Christopher Nolan has been one of most beloved and much lauded filmmakers for many years now. The man has brought movie fans everything from one of the best movies of the 2000s, Memento, to some of the greatest science-fiction movies like Inception and Interstellar, and Oscar winners like The Dark Knight trilogy and Oppenheimer. Another film that ranks as one of Nolan’s best movies would be 2020’s twisty Tenet, which stars John David Washington. Now the actor has admitted to a very unexpected rule that people are held to after working with the famed director.

What Rule Did John David Washington Say That Actors Who Work With Christopher Nolan Are Held To?

John David Washington has come a long way since co-starring on Dwayne Johnson’s HBO football drama, Ballers for five seasons, because it wasn’t long after that series began that he started to land leading roles in movies like Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman, and Christopher Nolan’s mind-bender, Tenet.

It wasn’t long ago that the star said he thought Nolan was “shaking up the industry” when he decided to make a Black man the lead of a big-budget sci-fi/action spectacular, and now he’s opened up to Esquire about a wild rule I really wouldn’t have expected the filmmaker to hold his actors to. When asked if he’s ever kept any costumes from movies like Beckett, Amsterdam and The Piano Lesson (which he made with his brother, Malcolm), he answered rather mysteriously:

Now, it’s not exactly a secret that actors frequently finish production on movies or television shows and have been known to take props or clothing with them as mementos of their time working on said project. Keanu Reeves has admitted to having things from the sets of The Matrix, John Wick and other movies, though he was, apparently, gifted those items. Meanwhile, MCU star Tom Holland admitted to stealing major props from every set he’s on, and Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning lead Hayley Atwell was known as “Klepto Atwell,” on set due to her “rampant thievery,” which may have led to her actually taking a pair of Tom Cruise’s socks.

So, why the years-long secrecy when it comes to Washington having kept some of the incredibly dapper suits he wore in the Nolan movie, especially since it seems he was allowed to walk off with the clothing? Well, he explained:

Alright, y’all. This is wild to me. I can’t help but wonder if this rule is because while Nolan is OK with prop and wardrobe personnel handing out items to talent, he would simply prefer not to have it confirmed until he’s way past any work for that particular movie, or if he just doesn’t want to know about actors taking things from set until he can’t possibly be held responsible for it anymore. Either way, it’s such a specific restriction when it comes to being honest about what you got from set. I mean, why not tell people to wait until a year after filming? Is there some legal statute of limitations he’s actually trying to help everyone (including himself) get past?

I suppose it doesn’t totally matter at this point, and if we happen to see Washington step out in some ‘fits that look super familiar, at least we’ll know why.

When Christopher Nolan’s Tenet headed to theaters in 2020, the buzz was all about the film’s twisty narrative, stunning action sequences, and its bold attempt at a theatrical release to bring audiences back to cinemas during a global pandemic. However, one thing that flew under the radar was the casting of John David Washington as the film’s protagonist. Looking back, Washington himself acknowledges the significance of Nolan’s decision to cast him, and how it contributed to shifting Hollywood’s narrative.

In a recent interview with Deadline, Washington opened up about his critically acclaimed film, The Piano Lesson, as well as how important it was for him to lead the cast of Tenet in 2020. At the time, he hadn’t quite reached the movie star status he has now, and only had a few projects under his belt like BlackkKlansman. In addition, he was a Black actor as the leading man in a big budget action movie that didn't have race as a focal point.

Washington appreciated this, because not only was it diverse casting, but the diversity involved didn’t end up being a marketing tactic for the film. Washington explained:

This comment shows how important diverse casting is in film, especially in movies where race isn’t integral to the casting. Roles that don’t explicitly need to be performed by actors with a specific background should encourage directors to look at actors who may not have led a movie before. Nolan is an incredibly popular filmmaker, and him casting Washington in Tenet sets a great example.

Washington is a tremendous actor and has a fantastic on-screen presence, which is likely why Nolan chose to cast him in Tenet. The Creator star noted that he felt his position gave him a sense of responsibility, especially as one of the top-billed performers and face on the poster. He said:

Being in a Nolan film is an honor, but also a lot of pressure. Many of the director’s films not only hinge on emotionally resonant performances from his lead stars, but also physical performances. Tenet was no exception, as it required a lot of stunt work, as well as intense scenes that relied on strong talent. Washington certainly proved himself, as he’s tremendous in the film. The actor seems to have enjoyed his experience as well, and only appears to have fond memories of making Tenet. The film also seems to have opened doors for Washington, as he’s gone on to lead movies like The Creator, Malcolm and Marie, and Amsterdam.

Fans can revisit John David Washington in Tenet now, as the film is currently available to rent on Amazon. You can also see the actor in this year’s The Piano Lesson, which is now streaming with a Netflix subscription. It is one of the buzziest films of the year, so make sure you check it out.

John David Washington returns to geek out about his favorite films, discuss his journey going from the NFL to Hollywood, and share stories from the making of "Tenet" and his new film "The Piano Lesson," directed by Malcolm Washington.

After our interview, stick around for our thoughts on "The Piano Lesson," and our reviews of this week's huge theatrical releases, "Gladiator II" and "Wicked."

Timestamps

• 00:00:00 - Intro
• 00:08:40 - John David Washington Interview
• 00:44:19 - ‘The Piano Lesson’ Review
• 00:51:10 - ‘Gladiator II’ Review
• 01:03:55 - ‘Wicked’ Review
• 01:20:38 - Outro

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It’s going to be a huge week in the Washington household. Silver screen icon Denzel Washington is generating waves of buzz – and an expected amount of awards attention – for his performance as Macrinus in Sir Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2. At the same time, Denzel’s sons Malcolm Washington and John David Washington are seeing their own Oscar player, The Piano Lesson, arriving on Netflix after a limited theatrical run. Malcolm directs the adaptation of the Tony nominated August Wilson play. John David stars in the movie. And Denzel produces it.

So yeah, a massive weekend for the Washingtons.

WIth John David Washington making the press rounds on behalf of The Piano Lesson, however, he has been getting asked questions about some of his previous roles, notably two films that got buried under the limited release practices affected by the COVID pandemic. During that era, John David appeared in both The Creator and Christopher Nolan’s Tenet. The films received heaps of critical praise. But they faced an uncertain audience who didn’t want to sit in a theater and watch a movie with strangers. Understandable.

More people found Tenet on home video and streaming. And the film’s highlights continue to be celebrated. One of those moments happens to be John David Washington’s “hot sauce” joke when he enters a kitchen and prepares to fight a room filled with thugs. It played like this.

When John David came on CinemaBlend’s official ReelBlend podcast, he opened up about how that famous line came together, and Nolan’s amazing response to it. Washington told ReelBlend:

That’s so cool to hear. Christopher Nolan’s movies don’t leave a lot of room for improvisation. Specifically Tenet, which is an air-tight puzzle that needs every piece to snap cleanly into place. As John David Washington went on to explain to ReelBlend:

Take a look at John David’s career. He just turned 40, and to date, he has been able to work with Christopher Nolan, Spike Lee, David O. Russell, David Lowery, Sam Levinson, and his brother Malcolm. He’s eager to learn, to perfect his craft, and to grow. You can see his latest movie, The Piano Lesson, if you have a Netflix subscription. And click here to listen to our complete interview with John David, as well as reviews for both Wicked and Gladiator 2.

Denzel Washington produces what is very much a family affair in The Piano Lesson, which hit the Netflix schedule November 22 after a limited theatrical release. The two-time Oscar winner serves as a producer on the film — an adaptation of one of playwright August Wilson’s most influential projects — while son Malcolm Washington makes his directorial debut and John David Washington stars as Boy Willie Charles. Critics had the chance to screen the movie before its release on the 2024 movie calendar, and they’re raving about the haunting family drama.

In The Piano Lesson, a family in the 1930s argues over a 137-year-old piano, as Doaker Charles (played by Samuel L. Jackson who originated the role of Boy Willie in 1987 at the Yale Repertory Theatre) explains the instrument’s legacy and how it pays homage to their ancestors as Boy Willie wants to sell it. Our own Corey Chichizola said while it has its flaws, The Piano Lesson is a moving piece on generational trauma, writing:

Many critics are lauding Danielle Deadwyler in particular for her performance as Berniece, and Carla Renata of The Wrap also notes that Samuel L. Jackson is hilarious. Meanwhile, John David Washington turns in his best performance to date as Boy Willie, who — along with Deadwyler — is the dynamic cinematic duo Renata never knew she needed. The critic writes:

Robert Daniels of ScreenDaily agrees the adaptation is executed perfectly with the help of its powerhouse performances. Daniels says Black audiences and awards voters will resonate with The Piano Lesson. He continues:

Steph Green of Empire also praises Danielle Deadwyler but overall doesn’t see much elevation from the stage production to the screen. Green gives the film 3 out of 5 stars, saying:

Maureen Lee Lenker of EW grades the movie an A-, saying The Piano Lesson packs a message so powerful about trauma and the necessity of confronting it that audiences will be thinking about this one long after its 2-hour runtime. The critic continues:

The above critics seem to agree this is one of the best movies to stream on Netflix, and that’s further bolstered by its 90% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. If this offering from the Washington family sounds like it will resonate with you, fire up that Netflix subscription, because it’s available to stream now.

The streaming wars have been in full effect for years, with new streaming content arriving every week as various services compete for supremacy. Those with a Netflix subscription will soon be treated to the film adaptation of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. And while it's not a perfect movie, I found it to be a moving meditation on generation trauma.

Denzel Washington is a producer on The Piano Lesson, and famously originated the role of Boy Willie Charles. In the film that role is being played by his son John David Washington, and I had the chance to see an early screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival. I thought that the film's pacing and runtime were a detriment, but was still taken by the way Malcolm Washington's film portrayed the complexity of generational trauma.

In recent years there's been much more of a conversation about the way that trauma can be passed down from parent to child, or even generations down the line of one's family tree. And folks have particularly been getting educated on the way racism and atrocities like slavery have emotionally affected the Black community now.

The Piano Lesson is set in 1936, characters like Boy Willie and Berniece are even closer to their ancestors that were slaves. The stunning carvings on their heirloom piano literally bare the faces of his family's faces and stories. And their debate about whether or not to sell the piano for a profit offers two very different perspectives on that type of generational grief. Is it better to honor the past even if its painful, or to move forward and upward?

The way the supernatural element of the story is woven into the film's more grounded central question also helps to really tell this story. This leads up to a finale that allows the entire narrative to pay off in a big way.

All that being said, I don't think that The Piano Lesson is a perfect film. The movie's pacing and runtime bogged it down at points, which is no doubt because it's an adaptation of a full stage play. Both plays and movie musicals often have this issue with trying to fit a 3-hour play into the runtime of a film. And that's no doubt why Wicked is getting a pair of movies.

