

And, I don’t think anything is going to change that. Guy Ritchie has been an established director for a long time, and he likely views the medium differently now. I mean, Disney brought him in to direct Aladdin (which actually came out the same year as The Gentlemen!), and you don’t go back from that.

It’s like asking Tim Burton to make another Edward Scissorhands, or even asking Tarantino to make another Pulp Fiction. It’s just not going to happen. Nor should it, really. Artists grow and change. However, there are two particular movies that I think did in fact change the entire trajectory of Guy Ritchie’s career…

In Truth, I Think The Sherlock Holmes Movies Were The True Turning Point For The Director

Now, you might think that one of the movies that was a true turning point in Ritchie’s career was his third film, Swept Away, and it just might have been. It was a massive failure, both critically and commercially, and I’m sure it had a massive impact on Ritchie’s mental state. However, the movies that I truly think changed the trajectory of his entire career were 2009’s Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, 2011’s Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

For one thing, both movies were financially successful, following a string of middling releases like Revolver and RocknRolla. And secondly, they were the first movies in Ritchie’s filmography where he didn’t write the screenplays. This might not seem like a big deal, but I think this kind of altered the movies we would see later from the director.

It’s not that he no longer makes films with passion, as he certainly does. But I feel like his films have a much broader scope now after he got those two big wins under his belt with the Sherlock Holmes movies. Now, if only we could get that third Sherlock Holmes film (without Ritchie) in the future.

That said, even if I do miss the old Guy Ritchie, I’ll still watch anything he does, such as his upcoming action thriller, In the Grey, which I can’t wait to see.

Do you also miss the early Guy Ritchie era of films? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

While the 2025 movie schedule has a good number of sequels, revivals and original pictures to look forward to, Road House 2 is currently not one of them. Which is ok, because the Jake Gyllenhaal-led sequel is something no one would have expected to happen… until the 2024 action movie banked insane streaming numbers for Prime Video. The radio silence surrounding the project has now been broken thanks to a huge new update seeing none other than Guy Ritchie stepping into the director’s chair.

Road House 2's Hiring Of Guy Ritchie Feels Like A No-Brainer

THR revealed that Road House 2 has not only snagged Mr. Ritchie's skills directing those Sherlock Holmes boxing scenes for the project, but Bad Boys: Ride or Die writer Will Beale will be scripting the film. And if you were worried about Mr. Gyllenhaal not returning as Dalton, fear not, as this report has him sticking around for the next round of niceties.

Alas, those are the only details available at this time, but frankly, I think we all saw this coming since Road House 2’s initial announcement. Everyone was questioning whether or not the Edge of Tomorrow helmer would even approach a sequel, considering Doug Liman’s concerns with Amazon were numerous.

With the run up to the 2024 release being marked as a Prime Video subscription booster, per Liman’s budget deal with the studio, there was a lot of friction reported in the press. Now that Road House has proven itself as a legitimate draw for audiences, calling this parting of the ways kind of makes sense.

Amazon-MGM Studios' Guy Ritchie Hire Could Inspire Some Interesting Henry Cavill Rumors

Meanwhile, Guy Ritchie’s recent run of films for theatrical and streaming release have seen The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare overseer on quite a run. Seeing as that picture was a Prime Video exclusive in select international territories, and this sequel would be reuniting the In the Grey director with a star from that still unreleased film, it appears to be a relationship that’s already on the same page.

As a Guy Ritchie fan, and someone who’s followed Amazon-MGM Studios’ latest moves, many possibilities open up if Road House 2 is a hit. Not only could Ritchie potentially resurrect projects like the long demanded sequel to The Man from U.N.C.L.E., similar to how The Accountant 2 was saved by the studio after almost a decade, but there’s another possibility that’s going to catch people’s fancies.

With Amazon-MGM Studios’ alleged James Bond plans, and previous Ritchie collaborator Henry Cavill also set up at that same home base, this could cross two possibilities off of the wishlists of many 007 fans. But for now, let’s reel our thoughts back to Road House 2, which is still without dates for release or the start of production.

Tom Hardy isn’t just a great actor, it turns out he’s a pretty good guy as well. After it seemed like a production studio wasn’t going to fulfill crew payments on his new Paramount+ show, Fixer, the actor stepped in to pay the crew himself. While the payments were ultimately fulfilled by Paramount, who was prompted to step in when the company caught wind of the situation, Hardy’s gesture still stands as a generous act of service.

Guy Ritchie’s big-budget television series starring Hardy, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan is currently in production, and set builders worked tirelessly throughout the summer to make the director's vision for the project possible. MTV Studios and 101 Studios, which are producing Fixer, hired the company Helix 3D to hire builders for the set. Even though construction occurred during the summer, Helix 3D had not paid out about £250,000 of wages to workers, and it soon became clear that they would not be paid in time for Christmas.

According to The Times, once Hardy found out about the situation, he offered to pay the set builders himself, an offer that Paramount rejected. However, this gesture seemingly prompted Paramount to become more involved in the situation and ensure that the workers were paid what they were owed before the holidays. The entertainment company was allegedly "outraged" when they found out about the unfulfilled payments, and the lack of transparency given to the studios about the financial situation around Helix 3D. The company apparently is facing liquidation.

If these wages were not fulfilled until long after the holiday season, the set builders would likely have been in difficult financial situations during the holidays. However, with Hardy amplifying the issue, that didn't happen. This is a great example of using a platform for good, and the Mad Max: Fury Road star truly helped save Christmas for a lot of blue-collar workers.

This isn’t the first time celebrities have stepped in to pay workers after big corporations failed to compensate or union conflicts prevented them from doing so. The Price Is Right host Drew Carey helped feed writers throughout the strike last year, and American talk show hosts started a podcast to help support their staffs during that difficult financial period. Taylor Swift also notably gave massive bonuses to workers at the conclusion of her Eras Tour. These productions are a team effort, and it’s good to know these A-listers understand their jobs wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of the staff and crew around them.

Tom Hardy’s Fixer is still in production, but it is expected to be available with a Paramount+ subscription when completed. For more information on other shows heading to streaming and network television in the near future, make sure to consult our 2025 TV schedule.

Based on Henry Cavill’s best movies, he’s clearly leading man material. He’s donned the blue and red cape playing Clark Kent/Superman in the DC movies, portrayed CIA agent Napoleon Solo in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and brought Geralt of Rivia to life on The Witcher. Through many of Cavill's roles, audiences also see him being smooth and with the ladies. Well, apparently, the British actor has a specific approach when interacting with women in his own life. Cavill’s frequent director, Guy Ritchie, once told a story about how the Tudors star is “consistent” in how he treats women, and it couldn’t make me love him more.

Ironically, Guy Ritchie's films center on males, but they're anything but gentlemanly. For instance, The Gentlemen, a crime thriller from Ritchie, sees drug dealers and gangsters participate in shifty business dealings. And, in the Sherlock Holmes movies, Holmes and Watson go against the prim and proper Victorian ideals with their unpredictable, rebellious approach to solving mysteries. Then, there’s Ritchie’s new movie The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which sees Cavill play the leader of a secret British organization that uses unconventional methods to fight the Nazis.

Even if the Argylle star didn’t portray the refined “gentleman” in some of Guy Ritchie’s movies, the Justice League actor is apparently very chivalrous with the ladies in real life. While Ritchie and the actor himself talked to THR for an interview that was shared to TikTok, the talented director spoke highly of his colleague and named a specific habit that he practices when around a person of the opposite sex:

That is such a gentlemanly thing to do when a woman walks into a room! It shows that a person is willing to be respectful and draw attention to her. That's just another reason why Henry Cavill is a total catch. However, he's taken, ladies, as he's with Hollywood executive Natalie Viscuso. Henry Cavill and Viscuso went public with their relationship back in April 2021 and, earlier in 2024, Cavill announced they were expecting their first child together.

While the A-lister and Natalie Viscuso prefer privacy in their relationship, there’s been some cute documented moments on social media like when they cooked a delicious-looking home-cooked meal for the actor’s birthday. Plus, the happy couple will be working on the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, of which the actor is a fan.

As for how Henry Cavill became a real-life prince with women, you can thank his mom for that. Back in 2021, the Mission: Impossible—Fallout actor posted on International Women’s Day. He shared endearing words to describe his mother and credited her as the woman who taught him “what it is to be a good man.” You know a guy with an exceptional relationship with his mother is a keeper.

It truly delights me that the fan-favorite actor is a true gentleman, and I love that Guy Ritchie took the time to highlight that. When thinking about Henry Cavill, let's remember that chivalry isn't completely dead.

The 2024 movie release The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is now available to watch with a Starz subscription. Also, know that another Cavill/Ritchie team-up is on the way via the action movie In the Grey, which hits theaters on January 17, 2025.

Sherlock Holmes is one of the most popular fictional characters ever created. There have been numerous Sherlock Holmes movies and TV shows based on the character, and more stories written about him than original author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ever penned. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen a major Sherlock Holmes adaptation, which means we’re due, and the next one is gearing up and just added Kingsman’s Colin Firth to the cast.

Variety reports that Colin Firth has become the latest to join Prime Video’s Young Sherlock. The series is based on books written by Andrew Lane which follow Holmes starting at the age of 14 years old. The series will see the character as a 19-year-old. Hero Fiennes Tiffin, star of the After romantic drama series, is set to play the young version of the future consulting detective in a series produced and directed by Guy Ritchie.

Who Colin Firth Will Play In Young Sherlock 

Firth will play a character named Sir Bucephalus Hodge. Nothing else about the character is known at this time. Firth joins Joseph Fiennes, the lead's uncle, and Natascha McElhone, who are set to play Sherlock's parents. Zine Tseng is also set to appear as Princess Gulun Shou’an.

Colin Firth has played some iconic English roles in his career. He’s been Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice and played a former King of England in The King's Speech. He was never James Bond, but he did play a secret agent with plenty of gadgets in the Kingsman movies. It’s fitting to see him become part of the Sherlock Holmes world as well.

Young Sherlock Brings Guy Ritchie Back To The Franchise

Young Sherlock will see Hero Fiennes Tiffin reunite with Guy Ritchie, who previously directed him as part of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare cast. It will also see Ritchie’s return to Sherlock Holmes after he directed Robert Downey Jr. in two big-screen Sherlock adventures. A third Sherlock movie in that franchise has been continually teased, but has yet to materialize. If the movie does happen, Guy Ritchie won't direct it.

With a name like Sir Bucephalus Hodge, Colin Firth could be playing anybody. That could easily be the name of some upper-class villain that Sherlock must battle against. However, we also know the new show will deal with a murder mystery at Osford, and since it’s unclear how big a role Firth will play, he could easily be playing the victim who dies at the end of the first episode. He could also be some sort of mentor, as he was in the Kingsman movies.

As a big Sherlock Holmes fan who has read all the original stories, I’m always excited about new takes on the character. The original books the series is based on are officially endorsed by the Conan Doyle estate, so while they might not be officially “canon” for Sherlock Holmes, they are as close to it as we’ll ever get.

Filmmaker Guy Ritchie has been a very busy man over the past several years. Since only 2021, he’s marked the release of four films: Wrath of Man, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, The Covenant and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Unfortunately, for fans though, Ritchie has yet to reteam with Robert Downey Jr. for the long-gestating Sherlock Holmes 3. As far as we know right now, that sequel is still in limbo, but there may be a silver lining for fans of Ritchie’s mystery-centric fare. That’s because he’s aiming to revisit the iconic detective in a different way. 

After taking his talents to Netflix to produce the small-screen spinoff of The Gentleman, the British director is teaming up with Amazon Prime Video for a new adventure involving Mr. Holmes. He’s set to direct and executive produce a Young Sherlock Holmes series, which will be an adaptation of Andy Lane’s novels of the same name. According to Variety, the production has been officially ordered by the streamer and is set to run for eight episodes. Additionally, a star has already been cast to play the eponymous sleuth, and it’s Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who recently worked with Guy Ritchie on Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. 

The trade reports that Primeval and Deep State alum Matthew Parkhill will hold down showrunning and writing duties in addition to being an executive producer. As for what fans can expect from the show, the Aladdin director provided a brief tease: 

A project like this seems to be right up the director’s alley, as he’s more than proven that he has a genuine love for this iconic literary character. His tease of an “exhilarating” take on Sherlock is very exciting as well. It’s fair to assume that this iteration of the hero will be somewhat raw compared to what audiences have seen in the past. And, based on his past work, I can totally see Hero Fiennes Tiffin taking up the mantle. As a whole, this show has some exciting pieces that could make this a success, if they all come together smoothly. But, as exciting as this all is, one can’t help but still pine for another installment in Ritchie’s big-screen franchise. 

Guy Ritchie helmed 2009’s Sherlock Holmes as well as the 2011 sequel, A Game of Shadows. Since the latter (which featured an open-ended conclusion) released over a decade ago, many have wondered if or when a follow-up might be made. In 2023, Ritchie revealed a “brilliant” script had been written, though the project hadn’t moved forward due to his busy schedule and those of Robert Downey Jr. and co-star Jude Law. With that, Richie’s not as “involved” with the film righ tnow. Around that same time last year, Robert’s wife, Susan Downey (who served as a producer on the movies) said that a third installment is still a “priority” for her husband.

2022 also saw the Sherlock franchise receive great news, when it was reported that two TV spinoffs were in development at HBO Max (which has since become Max). The current status of those series are unclear at the moment. That aside though, it looks like Guy Ritchie will certainly have his hands full with mystery stories, thanks to this fresh show. I’m hoping it’ll be an entertaining series and at the same time, will be praying for that long-hope-for threequel. 

A release window has yet to be announced for this Young Sherlock Holmes show, but be sure that you have a Prime Video subscription so that you can stream it whenever it drops. And, in the meantime, take a look at the 2024 TV schedule and investigate some of the latest titles heading to the small screen. 

Guy Ritchie’s new movie is one of the biggest action films on the 2024 movie schedule so far. Henry Cavil, Alan Ritchson, Henry Golding, and the rest of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare cast murder a whole lot of Nazis throughout the movie, which is based on the true story of a special forces team during World War II. However, it seems that not all of the violence was originally planned, as Alan Ritchson had to convince Ritchie to let one scene become even more violent.

In an interview with EW, Ritchson told the story about the scene, which takes place late in the film and sees his character, Anders Lassen, tear through a ship full of Nazis. The initial concept for the scene simply had Ritchson dispatch a couple of soldiers with the character's trademark knives. However, the actor saw the scene very differently, namely as something far more physical and bloody. He felt it made sense for his character to not just want to kill Nazis, but to want to kill them violently. He explained…

Alan Ritchson says that a lot of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, especially the action, was improv, and that the director had an attitude ‘of “the real movie is going to be the one we find on set.” However, he also said that Ritchie wasn’t immediately receptive to the idea of going with the more physical sequence. The actor continued…

Ritchson said that one of Ritchie's producing partners was sympathetic to the actor's idea and helped convince the director to at least let them take the shot. Ritchson and his frequent stunt double Ryan Tarran then spent the night designing the sequence. The next day, they presented it to the boss, who was apparently a tough audience…

But the work paid off. Alan Ritchson said that Guy Ritchie ultimately loved what they’d come up with, which included Tarran himself appearing as a Nazi to fight Ritchson, as he was the only person on set big enough to look like a real threat to the actor. Ritchson concluded the story by saying…

As our Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare review, states, the movie is fascist-fighting fun, to be sure. It’s certainly hard to imagine The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare without Alan Ritchson tearing through Nazis with an ax.; it’s one of the highlights of the film. Clearly Ritchie made the right choice here listening to his actor.

Among the latest 2024 movies to hit theaters this weekend is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which once again pairs Henry Cavill with filmmaker Guy Ritchie after they previously made The Man From U.N.C.L.E. together back in 2015. When CinemaBlend spoke to Cavill about the making of the new release, he revealed the process behind improvising on set.

When our own Sean O’Connell spoke with Henry Cavill about the new action comedy, the actor talked about Guy Ritchie’s style on the set of the movie. In his words:

Hey, not every idea is going to stick! It sounds like Guy Ritchie and Henry Cavill had a great rapport on set, with the director not being afraid to call out his lead if he didn’t stick the landing on a joke, or conversely giving him all the praise when it worked for the scene.

As Cavill also explained, while the director has the bones of every scene laid out before they arrive on set, they would all work together to figure out the specifics. Cavill said even the crew was pitching in on ideas for dialogue! Cavill enjoyed the “fun exploration” that came with the set’s specific energy, even though, as he shared, there would be hits and misses as they improvised.

Elsewhere in our interview, Henry Cavill talked about the process of getting his “twirly, worrly” mustache just right for the role. If it wasn’t done just right, he hilariously said he’d end up with a “droopy one.”

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is loosely based on Operation Postmaster, which was a special British operation against the Nazis that took place on the Spanish island of Fernando Po during World War II. Henry Cavill leads The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare cast, which is packed full of talent including Alan Ritchson, Eiza González, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Henry Golding and Cary Elwes.

The new movie has been met with mixed reviews from critics, with some commentary saying, for example, that it “lacks any real tension” and is “lacking in crackle” for a war film, while others gave it a pass for being a “fun” time. In CinemaBlend’s review of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, our own Mike Reyes gave the movie a 3.5 out of five stars. Reyes said the movie is “so unapologetic in its fun that you can’t help but smile along with the bloodshed and destruction.” You can catch The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare in theaters now.

Henry Cavill and Guy Ritchie have re-teamed for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, nearly a decade after collabing on the 2015 spy flick The Man from U.N.C.L.E. This time, the story that the actor and director are telling is based on the real events of Winston Churchill’s World War II special ops mission Operation Postmaster. The book-to-screen adaptation hits theaters on Friday, April 19, and critics are having mixed feelings about the action comedy.

First reactions to the film were mostly positive, though critics found a few bones to pick. In CinemaBlend’s review of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Mike Reyes says Guy Ritchie definitely leans more into the entertainment aspect of it all, even at the expense of historical accuracy (though he doesn’t dilute the importance of that, either). Reyes gives the film 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “fast, fierce, fascist-fighting fun.” He writes: 

Matt Donato of IGN agrees, and while the critic admits there are some missteps, it’s unmistakably a Guy Ritchie film that’s overall plucky, punchy, and quite entertaining. Donato gives the movie a “Good” 7 out of 10, saying: 

Kristy Puchko of Mashable says the movie is bursting with “sensational slaughter scenes, chaotic charisma, and charged suspense,” however Guy Ritchie struggles with tone throughout the 2-hour runtime, and despite a high body count, the conservative amount of bloodshed makes The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare feel ultimately tame in comparison to Inglourious Basterds. Puchko writes: 

Glenn Kenny of RogerEbert.com gives the movie 2 out of 4 stars, saying that anyone who wants to enjoy this movie should throw what they know of World War II history out of the window. While there's some to be derives from the action and killings, there’s not as much banter as the critic would have liked. In Kenny’s words: 

Nick Schager of the Daily Beast is also left wanting after watching The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, calling the film a “World War Snooze.” Guy Ritchie provides neither scenarios that would make us care about the movie’s plot of characters nor the boisterous banter that would keep audiences interested. The critic writes: 

The critics seem mixed on Guy Ritchie’s latest effort, and while many of them find the historical action comedy entertaining enough for its Nazi slaughter, many were also underwhelmed by the dialogue and tonal waffling. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare holds a 72% from 51 critics  on Rotten Tomatoes, so we’ll have to see what audiences say after they have the chance to see it in theaters.