It remains to be seen if subscribers rank The Piano Lesson as one of the best Netflix movies in November. But I have to assume that it'll be a similarly moving experience for plenty of audiences. August Wilson is one of the greatest American playwrights of all time for a reason, and only time will tell how many people around the world watch the film.

The Piano Lesson hits Netflix on November 22nd. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your movie experiences for the New Year.

Did you know Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson are good friends? While the major Hollywood actors haven’t shared the screen for over 30 years, they remain close. So when Jackson was recently honored at the Museum of Modern Art’s 16th annual Film Benefit, Washington shared warm words about his friend and how their relationship got its start.

When Denzel Washington took the stage to help honor Samuel L. Jackson, he started by saying “Lord forgive me, Samuel Jackson is a bad motherfucker,” (the latter of which is a word that Jackson is very famous for adding to movies) before getting into how the two actors’ friendship began 45 years ago. In Washington’s words (via People):

Early in both of their careers, before each of them found big breaks in Hollywood films, they crossed paths in New York while they were both doing theater. (Jackson is one of those actors who didn’t strike big until after 40!) As Washington recalled, he was an understudy for a production of the Richard Wesley play The Mighty Gents before he was given a shot to take over the role after the original cast member was fired after opening night. In four decades he had never told Jackson that it was him who gave him the “confidence,” but took the time during the MoMA event to make sure the 75-year-old knows now. How sweet!

The two actors would go on to star together in the 1990 Spike Lee flick, Mo’ Better Blues. While speaking at the event, Denzel Washington shared that Jackson’s daughter Zoe Jackson is like a “daughter” to him and his wife before saying these words:

Washington has been open about there being “very few films left” that he’s interested in, but hopefully there will be another one he and Jackson can do together. The next of upcoming Samuel L. Jackson movies is The Piano Lesson, which serves as the directorial debut for one of Denzel Washington’s sons, Malcolm Washington. It also co-stars Washington’s other son, John David Washington, along with Ray Fisher, Erykah Badu, Danielle Deadwyler and Corey Hawkins. Denzel Washington produced The Piano Lesson as well.

The Piano Lesson is coming to select theaters on November 8 and will be available for those with a Netflix subscription on November 22.

Denzel Washington has long been regarded as one of the world’s finest actors, and it’s not hard to see why. The public at large has been blessed with some great performances from Washington over the years and, through his efforts, he’s earned two Oscars, a Tony Award and much more. Washington has done so much and, based on recent comments he’s made, he could be close to retirement. After that, the A-lister’s family opened up about working on an upcoming movie alongside him.

What Did Denzel Washington Say About Possibly Retiring?

Later this year, the Training Day icon is set to appear as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s long-awaited Gladiator II. The 69-year-old actor seems excited to be teaming up with Scott, who he previously collaborated with on 2007’s American Gangster. While chatting with Empire about just how excited he was to be working with Scott once more, the Philadelphia star seemingly alluded to his future as an actor:

It’s an indisputable truth that Denzel Washington has been in the game for some time now and has seemingly done just about everything by this point. Period pieces like Glory, American Gangster and Malcolm X are amongst his credits as are massive action flicks such as Man on Fire and The Equalizer. And, of course, one can’t forget the more comedic pieces of work Washington has been a part of, including Much Ado About Nothing and The Preacher’s Wife.

As sad as it would be to see the Mo' Better Blues star retire, it would be totally understandable. Of course, he’s not done yet, and one of his latest cinematic ventures is very personal for him.

The Washington Family Shared Thoughts On Working With Their Patriarch

Denzel Washington serves as a producer on the upcoming 2024 movie release The Piano Lesson – an feature film adaption of August Wilson’s play of the same name. This iteration of one of Wilson’s seminal works features the involvement of quite a few Washington family members. One of them is Malcolm, Denzel’s son, who’s at the helm in what marks his directorial debut. While debuting the film at Telluride Film Festival. Malcolm spoke to People about making the film alongside his father and other members of his brood:

Also playing a substantial role in the film is John David Washington, who stars alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Justice League’s Ray Fisher. Denzel’s wife, Pauletta, and their daughter, Olivia, also play versions of the same role in the film. The couple’s other daughter, Katia, also serves as an executive producer on this film. Deadline caught up with Pauletta at Telluride, during which she gushed about being able to work with her family on the upcoming drama film:

It’s easy to get the impression that Mrs. Washington is very proud of her family and how they’ve come together to work on The Piano Lesson. Set in 1930s Pittsburgh, in the aftermath of the Great Depression, the film is centered on the Charles family, as they try to decide what to do with their family’s prized piano. The play on which the movie is based won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990, so this hallowed text. Pauletta ultimately believes her husband is the right person to help bring it to the silver screen:

Her assumption isn’t far-fetched, and this isn’t the first August Wilson adaptation that Denzel Washington has been involved with. He previously directed, produced and starred in the Oscar-winning film Fences and also served as a producer on the Academy Award-nominated Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. So he was more than equipped to handle this material, and it’s sweet that he was able to do it alongside his spouse and kids. I’m not sure how much longer Washington will be acting but, if he continues to produce, I wouldn’t be surprised if he teams up with his relatives again at some point.

The Piano Lesson will play in theaters for a limited time starting on November 8, before it becomes available for Netflix subscribers on November 22. The latter day also marks the theatrical release of Gladiator II, which should give fans a solid dose of Denzel Washington.

One of the most iconic Black detectives in pop culture history is also one of Eddie Murphy’s funniest characters, Axel Foley, whom he's reprised in the 2024 Netflix movie, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. To celebrate Axel’s latest return to 90210, let’s take a look back at more of our favorite Black detectives from movies and TV shows, starting with the man of hour.

Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop)

The original Beverly Hills Cop from 1984 and its sequels are some of the funniest Eddie Murphy movies ever, particularly for Axel Foley’s blistering wit. Yet, he is also the right kind of detective you would want on your side for his commitment to getting the job done, even if he has to break a few rules along the way.

Virgil Tibbs (In The Heat Of The Night)

In 1967, trailblazing Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier gave one of his most inspiring performances in the Best Picture Oscar winner, In the Heat of the Night, as Virgil Tibbs, who falls prey to racial prejudice when he is wrongfully accused of a murder while visiting his mother in a small Mississippi town. However, the Philadelphia cop’s arrival proves to be a godsend, as Chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) would have never solved the crime without the expert investigation skills and resilience of the one they call “Mister Tibbs.”

John Luther (Luther)

The title character of the long-running British crime drama, Luther, could be called the Sherlock Holmes of his time, in the sense that his unusual methods of investigation and alienating personality traits often rub his colleagues the wrong way and even put him in legal trouble. Audiences, however, cannot get enough of the Detective Chief Inspector — who returned for Netflix’s feature-length spin-off, Luther: The Fallen Sun — his brilliant criminal perception and the charming Idris Elba’s captivating, Golden Globe-winning performance.

John Shaft (Shaft)

The crown jewel of Richard Roundtree’s best movies is Shaft — the story of a suave, streetwise detective from New York City. The Oscar-winning 1971 classic and its sequels made this bad mother— “shut yo mouth” — the undisputed king of the Blaxploitation era.

Mike Lowery And Marcus Burnett (Bad Boys)

As the title — borrowed from Inner Circle’s 1987 reggae hit — suggests, Mike Lowery (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) from director Michael Bay’s directorial debut, Bad Boys, are not ones to be messed with. What really makes the 1995 buddy cop movie favorite and its sequels such a fun time is the two detectives’ unbreakable bond, both on and off duty.

Faith Mitchell (Will Trent)

When GBI Special Agents Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) and Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) were forced to work together, they could not stand each other, with Faith being especially ticked off by his uptight attitude and connection to her own mother’s stunted law enforcement career. However, the title hero of ABC’s fun detective drama came to respect and admire his partner — a single mother to a college student with a big heart, a strong intuition, and a powerful kick — just as she warmed to him for his keen eye for evidence.

Ricardo Tubbs (Miami Vice)

One of the most dynamic duos in the history of TV cop dramas is that of Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) and James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) on one of the best mystery TV shows of the ‘80s, Miami Vice. Between the two, Tubbs was the one whom audiences would hope to identify with the most, being the more laid back undercover detective.

Alex Cross (Kiss The Girls)

As a forensic psychologist, Dr. Alex Cross knows how to get into the mind of the most disturbing criminals in Washington D.C., which often comes in handy during the many times the perpetrators make his cases a personal matter. Author James Patterson’s flagship character was first brought to life on screen by Morgan Freeman in 1997’s Kiss the Girls and again in Along Came a Spider four years later, before Tyler Perry took over the role in Alex Cross in 2012.

William Somerset (Se7en)

Two years before he became the (first) face of Alex Cross, Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman was cast in David Fincher’s breakthrough masterpiece, Se7en, as William Somerset — a veteran detective showing the younger David Mills (Brad Pitt) the ropes while working on what is meant to be his last case. However, despite how much the increasingly unsettling investigation tears him up inside, Somerset apparently decides to stay on the force by the end, based on his agreement with the second half of Ernest Hemingway’s belief that “the world is a fine place and worth fighting for.”

Misty Knight (Luke Cage)

One of the most influential comic book characters with a disability is Mercedes “Misty” Knight, who became equipped with a bionic right arm after losing it in an attempt to defuse a bomb. The brave, intuitive, hard-fighting New York detective was portrayed wonderfully on Luke Cage by Simone Missick.

Easy Rawlins (Devil In A Blue Dress)

One of the few and most esteemed Black characters in old-fashioned noir fiction is Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins — first introduced in Walter Mosley’s 1990 novel, Devil in a Blue Dress. In the book’s 1995 adaptation, Academy Award winner Denzel Washington portrayed the World War II veteran who falls into the world of private investigation when his street smart intellect gets him enlisted to find a politician’s missing lover.

Roger Murtaugh (Lethal Weapon)

We wish we had a nickel for every time Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) proclaimed he was “getting too old for this shit” in one of the all-time greatest action movies, 1987’s Lethal Weapon, and its sequels. However, despite his age and no matter how uproarious his cases with his loose-canon partner, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), would get, the L.A. cop continued to fight.

Neal Washington (Hill Street Blues)

One of the best cop dramas of its time, if not all time, is Hill Street Blues, which boasted a diverse cast of characters, including standout Neal Washington (Emmy nominee Taurean Blacque). Known for his trademark toothpick and cap, the undercover veteran officer was a stern individual, but with a track record that earned him much respect and admiration from his peers.

Cleopatra Jones (Cleopatra Jones)

While the aforementioned John Shaft was the King of Blaxploitation, its queen would have to be… well, Pam Grier, who never actually played a cop in any of her most iconic roles from the era. However, when it came to ass-kicking Black females in official law enforcement positions in the 1970s, no one was better and badder than the title character of Cleopatra Jones — an undercover government agent played by Tamara Dobson in the 1973 hit and its 1975 sequel, Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold.

Ron Stallworth (BlacKkKlansman)

In the early 1970s, Ron Stallworth became the first Black cadet at the Colorado Springs police department before going on to lead a secret operation to infiltrate the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. He later chronicled this previously classified operation in his memoir, which was adapted into director Spike Lee’s Oscar-winning film, BlacKkKlansman, in which Stallworth was portrayed by John David Washington.

These are only some of our favorite examples of Black detectives in pop culture. Follow the clues and seek more of them out!

A lot of actors in Hollywood are kids of famous parents, some scions we know well, like Zoe Kravitz and Kate Hudson. Others, though, you might be surprised to learn grew up on the inside of show business. Here's our list of actors you might not realize are the children of stars.  

Mariska Hargitay

Mariska Hargitay has carved out an amazing career in television as the iconic Olivia Benson in 25 seasons of Law & Order: SVU. That's over 500 episodes! She is also the daughter of 1950s legend Jayne Mansfield and former Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay. Tragically, Hargitay barely knew her mother. Mansfield was killed in a car crash when Hargitay was just three years old. Hargitay was in the car too, but survived with only minor physical injuries. 

Tom Holland

Tom Holland's fame exploded when he was cast as Spider-Man in the MCU, though he's been acting since he was a kid. It makes sense he'd find his way into show business, as his father, Dominic Holland, is a comedian and TV and radio star of some renown in the United Kingdom. 

Lenny Kravitz

Sure, everyone knows that Zoe Kravitz is Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet's daughter, but did you know Lenny Kravitz is also the child of a star? Lenny's mother is the legendary Roxie Roker, who played Helen Willis on The Jeffersons.

Benedict Cumberbatch

With the massive amount of talent Benedict Cumberbatch brings to every role he plays, it's not surprising he comes from a talented family. His father, Timothy Carlton, is a BBC legend, and his mother, Wanda Ventham is also a TV legend in the U.K. (and appeared as Sherlock's mother on Cumberbatch's Sherlock). 

Tracee Ellis Ross

Black-ish star Tracee Ellis Ross took a slightly longer road to fame that many other scions of stars, but Girlfriends eventually made her one. Her mother is one of the biggest stars in pop music of the 20th century, Motown legend Diana Ross, who also dabbled in acting with roles in The Wiz and Lady Sings the Blues.

Jordana Brewster

Jordana Brewster has built her own name and reputation in Hollywood, mostly through her work in the Fast franchise, but she also comes from a very accomplished family. Her mother, Maria João, is a Brazillian legend, as she was the first Brazillian model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in 1978. Brewster's grandfather, Kingman Brewster, was a giant in academia, serving as the president of Yale University from 1964 until 1977.

Zooey Deschanel

Of course, Zooey Deschanel has a famous sister, Emily, and together they have a couple of pretty famous parents. Zooey's father, Caleb Deschanel is a cinematographer who has been nominated six times for an Oscar, for his work on films like The Right Stuff and The Passion Of The Christ. Zooey and Emily's mother, Mary Jo, is also an actor, known best for playing Eileen Hayward in the Twin Peaks franchise. 

Vanessa Kirby

From starring as Princess Margaret in The Crown to playing a baddie in Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Vanessa Kirby has shown she can do just about anything on screen. Her father, Dr. Roger Kirby is a renowned doctor in the U.K., so while it might not be a Hollywood connection, Vanessa does come from a very prominent family. 

Alfie Allen

Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen has a pretty famous sister, singer Lily Allen, and a pretty famous father, Keith Allen. Keith is very well known in his native England, but American audiences will recognize him from his roles in Trainspotting, and Kingsman: The Golden Circle, among others. Alfie and Lily's mother, Alison Owen, is a movie producer as well, including the 2024 Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin made his film debut in The Goonies when he was 18, in 1985. After a solid, but far from remarkable, run for the next 20 years, Brolin became a legit superstar in the 2010s, eclipsing the fame of his father, James Brolin, but probably not his stepmother, Barbara Streisand.

Louisa Jacobson

If you haven't watched The Gilded Age, you need to, and when you do, you'll likely love the performance from Louisa Jacobson. Of course, you wouldn't expect less from the daughter of one of the greatest actors of all time, Meryl Streep. 

Zoey Deutch

Zoey Deutch is known for movies like Everybody Wants Some!! and Something from Tiffany's, as well as TV shows like The Politician and Ringer. Her mother, Lea Thompson is known for classics like Back To The Future, and Some Kind of Wonderful, where Thompson met Zoey's father, Howard Deutch, who directed the film. 

Lewis Pullman

Lewis Pullman has received widespread acclaim for his performance in Apple TV+'s Lessons in Chemistry. As you may have guessed by his last name, his father is none other than the great Bill Pullman, who, of course, made one of the most inspiring speeches in movie history in Independence Day. 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis is a true legend and she also has two legendary parents, father Tony Curtis and mother Janet Leigh. Jamie Lee is also married to a famous actor, This is Spinal Tap star Christopher Guest. One more fun fact? Jamie Lee carries an English nobility title. The Right Honourable the Lady Haden-Guest, because Christopher's full title is Christopher Haden-Guest, 5th Baron Haden-Guest.

Ben Platt

Marc Platt has been nominated for an Oscar three times as the producer of Best Picture nominees Bridge of Spies, La La Land, and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Surely, he's most proud of being a father to Pitch Perfect star Ben Platt. 

Laura Dern

Over five decades now, Laura Dern has crushed on the big and small screen. Her father, Bruce Dern, is in his incredible seventh decade of his career and her mother, Diane Ladd, has been a star for just as long. In fact, Ladd and Laura were both nominated for Oscars for their respective performances together in Rambling Rose, one of Laura Dern's best performances. 

George Clooney

It's to imagine there was ever a time when George Clooney wasn't the most famous person in the world, much less his own family, but that was the case once. George's father, Nick Clooney, was a long-time TV news anchor all over the country, including in LA. He was also a game show host in the mid-'70s. George is also nephew to the iconic Rosemary Clooney, which also made Betty Clooney an aunt to George as well. Rosemary's son, the late actor Miguel Ferrer, was also more famous than his cousin George in the '80s, after starring in Robocop and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. 

Daniel Day-Lewis

Even the great Daniel Day-Lewis comes from a famous family. The legendary actor's father was Cecil Day-Lewis, who was the one-time poet laureate of the United Kingdom, and his mother, Jill Balcon, was a well-known stage actor in the UK. Daniel Day-Lewis' maternal grandfather, Michael Balcon, helped launch the British film industry in the 1930s and '40s, as well. Acting is in his blood, for sure. 

Rob Reiner

There's no bigger name in Hollywood than Rob Reiner. Whether as an actor, director, writer, or producer, Reiner has made his name across the board. Before all that, his father, Carl Reiner, made his name doing many of the same things. Rob's mother, Estelle Reiner, is also pretty famous, having delivered the line, "I'll have what she's having," in When Harry Met Sally. 

Zosia Mamet

From Girls to The Flight Attendant, Zosia Mamet has shown herself to be quite the ensemble player on screen. Her father, iconic playwright David Mamet, is really more famous for what he's written for the stage. David has found plenty of success writing for the screen as well, penning movies like Glengarry Glen Ross (based on his play of the same name), The Untouchables, and 2001's Hannibal.

Billie Lourd

Billie Lourd got her start working with her mother, Carrie Fisher, in the Star Wars sequels. As Fisher's daughter, she's a part of a family of Hollywood royalty, with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher as her grandparents. It's an impressive lineage! 

Bessie Carter

Bessie Carter's star turn as Prudence Featherington in Bridgerton is right on par with not one, but both of her famous parents. Bessie's father, Jim Carter, is most famous in the U.S. for playing the stern butler, Mr. Carson, on Downton Abbey. Her mother is none other than the great Imelda Staunton, who, among many other things, has starred as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter series and Queen Elizabeth in the final two seasons of The Crown on Netflix. It's a lot to live up to for Bessie, but she's showing she's up to it. 

Timothée Chalamet

Dune star Timothée Chalamet's father may not be as famous as some of the parents on this list, but in some circles, he's very famous. Marc Chalamet is a French reporter who worked for Le Parisien as a correspondent and for the United Nations as an editor for UNICEF. His mother, Nicole, was also in show business for a time, as a dancer on Broadway. 

Phoebe Dynevor

Bridgerton is one of the most popular streaming shows ever and among the excellent cast is Phoebe Dynevor, who plays Daphne Basset. U.S. audiences may not be familiar with her mother, Sally Dynevor, but in the U.K., she's one of the most famous people on TV, having played the role of Sally on the long-running Coronation Street soap opera. Sally has played the role since 1986! Phoebe's grandmother, Shirley Dynevor, was also an actress in the United Kingdom. 

Melanie Griffith

When you talk about the legendary Hollywood families, you have to mention Melanie Griffith. She is mother to Dakota Johnson, of course, with her ex Don Johnson. Griffith is also the daughter of a famous actress, the great Tippi Hedren, star of The Birds, among many other films. 

Jennifer Aniston

Friends star Jennifer Aniston comes from famous stock. Her father, John Aniston, played the character Victor Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives for an amazing 37 years, right up until his death in 2022. The Morning Show star's mother, Nancy Dow, was also an actress, though she never quite had the career of Aniston, but then again, few do. 

Jessica Capshaw

For over 200 episodes, Jessica Capshaw played Arizona Robbins on Grey's Anatomy. Before that, she started out in Hollywood working with her stepfather, Steven Spielberg. Her mother, Kate Capshaw, is also an excellent actress, of course. Talent runs in the family, like all the others on this list. 

Margaret Qualley

You might think "Margaret Qualley" does not have a last name I recognize. That's fair; her father, Paul Qualley, was a model for a time, but it's her mother, Andie McDowell, that lands Margaret on this list. She and her sister, Rainey, weren't raised in Hollywood, but instead in Asheville, NC. She still found her way into show business after attending NYU and studying ballet in New York. 

John David Washington

Denzel Washington's son, John David Washington, wasn't going to follow in his famous father's footsteps, trying his hand at professional football in the St. Louis Rams organization. Luckily for film fans, his football career didn't take off, but his Hollywood career has. BlacKkKlansman and Tenet definitely got John David out from under his father's substantial shadow, and that is a really impressive thing to even attempt, much less succeed in doing. 

Riley Keough

Anyone who is the granddaughter of the King of Rock and Roll deserves to be on this list. That's right, Riley Keough is Elvis Presley's granddaughter, and daughter to Lisa Marie. After Lisa Marie died in 2023, Keough also became the sole owner of the legendary Graceland, Elvis' home, in Memphis. It's an impressive legacy to uphold, but Keough is clearly up for the challenge. 

Hannah Einbinder

Hannah Einbinder is one of the brightest up-and-coming comedic stars in Hollywood, starring in Hacks as well as her very funny stand-up act. The apple doesn't fall from the tree, as her mother is SNL legend Laraine Newman, who was part of the original cast from 1975-1980. 