The film starring Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson opens in theaters on Friday, April 19, and you can get a jump on your next trip to the movies as well by checking out our 2024 movie release calendar. 

During World War II, Winston Churchill helped form a clandestine service known as the Special Operations Executive. Though its deeds weren’t declassified for some time, the branch’s activities were as infamous as its personnel, which included the likes of Ian Fleming and Christopher Lee. Many nicknames were given to this organization, and co-writer/director Guy Ritchie used one such name, as well as the real exploits of the SOE, to deliver The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: a movie so unapologetic in its fun that you can’t help but smile along with the bloodshed and destruction. 

In true Ritchie fashion, we’re quickly introduced to Henry Cavill as Gus March-Phillipps, a troublemaker who excels at ignoring orders. So, of course, he’s part of a handpicked group that’s tasked with disrupting a Nazi U-Boat port in Spanish Guinea. Military victory opens the Atlantic Ocean and potentially allows the U.S. to join the fight, and failure is nothing short of death. 

Right about now, you’re beginning to form an impression of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and I have a feeling your vision is pretty accurate. However, where this black ops blockbuster surpasses those expectations is the fact that instead of merely acting like the next Inglourious Basterds, Guy Ritchie’s picture throws in some DNA from Ocean’s Eleven and his own The Man from U.N.C.L.E. to sweeten the deal. 

The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare beautifully crosses a heist movie and a special ops adventure.

While death and destruction are a huge part of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’s mission, the inclusion of well-orchestrated subterfuge and spycraft separates this delightful romp from merely copying other "men on a mission" movies. The planning and execution of the event known as Operation Postmaster plays out through almost the entirety of the movie with very little time spent beyond the action. The roughly two-hour film flies with nothing weighing down its narrative. 

This is valuable once the Guy Ritchie flair and panache start to kick in. Composer Christopher Benstead’s musical score is an especially effective driver, reminiscent of Daniel Pemberton’s jazzy but deadly music backing The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Everything from stealing documents to infiltrating a costume party sounds as slick as it looks, and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare looks absolutely gorgeous. 

The mix of a real World War II mission with Guy Ritchie’s style makes for breezy entertainment – the film's purpose above all else is to entertain  – but there are some glaring omissions in the end title cards that describe the lives of the real people played by stars Henry Cavill, Eiza González, and Alan Ritchson. While not disrespectful, that particular gesture feels like it stops short. That being said, the movie is not meant to be a history lesson, but rather a thrill ride that pays tribute to actual history.

Cast and filmmakers alike clearly had a ball making The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, but the madness gets reined in when gravitas is required.

The cast of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare lacks any weak links in the chain. The light tone of good old fashioned Nazi killing stays firmly in place throughout the journey, and it’s bloody business; even the squeamish might be able to bear it a bit better thanks to the absolute ball everyone acting in this movie is having. To be that entertaining and not betray the gravity of the actual historical events is a feat that’s always commendable. 

When it comes to Guy Ritchie movies, part of the fun is seeing who he breaks out from his repertory company for the adventure. Actors Henry Cavill, Henry Golding, Babs Olusanmokun, and Cary Elwes are all part of the returning Ritchie rabble rousers in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and they grease the wheels for this picture to fly. What’s more, they mesh rather well with the newcomers that round out the gang. 

Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson especially seem to be the pair nobody knew they needed before. Ritchson’s Anders Lassen is especially adept at walking the line between playful and destructive in scenes that sometimes see him waving a freshly used axe at his compatriots as a greeting. Of course, the credit isn’t merely for the men of the picture, as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare boasts the first of several films that will see Guy Ritchie teaming up with actor Eiza González. 

González in particular shines thanks to holding her own against not only frequent scene partner Olusanmokun, but also Inglourious Basterds alum and Ministry villain Til Schweiger. Part of the latter enterprise sees the actor singing “Mack The Knife” in both English and German in a scene that reinforces the crossroads between danger and dazzle.

Neither side of film's tone is treated as unimportant, as the jovial nature of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare does at times give way to more horrific or serious moments of heroism. For as effortlessly light as this film is being sold, and as much as it does live up to that hype, however, it's never disrespectful when it comes to its depiction of the anxieties of war. 

Guy Ritchie’s current entertainment streak is left unbroken thanks to this secret mission finally brought to light. 

Guy Ritchie continues to deliver solid, effortless entertainment with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and it continues a streak that he’s been on with films like Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, Wrath of Man, and The Gentlemen. Lately, it feels like the man is working overtime with the workload in which he’s indulging, and it’s only going to be under a year until his next picture In the Grey will see him once more heading to theaters, with dependable leads like Henry Cavill and Eiza González along for the ride. 

In the years since his live-action remake of Aladdin, Ritchie has been warming up  with a bunch of smaller scale projects displaying his lean and mean indie roots quite well. While there’s more of a punch to the budget used to bring The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare to life, the efficiency is equally unquestionable. Where those warm ups will lead has yet to be determined, but the journey along the way has been admirable. 

If you’re going into The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare for fun, you’ll definitely get it – but you’ll need to do some of your own research to learn the true history. While the movie more uses the past as the inspiration for fun storytelling, it still honors the Special Operations Executive and their role in sabotaging the Nazi war machine. And if you’re a fan of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. who’s still waiting on that sequel, this is more than enough to scratch that particular spy-fi itch. 

Few people have made as many headlines due to facial hair as Henry Cavill. The man once famously had a mustache that was so powerful it impacted the production of two blockbuster movies, and now the Cavill-stace is back. The actor has the best mustache of any 2024 movie release in Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and it turns out that getting the facial hair just right took a lot of work on Cavill’s part.

Speaking with CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell, Henry Cavill explained that the idea to have the incredible and perfectly waxed mustache was one the actor himself had, but it required a significant amount of work early on, both for Cavill to learn just how to wax it, and to actually train the hair to stay in place. He shared… 

I had no idea so much was involved in growing a mustache like this, but then I’ve never tried. Cavill had to do the work early to make sure the mustache was ready for cameras. Nobody wants to be on film with a droopy mustache or have to spend half their time between shots reapplying wax. I for one am glad he did it. That mustache is part of the reason I'm looking forward to this movie.

Henry Cavill is no stranger to getting people talking due to mustaches. The actor made headlines several years ago when the infamous reshoots for Justice League were happening alongside Cavill’s role in Mission: Impossible - Fallout. This required that his Superman character be altered via CGI to eliminate the facial hair that his M:I character had, that he was unable to shave due to the schedule. The result was… less than successful. 

That facial hair was solid, but the mustache in Ministry of Ungentlemenly Warfare is epic. He goes for the fully curled and waxed mustache, a look that most people wouldn’t even try to pull off, but Cavill looks quite at home in the new Guy Ritchie movie, where he plays a man tasked with leading a covert mission during World War II. Henry Cavill and his mustache will be in theaters this weekend

Guy Ritchie is dipping into the history books for his next action comedy, telling the story of Operation Postmaster, a British special ops mission that is credited with changing the course of World War II. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare — based on the nonfiction book by Damien Lewis — hits theaters on Friday, April 19, and people are taking to social media with their first reactions to the movie after catching an early screening of the war comedy, which reunites Ritchie with Henry Cavill. So what can we expect from this book-to-screen adaptation?

Henry Cavill leads The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’s cast, along with Alan Ritchson, as Guy Ritchie provides a fictionalized portrayal of Winston Churchill’s 1940s special ops mission. As with other projects from the director, this movie seems to be full of smart banter and fun action, as Rama’s Screen tweets that the film is “hugely entertaining”: 

They’re not the only ones comparing this movie to Quentin Tarantino’s 2009 war flick, and @_shutupmatt writes that if you’re expecting a cross between Inglourious Basterds and the Kingsman movies, you won’t be disappointed. He writes: 

Hard to argue with that logic. Others who caught a screening of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare are lauding the flick as one of the best action movies of Guy Ritchie's career, including The Hollywood Handle, who calls it an “adrenaline rollercoaster”: 

Fans of Guy Ritchie likely won’t be surprised to hear such comments about the fight scene choreography, and movie critic Nolan Ryan also has positive things to say about Henry Cavill (who's teaming up with Ritchie again for another movie) as Gus March-Phillipps and the film overall, writing: 

The X (Twitter) user SerialViewer also writes of some of the director’s creative choices, and while they admit that some aspects of the movie are “clunky,” the performances and exciting action are enough to justify purchasing a ticket. The movie fan writes: 

ScreenRant's Joseph Deckelmeister says he enjoyed the film as well, as the action and comedy are well-balanced, and it allows us to celebrate some heroic efforts that we may not have been aware of. The critic says: 

James Hancock also says this movie is worth the watch, even if it doesn’t compare to others pertaining to this conflict. The critic tweets: 

Lane Mills of Geek Vibes Nation agrees with the above that the latest effort from Guy Ritchie doesn’t quite live up to expectations. In the critic’s words: 

There are definitely some things to unpack, as it sounds like some people found a few bones to pick with the upcoming movie. We’ll be able to gauge more when reviews come out Tuesday. If you want to start planning your trip to see The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, the movie will hit the big screen on Friday, April 19, and be sure to check out our 2024 movie release calendar to see what else is coming soon. 

Are you ready to dive into some action? Because we know that The Gentlemen is coming to Netflix quite soon. 

Guy Ritchie is responsible for so many films that people have come to love over the last two plus decades. From the Robert Downey Jr.-led Sherlock films (which are some of the best Sherlock Holmes movies to date) to his fantastic gangster movies and so much more, the director has made movies that fans just adore. 

Ritchie is bringing his creativity to the small screen with the Netflix adaptation of The Gentlemen, which is based on his film of the same name. But, who is going to star in the upcoming show? And when is it coming out? Here is what we know so far about The Gentlemen. 

What Is The Gentlemen Premiere Date?

At the time of this writing in January 2024, The Gentlemen is set to release in March 2024, according to the Netflix Tudum article regarding the announcement of it. 

The 2024 TV premiere schedule is filled to the brim with significant shows coming out, whether it be Bridgerton Season 3, which has been long-awaited since Season 2, or the new live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender TV series – both of which are going to be on Netflix. Now, we can at least add The Gentlemen to that. 

Theo James, Ray Winstone, And Kaya Scodelario Star

According to the Tudum article about The Gentlemen, the main people who will star in the show are Theo James, Ray Winstone, and Kaya Scodelario. 

James will play the Duke of Halstead, Eddie Horniman, the son of an aristocrat who winds up in the criminal world. Winstone will play Bobby Glass, a criminal involved in the cannabis world. Scodelario will play Susie Glass, the daughter of Bobby and the person who handles the drug operation within the cannabis industry. 

These three actors have done incredible work in the last few years. James was a part of The White Lotus Season 2 cast and appeared in The Time Traveler's Wife. 

Winstone is an iconic actor who has been around for decades, but he was more recently in the MCU film Black Widow, where he played Deykov, and is also set to appear in Damsel in 2024 alongside Millie Bobby Brown. 

Scodelario gained fame for her role in the Maze Runner franchise but has since appeared in movies such as Crawl, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile, and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City as part of the Resident Evil movie franchise. 

Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Giancarlo Esposito And More Co-Star

Aside from the main three stars, several other actors were confirmed for The Gentlemen by Tudum. These include Daniel Ings, Joely Richardson, Vinnie Jones, Giancarlo Esposito, Chanel Cresswell, Michal Vu, Max Beesley, Jasmine Blackborow, Harry Goodwins, Dar Salim, Pearce Quigley, Ruby Sear, and Peter Serafinowicz. 

Yes, this is a huge cast. And yes, some of those names probably sound pretty familiar, but to keep this list short and to the point, just know that you're going to be in for the ride of a lifetime with this talented cast. 

Check Out The Teaser Trailer For The Gentlemen

If you're interested in The Gentlemen, check out the teaser trailer released on YouTube in January 2024. The trailer features our first look at many of the main characters of the TV show and just how intense this series is about to get. 

The Gentlemen Is Based On The 2020 Film Of The Same Name

While The Gentlemen is based on the 2020 movie of the same name, according to the Tudum article from before, it's not the same story. It takes place in the same world, but the characters are entirely different. 

Aside from the minor character details we already know, The Gentlemen will be similar to some of the best crime movies you've probably seen – following a young man named Eddie who has inherited his father's estate only to find out that it's less than legal and is part of a cannabis empire. 

From this, he enters a world of criminals and attempts to separate his father's estate from them when they try to take some of it for themselves. But, as he dives deeper into crime, he starts to discover that he might enjoy this side of himself. 

I'm ready to sign up for this, and I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Guy Ritchie Will Direct Two Episodes

While Guy Ritchie created The Gentlemen for Netflix, Tudum also reported that Richie is returning to the director's chair for two episodes, precisely the first two of the series. We're still determining who else will direct, but to hear Ritchie will be working on the first two is excellent. 

Richie spoke about the upcoming show in an interview with Empire in January 2024, saying that a lot of the story sometimes revolves around who is there on the day that they're filming and that he writes it from there:

This already sounds chaotic (in a good way), but what is a Ritchie crime movie without a bit of chaos? I'm already here for it. 

The Gentlemen Will Be Eight Episodes

Staying in line with some of the best shows to binge-watch on Netflix, The Gentlemen will only be eight episodes, according to Tudum. This isn't that surprising, as most Netflix shows are short in length.  

The Gentlemen Will Be Rated TV-MA

The last thing we know is that the show will be rated TV-MA, according to Netflix. Guy Ritchie's films aren't known for being family-friendly, so it's not a shock that this has carried over to his TV series. Even if this isn't a children-safe show, you can put the kids to bed and enjoy a ride with this series. 

What are you looking forward to the most when it comes to The Gentlemen? All I know is that March 2024 can't get here soon enough. I need this next month to go by fast. 

You can always expect a Guy Ritchie blockbuster to have vibrant characters, a mixed sense of drama and excitement, and some keen fashion sense added to a formula that’s been creating some of the best action movies for some time. All of that is present with his 2024 movie schedule reunion with Henry Cavill, as we can see in the first trailer for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. And while the movie may be based on a true story, even the Argylle star knows his new mustache is unreal.

Lionsgate has finally give the world the first footage of its upcoming war flick, based on author Damien Lewis' non-fiction book of the same name, and it couldn’t look finer. And just as we’re introduced to Henry’s rough and tumble badass, we quickly get a look at the rest of The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’s cast; which includes Reacher star Alan Ritchson and Godzilla vs. Kong’s Eiza González, among others. 

Set to the rockin’ beat of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust,” we get to see some healthy amounts of sabotage and dispatching of the Nazi regime. But since this is a Guy Ritchie picture, it’s going to happen with a lot of grinning faces that really enjoy their jobs. 

Which, if you know your World War II history, was basically to trash as much of Hitler’s machinery as they could, even if it meant setting Europe ablaze. A job like that requires people that are either crazy, strong, or just crazy strong altogether. So when it comes to co-star Alan Ritchson's Reacher body, the man's investment into himself has only doubled in worth thanks to a wild romp such as this.

Meanwhile, I can definitely see why Henry Cavill would reteam with Guy Ritchie on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. If you change a couple details here and there, you can basically head canon this movie as a prequel to The Man From U.N.C.L.E.; thanks to Gus March Phillips basically being the British Napoleon Solo. However, and I mean this with great respect as a fan of that previous Ritchie/Cavill outing, the energy here looks more chaotic.

Henry Cavill certainly has been exhibiting that much himself, as a social media post promoting today’s trailer drop had him talking all about that ‘stache. Check out this proud papa and his facial furniture, below:  

Though the history of combat is a very serious subject, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare seems to be having fun without being disrespectful. Taking a very real body of clandestine operations and turning it into a rip roaring adventure, Guy Ritchie’s latest has combined his respect of the warfighter with his skills of showmanship.

If the results are giving Henry Cavill and his crew the chance to have this much fun on screen, while enlightening the world on history, then who can really complain? I suppose we'll find out the answer to that, and so many other questions rather soon as The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare assembles to kick some axis, only in theaters, on April 19th.

History is about to come alive again on the 2024 movie schedule, as director Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is an action/adventure film that looks to cover a part of World War II not widely discussed. With this covert ops movie drawing the likes of Argylle’s Henry Cavill and Reacher himself Alan Ritchson into the cast, things already sound like they’re going to be quite explosive on the big screen. 

As Ritchie seems to be in full on can’t stop/won’t stop mode at this phase in his career, those action notables aren’t the end to this film’s impressive roster. So it’s time to take a look at the rest of the crew ready to set Europe ablaze for king and country in this movie based on author Damien Lewis' book of the same name. 

Let's start with those two gents we’ve already mentioned before moving onto the rest of the recruits lined up to do the job. Trust me, you're going to be blown away by who else is part of this would-be wrecking crew.

Henry Cavill

For someone who’s been hotly tipped as one of the best prospects to become the new face of the James Bond movies, Henry Cavill has certainly stacked his plate with espionage-adjacent credits. Mentioned by name in the trailer for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, Cavill is playing the on-screen version of special operations veteran Gus March-Phillipps.

Most notably, Cavill's previous teaming with Guy Ritchie on The Man From U.N.C.L.E speaks to that sort of endeavor. That's probably part of how the actor reunited with Ritchie to tackle a more grounded espionage caper. What’s more, the two are set for yet another movie, which, according to Deadline wrapped production in early 2024. Previously, Henry was also seen stretching his spy muscles as the titular lead to Matthew Vaughn’s Argylle.

Alan Ritchson

Actor Alan Ritchson looks like he’s a man that could double as a mountain. With an impressive stature, the man has been the star of Prime Video subscription holders’ screens thanks to his lead role in the Reacher series. According to the actor's Instagram, Ritchson is playing the cinematic version of real life World War II hero Anders Lassen.

Also seen testing his might against Vin Diesel in Fast X, as well as playing a major role in the DC Comics series Titans, Ritchson is now heading to the front to do some damage. You can practically hear the witty repartee between Alan Ritchson and Henry Cavill, but there are plenty of other conversation partners waiting to take a crack as you'll see in the rest of the cast assembled.

Eiza González

Another veteran of the Fast Saga universe, Eiza González’s Hobbs and Shaw character is still waiting to resurface within the vast continuum of figures hiding in those particular shadows. But keeping her busy in the meantime is her unknown character in this new Guy Ritchie action/history extravaganza.