Nico Parker

Nico Parker's star is just starting to rise, having received acclaim for playing Sarah in HBO's The Last of Us. Her mother is the iconic Thandiwe Newton, so again, the apple doesn't fall from the tree in this family. Her father, Ol Parker, wrote and directed Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

As this list shows, it's not really fair to use the term "nepo baby" all the time, as all of these stars have forged their own path and careers. Sure, it helps to have the connections, and the DNA, of some talented parents, but that's far from all it takes, as these stars have shown.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been around for more than a decade-and-a-half, and after 30-plus movies, TV shows, and specials, we’ve seen a ton of great actors play fan-favorite comic book heroes and villains. There are even actors who have played more than one character in the expansive franchise. But at the same time, there’s an even larger group of talented big-screen stars who haven’t donned a cape, mask, or spandex in the best Marvel movies. Here are 32 actors we still want to see in the MCU…

Ryan Gosling

For one reason or another, Ryan Gosling has yet to play a character in the MCU. One of the most talented and beloved actors of his time, the Barbie star would be perfect to play several characters ranging from Nova to Mr. Fantastic to even Earth-616’s Norman Osbourne if they wanted to have a younger actor take on the role of the famous Spider-Man villain. 

John David Washington

John David Washington has previously said he’d be open for an MCU role, and it’s probably going to happen sooner or later, considering the son of Oscar winner Denzel Washington is an incredibly talented and versatile actor. The Tenet and The Creator star has the range to handle just about everything thrown his way, be it as a villain or the next great Marvel hero.

Margot Robbie

It wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Margot Robbie join the list of actors to appear in the MCU at some point down the line, it’s just a matter of finding the right character for the beloved actress to play. There have been rumors about a Sue Storm role over the years, but Robbie would also be great playing villains like Lady Deathstrike.

Dev Patel

Dev Patel has established himself as one of the most interesting actors in Hollywood thanks to outstanding performances in movies like The Green Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, and his 2023 work with Wes Anderson. Watching the Lion star take on someone like Reed Richards or even Doctor Doom would be awesome, and he could honestly handle both.

Keanu Reeves

Throughout his career, Keanu Reeves has played iconic action characters like Johnny Utah, Neo, and John Wick. How cool would it be to see the eternally young actor join the MCU as someone like Dracula, Ghost Rider, or even Silver Surfer? We would even settle for a small voice role as a random one-off character.

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy showing up in the MCU would be a massive get for the cinematic universe as it works towards the two upcoming Avengers projects, especially if he were to play Doctor Doom. While other actors would probably be better suited for the physicality of the iconic Marvel villain, Murphy would be perfect for the psychological aspects of the character. Add in his experience from playing Scarecrow in the Dark Knight trilogy and you have a perfect fit.

Vanessa Kirby

Vanessa Kirby has said in the past that it would be an honor to play Sue Storm, but the Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning actress could also handle a more sinister role if given the chance. Just imagine Kirby playing someone like Lady Death or even Black Cat if we get another Spider-Man movie.

Cynthia Erivo

How Cynthia Erivo hasn’t landed a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is somewhere between a travesty and a mystery, because the multi-talented actor has everything you want in an actress to play your next comic book star. Just imagine the Harriet and Bad Times at the El Royale actress showing up as Storm whenever the X-Men are eventually introduced to the franchise. That would be electric to say the very least.

Antonio Banderas

Though Ant-tonio Banderas, Scott Lang’s ant in Ant-Man and the Wasp is already a thing in the MCU, the actor on which the flying arthropods was based has not had a chance to appear just yet. This needs to change and we need to see Antonio Banderas show up at some point down the road. He’s got the skills and intangibles to pull off someone as big as Galactus, a character comic book fans have been dying to see for years now.

LaKeith Stanfield

LaKeith Stanfield has been one of the more interesting actors of the past decade thanks to unforgettable roles in movies like Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah, and The Book of Clarence, and the MCU would be better off if he joined the fray. There was talk in early 2024 of Stanfield replacing Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror, which could work, but he could also bring to life X-Men staples like Cyclopes or even Gambit.

Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise flirted with the idea of playing Tony Stark way before Robert Downey Jr. rejuvenated his career in the MCU-launching Iron Man, but we never got to see the Top Gun: Maverick star play the iconic billionaire playboy philanthropist. Though it never came to fruition, we’d still love to see the Hollywood legend show up in the MCU, even if he only briefly played an alternate version of Iron Man.

Christoph Waltz

Christoph Waltz has played great villains in everything from the James Bond movies to Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds, but he’s never played a big bad in the MCU. That should change, sooner rather than later, and he could be a great fit for someone like Norman Osborn or Doc Ock if we get more Spidey movies. He has the charisma, skill, and look for either of those roles.

Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain showed up in X-Men: Dark Phoenix, but since that’s outside of the MCU (for now, anyway), she’s fair game. There’s been the Sue Storm talk over the years, but the Interstellar star could also take on someone like Jean Grey and try her luck with the Dark Phoenix character.

Alan Ritchson

Okay, imagine Alan Ritchson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom. In addition to having a ridiculous physique, the Jack Reacher star can also be cerebral and mysterious, kind of like his character from Fast X. He would be a formidable foe, that’s for sure. And if not, we’d love to see Ritchson take on someone like Rhino or Juggernaut and breathe new life into those characters.

Pedro Pascal

There’s been a lot of talk about Pedro Pascal being the frontrunner for Reed Richards in the Fantastic Four’s eventual MCU debut, and that would be awesome. The star of The Mandalorian and The Last of Us has shown over the years that he has what it takes to lead a successful franchise, and he has enough talent and charisma to pay one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes.

Amber Midthunder

Amber Midthunder became a star-in-the-making after the 2022 release of Prey, and the star of the Predator spinoff prequel could very well make an impact in the MCU if given the opportunity. Lady Hellbender, Lyja, and Silver Fox are just three of the Marvel characters she would be well-suited to play.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington has long stayed out of the superhero realm, though he has made a career out of playing characters who are pretty much comic book characters. That being said, we’d love to see the two-time Oscar winner take on a role like Magento or Bahsenga, the warrior shaman who was the first to adopt the Black Panther mantel.

Emily Blunt

Her husband, John Krasinksi, has already appeared in the MCU, albeit briefly, as Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, so it wouldn’t be crazy to see Emily Blunt show up at some point, either for a similar-sized role or in a larger capacity. According to Deadline, the Oppenheimer star turned down a chance to play Black Widow in Iron Man 2 and was reportedly approached to play other famous characters in the years following. 

Gary Oldman

We’ve seen Gary Oldman play Jim Gordon masterfully in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, but the Academy Award-winning actor has yet to show up in the MCU. It would be so cool to see the legendary actor enter the fold as Dr. Xavier in the eventual X-Men movie, and it would be just as awesome to see him play a more villainous role like Mephisto or even Dracula, with the latter being a throwback to his turn in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

Jesse Plemons

Jesse Plemons has been everywhere for the past few years. Well, everywhere besides the MCU. The Breaking Bad and Killers of the Flower Moon star has shared the screen with Marvel actors like Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Christian Bale over the years, and it’s only a matter of time before he follows suit and shows up as a comic book character. This guy has Sabretooth written all over him…

Paul Giamatti

Paul Giamatti has already been in Sony’s Marvel movies thanks to his portrayal of Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, but we’d love to see more of the beloved actor. It doesn’t have to be anything over-the-top like a mech suit, but instead something like a government official who tries to get in the Avengers’ way or is tempted by a big bad.

Glen Powell

Glen Powell has "superhero" written all over him. The Physique, the charm, the million-dollar smile, he has it all. It’s only a matter of time before someone swoops him up and makes him the next great comic book hero, and that someone could be Marvel. Nova, Cyclops, or even a young Magneto would be great fits for the Anyone But You star.

Tati Gabrielle

Since making her acting debut a decade ago, Tati Gabrielle has given commanding performances on shows like You, Kaleidoscope, and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, to name a few. The actress, who also has experience in video game adaptations like Uncharted and the upcoming Mortal Kombat 2, would be perfect for the MCU in the coming years, especially if she could land a role like Storm, Black Cat, or other fan-favorite characters.

Javier Bardem

Javier Bardem is an actor with an incredible skillset and the ability to play both nuanced and over-the-top characters, which would make him perfect for something in the MCU. The No Country For Old Men star would be a great fit for the iconic Galactus whenever the villain is introduced in the future.

Rosamund Pike

Rosamund Pike has played all manner of characters over the years, and that makes her a perfect fit for the MCU moving forward. Her dynamic range and ability to play both good and evil roles masterfully would be perfect for comic book staples like Emma Frost and Liandra Nermani, both of whom are tied to the X-Men franchise.

Lily Gladstone

Lily Gladstone became an overnight sensation upon the release of Killers of the Flower Moon, and rightfully so. We’re not saying it’s going to happen, but the Golden Globe-winning actress would be perfect in the MCU. Imagine Gladstone playing Indigenous characters like Silver Fox or Kushala.  

Iwan Rheon

Iwan Rheon technically appeared on Inhumans back in 2017, but this doesn’t mean we don’t want to see him show up in an MCU movie at some point in the future. The Game of Thrones actor, who didn’t appear in as many episodes as you’d think, played Maximus on the short-lived ABC series, so he could reprise his role or he could take on something new. However, it wouldn’t be nearly as intense as Ramsay Bolton.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis has already made her mark in the comic book world with her portrayal of Amanda Waller over in the DCEU, but this doesn’t mean she can’t jump over to the MCU and play an equally menacing character. The Oscar winner has already led a blockbuster with The Woman King, so she is more than capable of doing the same in a Marvel movie.

Naomie Harris

Naomie Harris has already shown up in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe with her portrayal of Shriek in Venom: Let There Be Carnage where she was crushed by a falling cathedral, but there’s no reason she couldn’t just play another version of the character in the MCU or take on a completely different role entirely.

Brendan Gleeson

Brendan Gleeson is appearing in Joker 2, and it would be really cool if the legendary actor also landed a role in the MCU somewhere down the road. The Harry Potter and The Banshees of Inisherin star would be perfect for a role if the Thor franchise is to continue, even if it meant voicing someone like Beta Ray Bill. 

Iko Uwais

Iko Uwais, star of the phenomenal Raid movies, has the acting ability and fighting skills to be a big hit in the MCU if given the chance. In the event this does happen, we’d hate for Uwais’ talents to be wasted like they were with his extremely small role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Three-time Oscar winner Daniel Day-Lewis retired after 2017’s Phantom Thread, but we’d love to see him step in front of the camera again in an MCU movie. The There Will Be Blood and Gangs of New York star would be a killer option for a character like Galactus and drink up all the planets like a big milkshake.

Who knows if we’ll see any of these actors show up in any of the upcoming Marvel movies, but with the way the MCU has shown us over the years, don’t count anyone out.