González can also be seen on the 2024 TV schedule, as she’s also part of the cast for Netflix’s series adaptation of author Liu Cixin’s sci-fi novel series 3 Body Problem. Making things all the more exciting, Eiza has already re-teamed with Mr. Ritchie, as well as Henry Cavill! The Godzilla vs. Kong star can be seen soon in an untitled action movie that should be The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare director's next release.

Alex Pettyfer

As a once and former Alex Rider in Stormbreaker, actor Alex Pettyfer started his career as a cinematic spy right from frame one. Pettyfer would branch out through various genres, thanks to films like In Time and Magic Mike granting him the opportunity. More recently, the Beastly actor also made his directorial debut through the 2018 movie Back Roads. 

Hero Fiennes Tiffin

Playing the role of young Tom Marvolo Riddle/Voldemort in 2009’s Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, Hero Fiennes Tiffin made quite the impression, although most would best remember Tiffin as Hardin Scott, the male lead in the After series. The nephew of M himself, Ralph Fiennes, Hero’s casting in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is yet another interesting coincidence in the young actor’s career. 

Babs Olusanmokun 

If you’re a loyal viewer of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, then you’ve definitely seen Babs Olusanmokun before. Playing the role of the mysterious Dr. Joseph M’Benga on the Paramount+ exclusive series, his ship physician character helps keep the Enterprise running at full steam. But outside of that particular role, Olusanmokun is also a veteran Guy Ritchie performer, as he was featured in the Jason Statham revenge thriller Wrath of Man. 

Henrique Zaga

Also credited as Henry Zaga, this Brazilian actor might best be known as Roberto da Costa/Sunspot, one of the Marvel-adjacent characters featured in the infamously postponed The New Mutants. On top of those credits, Zaga has also made a name for himself in the streaming world, as part of the casts to Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why and Apple TV+’s The Crowded Room. 

Til Schweiger

Actor Til Schweiger’s experience in World War II filmmaking is perhaps one of the most notable in this entire cast list. That’s not knocking anyone else present in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’s lineup, but when you have something like Inglourious Basterds’ Hugo Stigliz on your resume, that’s kind of a huge calling card. Schweiger's work in espionage pictures can also be seen in his role of The Watchmaker, a part in one of the best action movies in recent years: Charlize Theron’s Atomic Blonde.

Henry Golding

Another previous member of the Guy Ritchie company, Henry Golding was last seen working with the director on the 2020 crime comedy The Gentleman. Keeping his action credentials sharp through pictures like the G.I. Joe spin-off Snake Eyes, Golding’s spot on the Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare roster further bolsters the combat cred present among the cast. Henry has also been cast in The Old Guard 2, joining action vets Charlize Theron and Uma Thurman for that Netflix-bound sequel.

Cary Elwes

Re-teaming after their previous work on Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, Cary Elwes and Guy Ritchie are back at it again with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. A legendary actor who’s held landmark roles in projects ranging from The Princess Bride to Saw, Elwes has been keeping his espionage skills up to date thanks to his recent part in the Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning cast. 

That’s a lot of people to get to know in what seems like a short time, but don’t worry. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is slated to hit theaters on April 19th, so you have plenty of time to prepare. Though you should keep an eye on this cast list, as any major additions to the roster will be reported as they happen. 

Director Guy Ritchie is famous for attracting A-list actors throughout his career, as he's shown through his frequent collaborations with Jason Statham, compiling the star-studded cast of 2019’s The Gentlemen, and getting Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law to play Sherlock and Watson. The filmmaker’s next movie proved this again as it will see John Krasinski and Natalie Portman playing brother and sister. Plus, the adventure at the center of the film sounds like it will be a blast. 

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Guy Ritchie has assembled Krasinski and Portman for an upcoming Apple film called Fountain of Youth. The movie will reportedly revolve around estranged siblings who work together on a “global heist” to discover the legendary Fountain of Youth. Over the years, the mythological spring that allegedly restores one’s youth has been the subject of many films from Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides to Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain. This one looks to be a fun globetrotting adventure flick that has me excited already. 

Apparently, both John Krasinski and Natalie Portman will be some kind of history buffs who follow their knowledge of the past to chase after the fountain’s promise of immortality. 

Considering Krasinski and Portman are usually rather picky when it comes to what projects they get behind, there must have been something special about Fountain of Youth. The script was penned by James Vanderbilt, of the recent Scream films, Murder Mystery flicks and The Amazing Spider-Man movies, plus he wrote the screenplay for one of the best movies of the 2000s, Zodiac.  

The news surrounding Guy Ritchie’s latest movie comes as the director recently wrapped work on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, an action war film starring Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González. The project was recently added to the 2024 movie schedule for April 19 alongside The First Omen and Challengers. 

While the release strategy has not been decided upon, the Fountain of Youth sounds like it could be the right movie to go to theaters before becoming available to stream with an AppleTV+ subscription, like other recent Apple movies like Killers of the Flower Moon and next month’s Argylle. 

Guy Ritchie has been lining up movie after movie in recent years, considering he had two movies come out in 2023 between The Covenant and Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. He’s also been attached to Disney’s Aladdin 2, after helming the billion-dollar box office smash and sharing hopes to return to Agrabah. He was also chosen to make the live-action Hercules in 2022, but we’ve yet to hear much regarding the movement of either Disney project. 

I can’t wait to see what Ritchie does with Fountain of Youth, and what John Krasinski and Natalie Portman bring to the upcoming adventure! 

I finally watched the Robert Downey Jr.-led Sherlock films, and I need to see more. 

I'm all over the place when it comes to movie genres. Some think of me as a horror movie lover; others know me as the person who will recommend the best fantasy movies out there, but deep down, I love a good mystery.

However, I don't want the ones that are so easy to follow. I love the whodunnits where it feels like you're constantly learning new things, and you always need to figure out who's right or wrong, that kind of mystery – the stuff that comes from the franchise of Sherlock Holmes, the series of books that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle authored.

I enjoyed reading them when I was younger, so when there were adaptations that became popular, I was always a huge fan. I've seen some older movies featuring the detective, and I also loved the adaptation that starred Benedict Cumberbatch (who is actually related to the real author of the series) and Martin Freeman, titled Sherlock. However, I realized a few weeks ago that I had never seen the movies starring Robert Downey Jr. – Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, directed by Guy Ritchie.

So now, I decided to watch both – and boy, do I have thoughts. Let's get into it. 

Robert Downey Jr. Needs To Play Sherlock Again

While researching these movies, I didn't realize that the first Sherlock film came out the year after Iron Man. While I'm sure audiences older than me knew who Robert Downey Jr. was before that role, many people my age only discovered him from that superhero movie. 

For a long time, I always associated Downey Jr. with the role of Tony Stark because that's just how I was raised with him. And while I know he won't be reprising the superhero anytime in the foreseeable future, it's still one of his best, among many of Downey’s best movies and roles. However, I must admit that I really love him as Sherlock and would love to see him as the detective again. 

Sherlock himself is such an interesting character. He's so unbelievably bright and can detect anything and solve most mysteries. Still, he also has this confident attitude that makes him almost too secure sometimes, and when someone pulls something over him, it's usually a big deal – which is why Moriarty is such a great foil. 

And then there's Downey's version of Sherlock Holmes. Not only does he bring that confidence you would expect from Sherlock, but he's able to bring a different personality to the iconic character that fits him so well. 

Jude Law Perfectly Captures Watson

I never thought Jude Law would be a good Watson. I've seen him in so many of his great movies, like Road to Perdition, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Hugo, and more. I loved him especially in the Wes Anderson movie The Grand Budapest Hotel, which I just watched again as part of my Wes Anderson movie marathon.

When I found out he was playing Sherlock's partner, I didn't know if he would fit in that role, but truthfully, he made me like Watson. 

I'm not a massive fan of the character because he can aid Sherlock in specific ways but hinder him in others. Law's portrayal of him, however, was intelligent and funny, and he made me like Watson a lot more than I thought while still keeping the character's true nature. Only that can be done by an excellent actor. 

And On Another Note, Jared Harris As Moriarty Is The Absolute Best

This is another case where Moriarty is a complex villain to crack. As one of the most iconic villains of the movie and T.V. world, Moriarty is both a genius and crazy. So, finding the perfect actor to nail that is hard. 

Jared Harris was a great pick. Truthfully, I had just found out who Jared Harris was before watching Sherlock: A Game of Shadows, because it's hard to keep track of every actor under the sun. However, he embraced Moriarty's role, and he made me wish I got to see way more of him. 

I Will Say - Rachel McAdams Could Have Been Used More

If I had one critique about these films, Rachel McAdams, who played Irene Adler, was severely underused. McAdams is known for so many incredible movies that she's starred in, from Mean Girls to The Notebook to About Time and so many others, and when I found out she was in this, I was excited. 

I was even more eager to view these films when I saw how much of the trailer she was in – but she felt like an afterthought while watching both movies. Her character wasn't as big as I believed she would be. She is a phenomenal actor, but her role in this didn't do it for me. 

The Chemistry Between Every Actor Is Flawless

This was one of the main reasons I want to see a third film – the chemistry between every actor is so good. I can't tell you how often I laughed because the line delivery was on point, and every performer could bounce off the other. 

I could make a whole list of moments between Sherlock and Watson that were some of the best in these films, and it would never be enough. The chemistry is bubbling here, my friends. I would say their partnership in this is equal to that of Cumberbatch and Freeman's in BBC's Sherlock.

I'm Glad The Movies Keep Sherlock In The Past Rather Than The Present

I know that Sherlock is primarily known for being in the past, as the books are obviously from older times – and I'm thrilled they decided to keep these films within that timeframe rather than the present. 

There are a lot of modern-day interpretations of Sherlock Holmes. While they are fun and exciting, I like when we are sent back to the past for the typical retelling of Sherlock. Plus, watching these characters find ways to solve crimes without modern-day technology is so entertaining.

While They Don't Follow The Books, Both Movies Are So Fun

While this duo of films doesn't follow any story from the Doyle novels, they certainly keep the spirit of Sherlock alive. Not only do these movies have exciting mysteries, but they have energetic stories too that will have you pulling out a sleuthing hat and writing down every clue possible.

I wish more elements from the novels appeared in the films, but we'll get into that later. 

Also, The Fight Scenes Were Energetic And Well-Choreographed And Somehow Fit With The Movies

These are mystery movies, mind you. I was not expecting to see full-on action scenes here, but wow, they were so much fun! The fights were well-choreographed and fit with the movie in a way I didn't expect them to, and it made the mysteries that we followed that much more interesting and chaotic at the same time. 

That fight where Sherlock is boxing, or even when they are fighting on the Tower Bridge, was so enthralling. There was also some great cinematography and choreography there, creating perfect and wildly fun action sequences. 

And The Music Was So Much Fun And Added To The Scenes In Such A Positive Way

Hans Zimmer never misses. He consistently produces the best freaking music, and he did that for both Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. 

The composer has certainly written some incredible scores in the past, but there's just something about how he emulated Sherlock's fun chaotic energy into the score of Sherlock Holmes that adds to the movie and makes it better. 

Seriously, I Need A Third Film

Both of these movies, while based on the characters of Sherlock Holmes, have original premises. They aren't based on one specific story from Doyle, although they follow some elements in Sherlock: A Game of Shadows. They're funny and exciting, don't get me wrong, but there's so much more story that could be told.

If there's a third film, I'd want it to adapt more from the novels. They can still make an original premise, just as they did with the first two, but incorporate more plot points from the books – and they would be even more enjoyable. And I want all that with Robert Downey Jr. again, because he was everything.

These movies won me over, and I truly hope a third film is released that continues this story. There is one in development, and apparently, it is “a priority” for Robert Downey Jr. to make another installment, but only time will tell if that comes to our theaters. For now, I'll re-watch these. 

Henry Cavill’s return as Superman may not have worked out in the long run, but the good news is that he has a number of other major projects coming up. For example, it was announced last fall that Cavill would re-team with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. director Guy Ritchie for The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which is currently filming and set to come out sometime in 2024. But in the midst of this production, these talents have already lined up another movie to work on together, and it’ll co-star two other actors Ritchie has worked with before.

After finishing The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which follows a combat organization formed in World War II that paved the way for modern black ops groups, the filmmaker will work on a yet-to-be-titled action movie about, as Deadline put it, “two extraction specialists who must plan an escape path for a high-level female negotiator.” The outlet also shared that Henry Cavill will co-star opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Eiza González, with the former having worked with Ritchie on the now-released The Covenant, and the latter also appearing in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

While not outright stated in the article, it stands to reason that Cavill and Gyllenhaal’s characters are the specialist sent to extract González’s negotiator character. Beyond that though, the plot is being kept shrouded in secrecy. Behind the scenes, Ritchie also wrote the script and will produce alongside Ivan Atkinson and Black Bear International’s John Friedberg, with the latter having also produced Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, The Covenant and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Black Bear launched worldwide sales for the project today, and filming will begin this summer in Spain. Ritchie said the following about reuniting with these three actors in an official statement:

In addition to now having two Guy Ritchie-helmed movies coming up, Henry Cavill will also be seen later this year leading the spy movie Argylle, which will be accessible to Apple TV+ subscribers. Additionally, he’s set to star in and executive produce a Warhammer 40,000 series for Amazon. Looking to Jake Gyllenhaal (who recently responded to the Jacked Gyllenhaal memes), we know he’ll be at the front and center of the Road House remake for Amazon Studios, as well as star in the Apple TV+ series Presumed Innocent. As for Eiza González, her next project is the Netflix TV series Three Body Problem.

As soon as more details about this action movie come in, we’ll pass them along. Until then, The Covenant is still playing in theaters, and you can learn what lays ahead this year with the lineup of 2023 new movie releases.

There are some specific genres or certain styles of filmmaking that do not necessarily have a particular name of their own. In these cases, most often, all it takes is dropping the name of a filmmaker who is closely associated with this type of movie or is even widely credited as the one pioneered it. For instance, when I want someone to envision a quirky crime thriller set in United Kingdom, I mention Guy Ritchie.

Of course, the British gangster comedy is certainly not all that the prolific writer, producer, and director is known for. Case in point, his latest film — Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, which you can find on the 2023 new movie releases with an April 21st release date — is an earnest drama about the friendship between a US Army sergeant (Jake Gyllenhaal) and the Afghan interpreter (Dar Salim) who saved his life. For a deeper look at the eclectic variety of Guy Ritchie movies — along with how and where you can find them available for streaming, as a digital rental or purchase, or on physical media, read on. However, let’s start with one of his more definitive films.

Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels (1998)

Desperate for money after losing a high-stakes poker game, four close-knit friends (Nick Moran, Jason Statham, Dexter Fletcher, and Jason Flemyng) find a potential solution after one overhears his neighbors planning a robbery and decide to intercept the loot.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: Also one of Jason Statham’s best movies, Ritchie made a very impressive feature film debut with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, which was lauded as one of the most clever and exhilarating crime dramas of the late ‘90s for its sharp dialogue and even sharper sense of humor.

Stream Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels on Amazon Prime.
Buy Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Snatch (2000)

When a stolen diamond goes missing somewhere in England, various people from all walks of life — ranging from innocent bystanders to ruthless criminals — vie to get their hands on it.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: For his second time (of many) working with Statham, as well as Vinnie Jones, after Lock, Stock, Ritchie adopted a quasi-anthology-style of storytelling a la Pulp Fiction for Snatch — one of the filmmaker’s more complex ensemble crime dramedies, which features a hilariously incomprehensible Brad Pitt in one of his most badass roles and later inspired a hit TV show of the same name. 

Stream Snatch on Peacock.
Rent/buy Snatch on Amazon.
Buy Snatch on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Revolver (2005)

Following his release from seven years in solitary confinement, a successful gambler (Statham) enters a vengeful, high-stakes game against a powerful casino owner (Ray Liotta) who was directly involved with his arrest.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: After directing his then-wife, Madonna, in a 2002 remake of Lina Wertmüller’s 1974 romantic-comedy, Swept Away (which proved to be a critical and commercial failure), Ritchie returned to his roots, but in a comparatively more earnest fashion, with Revolver — a slick, highly-stylized, star-studded action thriller produced and co-written by Luc Besson.

Rent/buy Revolver on Amazon.
Buy Revolver on Blu-ray on Amazon.

RocknRolla (2008)

In an effort to finally go legit, a pair of simple thieves (Gerard Butler, Idris Elba) borrow some money from a veteran London crime boss, which ends up putting them in a mess far over their heads.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: Ritchie resurrected his more comedic side for his next fun gangster flick, RocknRolla — also one of Butler’s best movies and featuring a stacked, star-studded ensemble that also includes Thandiwe Newton, Tom Hardy, and more.

Stream RocknRolla on HBO Max.
Rent/buy RocknRolla on Amazon.
Buy RocknRolla on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Movies (2009-2011) 

An eccentric, world famous private detective (Robert Downey Jr.) and his long-time assistant (Jude Law) take on a mysterious criminal who claims to possess magical powers (Mark Strong) and, in another adventure, attempt to finally catch their elusive archenemy, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris).

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: You will never see Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most iconic and influential character the same way after watching Ritchie’s hilarious, action-packed interpretation in 2009’s Sherlock Holmes and 2011’s Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, which have a long-awaited third installment on the way (to be directed by Ritchie’s Lock, Stock star, Dexter Fletcher) that I still hope to see.

Rent/buy Sherlock Holmes on Amazon.
Buy Sherlock Holmes on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Stream Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on HBO Max.
Rent/buy Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on Amazon.
Buy Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows on Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

A suave American secret agent (Henry Cavill) and a bearish KGB operative (Armie Harmmer) are reluctantly thrown together as partners and, along with the daughter of a German scientist (Alicia Vikander), investigate a mysterious organization using her father to construct a doomsday weapon. 

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: In a year in which spy movies were all the rage, my personal favorite of the bunch was this feature-length adaptation of the 1960s adventure series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., which reignites the style of the Bond films’ Sean Connery era, but fused with Ritchie’s signature vision. 

Stream The Man From U.N.C.L.E. on HBO Max.
Rent/buy The Man From U.N.C.L.E. on Amazon.
Buy The Man From U.N.C.L.E. on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Aladdin (2019)

With the assistance of a genie (Will Smith) he helped free from a magic lamp, a poor young man (Mena Massoud) tries to win the heart of a beautiful princess (Naomi Scott), whose kingdom he must then help save from a ruthless tyrant (Marwan Kenzari).

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: Diverting further away from his signature style than he had since 2002’s Swept Away, Ritchie delivered one of the most successful live-action remakes of Disney’s animated classics with Aladdin, which reportedly has a sequel in the works.

Stream Aladdin on Disney+.
Rent/buy Aladdin on Amazon.
Buy Aladdin on Blu-ray/DVD on Amazon.

The Gentlemen (2020) 

The American head of a successful, London-based marijuana empire (Matthew McConaughey) puts his business up for sale, which leads to a series of deadly schemes by disparate criminals seeking control.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: Only a year after releasing Aladdin, Ritchie returned to the British gangster dramedy at full throttle with The Gentlemen — perhaps one of his quirkiest romps and one with some of the most star power, with a cast that also features Michelle Dockery, Charlie Hunnam, and Colin Farrell.

Stream The Gentlemen on Netflix.
Rent/buy The Gentlemen on Amazon.
Buy The Gentlemen on Blu-ray on Amazon.

Wrath Of Man (2021)

After unleashing his impressive skills when stopping an attempted heist, a truck security guard (Jason Statham) falls under suspicion from his co-workers.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: For his first movie with Statham in more than a decade, Ritchie revisited his more earnest side for this film — a gritty, action-packed tale of revenge that culminates in the awesome Wrath of Man ending. 

Stream Wrath Of Man on Amazon Prime.
Stream Wrath Of Man on Paramount+.
Buy Wrath Of Man on Blu-ray/DVD on Amazon.

Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre (2023) 

A rebellious, veteran secret agent (Jason Statham) and his new crew enlist the help of a movie star (Josh Hartnett) in order to get close to his biggest fan (Hugh Grant), whom they suspect is selling a deadly new weapon.

Why it is one of the best Guy Ritchie movies: For his latest reunion with Statham, Ritchie revives the old school style of spy movie storytelling once again for Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre — a surprisingly fun and hilarious adventure featuring a wonderful cast that also includes Aubrey Plaza, Bugzy Malone, and Cary Elwes.

Buy Operation Fortune: Ruse De Guerre on Amazon.

As you can see, there are many shades to the talent of Guy Ritchie. Stream the titles above to experience all of them.

Guy Ritchie is starting to become an established name in the espionage genre. Thanks to projects like The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and the upcoming The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, his rapid fire wit and action chops have been applied to situations where the fate of the world is in the balance. With Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, Ritchie finds himself reunited with collaborators like Jason Statham and Hugh Grant, taking on the world of spies once more with feeling. What results is a seriously funny movie that balances its humor with moments of intense action, carrying both sides of the equation with that trademark Guy Ritchie flair. 

Things start off fast and to the point from the moment the logos fade, as a concerning theft from a research facility has left the British government with great, top secret concerns. We don’t know what’s stolen at first, only that it’s a big enough job that Orson Fortune (Jason Staham) is recruited into action to retrieve the goods and make the buyer. That mission will require a team that Orson can trust (Aubrey Plaza, Bugzy Malone) and the aid of a reluctant movie star (Josh Hartnett) who can help the team get to some key players involved.

Of course, the traditional hang-ups will be present throughout Operation Fortune, as this is a Guy Ritchie movie after all. There will be betrayals, subterfuge, and some cleverly edited flashbacks that provide details we didn’t see the first time out. Though this is a movie where Ritchie is playing around with elements he’s always been comfortable with, the man does so with a lens that’s more serious than you’d think. That approach allows both the laughs and the thrills to land as powerfully as one of Jason Statham’s punches; and you’ve seen how that dude can punch. 

A more comedic take on Mission: Impossible-style spying, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre isn’t as silly as it’s sold itself to be.

On the outside, Operation Fortune looks like it’d be at home with one of Ritchie’s more comedic affairs; especially when promising some well played verbal sparring between Aubrey Plaza and various members of the cast. Though there is a strong current of humor that makes this Mission: Impossible-style caper as fun as it should be, the co-writer/director of this picture doesn’t skimp on serious thrills.

Laughter is only part of the picture here, as the stakes of the catastrophe that Orson Fortune and his team are trying to stop is treated as deadly serious when it needs to be. A scene that sees Jason Statham’s operative engaging in a vital infiltration exercise that’ll put his team ahead of their foes shows just how exacting the tone of Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre happens to be. What starts with Statham’s character getting distracted by a movie on TV shifts into serious thievery, which then finishes with Plaza and Statham debating semantics and architecture. 

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre walks between the tones of humor and peril rather adeptly, and it’s thanks to Guy Ritchie working once again with writers Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies. Both collaborators have been on hand to sculpt the plots to Ritchie’s last two movies, The Gentlemen and Wrath of Man, and the confidence of this team shows throughout this latest endeavor. Which, in turn, further highlights the abilities of the crack team of actors put together to take it off the page.

The Guy Ritchie stable continues to flourish with another amazing ensemble and some strong, sharp pacing.

Guy Ritchie’s stable of recurring actors is something that’s always exciting to follow, as he seems to pick up new friends on a regular basis. Jason Statham’s continued work with his Lock, Stock, and Two Smokin’ Barrels helmer was naturally the strongest connection going into Operation Fortune, and their work together once again does not disappoint. The same should be said for Eddie Marsan and Bugzy Malone, both of whom are returning Team Ritchie players that help hold down the fort most admirably. 

Showing off the strong casting game that’s been present throughout his career, Guy Ritchie has really outdone himself by bringing the likes of Aubrey Plaza and Cary Elwes on board. Plaza’s computer expert Sarah Fidel is one of several parcels of comedic dynamite going off in Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre. Not only does she get to match wits with Jason Statham’s Orson, but she also serves as a comedic foil for Josh Hartnett (whose Danny Francesco is yet another hilarious try hard in the Ritchie-verse) as well as Hugh Grant.

Needless to say, Grant is firing on all cylinders as well, injecting the character of arms dealer Greg Simmons with the right amount of charm and menace to sell any given moment. Mixing sleaze with a more sinister nature, Hugh Grant could be the very pivot point of the dual tones to the story at hand, especially when delivering a Ritchie-esque monologue that gives the third act a nice boost in the middle of all the action. 

Just as the story knows how to navigate the lines of humor and hard action, the ensemble of performers in Operation Fortune read those lines very carefully. At times, this picture feels like it stops on a dime, only to turn in another direction and start zooming away into the distance. The energy is never forced, and in a sense Orson Fortune and his team outdo their spying competition by showing the audience one continued mission, step by step, without ever rushing or belaboring any particular point. 

With Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, Guy Ritchie has yet again proven he’s one of the masters working in the espionage genre today.

At this point, everyone probably wants Guy Ritchie to either submit his resume for a Mission: Impossible movie, or even a James Bond adventure. It’s hard not to dream of those scenarios when Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre does so well with pacing its story and providing engaging characters, while also keeping the stakes firmly in sight. 25 years after directing his breakout film with Jason Statham, Ritchie has yet again proven he’s got the spy genre figured out. 

With a structure and team that takes the Mission movies and marries it with some 007 style humor and plottery, Operation Fortune is a welcomed addition to the canon of espionage movies. It’s tempting to want to see a new franchise for Guy Ritchie to return to, as the film does tip its hand towards potential plans for the future, and in a very Man From U.N.C.L.E. fashion. At the same time, it’s the roving nature of his filmography that’s given Ritchie the chance to develop such skilled precision. So something new is just as much of a welcomed prospect. 

It’s at least comforting to know that another Guy Ritchie movie has landed, with all of the entertainment and electricity you’d expect. Growing his stable of acting collaborators, one would hope that Aubrey Plaza and Cary Elwes will start to show up more often, alongside the likes of Jason Statham and the rest of the family that’s come on board through the years. Operation Fortune is a rich spy caper that cashes in every chip it has with such glee that it’s only further evidence as to why Ritchie should continue to play the spy game on a regular basis.

When it was revealed that Aladdin passed the $1 billion mark, it wasn’t hard to guess that an Aladdin 2 would be in the works. But, one of the major questions on our mind about the Disney sequel is whether or not Aladdin’s director Guy Ritchie will return as director. He had a candid response about what his decision would be. 

It may seem like an interesting choice for Disney to have hired Guy Ritchie to direct an Aladdin movie in the first place, since he was known for making high-energy hustler movies like Snatch. While his movies may have seemed like a far cry away from a Disney flick, he explained Aladdin is around the same realm in that the title character is considered a classic street hustler. Plus his five kids loving Disney films helped make his decision to take on the Aladdin project even further. In an interview with Collider, Ritchie spoke about if he’ll return for Aladdin 2.

Guess that means we’ll have to wait and see. With his Disney remake surpassing the original at the box office and being the highest-grossing film of Ritchie’s career, it’s no wonder he’d be quick to jump back onto the project. When it was revealed that the Aladdin sequel would be “fresh and new,”  producer Dan Lin said they would take ideas from multiple source materials to bring something new to the table. While the original Aladdin did have the two direct-to-video sequels The Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves, those mixed to negatively reviewed sequels might be either blended together or taken from source material outside of that. So many might expect this new Disney sequel to be bigger and better than ever.

While we may not know yet if Guy Ritchie will be returning for Aladdin 2, there is one we know who will. Will Smith is reportedly returning to play Genie with The Sun claiming his role in this next movie will be even bigger than ever. With this possibly being his first signed project since the controversial Oscars slap, a family-friendly project might be good for him on his path of redemption. While nothing has been confirmed yet, we can expect it to be given that not only will Smith return, but so will Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott reprise their roles as Aladdin and Princess Jasmine. It wouldn’t be a true sequel without the talents of those three.

The Sherlock Holmes director is not leaving Disney as of yet. He’s scored another live-action Disney remake, Hercules. The son of Zeus may not be a hustler that you’d find in a Guy Ritchie movie, but this Greek Mythology-inspired character is truly badass. An update of the live-action Hercules remake says this reimagined movie will mix elements of the original animated movie with a modern TikTok-inspired musical. Nothing says more modern than that. 

With Aladdin 2 coming into a full circle, it will only be a matter of time before we find out if Guy Ritchie or any of the main cast will come back for the upcoming Disney movie. Check in with our 2023 movie releases to get an idea of when Aladdin 2 is expected to be released in theaters.

In the early years of Robert Downey Jr.’s tenure as Iron Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the actor was also bringing another fictional character from the printed page to life: Sherlock Holmes. Downey’s debuted as the Arthur Conan Doyle-created detective in 2009, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows followed in 2011. Then there’s Sherlock Holmes 3, which has remained stuck in development hell for well over a decade, with no sign lately of it making any progress forward. Now Guy Ritchie, who directed Downey's first two Sherlock Holmes movies, has shared why he’s not as “involved” with the threequel at this time.

Guy Ritchie has been making the rounds promoting his new movie Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre, which stars Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza and Josh Hartnett, but while speaking with Collider, Sherlock Holmes 3 came up as a topic. When the filmmaker was asked if Sherlock Holmes 3 still has a chance of happening or if "that time has come and gone,” he responded:

It’s important to mention that as of right now, Guy Ritchie isn’t attached to Sherlock Holmes 3 as its director. In 2019, it was announced that Rocketman’s Dexter Fletcher would pick up the helming reins on the threequel, but in June 2022, Fletcher said that the COVID-19 pandemic had “derailed” Sherlock Holmes 3, though he still felt the movie should be made. There’s been no official announcement of Fletcher stepping away from Sherlock Holmes 3, so presumably he’s still on board to direct and Ritchie is ready to help out in some other way, likely as an executive producer.

Either way, as Guy Ritchie explained, the ball is in Robert Downey Jr.’s court over whether Sherlock Holmes 3 will someday be made or not. As far as his schedule goes, Downey has been busy with other projects lately, including being part of the massive cast for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, as well as both starring in and executive producing the upcoming HBO series The Sympathizer. So it’s hard to say if Sherlock Holmes 3 is still an important item on his to-do list these days.

It’s also possible that the future of this Sherlock Holmes world doesn’t rest with another movie, but in the TV realm instead. In April 2022, it was reported that Robert Downey Jr. and his wife Susan Downey were among the executive producers developing two Sherlock Holmes spinoff shows that would screen exclusively for HBO Max subscribers. However, even if one or either of these shows were to move forward, they both focus on new characters who are supposed to be introduced in Sherlock Holmes 3, so it’s unclear if Downey would reprise Sherlock in the shows or if he’s only involved with them behind the scenes.

If/when the day comes when an official decision on what to do with Sherlock Holmes 3 is announced, we’ll be sure to pass it along. Until then, the 2023 new movie releases lineup is available to look over so you can figure out what you’ll watch in theaters or stream later this year.

Of the movies that made up the Disney Renaissance period, four have been adapted for live-action within the last half decade, and The Little Mermaid will be #5 once it comes out next May among the 2023 movie releases. Additionally, there’s a live-action version of 1997’s Hercules on the way, and it was announced in June that Guy Ritchie will sit in the director’s chair for that. Ritchie already has experience with live-action Disney remakes from helming 2019’s Aladdin, and now he has shared an update on where things stand with this new take on Hercules.

Guy Ritchie briefly talked Hercules while attending the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia (via Screen Daily), saying that he’s hoping to shoot Hercules “within the next year.” Since Ritchie is set to start shooting his Henry Cavill-led World War II thriller The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare in February, that means if his wish for Hercules is fulfilled, cameras likely won’t start rolling until towards the end of 2023, perhaps around this time next year. Ritchie, who wrapped production on the Jake Gyllenhaal-led The Covenant (which has previously been called The Interpreter) two weeks ago, also said the following about how he likes to keep busy with filmmaking:

Along with the aforementioned The Little Mermaid, Disney also has its live-action Snow White, starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, slated for March 22, 2024, followed by the prequel Mufasa: The Lion King on July 5, 2024, and Disney+ subscribers will be able to watch Peter Pan & Wendy sometime in 2023. So as far as live-action Disney adaptations/re-imaginings go, we’re fairly well covered in the new few years, meaning there’s still time for Guy Ritchie and his team to get things in order for Hercules. If the director is able to begin principal photography before 2023’s over, given that Hercules will undoubtedly have an extensive post-production process, then 2025 is probably the earliest we can expect it.

The live-action Hercules also has Avengers: Endgame and The Gray Man directors Joe and Anthony Russo looped in as producers, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ Dave Callaham is writing the script, which was finished in early 2021. In June, Joe Russo said that the new Hercules movie would “pay homage to the original with a more modern spin on it,” and then he added in November that it would be a “modern musical” inspired by TikTok. No castings have been announced yet, but Danny DeVito has made it clear that he wants to voice Philoctetes, Hercules’ trainer, again, just like how James Earl Jones reprised Mufasa in 2019’s The Lion King.

Guy Ritchie’s most recent two movies, The Gentlemen and Wrath of Man, can be respectively streamed with a Netflix subscription and Paramount+ subscription. We’ll pass along any other notable details about his version of Hercules as they come in.

Aubrey Plaza is currently making a big splash on this season of The White Lotus, but her next project with action hero Jason Statham will for sure attract an even bigger audience. The film is a stylish action comedy directed by Guy Ritchie. It seems like a different turn for Plaza who has explored more within the traditional comedy sphere. Apparently she is having a lot of fun on set, and even says she may have slapped her co-star's butt. 

In a new interview with GQ, the Emily the Criminal actress opened up about her expanding career and some of the new exciting projects she has down the pike. When talking about Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre she revealed she had a lot of fun behind the scenes, and even channeled a James Bond-esque attitude towards her co-star, Jason Statham. She revealed:

Well I guess this certainly flips the script on some of the major themes of the James Bond movies. These two are so different, but I’m sure their acting sensibilities will come together wonderfully and be a power duo on screen. There are apparently a lot of antics going on behind the scenes, so hopefully these antics will translate as great chemistry in the film. 

This is not the first time Plaza has gotten attention for some of her more out-there interactions with her scene partners. She “weirded out” Robert De Niro when the two made Dirty Grandpa together and had a few wild scenes they had to film. The actress also said she gave a vial of her own blood to the Parks and Recreation cast after they wrapped filming their last season. She clearly isn’t afraid to go for it and show her wilder side. I personally think it’s hysterical, and I can’t wait to hear about more behind the scenes moments from Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre.

If the snarky trailer is any indication, the Guy Ritchie film is going to be an absolute blast. It is about a Special agent named “Orson Fortune” who has a team of operatives. Their mission is to recruit one of Hollywood's biggest actors to help them on an undercover mission to break into a ring of deadly weapons sales. Along with Statham and Plaza, the cast also includes Hugh Grant, Cary Elwes, and Josh Hartnett. 

Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre is set to hit theaters on January 12, 2023 along with many other great movie releases coming to theaters in 2023. In addition, you can catch Aubrey Plaza on Season 2 of The White Lotus, currently streaming with an HBO Max subscription. You can also check out the latest Guy Ritchie/Jason Statham team up project, Wrath of Man, streaming now for Amazon Prime subscribers. 

As Henry Cavill announced at the top of the week, he’s back as Superman and his recent cameo during the end credits of Black Adam was but a “small taste of things to come.” It’s exciting news for the future of DC Movies, but while we wait for movement on the next appearance of the Man of Steel, Cavill is staying booked and busy by signing on to another movie with his The Man From U.N.C.L.E. director, Guy Ritchie. 

Cavill has reportedly signed on to a World War II-era action film, The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare, alongside Baby Driver actress Eiza González. The movie will see Henry Cavill and Guy Ritchie re-team for another spy genre film after he played Napoleon Solo in 2015's U.N.C.L.E flick. Ungentlemanly Warfare is already set to begin production in January in Turkey, per Deadline. 

The movie’s story is inspired by Winston Churchill and James Bond author Ian Fleming’s secret and unconventional combat organization that would become movers and shakers in World War II and ultimately inspire the modern Black Ops unit. The organization implemented fighting techniques fit for an un-gentleman. Henry Cavill will play the squad’s leader, and Eiza González will be a sniper and talented spy, assumedly in the organization with him. More casting news will be on the way regarding the rest of the organization’s members and so forth. 

An intriguing tidbit of the report is that The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare has been written by Guy Ritchie and Arash Amel as the beginning of a franchise. Wait, how is Henry Cavill going to be in all these places at once? The actor is also the star of The Witcher (though he's not returning for Season 4) and about to return as Sherlock Holmes in Enola Holmes 2. If anyone can do it, I guess Superman can. 

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare is also yet another connection Henry Cavill shared with James Bond without actually playing the character (despite being a fan favorite pick). Plus, Cavill recently shared that he was neck and neck with Daniel Craig to play 007 back in the day, but came down to him being too young at the time. Next year Cavill will also play a spy in Argylle, alongside a stacked cast, which is also planned as a trilogy. 

Henry Cavill has a lot on his plate with a range of exciting projects, and The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare is a welcome upcoming addition to this resume. In 2015’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Guy Ritchie and Henry Cavill put out an impressive and exciting spy film and they seem eager to team back up. 

Of course, we’ve all got Superman on our minds right now, but the announcement is just the first step to the highly-anticipated return of the Man of Steel following his brief return for Black Adam. Until DC figures out its plans, we'll happily watch Henry Cavill in these other roles. 

After all the commercial success Disney live-action movies have racked up, it wasn’t a question of if there’d be a next one, it was when. And the House of Mouse has just lined up an exciting new remake from the director of 2019's Aladdin, Guy Ritchie. It looks like the filmmaker is on board to go the distance and helm the live-action Hercules! 