Fashion can truly make an impression with any character you’re trying to get across; especially with the figures we’re about to discuss. Clothing is definitely not optional, it’s a way of life for some of the snazziest dressers in all of cinematic history. So straighten your tie, smooth out your sweater, and slip on your glasses to take a look at these shining examples of sartorial supremacy.

James Bond (The James Bond Movies)

How can you not admire the costume design throughout every era of James Bond movies? No matter your chosen actor for the job, 007 has made his way into the world with a fine style that matches his cutting wit. His fashion is forever.

Holly Golightly (Breakfast At Tiffany’s)

Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) became a fashion icon for the ages in 1961’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s certainly not hard to see why, as Hubert De Givenchy and Edith Head’s talents gave this movie its signature looks; chiefly among them some little black dresses that launched a thousand party outfits.

Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Casino)

How mythic is the wardrobe of Robert De Niro’s Sam “Ace” Rothstein from Casino? There are whole YouTube videos and posters designed to show them off. Not to mention even some of the oversized glasses that Martin Scorsese’s protagonist wears during the film have become the stuff of legend. Better still: Ace isn’t afraid to wear pink, and it suits him to a tee.

Lorelei Lee (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes)

Sure, as a musical showgirl, it was technically the job of Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) to always be on point with her looks. But at the same time, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes certainly snazzed her up in everyday life, thanks to some beautiful use of patterns and color. And of course, who could forget the iconic pink dress Monroe wore during “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend?”

Django (Django Unchained)

Once he entered the world of bounty hunting, Django (Jamie Foxx) took a lot of the advice Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz) gave him to heart. And part of that package was the note that your wardrobe is basically your costume for the moments in your life. Everything from rough and tumble western wear to a natty blue velvet suit with ruffles resulted from that viewpoint, and we’re all the greater for it.

Miranda Priestly (The Devil Wears Prada)

If one is going to help make the decisions that puts cerulean sweaters on the backs of those who pretend to hate fashion, one needs to look like they’ve earned that right. The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) definitely earned that right, and then some. While Streep gave up Method acting because of the character’s miserable nature, her style never looked anything less than top-flight.

Caesar Flickerman (The Hunger Games Trilogy)

Oh Stanley Tucci: the respected actor that, early in his career, was a beefcake model for Levi’s. The man’s style sense has never left him, with Caesar Flickerman from The Hunger Games trilogy being one of his more outlandish cases of style. Bursting with color that matched his energy, it’s hard to hate Panem’s prince of propaganda.

Cruella DeVil (Cruella)

Cruella reinvented the Disney villain from 101 Dalmatians into someone who dug a lot more than Dalmatian spots. Emma Stone’s titular icon of villainy actually changed her tone in this reimagining, setting her sights on revenge in the fashion world, and adopting a sort of punk rock couture aesthetic to do so. Vengeance looked amazing in her hands.

Jinx (Die Another Day)

Yes, Halle Berry’s freezing James Bond entrance in Die Another Day showed her rocking an impressive bikini. But her outfits throughout the rest of the film didn’t slouch either, especially the red leather number that kept her warm in the ice palace of Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). Though it probably also came in handy that time she was nearly carved up by lasers too. 

Charon (The John Wick Movies)

The entire John Wick universe is dressed to the nines, exuding a style profile that puts most action movies to shame. But if I were to highlight anyone, I’m afraid it’d have to be Charon, played by the late great Lance Reddick. Then again, The Continental is one of those places where you always have to be on your fashion game; so maybe this choice was easier than I thought.

Emily Nelson (A Simple Favor)

Paul Feig’s cinematic adaptation of A Simple Favor saw Blake Lively dipping her toe into all corners of the fashion spectrum. Through looks borrowing from both traditionally masculine and feminine modes, it all looked deadly beautiful throughout her neo-noir character’s arc. 

The Protagonist (Tenet)

Inspired by Sean Connery’s James Bond fashion, Tenet costume designer Jeffrey Kurland crafted fashions for The Protagonist (John David Washington), as well as his accomplice Neil (Robert Pattinson) that evoked the classic era of 007. Kind of fitting for a movie where incremental time travel is the game, and Christopher Nolan’s discipline for panache is also very much present. 

Astrid Leong (Crazy Rich Asians)

Astrid Leong (Gemma Chan) has a heart of gold, and the fashion sense to match it. Throughout the entirety of Crazy Rich Asians, she never failed to show up in some of the most gorgeous outfits; even in moments where her heart was breaking in devastating detail. Every time she’s on screen, it’s like watching a fairy tale.

Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby)

When you’ve got a character that’s described as “the man in the cool beautiful shirts,” your costume design needs to measure up. Director Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby used the talents of costume designer Catherine Martin to do just that, giving Leonardo DiCaprio’s interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tragic character the finest threads money could buy. 

Tracy Chambers (Mahogany)

Mahogany’s Tracy Chambers (Diana Ross) has aspirations to be a fashion designer herself. So it’s only fitting that she not only found her way into modeling, but also onto this list of snazzy dressers. Epitomizing the color and opulence of the disco era, her cautionary tale saw Tracy looking absolutely fabulous, even in her most dire moments. 

Nigel (The Devil Wears Prada)

If you haven’t heard it before: Stanley Tucci is a man of great fashion. One of the best examples of this is the role of Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada. While he’s a bit nicer spreading the gospel of fashion than his boss Miranda (Meryl Streep), Nigel doesn’t let up in his keen eye for style in the process.

Jackie Brown (Jackie Brown)

Whether she’s coming home from flying the friendly skies, or keeping one step ahead of her criminal compatriots, Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) always looks fantastic. Of course, her striking blue uniform for her day job is what’s always stuck out in Quentin Tarantino’s film. That being said, Ms. Grier’s civilian clothes are no slouch either, especially in that food court outfit where she’s stylishly wearing a Kangol cap.

Thomas Crown (The Thomas Crown Affair)

Billionaire by day and thief in his downtime, The Thomas Crown Affair’s titular rogue is always sharply suited for the occasion. Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond movies certainly set a similar expectation, but this 1999 remake gave the actor some room to roam; even if he wasn’t contractually allowed to be seen in traditional black tie. 

Foxy Cleopatra (Austin Powers in Goldmember)

Borrowing from the rich fashion history of blaxploitation heroines, Austin Powers in Goldmember gave Foxy Cleopatra a whole lot of looks for a whole lot of woman. Then again, when you’ve cast Beyoncé as your female lead, it’s kind of hard to make her look anything other than stunning. Still, an abundance of color and flare is seen through every costume change in this spy movie spoof.

Patrick Bateman (American Psycho)

‘80s business attire was a unique beast that had stock brokers ready to step out into the night once the closing bell had rung. Using GQ and Esquire as a bible, it’s no wonder how American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) always looked as sharpened as a kitchen knife. Though spare a thought for the man’s dry cleaners, as he does have a bit of a temper.

Niobe (The Matrix Reloaded & Revolutions)

Pretty much everyone in The Matrix is a snazzy dresser, especially when they're in The Wachowski's cyberspace playground which gives the film its title. But extra credit has to be given to Niobe (Jada Pinkett Smith), as she's not a simple black-and-white dresser. With a long red coat that sets her apart from the rest, reflecting her colorful wardrobe in the real world, The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions were a bit brighter when she battled it out on screen.

Marvello Rubini (La Dolce Vita)

There are certain fashion touchstones of cinema history that will never, ever go out of style. And one such look is the classic suit and sunglasses worn by Marcello Mastroianni’s Marvello Rubini, in one of the greatest Italian movies of all time, La Dolce Vita. You can never go wrong with that black suit, but the eyewear that Federico Fellini's protagonist wears throughout the picture really clinches the win every time.

Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)

Pink is a hard color to work with because, in the wrong context, it could be seen as much too loud. Meanwhile, Legally Blonde icon Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) never met a shade of this pigment she didn’t like. Her signature hue throughout both films, this legal eagle soars high in the sky with flying colors; and it never goes out of style. 

Danny Ocean (Ocean’s Eleven)

A friend once told me, “no one looks as cool as Danny Ocean getting out of prison.” Judging by the look George Clooney’s Ocean’s Trilogy mastermind is rocking at the beginning of that first movie, it’s hard to argue. It’s even more difficult to argue that through all three films, the man isn’t bringing his A-game every single time he steps out.

Annie Hall (Annie Hall)

Blazing a trail for women’s fashion, Annie Hall’s eponymous figure took what was traditionally seen as “men’s clothing” and used it as her own statement to the world. Played brilliantly by Diane Keaton, her keen fashion sense was matched by her wicked wit, more often than not being deployed against lovelorn Alvy Singer (Woody Allen). 

Frank Abignale (Catch Me If You Can)

What is it about confidence crooks that gives them such brilliant fashion sense? Perhaps when Frank Sr. (Christopher Walken) told his young son Frank Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) about how those Yankees pinstripes bedazzle the competition, he was onto something. As a result, Catch Me If You Can’s “real fake” is seen kitted out in everything from pilot’s uniforms to orange sweaters, and he’s always looking dapper as a result. 

Reynolds Woodcock (Phantom Thread)

“Meticulous” is one word that sums up Phantom Thread’s Reynolds Woodcock (Daniel Day-Lewis). Paul Thomas Anderson’s dark comedy about romance, fashion, and all the illnesses in between saw the Academy Award-winning legend retire in literal style, playing a fashion designer who would never step foot out the door with even a hair out of place.

Ginger McKenna (Casino)

Martin Scorsese’s Casino shows Las Vegas through some of its most tumultuous years. And one of the indicators of how time passes is in the fashion, as Ginger McKenna (Sharon Stone) goes from good-time gal to the trusted wife of casino manager Sam “Ace” Rothstein (Robert DeNiro). Gliding through the years with an effortless eye, Ms. Stone’s costumes maintain an air of control, even when her character seems to be losing that very grasp in life.

Cher Horowitz (Clueless)

Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) is the ‘90s, period. A fashionista who made something like yellow with black plaid into a work of art, our Clueless hero is anything but when she’s putting together her outfits. Who could ever forget the first time they saw some of Cher’s most signature looks in play?

Jules Winfield (Pulp Fiction)

The look of a simple black suit cannot be understated, especially when someone like Samuel L. Jackson is the person wearing it. As imposing fixer Jules Winfield in Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, Jackson wears this outfit for most of the movie’s running time; save for those sequences taking place after one catastrophic accident. Even in a random t-shirt and shorts, the man knows how to make an impression and keep all the Fonzies in the room cool. 

Rachel Chu (Crazy Rich Asians)

While Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) isn’t from the same sort of world as the family of her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding), that doesn’t stop our Crazy Rich Asians lead from engaging in a makeover. As the film progresses, and through some friendly makeover advice from her best friend (Awkwafina), confidence and fashion are both boosted in equally impressive ways.

Trent (Swingers)

Most would remember the lead characters of Swingers for their big band revival threads that play a big part in their trip to Vegas. However, if you look at the styles that Trent Walker (Vince Vaughn) displays throughout the movie, he is a true example of making anything work. Even his outbursts in a late-night dining situation look sharp, as he knows how to crush a look when he’s relaxed or when he’s switched on. 

If you were looking for some style icons to look up to for a near-future wardrobe refresh, look no further than these movie mavens. With all sorts of looks at work for all types, there’s bound to be something here that could give you the upgrade you’ve been hoping to achieve. And now that you’ve read through this handy guide to such delights, don’t you think you’ve earned it?

John David Washington is not one to shy away from stunt work, as he’s starred in plenty of action movies. Washington’s latest movie, The Creator, takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where it's man vs. artificial intelligence, and with the Tenet star leading the movie as an ex-special forces agent recruited to kill a weapon that threatens to wipe out humanity, you know there will be massive stunts throughout. Despite his history of action movies, Washington said the stunts he did for the film were the “hardest thing” he’s ever done.

Based on what was shown in the theatrical trailer and IMAX preview of the action-packed thriller, we see John David Washington doing some serious running and gunning against military forces in Gareth Edwards’ The Creator. Washington told Entertainment Tonight  that compared to anything else he’s ever done, the stunt work the 39-year-old actor did for the movie truly took the cake. Said Washington,

John David Washington went on to say that one thing that helped him get through his hard stunts was being surrounded by a talented cast. He was mesmerized by co-star Allison Janney’s performance when she chose to cry in the middle of a scene. Knowing you’ve got a full team of gifted people to work with should build up your confidence to handle any challenges that come your way. 

And to think the BlacKkKlansman star almost didn’t get hired for The Creator after wearing a Mandalorian face mask during his first meeting with the director. Despite knowing Gareth Edwards directed Rogue One, Washington wasn’t trying to appear as a fan. He truly wanted to be part of Edwards’ sci-fi film based on his genuine interest in the script.  

This former football player has had to go perform some wild stunts throughout his acting career. In Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, he filmed a “crazy” backwards fight scene that led him to accidentally kick cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, who was just trying to hone in on the action with his IMAX camera. For Netflix’s Beckett, Washington gets shot at, punched, tied up, and more. I’m sure when he looks back at his previous action movies, the stunt work he did for them may seem amateurish compared to getting  dragged, and tossed in The Creator.

The Creator came out the past weekend and there was a mixed reaction among audiences and critics. Initial screenings had audiences call the A.I sci-fi film “life-changing,” with John David Washington giving a career-best performance and people praising some of the film's finest visuals audiences had ever seen. Critics had a more split reaction where some found it thought-provoking while others didn’t think it was original enough. But everyone seems to be in agreement that the movie’s visuals were a true standout. 

You can now witness John David Washington's hard work in The Creator, which is now playing in theaters everywhere.

John David Washington is set to take on A.I. and a weapon strong enough to destroy humanity when The Creator hits theaters on Friday, September 29. The weapon that ex-special forces agent Joshua is tasked with eliminating, however, is an Android child he nicknames Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles), which turns out to be a problem in writer/director Gareth Edwards’ upcoming sci-fi thriller. Critics have seen the movie ahead of its release, and they’re here to share what we should know about The Creator before deciding whether or not to hit up the theater this weekend.

First reactions to the movie seemed mostly positive, with some people who caught early screenings calling The Creator “life-changing” and praising it as one of the best movies of the year. But now that critics have had a chance to expand their thoughts, they are not in agreement about the overall quality of the film. Let’s see what they’re saying: 

Critics Call The Creator’s Plot Half-Baked And Unoriginal 

In CinemaBlend’s review of The Creator, our own Mike Reyes writes that Gareth Edwards doesn’t deliver a story that is either new or impressive. The talents of John David Washington and Madeleine Yuna Voyles are wasted on a plot that is both ham-fisted and half-baked, he says. Reyes rates it 2.5 stars out of 5, concluding: 

Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse echoes these thoughts and says Gareth Edwards and co-writer Chris Weitz wanted so badly to make an original movie that they ended up recycling ideas from other films and combining them into something less potent. In the critic’s words:  

David Rooney of THR says the film’s message of interspecies harmony is telegraphed with such insistence that it ends up feeling fabricated. Rooney says: 

However, not everybody shared these critics' opinions.

Others Say The Creator Is Thought-Provoking And Timely 

Pete Hammond of Deadline praises 7-year-old newcomer Madeleine Yuna Voyles for stealing the movie with a performance that would be impressive from an actor of any age. The movie overall is thought-provoking and timely, Hammond says, continuing: 

Brian Truitt of USA TODAY rates The Creator 3.5 stars out of 4, and while he agrees that the co-writers’ influences are obvious, from Star Wars to Apocalypse Now, Gareth Edwards’ film feels “extraordinarily original.” Truitt continues:  

The critics may not be in consensus about how much they enjoyed the movie, but there seem to be plenty of positive things to say about the visual effects, and original or not, The Creator tackles the timely issue of artificial intelligence. So if this movie sounds up your alley, you’ll be able to see it on the big screen starting Friday, September 29. You can also check out our 2023 movie calendar to see what else is coming soon to theaters. 

Rogue One director Gareth Edwards is adding another sci-fi movie to his filmography, and it may somehow be his biggest one yet, despite being outside the Star Wars universe. The Creator stars John David Washington and more whose characters are in the midst of a fictional war between AI and humanity, and the futuristic adaptation has attracted great reviews from critics calling it "life-changing." The Tenet co-star is no stranger to a spectacle flick, making him a perfect fit for the lead role, but he almost cost himself the lead role by wearing a Star Wars mask to his first meeting with the director.

In an interview with The Wrap, Edwards opened up about his decision to re-enter the sci-fi realm with his latest feature, and talked about what went into casting the lead role. While Washington's acting chops proved he was more than capable of handling such an intense part, their first meeting almost left a sour taste in Edwards’ mouth. He said:

However, once Washington explained how authentically he loved Edwards’ work, and how that influenced his mask decision, the filmmaker and the BlacKkKlansman star went on to enjoy a great first meeting. He continued:

While this was certainly a risk, with Washington initially coming off as a mere fanboy rather than a passionate star with a keen interest in the script, it still ended up paying off. The director and the actor shared a vision for what the movie could be, and the Star Wars element became a sweet part of a shared history. This connection may have even influenced Washington’s decision to work on the film. Edwards had such a great eye when it came to working in the Star Wars Universe, it proved him to be an incredibly capable director in the blockbuster world. 

The fact that they got along so well is also no surprise, in addition to Star Wars, they are drawn to similar material. Movies like Monsters and Godzilla really showed Edward’s prowess when it came to giving high concept ideas the blockbuster approach, not to mention his ability to show off the talents of young actors. Washington’s attraction to movies like Tenet show the actor isn’t one to shy away from a complex script and original ideas. It’s very rare to get a science fiction movie without an established IP, and a movie like The Creator with a strong powerhouse creative team behind it is something really special. 

It's been over 7 years since Edwards has made a film, and hopefully The Creator will be worth the wait. Despite the interest in seeing the filmmaker take on another project within the Star Wars Universe, it seems like the director is interested in other pursuits. He cited the Japanese movie franchise Lone Wolf And Cub as more of an influence for him than The Mandalorian, and certainly doesn’t want to be known to filmgoers as a “Star Wars guy.” Even if Rogue One is a one-off, it’s an excellent addition into the saga, and has many passionate fans including John David Washington.

You can see Washington in The Creator, which hits theaters on September 29th. You can also check out Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One, as it’s currently streaming with a Disney+ subscription. For more information on other films heading to cinemas and streaming this year, make sure to consult our 2023 movie release schedule. 

Artificial intelligence is a huge topic right now, especially in regards to what its potential capabilities mean for humanity. That makes it the perfect time for Gareth Edwards’ upcoming sci-fri thriller The Creator to hit theaters, with its story about an ex-special forces agent tasked with destroying the A.I. architect behind a weapon powerful enough to end mankind. The movie has screened, and those who were able to see it have taken to social media to share their first reactions. The Creator is garnering all kinds of hype, with one moviegoer calling it “life-changing,” and many saying it’s the best science fiction offering in years.

John David Washington stars as Joshua, a grieving man who must hunt down the Creator and eliminate its weapon. The film also features other impressive names, including Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Ken Watanabe, Allison Janney and more. Our own Eric Eisenberg got an early look at three scenes on IMAX last month, which he called “thrilling,” so let’s see what others have to say. 

Atom tweets that The Creator is epic in every sense of the word and will take your breath away, continuing: 

Brandon Davis of ComicBook.com agrees with the above assessment that this is a must-see in theaters, calling it not just the best sci-fi film in a long time but also the best film of the year. In Davis’ words:  

Many who have seen the film are saying they can see inspiration from other movies, yet Gareth Edwards has still managed to provide a completely unique experience. Critic Rama’s Screen writes of some of the influences felt in the film: 

Joseph Deckelmeier of ScreenRant also thinks this is one of the best movies of the year. It lives up to the hype, he writes, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles may be looking at some Academy Award buzz. In Deckelmeier’s words: 

That critic isn’t the only one singing the praises of Madeleine Yuna Voyles. Kristen Maldonado says she’s a young actor to watch. Maldonado says the movie’s themes are effective, and she was shocked by what she saw in the third act. The critic continues: 

It’s the action, the storytelling and the visual effects that combine to make such a satisfying moviegoing experience, according to Hunter Bolding of That Hashtag Show, who gives The Creator another “must-see” endorsement. Bolding tweets:  

If you are a fan of sci-fi movies or intrigued by the idea of humanity going to war with A.I., I would think these reactions to The Creator’s screening have got you pretty excited. You won’t have to wait too long to see it on the big screen, either, as it’s set for a September 29 release. In the meantime, check out our 2023 movie calendar to see what else is on the docket for the rest of the year. 

John David Washington may be the son of acclaimed actor, Denzel Washington, but the Amsterdam actor is a movie star in his own right. He led the Christopher Nolan-directed film Tenet and received praise for his roles in BlacKkKlansman and Malcolm and Marie. Like his father, he always seeks out great directors and interesting projects. And just like many of us, he's also a massive fan of his dad’s movies, and recently revealed which performance is his favorite. 

Great actors take inspiration from other actors, and this is the same for the Beckett star, who revealed his favorite movie performances of all time. Washington named Robert De Niro's work in Raging Bull and Heath Ledger's turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight and more. He also didn’t hesitate to shout out one of his father’s most iconic roles, that of Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s 1992 biopic. On why he holds that role in such high regard, he told the Academy's A.frame magazine:

It’s a great choice and certainly of the most memorable performances ever given by Denzel Washington. He truly captured the essence of the fierce civil rights leader and effortlessly portrayed the noted figure  on screen. The Training Day star was ultimately nominated for an Oscar for his work, though he infamously lost to Scent of a Women's Al Pacino. Many believe Malcolm X deserved an Oscar, as Washington's performance (and the film as a whole) is still highly regarded to this day.