Back in 2020, it was announced that Disney was developing a live-action Hercules project, with Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo attached. Per a Deadline report, the Russo brothers are set to produce the movie, and Guy Ritchie will take the reins on adapting the Greek mythological tale Disney originally tackled in 1997. 

Disney is reportedly in the process of finalizing the script for the Hercules remake after Dave Callaham, writer behind Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Wonder Woman 1984 and The Expendables, wrote the movie’s first draft. The rest of the details are thin on the upcoming Disney movie otherwise, but previously Joe Russo said he and Anthony have a “strong emotional connection” to the original movie and want to “build it out” beyond the vision of the animated classic. 

Guy Ritchie initially become known for his contemporary comedic crime films like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, but he has also branched out to blockbuster action films like 2009’s Sherlock Holmes, 2015’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Aladdin with Disney. His first live-action film with Disney was a massive success, nabbing over $1 billion in box office revenue. The movie received mixed reviews from critics, but moviegoers enjoyed the movie overall, with the movie receiving an A CinemaScore.

Disney's original Hercules was written by Ron Clements and John Musker, who had previously written The Little Mermaid and Aladdin for Disney. The animated musical included original music from Alan Menken, who wrote a lot of the music for Disney movies in the ‘90s. Hercules is, of course, a loose adaptation of Greek mythology featuring the son of Zeus, who becomes a hero on Earth. 

1997's Hercules memorably featured musical muses, who narrate the story through song. Ahead of the live-action movie finding Guy Ritchie, a number of talents have placed their name in the running to be a muse including Jennifer Hudson, Amber Riley and Lizzo. Previously when word of the live-action Hercules remake first was announced, fans also got passionate about making sure Danny DeVito reprises the role of Phil. 

As the live-action Hercules finds momentum behind the scenes, there are a number of other Disney remakes coming our way before we see “Zero To Hero” in live action. Before the end of the year, Pinocchio and Peter Pan & Wendy are expected to join other Disney+ movies, and a live-action The Little Mermaid will hit theaters on May 26, 2023. We’ll keep you posted here on CinemaBlend as we learn more about these nostalgic Disney projects. 

It’s a busy moment in time for Jake Gyllenhaal, who recently released his shot-in-quarantine thriller The Guilty on Netflix and has a Michael Bay film called Ambulance coming early next year, among a ton of other projects. Even so, the actor has just added another leading role his lineup of upcoming work, this time in collaboration with Guy Ritchie, the filmmaker famous for movies like Sherlock Holmes, Snatch and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The upcoming Ritchie movie will be an action-thriller called The Interpreter. 

The Interpreter will see Jake Gyllenhaal playing a sergeant who is on his last tour of duty and teamed with a local interpreter named Ahmed to survey a region. When their unit is ambushed on patrol, Gyllenhaal’s character of Sergeant John Kinley and yet-to-be-cast character of Ahmed become the lone survivors. Linley is severely injured and Ahmed risks his life to carry him across miles of “grueling terrain” to get the two of them to safety. Once Kinley returns home to the United States, he learns his partner was not given his promised passage to America. 

Thus, in order to repay the debt Kinley feels to Ahmed, he returns to the heart of the war zone to find Ahmed and his family before local militias get to them. The Interpreter sounds like a heartwarming, yet tense action-filled movie for Guy Ritchie and Jake Gyllenhaal to take on. News of the collaboration comes straight from STXfilms, which is the production company funding the movie. 

The Interpreter is co-written by Guy Ritchie and his frequent collaborators Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, who also worked with the filmmaker on scripts for his two most recent movies, Wrath of Man and The Gentlemen. The Interpreter is reportedly inspired by actual conversations with soldiers and the interpreters who often risk their lives to be by their side in dangerous situations. The upcoming movie will perhaps bring to light some unspoken heroes people often overlook.

The Interpreter is already set to begin filming on January 10, 2022 on location in Spain. Guy Ritchie wrapped shooting another film earlier this year called Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre with Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Bugsy Malone, Josh Hartnett, Cary Elwes and Hugh Grant. Operation Fortune is a spy movie focused on an undercover mission to stop a billionaire arms broker from selling deadly weapons. 

Operation Fortune is also an STXfilm and is set to hit theaters on January 21, 2022. Guy Ritchie has kept himself plenty busy as of late, considering Wrath of Man hit theaters earlier this year. He and Jake Gyllenhaal have yet to work with one another, so it’ll be exciting what the pair do with The Interpreter come next year. 

During a normal year, the first weekend of May is a massive deal in the movie world. It's been established as the beginning of the summer blockbuster season, and it usually sees the release of a massive new release (typically from Marvel Studios). As we all know, however, and have heard/read thousands of times, 2021 is not a normal year. While we are certainly edging back towards normal while continuing to deal with the pandemic, studios are still being hesitant about putting out their biggest tentpole features while theaters continue to operate at reduced capacity. Because of this, the biggest new film to arrive on the big screen this past Friday was Guy Ritchie's Wrath of Man, starring Jason Statham, and while it did enough business to become the number one ticket seller in North America, the numbers aren't exactly staggering.

The earliest reports are in, and according to Box Office Mojo Wrath Of Man was able to take the box office crown away from Haruo Sotozaki's Demon Slayer, but it has done so while only making $7.3 million (the animated feature added $2.9 million to its domestic total). Compared to the last Guy Ritchie movie, 2020's The Gentlemen, the sales figures don't look that bad, as the new release did only slightly less business than the pre-pandemic release – but they definitely don't look great by normal May standards. Two years ago, Joe and Anthony Russo's Avengers: Endgame was in its second weekend and managed to pull in $147.4 million, and three years ago the Russos' Avengers: Infinity War made $114.8 million under the same circumstances. One has to go back to 2014 and the release of Marc Webb's The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to find the last wide release to make less than nine-figures coming out during the first full Friday-to-Sunday in May. So while theatrical distribution is making a comeback, it's definitely not back in full force yet.

Wrath Of Man's performance can be called mediocre, but what the movie does have going for it is critic and fan response. Both Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham have had some mixed success with both groups in the past, but the bloody new release has received a "Fresh" rating of 66 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and CinemaScore surveys resulted in the film getting an "A-" grade. This circumstance does give the thriller a chance to grow some legs at the box office, as word of mouth could get more people to check it out in the coming weeks. It certainly helps that, as noted, Hollywood isn't quite ready to pull out its big guns this month.

What's more disappointing about this weekend's box office results is that they show a step away from an important milestone that was hit last last Sunday. As I noted in my column at the time, last week was the first time since the start of the pandemic that seven movies made more than a million dollars in the three day stretch. Now we're back down to six – and one could point a finger at Billy Crystal's Here Today being the title that resulted in the industry having to lower the bar back down. Released in 1,200 locations, the new dramedy, which co-stars the director and Tiffany Haddish, only managed to make $900,000 and nab seventh place on the Top 10.

Is it possible that we could see a bounce back next week and possibly even a new milestone reached with eight movies making nine figures or more? It's not inconceivable. This Friday, May 14, we are not only seeing the release of Darren Lynn Bousman's Spiral: From The Book Of Saw, the first theatrically released franchise horror movie since the start of the pandemic, but Warner Bros. also has their latest hybrid big screen/HBO Max title locked and loaded in Taylor Sheridan's Those Who Wish Me Dead, starring Angelina Jolie. Both movies definitely have elements that appeal to mass audiences, but we'll just have to wait and see how well they manage to do. I'll be back here on CinemaBlend next Sunday to provide you with the numbers, and to check out what is also ahead in theaters and on streaming be sure to check out our 2021 Release Calendar.

As the summer movie season begins to amp up this month with a variety of theatrical and streaming releases, Jason Statham is back in action with writer/director Guy Ritchie for Wrath of Man this weekend. The action thriller is a remake of the 2004 French film Cash Truck that also stars Scott Eastwood, Andy Garcia and Holt McCallany. While you decide if you’ll check it out, let’s see how the critics felt about it, shall we?

Wrath of Man follows Jason Statham’s mysterious H, who becomes a security guard for a Los Angeles-based cash truck company. The action heats up, the plot takes twists and turns, and obviously Statham is going to kick some serious butt. We’ll start off with CinemaBlend’s own Mike Reyes, who gave the movie a mid-range three out of five stars in his review, sharing this:

Mike Reyes enjoyed his time with Wrath of Man, especially since it re-teams Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie for the first time in years, but he was bothered with the film’s use of timeline twisting. Variety’s Peter Debruge, on the other hand, was much more keen on the thriller, likening Statham to a James Bond type with these words:

That’s saying a lot given the prestige of 007. To stay on the positive side of Wrath of Man, The Wrap’s Alonso Duralde gave one supporting character a shoutout in his review:

It sounds like if you enjoy Jason Statham movies and are not expecting anything particularly groundbreaking, this might be your cup of tea because the actor plays the kind of role he does best. However, for Yahoo News’ Marcus Goh, it was not surprising enough:

IndieWire’s David Ehrlich really did not like Wrath of Man, complaining that the film tried to reach into the realm of classics like Heat or Guy Richie’s early work of Snatch, but couldn’t pull all the pieces together. Here’s what he said:

Entertainment Weekly’s Leah Greenblatt didn’t particularly like the forthcoming movie either, calling it rather generic for a movie made by Guy Ritchie. She contrasted it with his last movie, 2019’s The Gentleman, with these words:

Overall, there are some mixed opinions on Wrath of Man; no one found it flawless, but a number of critics enjoyed the movie for what it was. It sounds like Jason Statham fans could be the biggest winners here when the movie reaches theaters on Friday, May 7. Check out what other movies are coming soon to theaters and homes this year here on CinemaBlend.

Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie’s careers kicked off at the same time, when Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels introduced the former as an action-comedy lead, and the latter as a fresh voice in cinematic storytelling. Surprisingly, it’s been more than a decade-and-a-half since these collaborators have worked together, with Wrath of Man being their big reunion film after 2005’s Revolver. That sort of wait raises certain expectations with fans, and in this particular case fans of Statham and Ritchie should have no problem strapping in for the ride, as the actor and filmmaker have reunited for a solid, R-rated action thriller.

The concept at the heart of Wrath of Man is deceptively simple, as Jason Statham’s mysterious H is introduced to us right as he’s getting a gig at an armored car company. His co-workers are skeptical about whether or not he is on the level, and throughout his rise as a badass protector among their ranks, the questions keep piling up. As the overall picture of H’s purpose and his ultimate goals become clearer, secrets are revealed, and not everyone makes it out alive.

Jason Statham knows what he’s here to do in Wrath of Man, and he delivers like a pro.

Wrath of Man is a solid, down the line, meat and potatoes Jason Statham vehicle. A remake of Nicolas Boukhrief’s Le Convoyeur, the version co-written and directed by Guy Ritchie couldn’t have been a better project for the two to reunite on. While it’s a bit darker than the action comedies they’ve worked on in the past, in including the aforementioned titles and 2000's Snatch, Statham still knows what he’s been hired to do, and he does it.

Jason Statham’s H is very much in line with previous characters he’s played, as he gets to take down the villains and wear sharp clothes while doing it. Since that roundhouse lines up with the exact sort of style Guy Ritchie loves to put into his movies, Wrath of Man sticks to the hits, and doesn’t stray too far from the path; though the largest flourish given to the film’s plot is also arguably its greatest liability.

Wrath of Man's story gets a bit jumbled, but the characters somewhat make up for it.

The narrative in the new film is non-linear, starting at a sort of midpoint and winding both backwards and forwards to the next important pivot plot point. Credit has to be given for trying to shroud Jason Statham’s H in as much secrecy as possible, but in executing this approach the story loses a bit of its punch. What could have been an escalating story of personal revenge is turned into a diagram of string and pushpins, encouraging audiences to concentrate and follow along while patiently waiting for Statham to kick some ass to play amateur detective.

The characters are among the strongest elements of Wrath Of Man, as Guy Ritchie, credited as working on the script alongside writers Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, has brought together a group of figures that resemble a true Ritchie ensemble cast. Josh Hartnett’s Boy Sweat Dave is pretty much a prime example, as his meek and overconfident nature match his nickname – both of which are cut out for the Ritchieverse. And when it comes to Holt McCallany’s Bullet, another perfect foil for Jason Statham has been found, as his likable nature helps establish a rapport that carries quite a bit of weight throughout the film.

Though it’s a bit flawed, Wrath of Man is still a solid action thriller worth seeing on the big screen.

If Wrath of Man told its story in a more straight-forward fashion, the overall experience would have been more effective. Rather than weaving back and forth through time, Guy Ritchie and his co-writers could have nailed in the familiar components present into a slightly better result. Evaluating the movie as it is, though, the slightly wonky story and its method of unfolding isn’t a deal breaker. Rather, it’s more a minor disappointment.

While it’s unfortunate that Wrath of Man’s intricate plotting doesn’t work out in the film’s favor, that’s not to say it’s an unenjoyable experience. Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham still put on a hell of a show 16 years after their last team-up, with shootouts as fast as the dialogue, and larger than life machismo being tempered by a gruff sense of humor. And if you’re just showing up to see Statham wreck shop, you certainly won’t be disappointed when he gets to work. If you’ve missed more mature action movies, or even just want to hear some solid classic Ritchie dialogue at your local theater again, the film is a pleasant distraction, even if it could have been something greater. Nevertheless, it’s good to have you these gentlemen back at work together, and to see action back on the big screen where it truly belongs.

Looking back on the history of Guy Ritchie’s film resume, it’s only reinforced that the man has a knack for characters. Quirky nicknames, rapid fire dialogue and colorful words most wouldn’t utter in polite society give a certain texture to the world he creates. Though Wrath of Man is a more serious Ritchie caper, those hallmarks are still present, thanks in part to the inclusion of characters like Josh Hartnett’s “Boy Sweat Dave.” What’s most impressive about Hartnett’s particular example, though, is the fact that Dave wasn’t as fleshed out in the original script, leading to one hell of a Guy Ritchie experience.

I spoke with Josh Hartnett on behalf of Wrath of Man's release this week. With a name like “Boy Sweat Dave” given to his character, there’s some serious Guy Ritchie vibes coming off of his mere presence. That led me to wonder what the most Ritchie day on set was for someone like Hartnett, and as you can tell from how his character was built, the entire production qualified for that distinction. Here’s how Hartnett explained the crazy eleventh hour nature of his role, and how it ultimately convinced him to take the part in Wrath of Man:

Creating a character like Boy Sweat Dave on the fly is something that’s totally nerve shredding, but at the same time a creative coup. Wrath of Man’s blank page of a character gave both Guy Ritchie and Josh Hartnett a lot of leeway to create a character that the Jason Statham vehicle really needed. In that context, the ability to add a wildcard character like Boy Sweat Dave is one of the assets Wrath of Man used to its full advantage.

In co-creating this character, Josh Hartnett got to imagine a backstory for Boy Sweat Dave, which confirms everything you’ve thought about him. According to the backstory that Hartnett put together, Dave wanted to do one of two things in life: become a soldier or movie star. He sucked at both, which landed him in a gig as an armored car guard who’s a bit of a chicken. It might not sound like your typical Hartnett role, but as he admitted in our interview, that was part of the charm, and the importance, of Wrath of Man’s resident wimp:

If you look back on Josh Hartnett’s career and imagine Wrath of Man being made around the time Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham were on a break from collaborating, you could totally imagine this as a Hartnett-led vehicle. With his smolder and status as a Hollywood star in the early '00s, the same traits that landed him movies like Pearl Harbor and Sin City could have made Hartnett another generation’s H, Statham's Wrath of Man character. Even in the here and now, that very casting would have played like a charm, though it probably wouldn’t have been as exciting for Hartnett or the audience.

Watching Josh Hartnett’s Boy Sweat Dave get worked up in any given Wrath of Man scene is a joy for even his most ardent fans. That “something new” that he mentioned is a Hartnett where he’s not guaranteed to be in the right, or even merely capable of his job. It’s an unpredictability that helps fuel the center of Wrath of Man’s mystery plot, as you’re never quite sure what to expect from Dave. That spontaneity is the final gift that Hartnett took from his time with Guy Ritchie, which he mentioned as he rounded off his statement about the entire shoot:

Wrath of Man feels like an anomaly since it's R-rated product with no major franchise backing in a market that increasingly seems to depend on such projects. But Josh Hartnett and Guy Ritchie’s process of creating Boy Sweat Dave on the fly only further puts this film in rarified company, as an entire person was built, from the ground up, as the movie was shot. The results have to be seen to be believed, and you can do just that when Wrath of Man opens this Friday, only in theaters.

Writer/director Guy Ritchie and actor Jason Statham are one of those teams that, even if they take a huge break from making movies together, you always associate them with one another. Even after almost 20 years apart, Statham is one of Ritchie’s favorite actors to work with, which is easy to see in their latest collaboration, Wrath of Man. The reason that Guy Ritchie loves to work with the action superstar is due to his authenticity, as well as his mass appeal to pretty much any demographic you throw at him.

I had the honor of speaking with Mr. Ritchie for Wrath of Man’s press day, and with such a storied history between the director and his favored collaborator, we got to talking. More specifically, I asked him how he felt about Jason Statham’s career evolution as an extremely bankable action star, which all started with his discovery in the 1998 crime comedy Lock, Stock, and Two Smokin’ Barrels. Guy Ritchie didn’t hesitate to start off by citing Mr. Statham’s authentic workmanship, as follows:

Between 1998 and 2005, Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham made Lock, Stock, and Two Smokin’ Barrels, Snatch and Revolver together. That’s a hell of a run to leave undisturbed for almost two decades, and if they were ever going to pick things back up again, Wrath of Man is most certainly a fitting project to do so. Casting Statham as a one-man army simply known as “H,” his quest to discover the armored truck robber who killed his son is something that’s right in Ritchie’s wheelhouse.

It also needs to be noted that Wrath of Man, in its mere existence as an R-rated film without a blockbuster IP behind it, is kind of a magical thing in and of itself. Though the Guy Ritchie brand certainly helps sell the adult nature of the project, as he’s returned to that wilderness, starting with last year’s sleeper hit The Gentlemen. Much as he did with that project, Ritchie used his casting prowess to draw marketable talent into the fold. That put Wrath of Man’s casting of Jason Statham in a unique position thanks to this observation by Guy Ritchie:

Pretty much everyone does like Jason Statham, and the man’s resume proves it. He can do hardboiled, foul-mouthed Guy Ritchie capers just as well as he can fight a prehistoric shark in The Meg or spar with Dwayne Johnson in Hobbs & Shaw. It’s something the people who are behind The Meg 2 should consider, as if anyone’s still gun shy about going for that R-rating, Guy Ritchie may have just delivered proof that they should grab that opportunity. We’ll see if that turns out to be the case this Friday, when Wrath of Man opens only in theaters, as well as whenever the next Guy Ritchie/Jason Statham collaboration, formerly titled Five Eyes, is set to be released. Which, thankfully, is already in the can and shouldn't take 16 years to debut.

We all have grudges in life, ranging from something as small as a staged feud for fun and press coverage to something as huge as various grievous offenses. If you know someone’s grudge, you know a little more about them and, in the trailer for Guy Ritchie’s latest action thriller Wrath of Man, Jason Statham’s enigmatic H has the deadliest grudge of them all. H has lost his son and, now, he’s not messing around when it comes to settling the score.

In their fourth collaboration together, not counting their untitled spy thriller co-starring Aubrey Plaza, Ritchie and Statham bring the band back together for Wrath of Man. And the results we’ve seen in this first trailer are full of crazy gun action, with Jason Statham’s legendary air of cool professionalism. Which naturally leads co-stars like Josh Hartnet and Holt McCallany to wonder who, or what, Statham’s secretive character was like, before becoming an armored truck employee. Mystery and gun skills: that’s a lethal combination, if I’ve ever heard of one.

The mystery of Wrath of Man’s secretive protagonist only heightens when it’s theorized that maybe, he took a job protecting armored cars just to avenge the death of his son. And avenging is Jason Statham’s pint of lager, as he lays waste to anyone and everyone in his way with simple, precise gunshots. Much as he’s done in films like The Transporter series and Hobbs and Shaw, Statham makes gun action look like a ballet.

Guy Ritchie also makes sure that on top of the action and mayhem that Jason Statham gets to indulge in with Wrath of Man, he also gets some action hero one-liners. From that first encounter where he complains about getting a pistol to stop a machine gun, there’s no shortage of the Statham/Ritchie wit. Though that complaint seems vastly unfair in hindsight, as Jason Statham’s H seems to be able to do rather well with just a pistol.

In addition to Statham, the cast of Wrath of Man has some awesome players that will either help or harm him in his quest for revenge. We’d previously mentioned Josh Hartnett and Holt McCallany but, in addition, we’ll get to see Scott Eastwood and even Post Malone potentially squaring off with the man himself. Admittedly, I’m just waiting for this movie to show more footage of Malone in particular, because something tells me setting the right scene to “Circles” will make for a fantastic meme.

If there’s one grand compliment we could give Guy Ritche's Wrath of Man, it’s that it’s a movie that only he and Jason Statham could pull off. With Statham, in particular, being very choosy with how his action/comedy projects roll, this slick looking ride isn’t an accident. So when H settles the score with boxes of bullets on May 7th, it could be another home run from the team that’s been running strong for 23 years and counting.

War movies are a special genre, as the nature of human conflict is a sordid and devastating affair. There have been hundreds of films covering the tragedy of World War II, but over the years, a few directors have given their own, sometimes humorous spin on the subject. It's now been announced that Guy Ritchie is attached to direct a WWII movie of his own, and the plot sounds like it will be the coolest cinematic story covering this conflict we’ve seen since Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.

Guy Ritchie will be teaming up with Paramount Pictures for the WWII film, which will follow Great Britain's first black-ops unit and their daring escapades behind enemy lines. As first reported by Deadline, the upcoming film is titled Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and Ritchie is attached to both write and direct. The director's next project is based on Damien Lewis’ 2015 novel Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: How Churchill’s Secret Warriors Set Europe Ablaze and Gave Birth to Modern Black Ops.

Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare will follow a group of thieves, criminals and other ne'er-do-wells as they assemble to become a covert unit during WWII. The source material for the film details an unlikely brotherhood and the bold missions that often took place behind enemy lines. Ironically dubbed the Maid Honour Force by Winston Churchill, the group was cleared to break all accepted conventions of warfare during their tour, and proved to be an effective tool against the German advance.

Quentin Tarantino fans may recognize the plot as slightly similar to the director's 2009 film Inglourious Basterds, where an uncover group of Jewish Allied soldiers seek retribution against Nazi forces in the first years of WWII. While some consider Inglourious Basterds to be one of the best WWII films of the last two decades, I think at Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk is worth an honorable mention, at least.

Guy Ritchie’s upcoming flick comes after last year's The Gentleman, which had an all-star ensemble cast featuring Colin Farrell, Matthew McConaughey and Hugh Grant. While some may know the director for his foul-mouthed British mob flicks, like Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, he’s ventured into lighter territory in recent years, teaming up with Disney for the live-action Aladdin remake.

From the plot, it sounds like Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare will have Guy Ritchie getting back to his crime roots. I wouldn't be surprised if it featured some colorful language and violence. Ritchie has been able to attach some seriously high-caliber talent for his previous projects, so there’s a good chance we will see a few big names featured in this movie too.

While Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare doesn’t currently have a release date, Guy Ritchie fans can revisit The Gentleman on Showtime, or check out his foray into family friendly film with Aladdin on Disney Plus. As for this year’s movie slate, be sure to check out CinemaBlend’s 2021 Release Schedule for the latest on everything heading to the big (and small) screens near you.

In the past couple of years, Guy Ritchie has been on fire producing exciting projects, between his billion-dollar hit with the Aladdin remake and last January’s ensemble film, The Gentlemen. Now the director is jumping back on set with his longtime star Jason Statham and Happiest Season fan-favorite/the queen of deadpan Aubrey Plaza is along for the ride.

Ritchie recently started filming his untitled thriller, previously called Five Eyes, and now he’s giving us a behind-the-scenes look at what’s being shot. The Snatch filmmaker took to Instagram to share a short sneak peek of the globetrotting spy movie. Check it out:

Now, this looks like a blast! The yet-to-be-named Guy Ritchie movie is in its second week of filming over in Turkey, and it appears we may be in for some classic espionage action. That’s right in Ritchie’s wheelhouse since we’ve been dreaming of a Man From U.N.C.L.E sequel for ages. The footage shows off the main cast including Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Princess Bride’s Cary Elwes and rapper/The Gentlemen’s breakout Bugzy Malone looking classy in suits and plaid.

The movie started filming in the middle of the month in Doha, Qatar and has now moved things along to Antalya, Turkey to tell the story of Statham’s Orson Fortune, an MI6 agent recruited by a global intelligence agency to track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapon. He will be closely paired with Plaza’s Sarah Fidel, a CIA “high-tech expert.” Our best guess says Elwes could be playing Greg Simmonds, the billionaire and arms broker behind the sale, but that part has not been confirmed.

The previously-titled Five Eyes will seem to have plenty of charm coming from Jason Statham's MI6 agent , but we’re also intrigued and excited to see what Aubrey Plaza brings to the table. The 36-year-old actress has yet to star in an action flick, despite showing a ton of range between her comedic, dramatic and forays into horror with the TV series Legion and the Child’s Play remake. Plaza and Statham could be an electric pairing if the movie lends itself some room for the actors to play around a bit. And knowing Ritchie… that’ll definitely be on his radar to do.

In recent years, Ritchie has put together some great pairings, whether it be Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law in the Sherlock Holmes movies or Armie Hammer and Henry Cavill for U.N.C.L.E. We’ll have to see how Statham and Plaza do! No release date yet for this movie, but it looks like it’s moving right along production wise.

Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie additionally recently teamed up for another movie called Wrath of Man which will have the Transporter actor playing a man working for a cash truck company. All hail Ritchie and Statham finally working together again – it’s been too long!

Guy Ritchie has had a pretty solid year, with The Gentlemen making a splash in early 2020, and landing two new films to work on with previous collaborator Jason Statham. But things are about to get a lot more awesome, as one of those films has just teamed Ritchie with someone who’s absolutely perfect for his blockbuster sensibilities. As of today, the film formerly known as Five Eyes will now include Happiest Season star, and all around queen of sarcasm, Aubrey Plaza, as part of the cast.

Previously reported as a spy thriller, this newly untitled film sees Jason Statham’s new character, MI6 agent Orson Fortune, trying to track and halt an illegal weapons sale that could prove to be a chaotic event should it go through. Now Deadline provided a new update on the project, and while the film has now lost a title, the untitled Guy Ritchie project has gained the skills of Ms. Plaza. And while it’s not expressly said, we have a feeling who she might be playing in this new movie.

In our last encounter, back when the film was still titled Five Eyes, the information that was on hand told us that one of the roles that had yet to be cast was someone named Sarah Fidel. A “tech expert” that sounded like a supporting role last we heard, this latest update seems to have upped that role to the context of a CIA tech expert that’s reluctantly paired with Jason Statham’s Orson Fortune. Which means Aubrey Plaza just might be the partner that Statham’s character doesn’t want, but balances him out in such a fashion that the laughs just keep coming.

Not only does that formula work in other landmark films like Lethal Weapon, Tango & Cash, and even Turner & Hooch, but it also harkens back to a recent Guy Ritchie favorite. Much like Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer were quite the odd couple of espionage in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Aubrey Plaza and Jason Statham sound primed to get on each other’s nerves, but ultimately bring the fight to the villains that this untitled film has hiding in the shadows. Which may have primed the actor herself to drop the following reaction to the news on Twitter:

This news couldn’t have come at a better time, as Aubrey Plaza has had quite the 2020 herself. With Black Bear set to open in theaters this weekend, and the recent Hulu hit Happiest Season seeing her charms complicate that holiday romantic comedy, Plaza is cashing out of the year with some raves. We may not have known this going into the year, but the pairing of Aubrey Plaza and Jason Statham sounds like exactly the sort of energy the world needs. And as soon as we hear anything new about this Guy Ritchie project in progress, you can find that news on CinemaBlend as it breaks.

Five years ago, Guy Ritchie’s feature film adaptation of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. became another one of those blockbusters that Schrodinger would be proud of. While not a box office smash by any indication, the movie’s profile has only grown in fondness with fans who have caught it on home video. As such, the talk around a potential sequel, even this far out of the gate, has persisted. Fans aren’t the only ones looking forward to a potential second adventure for Henry Cavill’s Napoleon Solo and Armie Hammer’s Ilya Kuryakin, as the latter star is pretty enthusiastic to get to work is anyone makes that fateful call.

During the press day for Netflix’s upcoming remake of author Daphne du Maurier’s classic romantic thriller Rebecca, CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell got to catch up with Hammer, as well as co-star Lily James. In the midst of talk involving the new Netflix offering came a ray of hope, courtesy of James chiming in with the following catalyst:

Starting The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as an adversarial presence, Armie Hammer’s Ilya Kuryakin eventually became an ally to Henry Cavill’s suavely smartassed American spy. With Guy Ritchie’s typical level of sharp humor, action set-pieces, and exquisitely tailored looks, the project has gained its fair share of admirers. And as early as three years ago, Hammer was asked about an already belated sequel, with co-writer/producer Lionel Wigram being as enthusiastic about getting back in the game as he was.

Unfortunately, no movement has been made past that point, and we’re still in the holding pattern that both Armie Hammer and Lionel Wigram pointed out those years ago. Though that doesn’t mean hope is entirely dashed, as fans of both Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Alita: Battle Angel have made enough noise to start the engines on some promising developments for those properties. If people really want a sequel to The Man From U.N.C.L.E., it would be a good idea to get the word out throughout the internet. This could potentially build up a demand so great it can’t be ignored. Should that day ever come, the world can count on at least one of the film’s co-stars to back the call.

Armie Hammer and Lily James will heat up the screen in a most chilling fashion, as Rebecca debuts in limited theatrical venues this weekend, with a streaming debut on Netflix as of October 21st. But if you want more of Hammer in period appropriate finery past that point, you’ll have to wait until December 18th, when Death on the Nile brings him and an entire all-star cast of suspects to the big screen, to be examined under the watchful eye of Kenneth Branagh’s Hercule Poirot.

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Are you strapped in? Jason Statham and Guy Ritchie have been long-time collaborators. Together they have made some of their most notable early films together, including Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. The pair have already teamed back up for the upcoming crime drama Wrath of Man, formerly known as Cash Truck, and now we’ll be getting two new Ritchie-Statham movies thanks to a second project titled Five Eyes.

The action-thriller will center on Jason Statham’s MI6 agent character, Orson Fortune, who is recruited by the titular global intelligence alliance to track and stall the sale of deadly weapons, per Miramax. Five Eyes features the writers behind Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, with Ritchie also contributing to revisions.

Ivan Atkinson, who will also produce, and Marn Davies wrote Wrath of Man together, which will star Jason Statham, Scott Eastwood, Josh Hartnett and Alex Ferns. Wrath of Man follows Statham as H, a mysterious man working for a cash truck company and is expected to hit theaters in January 2021.

Five Eyes is planning to start up production in Europe this October, with international distribution sales for the film already in the works at this fall’s Toronto International Film Festival. The movie is described as a globe-trotting mission that will ask Statham’s character to use all his “charm, ingenuity and stealth” to track down and infiltrate a billionaire broker named Greg Simmonds. Another character in the mix is a tech expert named Sarah Fidel. Both Simmonds and Fidel have yet to be cast.

Guy Ritchie fans can certainly rejoice of the news with these two exciting Statham films in the mix at Hollywood. The writer-director is coming off a massive year. He led Disney’s live-action Aladdin to over $1 billion at the box office last summer, and that flick is now expected to receive a sequel. He also made The Gentlemen, which came out earlier this year and made $115 million worldwide against a budget of $22 million.

Jason Statham abruptly left a project with Kevin Hart titled The Man From Toronto back in March, reportedly due to creative differences. He allegedly wanted the film about Hart’s screw-up character being mistaken for a deadly assassin to be rated R. Woody Harrelson has already replaced Statham in the movie coming in September 2021.

“Five Eyes” is an actual intelligence alliance that comprises the U.S, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK. Time will tell whether the film will be primed to visit these destinations in the current global climate. The Batman shut down its production earlier today after a member of the cast/crew (one report claimed it was Robert Pattinson) tested positive for COVID-19.

We’re certainly excited for this new era of Ritchie-Statham movies. We’ll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend as more updates come our way.

Disney's live-action remake of Aladdin, based on the 1992 animated movie of the same name, proved to be one of the big surprise successes of 2019. The blockbuster re-imagining, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Mena Massound, Naomi Scott, Nasim Pedrad, and Will Smith as the Genie, to name only a few cast members, suffered from bad marketing and questionable-looking CG from Will Smith's blue genie, but everyone's fond nostalgia for the original movie matched by the winning cast and lively music numbers resulted in a sizable hit for the studio. Naturally, there was sequel talk, and it was revealed in February that Disney was moving forward with Aladdin 2. What will this newly-announced sequel entail? Let's see what we know so far.

Who Is Directing Aladdin 2?

Earlier in February, it was announced that Guy Ritchie will return to the director's chair for Aladdin 2. The English filmmaker behind Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, 2009's Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and, most recently, last month's The Gentlemen, to name just a few titles, was at the helm of last year's Aladdin. While he's currently busy making his next film, Cash Truck, Ritchie has agreed to call the shots on this newest Disney sequel. He will likely get to work on this newest blockbuster once he finishes up work on his latest Jason Statham vehicle.

Who Are The Screenwriters For Aladdin 2?

In addition to announcing Guy Ritchie's return to the director's chair, THR revealed that screenwriters John Gatins and Andrea Berloff have been hired to write Aladdin 2's screenplay. Gatins is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter who is best known for writing Robert Zemeckis' Flight, but he also worked on Kong: Skull Island, Real Steel, Coach Carter, Hardball, and, most recently, 2017's Power Rangers. Meanwhile, Andrea Berloff is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter as well, best known for Straight Outta Compton, but she also wrote World Trade Center, Blood Father, and last year's The Kitchen, which served as her directorial debut. The hiring of these two screenwriters reportedly comes after six months of discussions for this Disney's newest sequel.

When Will Aladdin 2 Be Released?

Currently, Aladdin 2 doesn't have an official release date. With the movie currently in the very early stages of development, we won't likely get any sort of confirmed date until later this year at the earliest. Though, with Disney known for announce their release dates well in advance, we could hear something about it at this year's D23. If one were to speculate, though, Aladdin 2's release could fall somewhere between 2023 and 2026. There is a chance that they might fast-track the sequel depending on how quickly the project comes together, but you have to take Will Smith's busy schedule into account. Also, Disney is known to take a few years between sequels to live-action remakes, like last year's Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Suffice to say, it'll probably be a while before we return to a whole new world.

When Will Aladdin 2 Start Production?

With the script not yet written, we shouldn't expect Aladdin 2 to start production in the near future. Of course, these days, it's not uncommon for a major blockbuster to start filming without a finished script. But in this case, it seems more likely than not that we'll see cameras rolling on this sequel in 2021 at the earliest. Depending on when the studio decides to slot the movie into their tight schedule, as well as when Will Smith and the other actors are available to shoot the new Aladdin AND when Guy Ritchie can commit to the directing process, we will have a better idea when shooting will start.

What Is The Story Of Aladdin 2?

Very little is known about Aladdin 2, including what the story will be. When it came to last year's live-action Aladdin remake, we knew that it would be a retelling of the popular animated film with a few new touches to make it not a complete carbon copy. But when it comes to this newest sequel, while some thought it might follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned The Return of Jafar, the story will be taking an entirely new, fresh approach with this sequel, according to those folks working behind-the-scenes at Disney. 

Suffice to say, the nostalgic moviegoers who were hoping to see the direct-to-video sequel brought to the big screen in blockbuster form might be disappointed. But this is probably for the best. A new story invites brand new possibilities, and it prevents the film from falling into the same criticisms that it is a second-rate redo. But what will happen in this new sequel? We'll have to wait to see.

Which Aladdin Stars Will Return For Aladdin 2?

When it was announced that Aladdin 2 was officially a go, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Will Smith, Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott are all expected to return to their roles of Genie, Aladdin, and Princess Jasmine, respectively. While they still need to sign a few dotted lines, it sounds like a given that these three will return for this new sequel, though we're still waiting for confirmation. They played the main three roles in the film, and it would only make sense for them for provide the focus of this newest sequel. Of course, how they will factor into the new movie and how big their roles will be in the new movie is currently left unclear.

SPOILERS from the first Aladdin ahead! 

In this newest iteration of this classic tale, the characters of Aladdin and Princess Jasmine professed their love for one another and they were set to be married after defeating the villainous Jafar. But the new movie added a little bit more story to Genie's tale. Specifically, once Aladdin uses his third and final wish to set him free, he became a family man, marrying Nasim Pedrad's Dalia and raising a couple of kids together. Certainly, whatever the sequel will be will have to take that in account, and that suggests that Pedrad could return for this new sequel. With the story expected to take a fresh new approach, not following in the footsteps of The Return of Jafar, the possibilities are open for what might result in this newest Disney blockbuster sequel. 

Hopefully we'll have more to report about the story for Aladdin 2 once the script is finished and news begins to emerge.

What Will Aladdin 2 Be Rated?