While John David Washington went with Malcom X as a highlight from his father’s filmography, the actor could’ve truly gone with any of a number of iconic performances from Denzel. His Oscar-winning role in Training Day remains legendary, and the flick is still one of the most re-watchable movies ever. His performances in Glory and Fences also deserve to be in the conversation, as they've cemented him as one of the best actors of all time. It’s honestly hard to choose just one but, I'd say he landed on a nice choice with the epic biopic

It's fitting that the younger Washington would single out the Spike Lee-helmed drama. Lee is one of the most significant collaborators Denzel has ever had as, together, they've made four films. That partnership seeped into the next generation, as John David starred in the Lee-directed film, BlacKkKlansman. His performance is incredible, and it's hard not to see the parallels between him and his father as thespians. While Denzel's legacy may stay with him throughout his career, John David is certainly carving out a lane for himself. And if he keeps developing at this pace, he could churn out some performances that surpass those of his dad.

You can catch the star in his latest film, The Creator, which is set to hit theaters on September 29th as part of the schedule of 2023 new movie releases. You can also check out his father's influential performance in Malcolm X, which is available for anyone with a Prime Video subscription to rent.

In John David Washington's film career, his work in worlds of the unknown has always been intriguing. Recently, the actor played around with the laws of time, which resulted in the sci-fi mind bender that was Tenet's ending. Now, in The Creator, the acclaimed actor will be fighting for the fate of humanity against one of its oldest foes: AI. Let’s take a look at what this new 20th Century Studios film has to offer, and when you should expect it to arrive at a theater near you.

The Creator Will Be Released On September 29th, 2023

Originally, The Creator was supposed to be released on October 6th, and under the previous title of True Love. However, as reported by Deadline, out of this year’s CinemaCon, the title to this sci-fi movie was changed and the release date moved to September 29th. 

In its new release date, The Creator faces some interesting competition among the 2023 new movie releases. As the calendar currently stands, the week before will see PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie and The Expendables 4 giving this sci-fi adventure a run for its money. But we’ll see if that continues to be the case, as the release date for The Creator and/or its competition are subject to change.

The Creator Trailer Asks The Question What If The Mandalorian Had To Protect Skynet?

The DNA of director Gareth Edwards’ previous work with Rogue One co-writer Chris Weisz doesn’t just extend to the visuals, but also the story of The Creator. In essence, John David Washintgon’s Joshua is initially sent to take out a big AI weapon with a standard “elite team.” 

It's a mission of the utmost importance, as a decade prior to the film's events, humanity was attacked by an uber-powerful AI it had created, resulting in a nuclear bomb hitting Los Angeles. However, this objective becomes quite complicated, as you’ll see in the trailer below.

As it turns out, that AI Joshua is hunting is a kid (Madeleine Yuna Voyles), and our hero seems to change sides as a result. Cue the visually stunning road trip, and gigantic AI driven battle bots, you see above. Basically, it looks like an episode of The Mandalorian, with Grogu replaced by this mysterious child.

The Creator’s Cast Includes John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, And Allison Janney

John David Washington is only the beginning of the impressive cast for The Creator, as his protagonist Joshua is “hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife,” according to the official press release for the project. Eternals star Gemma Chan will be playing the role of said wife, who presumably appears either in flashbacks or some sort of later film reveal. 

Other members of The Creator cast include Ken Watanabe, who reunites with his Godzilla director Gareth Edwards in this film, as well as country music star/actor Sturgill Simpson and Academy Award winner Allison Janney. In perhaps the most important role of all, “newcomer” Madeleine Yuna Voyles plays a young child in the midst of a fight to save humanity.

Gareth Edwards Is Directing The Creator

As the director and co-writer of The Creator, Gareth Edwards has a pretty exciting pedigree to bring to this project. His directing duties on 2014’s big Godzilla reboot obviously qualify him for helming another larger than life spectacle, without question. However, it’s another credit that seems to stand out when it comes to this project in particular.

Edwards was also the director of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and it shows in both the look and feel of this world’s meshing of organic and robotic components. There are even shots and locations that look like they’d be comfortably included in the film that kickstarted the story we see continued through Disney+’s hit Star Wars series Andor. 

Naturally this is just a teaser for The Creator, so the full story isn’t being revealed just yet. But based on what we have seen so far, this looks to be a promising original sci-fi concept that could become a stealth crowd pleaser. We'll learn more as we make our way to the September 29th release of the film, and whenever new details come along, you can be sure to find them here when they break.

Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington recently spent four months together as the stars of the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s play The Piano Lesson. Following the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama becoming wildly popular on the stage, Jackson and Washington are returning to their roles in The Piano Lesson, alongside a talented cast. It will be among the many Netflix new releases to look forward to. 

Netflix has announced plans to bring The Piano Lesson to its streaming service in a movie that has Denzel Washington’s family all over it. Along with Tenet’s John David Washington set to star, Denzel’s other son Malcolm Washington is directing and co-writing, with Denzel Washington producing along with Katie Washington – one of his daughters – executive producing. Additionally, Justice League’s Ray Fisher, Till’s Danielle Deadwyler and Straight Outta Compton's Corey Hawkins are among the cast. 

Ray Fisher was central to the Warner Bros. DC drama when his role as Cyborg was shortchanged, but the actor has been nabbing up some exciting projects as of late. The Piano Lesson could be a big opportunity for the actor along with re-teaming with Zack Snyder for the upcoming Netflix space epic, Rebel Moon. 

The Piano Lesson follows an African-American family in 1936 following the Great Depression and what comes of their family piano, which is adorned with designs carved by their enslaved ancestors. The content of the play features the ongoing arguments of a brother and sister, who have different ideas about what to do with the family heirloom. The play was previously adapted into a movie in 1995 starring Charles S. Dutton and Alfre Woodard. 

The recent Broadway revival played from September 2022 to late January 2023, and became both the highest-grossing revival of a play on Broadway and the highest-grossing Wilson production on Broadway of all time in those four months. A ton of big names also came to see Jackson and Washington in the revival, including Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Chris Rock, and Robert De Niro. Additionally, Jackson had reunions with Captain Marvel star Brie Larson, who supported him by attending, and Pulp Fiction co-star Uma Thurman, who came to the production and hung out with Jackson backstage as well.  

Netflix previously adapted the August Wilson play Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in 2020 and it went on to win two Oscars out of a total five nominations. Denzel Washington also previously starred in 2016’s Fences with Viola Davis based on a Wilson play, which Davis won an Oscar for and the movie scored four nominations for overall. 

With The Piano Lesson, John David Washington not only follows in his father’s footsteps by being in a movie adaptation of a Wilson play, but Netflix could have another awards contender on its hands with the star-studded cast. We’re excited to see what the whole cast does with the material! 

Following in his father Denzel Washington’s professional footsteps (after a period of rebellion), John David Washington has made quite the name for himself as an actor for nearly a decade, something that the elder Washington didn’t see coming. He made his first big splash on TV playing Ricky Jerret in the HBO series Ballers, and over the last several years, he’s starred in big movies like BlackKkKlansman, Tenet and Amsterdam. 

Most recently, Washington made the jump to stage performing in a Broadway revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, and in the midst of his time on that production, the actor recalled seeing his dad perform on stage for the first time. He described feeling the experience was like watching a “magic trick.”

John David Washington appeared on American Masters: Creative Spark to talk about his North Carolina roots, how he got into acting and what it was like for him working on The Piano Lesson, with his Broadway debut co-starring Samuel L. Jackson and Peacemaker’s Danielle Brooks. Of course, Denzel Washington is no stranger to stage acting, and during the interview, John David Washington revealed the first play he ever saw his famous father perform in, and what that was like for him:

Denzel Washington played The Tragedy of Richard III’s title character at the Joseph Papp Public Theater from August 3 to September 2 of 1990, when John David Washington was just six years old. At that time, not only did Washington’s prior stage experience include productions like Coriolanus and A Soldier’s Play, he was pretty well-known for playing Dr. Phillip Chandler in St. Elsewhere, and had also appeared in movies like Cry Freedom and Glory. He was only a couple years away from delivering his Oscar-nominated turn as Malcolm X (though he’ll never re-watch that, nor any of his older movies), but for John David Washington at that young age, he was amazed by the difference between how his father was with him in their everyday lives versus the character he transformed into while on that stage, or even just while practicing his lines.

Following his extensive movie and TV work, now John David Washington finally has some stage performing under his belt. This production of The Piano Lesson, which wrapped up its run on January 29, saw Washington playing Boy Willie, a sharecropper who wants to sell the family piano so that he can buy the land his enslaved ancestors were forced to work on, while his sister Berniece (Danielle Brooks) wants to keep the piano in the family. Washington drew acclaim for his performance in The Piano Lesson, including The New York Times calling it “a revelatory stage debut.” If Washington ever returns to the stage, and if he has children of his own someday, maybe he’ll end up replicating the experience that he had with Denzel Washington in his early years, i.e. them being transfixed watching him perform a grandiose character in person.

Looking to the future, John David Washington will next be seen in the movie True Love, which co-stars Gemma Chan and Allison Janney, and will arrive in theaters on October 6. If you’d like to watch his latest cinematic performance, Amsterdam can be streamed with an HBO Max subscription, or feel free to get the lay of this year’s cinematic land by looking over the other slated 2023 new movie releases.

John David Washington and Christian Bale are part of the cast of David O. Russell’s Amsterdam. Bale and Washington play World War I veterans who befriend each other after serving together. It turns out these two actors had a great budding friendship in real life, as Washington found the Batman actor to be “a great leader.” 

It can be easy to feel intimidated when you work on a set with people you’ve never worked with before. Luckily, Christian Bale helped make working on Amsterdam an effortless experience for John David Washington and felt like Bale was “a great leader.” As Washington said in an interview with Collider:

No wonder these two have amicable chemistry shown on screen. After all, you can see that in scenes like when they were clearly having the time of their lives singing with Taylor Swift in the movie. This duo admitted that during this scene, they felt their voices clearly didn’t stand up against the Grammy Award winner, so they decided to let her take the reins during the song. That was probably a wise choice, but with this movie being a comedy, I wouldn’t have cared how Bale or Washington’s voice would have sounded against Swift’s.

We already know that John David Washington receives acting advice from his father Denzel Washington. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t appreciate the encouragement from The Machinist actor that motivated him to do well on set. He continued:

Something we know about Amsterdam is that David O. Russell not only directed this ensemble period comedy thriller, but he wrote the screenplay too. He told Collider that making this movie was actually a five-year process where he got together with Christian Bale, John David Washington and Margot Robbie in a diner to talk about making never-before-seen characters. Besides Bale and Washington starring in it, we get an all-star cast of Robert De Niro, Taylor Swift, Chris Rock, Anya-Taylor Joy, Rami Malek, and many more. Russell has normally done a great job in bringing out the chemistry between people whether it’s between friends, couples or family to help make the story come alive.  