Assuming Aladdin 2 falls in line with its live-action predecessor, this newest Disney sequel will likely score a PG rating from the MPAA. The previous Aladdin movie earned its rating for "some action/peril," and that's likely what you can expect from this newest Aladdin movie. It's hard to imagine that it'll push the content into PG-13 territory, though it should be noted that next month's Mulan did earn a PG-13 distinction, and it is even less likely that it will be rated G. Therefore, while details are slim presently for this currently in-the-works sequel, this is one (seemingly) safe bet we have for Aladdin 2.

Are There Any Trailers Or Teasers For Aladdin 2?

Currently, there are no trailers or teasers available for Aladdin 2. Namely, since Aladdin 2 hasn't started filming yet, there isn't any footage out there of the upcoming Disney sequel. So, it would be pretty hard to compile a trailer or teaser right now. Once production gets underway on the new movie and the sequel's release date etches closer, we should expect to see some marketing for the live-action Disney sequel. Alas, that's still a good while's way. So there's nothing to report on the trailer front right now.

Where Can You Stream Aladdin (2019)?

Disney+ is your ticket. The streaming site currently hosts the vast majority of Disney titles, new and old, including last year's Aladdin, as well as 1992's animated Aladdin and its direct-to-video sequels, 1994's The Return of Jafar and 1996's Aladdin and the King of Thieves. Those with a hankering to get their fix of Aladdin can find everything in one place, thanks to Disney Plus. When the time comes, it's likely safe to assume we'll see Aladdin 2  squeeze itself into the digital archive of streaming titles that are available primarily through Disney's streaming service.

With the movie still in the very early stages of development and very few details openly available, we're still waiting for whatever exciting updates and major details about the sequel to emerge. You can be sure to check back with us right here at CinemaBlend for the latest updates.

Hugh Grant has had a long and celebrated career in film. At one point he was the king of romantic comedies, starring in projects Bridget Jones' Diary, Notting Hill and Sense and Sensibility. He's also a part of the Christmas Holidays for his work in Love, Actually-- once again playing a charming and handsome leading man. But Grant has gotten the chance to play a villain or two throughout the years, a task that he truly enjoys. And that includes his morally grey scene stealer Fletcher in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen.

Director Guy Ritchie has returned to the crime drama with The Gentlemen, a move that should make cinephiles happy. This marks Hugh Grant's second movie with the filmmaker, after previously appearing in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. I had the chance to speak with the cast of The Gentlemen ahead its release, where Grant explained why he loves playing bad guys so much. Check out our conversation below.

Well, there you have it. It looks like playing bad guys is simply more fun for most actors. And according to Hugh Grant, it's even an easier job for him. Considering how adept Grant is at transforming into characters, this says quite a lot.

Hugh Grant is an actor known for mostly playing charming, befuddled, leading men. But he's also gotten to play a few bad boys. The 59 year-old actor finds that particular experience cathartic, probably because he's nothing like the bad boys he's played like The Gentlemen's Fletcher. This new character is a scheming scene-stealer, who drinks like a fish and has a mouth like a sailor. It's a great role for Grant, and the trailers alone highlight how much he enjoyed playing Fletcher on set from

The Gentlemen is filled with morally grey characters, so Hugh Grant's particular character fits right in. Guy Ritchie's crime dramedy isn't one that is filled with good guys. Instead, they're mostly criminals who are competing to acquire the U.K. drug empire owned by Matthew MccCounaghey's Mickey. Each member of the cast is manipulative and violent, dropping countless C-bombs along the way. And Hugh Grant's Fletcher is definitely no exception in this regard.

Guy Ritchie is a director with a very specific vision, and it's clear that he and Hugh Grant have a good working relationship. But while Grant's character Waverly was quick witted and capable in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., he wasn't really a bad guy. But he's just as foul-mouthed and conniving as everyone else in The Gentlemen.

Of course, Hugh Grant isn't the only "nice guy" actor who is able to flex some more villainous muscles in The Gentlemen. Actor Henry Golding was also thrilled to be playing this type of character. Golding first became famous for his prince charming role in Crazy Rich Asians, and he's gone on to star in two Paul Feig movies: A Simple Favor and Last Christmas (which he filmed at the same time as The Gentlemen). But the latter projects marks his first time playing a more volatile character.

The Gentlemen is in theaters now. Be sure to check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Before he climbed into the cockpit of franchise starters like Sherlock Holmes and The Man From U.N.C.L.E., or even Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin, director Guy Ritchie was known for a particular brand of film. The purveyor of chaotic cockney crime capers like Lock, Stock, and Two Smokin’ Barrels and Snatch, Ritchie gained notoriety for being able to spin a yarn with a good mix of blood, profanity, and sick needle drops.

This makes his return to that sort of filmmaking in The Gentlemen a curiosity at best, and a reason to panic at worst. After all, going back to the well is sometimes seen as a sign of a filmmaker concerned about losing their touch. That’s not the case with this latest film, however, as Ritchie’s reloaded his wit and has fired a blast of irreverent comedy and violence into theaters that reminds us why he became popular in the first place.

The first original film from Guy Ritchie in over 10 years, the story finds weed magnate Michael “Mickey” Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) looking to get out of the game with a tidy sum of cash and a simple life to fall back on. Of course, that proposition is easier said than done, as a timid buyer (Jeremy Strong) and a boisterous competitor (Henry Golding) gum up the works of what was supposed to be an easy sale.

As associates (Charlie Hunnam), enemies (Eddie Marsan), and other agents of chaos (Colin Farrell and Hugh Grant) go to work, The Gentlemen takes a winding, and sometimes surprising cruise to the finish line at breakneck speed.

Guy Ritchie’s back to his old tricks, but in a more restrained execution.

For the most part, The Gentlemen is a film that slides on a greased rail, much like many of Guy Ritchie’s other films. Serving as both writer and director of original material again, the filmmaker has a particular and singular clarity of vision.

Interestingly enough, while The Gentlemen does move pretty fast, as any good Ritchie film does, there’s a fair amount of restraint when it comes to the speed and execution of the plot. The movie takes its time weaving its story, especially in an exposition heavy first act, with the narrative device of Hugh Grant’s character, Fletcher, spinning this tale taking some getting used to.

Once the film finds its groove, it doesn’t take long for Guy Ritchie’s charm to sink in, as The Gentlemen finds its rhythm and proceeds to conduct its own symphony of action, comedy, and choice swearing.

Hugh Grant almost steals The Gentlemen from an expansive cast of winners.

The best part about a Guy Ritchie ensemble is the fact that while the entire bench may be stacked with players able to provide a tight game, there’s always one or two that sneak in front of the rest of the crew to steal some extra glory. And oh boy is Hugh Grant really digging in as The Gentlemen’s resident investigative journalist/blackmailer.

Not to put down the contributions of everyone else – from the taciturn, and occasionally chilling Matthew McConaughey, to the loose and confident shenanigans of Colin Farrell – but Grant plays his part with such relish you’d think this movie was sponsored by Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs. The most beautiful part is that Hugh Grant does it in such a way that it doesn’t make the whole movie about him.

Fletcher’s role isn’t to steal the spotlight, but rather to bind the players of The Gentlemen together, which he totally does. It’s still easy to recognize Hugh Grant as the MVP of this stacked cast, while also enjoying Michelle Dockery pulling a "paperweight" on random thugs, and swearing in a Cockney accent, or watching Henry Golding try to thrill and kill his way to the top of the heap.

The Gentlemen**'s plot is mildly convoluted, but you’ll still be able to keep up.**

Alas, the only real problem with The Gentlemen is the fact that Guy Ritchie’s plot is, at times, a little too convoluted for its own good. It almost wouldn’t be a Ritchie caper if there wasn’t some note about the reality of what’s going on being a little hard to follow.

Even with the extra steps and red herrings included in this particular criminal chess game, The Gentlemen is still pretty easy to track. In fact, you might call out some of the twists and turns long before they wind up on screen. It doesn’t ruin the experience of the sum total of this particular narrative, but it’s still noticeable enough to pick out when going over everything at the end.

As a return to form, Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen isn’t a home run, but it loads the bases and has fun doing so in the process. It’s a confident homecoming that it feels even Ritchie himself knew he needed to make, and should he continue down the path of his traditional brand of mayhem, we could see a true home run in the very near future.

Actor Henry Golding has become a serious name in film over the past two years. He burst onto the scene in a big way with Crazy Rich Asians, playing the endlessly charming Nick as the movie became a pop culture sensation. Since then he's starred in two Paul Feig movies, A Simple Favor and Last Christmas. He's also a supporting character in Guy Ritchie's The Gentlemen, which is nearly in theaters. And it turns out that he filmed his roles in both Last Christmas and The Gentlemen at the same time.

Henry Golding is mostly known for playing charming good guys, which is quite different from his character Dry Eye in The Gentlemen. The trailers show him as a foul-mouthed a violent criminal, but it turns out that he filmed his role as Tom in Last Christmas at the very same time. I had the chance to speak with the cast of The Gentlemen ahead of its release, where Golding told me about his hectic shooting schedule. Check out our conversation below.

Talk about two very different movies. The holiday-themed romantic comedy Last Christmas required Henry Golding to flex charming and affectionate acting muscles. Meanwhile, he's pretty loathsome in The Gentlemen. And that juxtaposition was a particularly unique experience for the 32 year-old actor as he filmed both projects at once.

Clearly Henry Golding's career is taking off right now. Since Crazy Rich Asians became a hit in 2018, he's gotten a handful of very exciting opportunities. And they just keep coming as Golding recently began production as the title character in the upcoming G.I. Joe movie Snake Eyes. While that foray into the action world will no doubt provide it sown set of challenges, it turns out that his work in Last Christmas and The Gentlemen was a masterclass in film acting for him.

As you can see from my conversation with Henry Golding above, the Crazy Rich Asians star actually really enjoyed filming both Last Christmas and The Gentlemen at the same time. Because while it may have been exhausting (even for his wife), it was a challenge to wake up every day possibly working on a different movie. Especially since the roles, and the films themselves, are so very different.

In Last Christmas, Henry Golding was a pretty typical leading man. His character Tom was shown falling in love with Emilia Clarke's protagonist, sweeping her off her feet with his kindness and hope. But those aren't concepts that are clearly foreign to his character in Guy Ritchie's newest crime drama The Gentlemen.

The Gentlemen follows a motley group of criminals, as they attempt to acquire Matthew McConaughey's massive marijuana empire in the UK. Chief among them is Henry Golding's Dry Eye, a murderous young buck who is hoping to make a bigger name for himself. He's cut throat and wild, dropping C-bombs alongside the rest of the cast.

The Gentlemen will arrive in theaters on January 24th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The process of making movies is a funny thing. Because while it's first and foremost a business, films are ultimately made by a group of artists, all of which have their own perspective. Perhaps none is more important than the director's, as they're the person who is truly steering the ship. Director Guy Ritchie has developed his own style throughout the years, especially during his iconic crime movies. And it turns out that Ritchie's process was originally frustrating to actor Matthew McConaughey while working on The Gentlemen.

The Gentlemen is Guy Ritchie's return to the crime genre, and focuses on various crime entities vying to procure the Matthew McConaughey's marijuana empire. The movie is stylistic and over the top, allowing the cast of A-Listers to each have a chance to shine. Chief among them is McConaughey, although it turns out that he had a hard time working with Ritchie's style of directing, until something clicked. I had a chance to speak with the Oscar-winning actor and his The Gentlemen co-stars ahead of its release, and you can check out our conversation below.

It looks like Guy Ritchie is a filmmaker who utilizes rewrites when working with his actors. This admittedly frustrated Matthew McConaughey early in the process for The Gentlemen, but it look like he ultimately came around. Namely, because the rewrites were so much better than the material he'd originally prepared.

Speaking with the cast of The Gentlemen, it really becomes clear how much work Matthew McConaughey puts into each new movie. There's a certain amount of prep necessary in order to perform take after take. And properly learning the pages is one way to be able to play and give variation when filming. That is, unless Guy Ritchie is giving rewrites and changes on the fly.

Having seen The Gentlemen, I can understand why Guy Ritchie might have been providing rewrites on the fly. The movie is over the top, with the various criminals each saying biting lines of dialogue to each other, and dropping more than one C-bomb along the way. The lines felt off the cuff, which allowed more rewrites and changes to the dialogue being performed by the cast. And according to Matthew McConaughey, that was a process that really worked once it clicked.

From the trailers, you can see how The Gentlemen has an absolutely bonkers tone. The movie deals with high stakes and violence, as different criminal kingpins attempt to negotiate their way into a giant marijuana empire across the pond. Plenty of shady characters pop up, each of which has their own set of hilarious and cruel insults. In order to ensure the best lines ultimately made it into the theatrical cut, Guy Ritchie switched up the dialogue from what was originally on the page.

The Gentlemen will arrive in theaters on January 24th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The last decade has seen Guy Ritchie tackling movies based off classic literature and existing intellectual properties, but the filmmaker is returning to his crime comedy roots early next year with The Gentlemen. The movie stars Matthew McConaughey as an ex-patriate criminal who doesn’t suffer fools, and you can watch him and his adversaries go to war in the new trailer for The Gentleman below.

The Gentlemen sees Matthew McConaughey’s Mickey Pearson, who has created a “highly profitable marijuana empire” in London, but is looking to cash out his business. Naturally this results in others trying to take what he’s built by force, but Mickey won’t go down without a fight.

As you can see in the trailer, he doesn’t mince words with Henry Golding’s Dry Eyes, using a definitely-not-just-made-up fable about a “young and foolish dragon” talking with a “wise and cunning lion” to make a point about how Dry Eyes is out of his element. But Dry Eyes just doesn’t listen, believing that the young deserve to succeed the old. So instead, a gang war will unfold in The Gentlemen that’ll leave a lot of blood flowing in the streets.

The Gentlemen also stars the likes of Charlie Hunnam, Michelle Dockery, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant, Jeremy Strong and Eddie Marsan, among others. While this movie most certainly won’t be lacking in graphic violence, in keeping with Guy Ritchie’s classic filmography, it looks like there will be plenty of lighthearted/humorous moments. I especially got a kick out of Grant’s Fletcher walking out of the bathroom, seeing a corpse being transported out and immediately making up an excuse to use the facilities again.

While Guy Ritchie got his filmmaking start with crime comedies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, as mentioned earlier, he churned out a number of mainstream Hollywood offerings these last 10 years. 2009 and 2011 saw him delivering Sherlock Holmes and its sequel, A Game of Shadows, respectively (he’s not returning for Sherlock Holmes 3), and then he followed up with The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in 2015.

Two years later, he delivered King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and had that movie been successful, maybe he would have directed some of the planned sequels. Alas, Legend of the Sword bombed and its franchise potential was lost, so Ritchie moved on and lent his talents to Disney by helming the Aladdin remake, which crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office.

Now he’s back in familiar territory with The Gentlemen, and it’ll be interesting to see how it compares to his previous offerings in the crime genre. As far as its commercial performance goes, we’ll just have to wait and see, but its opening weekend competition includes the supernatural horror movie The Turning and the suspense thriller Run.

The Gentlemen opens in theaters on January 24, and don’t forget to look through our 2020 release schedule to learn what other movies are coming out next year.

In the making of a musical, a choreographer is an immensely important, but sometimes invisible presence. It’s an incredibly hard job that occasionally requires making sure a hundred or more people are working in coordination, but part of the choreographer’s job is to make sure it all looks effortless and natural.

This is partially true for the new live-action Aladdin, as while you’re watching the movie you’re focusing on the magic of the dance sequences instead of thinking about the work required to make them happen – but something you might not know is that the film does give back in a special way to the man who helped make the musical numbers possible, as I recently learned from director Guy Ritchie:

As noted in the video above, one of my favorite bits in the new movie involves a prince that Genie (Will Smith) conjures in the desert during a conversation with Aladdin (Mena Massoud), and I was surprised to learn during a recent interview with Guy Ritchie that the person playing said prince is none other than Jamal Sims – the film’s choreographer. You never see a close-up of the character, as he is kept in the far distance for his entire scene, but that makes it no less an awesome gift to one of the filmmakers responsible for injecting the live-action Aladdin with a great deal of its flair.

It was a cameo that Guy Ritchie was very excited to talk about during the Los Angeles press day for his new movie this past weekend, as he expressed a great deal of appreciation for Jamal Sims’ contribution to the film. Discussing the small role, the filmmaker told me,

The scene plays out shortly after Aladdin and Genie manage to escape the Cave Of Wonders and are discussing what it is that the latter can do for the former wish-wise. Realizing that he needs to be royalty in order to marry the lovely Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), Aladdin makes the request, “Make me a prince” – but Genie points out that this phrasing is just a tad vague. Illustrating his point, the magical being conjures an actual prince who is left standing about 500 feet behind them having absolutely no clue what’s going on – wondering where his palace is, and just wanting to go home. This is the part played by Jamal Sims, and he gets some of the biggest laughs in the film.

Having the choreographer play this part was a special way for Guy Ritchie to say “thank you” for the work that Sims did in the making of the movie, which apparently also included the coordination of an end credits dance sequence that came together at the very last minute. The director added that he even gave the prince more lines than what we actually see in the finished cut of Aladdin, and that it was all quite funny:

We can’t say for certain right now, but that would certainly make for some great bonus content on Aladdin’s home video release later this year.

Starring Mena Massoud. Will Smith, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen, and Numan Acar, Aladdin arrives in theaters everywhere this weekend.

There are a lot of classic elements of the animated Aladdin still present in the new remake – from the colorful antics of the genie, to all the songs that have been stuck in your head for the last 27 years – but one aspect that is changed quite a bit is the presence of Iago. The parrot is still the right hand of the power-hungry Jafar, and regularly feeds him information that drives the plot forward, but as a character he is very different than what fans are familiar with. Rather than being an abrasive animal sidekick brought to life with the voice of Gilbert Gottfried, he’s instead, well… a parrot.

It’s an interesting choice that the film makes, particularly because there are still many other magical elements in play, but there is a good reason why it was done. According to director Guy Ritchie, a more anthropomorphic version of Iago in the new Aladdin simply didn’t fit as the story was brought from animation to live-action, and just didn’t feel right within the presentation.

I brought up the character when I recently sat down with Guy Ritchie at the Los Angeles press day for Aladdin, asking how those kinds of decisions were made, and he explained,

Going for a more appropriate adaptation of the character, Aladdin has the new Iago act much more like a scarlet macaw that you would find in real life, albeit with a slightly enhanced ability to speak (he has the occasional line, but nothing on the level of what we hear in the 1992 movie). Physically he’s entirely a digital creation, and the voice is done by Alan Tudyk – who has become a Disney regular in recent years, with parts in Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Ralph Breaks The Internet.

Unlike the human characters, which were easy to adapt from medium to medium, Aladdin’s animals presented a particular puzzle for the filmmakers, but it was a code they eventually cracked. It was all about finding what Guy Ritchie referred to as the “sweet spot” where things didn’t seem out of place or two extreme. Said the director,

You can watch Guy Ritchie discuss his approach to bringing Iago to life in the new Aladdin by clicking play on the video below!

In addition to Alan Tudyk, Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin sports an impressive ensemble cast that includes Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari, Navid Negahban, Nasim Pedrad, Billy Magnussen, and Numan Acar. The movie will be hitting theaters this weekend, and be sure to stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more from my interviews with the cast and filmmakers!

After successfully owning the world of animation, Disney has found a remarkable way to take a second bite at the apple, by remaking all their most popular animated movies in live-action. Following on the success of The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast, Disney now has their sights set on the 1990s hit Aladdin. While we expect the movie to be a more or less straight forward remake of the animated classic, not every Disney remake has been done that way, and there's enough going on here to make us wonder.

Aladdin is one of Disney's most popular films but part of the reason for that is the iconic performance by Robin Williams, something the remake will have to do without. Will the new film be able to put the pieces together to make yet another memorable movie? Here's everything that we do, in fact, know about Disney's upcoming live-action Aladdin.

What Have We Seen From Aladdin?

A few different teasers and trailers have been revealed which have given us a decent taste of the new film. The first gave us a brief look at Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, but little else. The second sneak peek, viewable above, gave us a bit more, a few glimpses at different shots that will look familiar if you know the animated Aladdin well. The biggest thing that we have seen, however, comes at the end of the second teaser, as we get to see Will Smith as the big blue Genie in all his CGI glory.

What Is The Live Action Aladdin Release Date?

Aladdin will arrive in theaters May 24, 2019. This makes it the big Memorial Day weekend release for the year. It will have some competition that weekend going up against the James Gunn produced superhero horror movie Brightburn. The date also makes Aladdin the second of three major Disney remakes coming out in 2019. It will be preceded by Tim Burton's Dumbo in March and followed by The Lion King in July.

What Is The Live Action Aladdin Rating?

While PG-13 tends to be the goal rating for most of Disney's subsidiary brands, like Star Wars and Marvel, the House of Mouse is still all about the family experience. All of the live-action remakes that Disney has made so far have been rated PG and now we know that Aladdin officially has the same rating.

Even if it is directed by the guy who made Snatch, Aladdin isn't particularly violent or scary and while the transition from animated characters to real people certainly adds an element of reality to the proceedings, it clearly didn't push the material past a PG rating. And, it sounds like a smart move to keep the movie there, and make sure that as many families as possible can head out to theaters to see Aladdin during the holiday weekend.

The Director

Oh, did we mention that part yet? In a move that is either the most brilliant, or utterly insane, decision made by Disney in recent memory, Guy Ritchie has been tapped to direct the live-action Aladdin. The thing is, if you filed the serial numbers off of the plot, there's a lot that would make a good argument for Ritchie to direct this. The main character is a streetwise orphan who has to outwit the local police in order to survive, before stumbling on a plan to impersonate a prince in order to win his dream girl. The plot is made for Ritchie's signature style. He loves "street rat" characters, and as long as they don't make Aladdin swear a lot, this could work

While Guy Ritchie strikes us as an unusual choice, Ritchie himself has said that with his five kids, he knows as much, or more, about kids' movies as he does any other type of movie. He seems to be fully on board working with Disney and he's familiar with the product, so we can't wait to see what the creative director will do with Aladdin.

The Writers

The screenplay for the live action version is a team effort between Guy Ritchie and John August. This will be August's second Disney script, following up his work on Tim Burton's stop-motion feature version of Frankenweenie. In fact, August is a frequent Tim Burton collaborator, having worked on the scripts for Big Fish, Corpse Bride, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. John August has certainly written some creative stories, which is good for a Disney property, although this is his first screenplay since 2012.

What Is The Live Action Aladdin Story?

For the most part, we know what the plot of the live-action Aladdin will be, as it will, more or less, follow the plot of the animated original. "Street Rat" Aladdin gets chosen by Jafar to enter the Cave of Wonders to retrieve a magic lamp, but instead, Aladdin takes the lamp and uses it to become a prince in an attempt to woo Princess Jasmine. The Princess, on the other hand, is dealing with a parade of princely suitors, none of which she's much interested in because she wants to marry for love, not political reasons. Shenanigans ensue.

Of course, how closely Disney's remakes actually stay to the previous version has varied across films. While Beauty and the Beast was an incredibly faithful remake, Cinderella added a great deal of new material and character development to the hero. The Jungle Book contained some of the animated versions' original music while Beauty and the Beast was a full musical. The success of Beauty and the Beast might lead Disney toward a more faithful remake, yet we just can't see Guy Ritchie making an entirely traditional Disney movie. Several details that we do have indicate there will be at least some differences to set the live-action Aladdin apart from its predecessor.

The Music

One way in which the live-action Aladdin is expected to follow in the footsteps of Beauty and the Beast is by adding music. Early word from the Aladdin casting process was that they were having some difficulty casting the lead roles of Aladdin and Jasmine because it was difficult to find actors who met all of their requirements. One of those requirements was the ability to sing. This would certainly seem to confirm that the new Aladdin will include all the musical numbers that the original version did.

Beauty and the Beast also included new music, and we've found out that Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the songwriters behind The Greatest Showman and La La Land, have collaborated with Alan Menken on two new songs for the film. There's also the possibility that music from the Broadway production could also make its way into the movie.

The Genie

The movie may be called Aladdin, but when you think about Disney's animated movie, you think first of the Genie, voiced to perfection by the great Robin Williams. There's no replacing Williams in the role, so Guy Ritchie and Disney have apparently decided the best way to cast the role is to go for something totally different. Will Smith is on board to play the Genie in the live-action remake. This could be an utterly brilliant decision as Smith is an actor with endless amounts of personality, while at the same time, that personality is completely different from that of Williams.

We actually found out at CinemaCon 2018 that this version of the character is being described as "a little Fresh Prince, a little Hitch, and a whole lot of attitude," which makes sense, considering who's playing him. This movie might not be about the Genie, be he's the character that's going to hold the film together, so let's hope that characterization works with everything else they have planned.

Our first look at the blue Genie was met by a lot of questions from fans, as most people were not over the moon for the design. Having said that, pictures of Will Smith that appeared shortly after, plus new teases of the movie, show the Genie looking exactly like a human, which would seem to imply he will spend a lot of time in disguise, something the animated Genie never did.

Aladdin

The title role in Aladdin will be played by Mena Massoud. While not strictly a newcomer to Hollywood, he's not a household name by any means. Massoud has primarily been a TV actor up to this point, and he's been seen in Amazon's Jack Ryan series. Indications had been that filmmakers were looking for an unknown actor for the role and so it appears that Massoud might be exactly what they need, an actor who's not recognizable from any other role, but who has a significant amount of experience.

As far as we can tell, Massoud has no significant singing experience, which could mean he has natural talent that he's never explored, or it could mean he spent pre-production working with a voice coach.

Jasmine

Aladdin's better half will be played by the slightly better known Naomi Scott. Scott most recently introduced herself to film audiences in the role of Kimberly, the Pink Ranger, in the Power Rangers movie. Scott's name was long rumored to be in consideration and at the most recent D23 Expo in 2017, it was confirmed that she'd be in the one in the role. Scott got her start with singing before she was an actress so she has the musical ability the role will require. Scott will also be seen this year in Elizabeth Banks highly anticipated Charlie's Angels film.

Jafar

If there's one thing Disney animated films almost always get right, it's the villain, and Aladdin's Jafar is one of the all-time greats. Marwan Kenzari will take on the role of the Sultan's Grand Vizir. Recently, Kenzari has had significant roles in movies like The Mummy and The Promise, but playing the big bad in a Disney movie will almost certainly be the actor's big debut for mass audiences. We just hope he's practicing his evil laugh. Also probably his singing, as we can't tell if he's ever really done that before.

The Sultan

Jasmine's father, the Sultan of Agrabah, isn't necessarily a starring role, but it is an important one. In the live-action adaptation, Navid Negahban will play the part. In the animated film the character was something of a clueless buffoon. Negahban doesn't tend to play that sort of character, which makes me think the Sultan will be a bit smarter this time around.

The Animal Characters

While the vast majority of Aladdin characters are human or humanoid, some of them fall into the classic Disney category of talking animals. Disney proved with The Jungle Book that they were capable of creating CGI animals that interact realistically with people, but it appears the plan for Aladdin is just to use actual animals for the parts. In the original Aladdin Jasmine's tiger Rajah and Aladdin's pet monkey Abu were little more than animals that they appeared to be. They could communicate wit humans but could not speak. Jafar's parrot Iago was a different sort of creature, capable of full speech humans could understand. As far as we can tell from the trailers, Iago will be in the film along with Abu and Rajah, but they'll just be animals.

New Characters

In addition to all of the old characters who will be back, we do know that the live-action Aladdin will introduce a trio of new characters. Former Saturday Night Live alum Nasim Pedrad has been cast in the new role of Mara. Mara is described as a handmade and friend of Princess Jasmine. The role is being called a comedic supporting role, which seems perfect given Pedrad's previous work. It's also a welcome addition considering that the original animated film really only had the one female role.

In addition, Numan Acar has been cast in the role of Hakim, the chief of the guards who is described as the right-hand man of Jafar. This could indicate that since Iago will not be Jafar's partner in crime, Hakim could be taking on the position of Jafar's go-to subordinate. Overall, the role sounds to be very much like the animated film's character named Razoul, who was the head of Agrabah's guard, but had no particular love for Jafar in that version.

Lastly, actor Billy Magnussen, who showed off his singing chops in Into the Woods as well as appearing in Game Night, Ingrid Goes West and American Crime Story, has signed on to play the role of Prince Anders. Right now, we don't know anything about this character or how he'll fit into the narrative, but it's possible that he'll end up being one of the many potential suitors for Princess Jasmine.

We're only a couple of days away from Aladdin's debut in theaters, so be sure to keep an eye on this guide for the latest updates!

Though it was Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland in 2010 that initially inspired the trend, live-action remakes of classic Walt Disney Animation films have really become a consistent presence on the big screen in the last five years – starting with the release of Robert Stromberg’s Maleficent. Since then we’ve seen at least one hit the big screen annually, and the selections have brought back titles from basically every era of the studio – from Tim Burton’s Dumbo, to Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book, to Bill Condon’s Beauty and the Beast. The results so far have been a bit of a mixed bag from a quality perspective, but it’s with Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin that one starts to recognize what could be a troubling pattern – and it ties into the willingness of each movie to take certain liberties in its approach.

Based on what we’ve seen, it seems that the amount of freedom given to filmmakers on these projects is tied directly to the age of the source material – with the more recent animated features getting the short end of that particular stick. Logically, it’s not hard to see why this is happening: not only were the films from the 1990s made with storytelling sensibilities similar to today’s (making them easier to adapt), but there is a key nostalgia factor to consider. After all, the movie-going audience is full of men and women in their 30s who watched the 1990s Disney Animation films on the big screen when they were growing up, and rocking the boat too much might somehow “disturb” those precious memories.

This has a clear downside, though, which we saw with the aforementioned Beauty and the Beast. Adhering too close to the original raises the question of why the endeavor was pursued beyond the opportunity to refresh a notable brand, and at the end of the day there just isn’t a great answer. Now, a little over two years later, the conversation is happening again with Guy Ritchie’s Aladdin – which just isn’t either good or fresh enough to justify viewing over the phenomenal animated version from 1992.

The new Aladdin does have a fun energy and charm – not to mention one of the best soundtracks of any Disney musical ever – but all of these positives are simply borrowed, and there is a very real and notable limit to its creative energy. While there are some nice additions, most of the extra material feels like it would have been clipped from the animated movie for pacing; and while the performances are engaging, you sometimes feel like you’re witnessing some kind of strange reverse rotoscoping. Too much of the film feels simply cribbed, and it’s not a compelling watch beyond the experience of what it’s like to see the story change mediums.

Once again audiences are brought back to the fictional Arabian kingdom of Agrabah, where we are reintroduced to Aladdin (Mena Massoud) – a “street rat” who, along with his monkey pal Abu, steals what he needs in order to survive. His life is changed forever when he meets/rescues an in-disguise Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), daughter of the Sultan (Navid Negahban), and he immediately falls in love with her – though he doesn’t actually know who she really is.

Unfortunately for him, his attempts at wooing her put him on the radar of Jafar (Marwan Kenzari), the Royal Vizier. Ever trying to accumulate more and more power, Jafar has been trying to access the desert’s fabled Cave Of Wonders so that he may possess the Magic Lamp that exists within it, but his mission requires “a diamond in the rough.” Upon understanding that Aladdin is the person he’s been looking for, the villain gets him arrested and duplicitously recruits him for the mission.

Things go a bit sideways when Aladdin and Abu accidentally get trapped in the Cave Of Wonders, but it’s at this point that the hero and his pal discover why Jafar wants the lamp so badly. Rubbing the side of the magical vessel leads them to meet the Genie (Will Smith) that lives within it, and Aladdin learns that he has been granted three wishes. Knowing that Jasmine can only marry a prince destined to rule Agrabah, he requests to be transformed into Prince Ali of Ababwa – but while he continues his courtship, Jafar continues his pursuit of the lamp.

John August and Guy Ritchie, who co-wrote the script, make the occasional tweak in the narrative, but at the end of the day it all comes down to getting the film from the same A to the same B – and more often than not the changes feel like they were made for the sake of making changes. Really the only thing that works in this regard is that Jasmine is given a more active and expressive role, complete with her own brand new Alan Menken-written song, but that’s a fraction of the 38 extra minutes that the remake tacks on. Most of this “extra” just makes the movie move slower, and by the end you definitely feel it.

The way the story unfolds is definitely the downfall of the new Aladdin , but it should be recognized that the experience is buoyed by its aesthetic value. The city of Agrabah is a fantastic showcase of production design, particularly popping during the movie’s first act chase sequence/musical number set to the song “One Jump;” and the costumes are beautiful. Both Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott are charismatic and deliver fun performances, and while Will Smith is basically just doing Will Smith, it does ultimately enforce why he’s one of the biggest movie stars in the world (though it still really pales in comparison to Robin Williams doing Robin Williams in the same role).

As for the direction, Guy Ritchie doesn’t get much opportunity to showcase his particular auteur flair, which was something he was still able to do with adaptation projects like Sherlock Holmes or even King Arthur, but the work is still competent in bringing the familiar from animation to live-action.

The creation of these Walt Disney Animation remakes isn’t slowing down any time soon, as we still have Jon Favreau’s The Lion King, Joachim Rønning’s Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil, and Charlie Bean’s Lady and the Tramp set to be released in 2019; not to mention The Little Mermaid, Mulan, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and more in various stages of development/production. They are projects inspired by a lot of box office success, but hopefully they’ll have more to bring to the table than Aladdin. In an age of instant accessibility to basically all media, remakes that exist for the sake of being remakes don’t make a great deal of logical sense, and that’s a bar that this movie unfortunately doesn’t clear.

Aladdin is one of Disney's most popular animated features, so anticipation and curiosity were at a high when the first looks at the new live-action adaptation began to arrive. However, the first responses to Will Smith's Genie weren't all that excited. There was a general feeling that he actually looked pretty terrible.

Guy Ritchie, the director of the new Aladdin, appears to have been mostly surprised by the reaction, simply because the sort of instant feedback that the internet provides wasn't something he was used to. According to Ritchie...

I feel like the comparison between the Genie and the recent Sonic the Hedgehog trailer is a bit rough. The Genie may have had some issues, but he was no Sonic. People may have not loved Genie, but the Sega mascot's look in the new movie got such backlash the producers are now promising to make changes.

Guy Ritchie is no stranger to making movies in the age of the internet but he's never made a movie quite like Aladdin. It's a movie with a built in fan base that's very invested and is going to be very vocal about its opinions. It's a far cry from the stylized English gangster movies that Ritchie is still best known for.

And the audience was far from kind. "Nightmare fuel" and other such phrases were used to describe what the big blue Genie version of Will Smith looked like. Big movies like this rely on the buzz that the marketing creates but that plan only works if the buzz is positive, and in this case it wasn't.

However, as the new Aladdin continued it's promotion. Attitudes seemed to soften a bit. While the big blue Genie still isn't looked at in the best light, we know that the Genie won't have that look the entire time and other aspects of the movie were looking good enough that the questionable CGI might be easy to overlook.

In addition, as is frequently the case. Not all the CGI was even finished when the first trailer hit, which meant that as those effects were finished up, the Genie himself began to look better. Guy Ritchie tells Empire than now even some of those who were the harshest critics of the Genie are walking back their comments...

The History Of The Color Changing Genie

It does seem like the new Aladdin can't catch a break in the Genie department. The first look we ever got of Will Smith in costume he wasn't blue at all. He was just Will Smith in a Genie costume, and that set people off because of the way it seemed to be changing the source material. Then, when we finally got Will Smith in action in his first trailer, he was blue, and everybody freaked out again.

It seems that the plan for the film is that the Genie will spend a significant amount of time looking human in the new film rather than blue. This way the character can blend in with the rest of the players and interact with them rather than spending the entire movie locked in the lamp. It also helps the budget for the movie stay down.

If you haven't had a good look at what the Genie, and the movie as a whole, looks like now, check out the trailer below.

It makes a lot of sense to include a lot of Will Smith, blue or not. Robin Williams worked for scale when he recorded his voice for the original Aladdin and I'm guessing Will Smith did not. If you're paying him millions of dollars, you'll want to get everything out hf him that you can.

The earliest reactions from the few who have seen the new Aladdin have actually been pretty positive, and while the blue Genie might not work, it seems like the rest of the movie works well enough to make up for that.

The Aladdin Remake Was Always Going To Have Problems

The deck was always stacked against the Genie. The casting of Will Smith seemed designed to attempt to prevent any Robin Williams comparisons before they started, and yet, such a thing is ultimately impossible. Williams' Genie is one of the most iconic characters in the history of animation. His casting in the role played a huge part in the fact that most animated films are now cast with big Hollywood stars.

It's a difficult balancing act. As with any remake, there are elements that fans love from the original that they'll want to see translated into live-action, or re-done with modern effects or whatever new thing the remake is trying to bring to the table. Some will be disappointed if they don't get a new and improved version of whatever their favorite bit was.

Unfortunately, it has to be said that, so far, the movie looks very much like a "shot-for-shot" remake of the animated version. In fact, only Will Smith's Genie looks to be a significant change from the original animated classic. While bringing back all the old songs and adding a couple new ones certainly makes sense, I'm certainly hopeful that there's more hiding in this movie that is different compared to what we've seen so far.

At the same time, if all you're really doing is making the same movie over again, then why bother. The original is a classic because everybody has already seen it, and they can watch it again on DVD anytime they want.

I'll be entering the new Aladdin the way I do most movies these days, with cautious optimism. I want every movie I see to be good and Aladdin is one of those movies that I loved as a kid, and I want any remake to be good as well. If the new movie brings something actually new to the story that can make it worthwhile in its own right, that would fantastic.

The new Aladdin hits theaters Friday.