Christian Bale and John David Washington clearly had a great working relationship where Bale was a natural leader. Even if critics are split on Amsterdam, you won’t be able to deny how all of these actors play off each other so well in the film. You can see the newly released movie Amsterdam in theaters now.

John David Washington has been steadily climbing up the Hollywood ladder, thanks to his impressive performances. Of course, there are plenty of things that have come with his decision to choose the same profession as his two-time Oscar-winning father, Denzel Washington. For years, the younger Washington avoided Denzel's shadow by pursuing sports. And now, with multiple films under his belt, the star has revealed why he hid from acting while also detailing the moment he realized he couldn’t escape his lineage.

Before starring in films like Tenet and Malcolm & Marie, John David Washington essentially "rebelled" against his father's legacy by playing football at Morehouse College. He even got to pursue a professional playing career for a few years. Washington opened up to CBS Sunday Morning about why the sport was the best way for him to steer clear of his famous father's legacy:

Like any young person, the actor wanted an identity separate from his parents’ chosen profession. Making a name for himself in football gave him the chance to not just be Denzel Washington’s son. Still, he wanted to be an actor even when he was a young kid watching his dad on the Glory set. But he didn’t want to face those inevitable comparisons to his famous father. Funny enough, John David hid his desire to act so well that Denzel didn’t see his acting career coming.

While football was supposed to give him the break he needed, things didn’t pan out how he thought they would. As a running back at Morehouse, John David Washington quickly found out that his pop's shadow loomed large even in the sports world. And this realization came in the form of a newspaper write-up:

I mean, let's be honest, Denzel Washington’s name knows no bounds, so anyone and everyone is going to point out his son on a football field. Of course, John David Washington ultimately chose to accept his father’s legacy rather than run away from it. And that decision allowed him to pursue his passion for acting after his football career ended.

At present, the younger Washington is set to make his Broadway debut in a revival of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson. He isn’t "worried" about Denzel's opinion but is adhering to the lesson of not fearing failure when stepping on stage. The young man is certainly putting in work, and I'm glad that he no longer feels the need to hide from his calling.

If you can’t catch John David Washington on Broadway, you can see him in the period comedy Amsterdam, which is currently in theaters. And next year, he'll appear in the sci-fi drama True Love with Gemma Chan and Allison Janney. In the meantime, don’t forget to check out what upcoming movies are still set to drop in 2022.

I have heard some say that the age of the movie star is dead and that audiences no longer go to the cinema just to see their favorite actor’s latest release. However, I think that the large ensemble of stunningly talented A-listers from Amsterdam — in which three friends uncover a political conspiracy while investigating a murder in 1933 — might be the perfect way to challenge that theory. 

If you were not interested in seeing writer and director David O. Russell’s latest release — a captivatingly mysterious period piece — before, just learning who is in the Amsterdam cast might be enough to change your mind. See for yourself by reading on to see who is playing who and where you might know them from.

Christian Bale (Dr. Burt Berendsen)

Following his Oscar win for 2010’s The Fighter and nomination for 2013’s American Hustle, Christian Bale re-teams with David O. Russell to play kindhearted, one-eyed war veteran-turned-surgeon Dr. Burt Berendsen in Amsterdam — his latest of many period dramas, including Empire of the Sun, Newsies, The Prestige, and Rescue Dawn, to name a few. 

The Welsh actor is better known for darker roles, such as modern horror villain Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, Trevor Reznik in The Machinist, John Connor in Terminator Salvation, or Dick Cheney in Vice. Also in 2022, the Dark Knight Trilogy’s Batman actor returned to the comic book genre to play Gorr in Thor: Love and Thunder, which his Ford v. Ferrari co-star, Matt Damon, also cameoed in.

John David Washington (Harold Woodman)

In his first collaboration with David O. Russell as lawyer and Burt’s Army buddy, Harold Woodman, we have John David Washington — who, like Bale, has also starred in a few period pieces (his film debut, Malcolm X, in 1992, and BlackKklansman and The Old Man and the Gun in 2018) and worked with Christopher Nolan (2020’s Tenet).

Denzel Washington's son really launched his acting career with the HBO series, Ballers, leading to roles in movies like the thought-provoking crime drama, Monsters and Men. Washington has also starred in a few Netflix original movies, such as when he played the title role of Beckett cast as and one of the titular duo from Malcolm & Marie in 2021.

Margot Robbie (Valerie Voze)

Also working with David O. Russell for the first time as Valerie Voze — who met Burt and Harold during World War I — is Margot Robbie, who also has a few things in common with Bale, having been in multiple DC movies (starring as Harley Quinn), made a cameo as herself in The Big Short, and once parodied one of his movies in the 2016 short, Australian Psycho. 

The Australian actor is also known for many historical/fact-based dramas, such as her breakout role in The Wolf of Wall Street, her Oscar-nominated performances in I, Tonya and Bombshell, and when she played a fictionalized version of Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Audiences may also recognize Robbie as Charlotte in 2013’s About Time, as Jane in The Legend of Tarzan, or from the Australian soap opera that jump-started her career, Neighbours, which she recently appeared on again 2022. 

Rami Malek (Tom Voze)

As Valerie’s brother, Tom, we have Rami Malek, who has won an Oscar for a biographical drama (as Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody) and worked with John David Washington’s father in the 2021 detective thriller, The Little Things. 

After debuting with a small role on Gilmore Girls, he made his feature film debut as Ahkmenrah from the Night at the Museum movies and went on to star in acclaimed dramas like The Master and Short Term 12, and blockbusters like The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 before achieving Emmy-winning success with USA series, Mr. Robot. Malek furthermore played a Bond villain in No Time to Die, and joined the cast of Christopher Nolan's upcoming Oppenheimer.

Anya Taylor-Joy (Libby Voze)

With her role as Tom’s wife, Libby, Amsterdam marks Anya Taylor-Joy’s latest effort to diversify her career outside of her enduring Scream Queen status, which she established with her (credited) feature film debut in 2016’s The Witch (her first collaboration with The Northman director Robert Eggers) and maintained with starring roles in Split, Thoroughbreds, Last Night in Soho, and The Menu, most recently. Her other, less scary period pieces include her stunning lead performance in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit cast, recurring role on the platform’s Peaky Blinders, and title role in the Jane Austen adaptation, Emma. 

Andrea Riseborough (Beatrice)

As Burt’s estranged wife, Beatrice, we have Andrea Riseborough, who has also acquired Scream Queen status in recent years from her chilling performance in one of the best Black Mirror episodes (“Crocodile”), devastating turn in the title role of 2018’s psychedelic revenge flick, Mandy, and arguably more devastating turn in Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor in 2020. 

Amsterdam is certainly one of the British actor’s more lighthearted credits, which also include 2008’s Happy-Go-Lucky, 2014’s Best Picture Oscar winner, Birdman, 2017’s Battle of the Sexes, and Amazon’s The Electric Life of Louis Wain, but does not include the otherwise notable Oblivion from 2013, 2016’s Nocturnal Animals, or the 2018 true crime miniseries, Waco.

Chris Rock (Milton King)

Milton King — Burt and Harold’s Army buddy — seems like a major departure for comedian and former SNL star Chris Rock, until you realize he effectively steals the show in Amsterdam with his humorous social commentary. Not to mention, the actor best known for comedies on both the small screen (he created and narrated Everybody Hates Chris, for instance) and the big screen (such as Head of State, the Madagascar movies, and several collaborations with his buddy, Adam Sandler) has explored various of genres. He has done crime thrillers (New Jack City and Fargo Season 4), action (Lethal Weapon 4 and Bad Company), and even horror (Spiral: From the Book of Saw, which he also wrote the story for).

Alessandro Nivola (Detective Hiltz)

Playing the overly suspicious gumshoe, Detective Hiltz, is Alessandro Nivola, who last worked with David O. Russell in American Hustle, but broke out in 1997 as Nicolas Cage’s on-screen brother in Face/Off. This led to roles in other major releases like the third of the Jurassic Park movies in 2001 and Oscar darlings like A Most Violent Year and Selma from 2014. In more recent years, he reunited with his Inventing the Applewhites co-star, Joaquin Phoenix, for the Amazon original thriller, You Were Never Really Here in 2017, appeared in Disobedience the same year, and starred in The Sopranos prequel movie, The Many Saints of Newark, as Dickie Moltisanti.

Matthias Schoenaerts (Detective Lem Gitwiller)

As Hiltz’s partner and WWI veteran, Lem, we have Matthias Schoenaerts, who made his acting debut at 13 in the Oscar-nominated Belgian drama, Daens, years before working with director Paul Verhoeven on 2006’s Black Book, sharing the screen with Marion Cotillard in 2012’s Rust and Bone, and making his English-language debut the next year with the crime thriller Blood Ties. Also in 2014, Schoenaerts appeared in the American remake of his 2008 thriller, Loft, starred in a pair of acclaimed period dramas in 2015 (Far from the Madding Crowd and The Danish Girl), and starred in Netflix's The Old Guard cast as a badass immortal.

Michael Shannon (Henry Norcross)

As an American who comes to the main trio’s aid named Henry, we have Andrea Riseborough’s Waco and Nocturnal Animals co-star, Michael Shannon, who actually received an Oscar nomination for that 2016 film — his second after his supporting role in 2008’s Revolutionary Road. He should have received a nod, as far as I am concerned, for his performances in Take Shelter and probably every other movie he has done with director Jeff Nichols. Man of Steel's General Zod is also known for other acclaimed films like Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, Rian Johnson’s Knives Out cast in 2019, and (also in 2022) the Bullet Train cast. 

Mike Myers (Paul Canterbury)

As Paul (a character who slightly resembles his Inglourious Basterds role), we have Rami Malek’s Bohemian Rhapsody co-star and Margot Robbie’s Terminal co-star, Mike Myers — yet another SNL vet who is known for creating and portraying irreverent characters like the title role of the Wayne’s World movies, the title role of the Austin Powers movies, and most of the characters from Netflix’s The Pentaverate. His other notable credits include 1993’s So I Married an Axe Murderer, 1998’s 54, and, arguably, his definitive role as the titular ogre from the Shrek movies.

Timothy Olyphant (Milfax)

While he has played villains before (i.e. Scream 2 and Live Free or Die Hard), Chris Rock’s Fargo Season 4 co-star, Timothy Olyphant, has never played a character so menacing and physically transformative as Milfax in Amsterdam. The actor also previously starred alongside Margot Robbie in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in a role that reflected his penchant for starring in Westerns and, often, to Emmy-nominated acclaim — such as when he led both the Deadwood cast on HBO and the Justified cast on FX, and guest-starred on the Season  2 premiere of The Mandalorian. 

Zoe Saldaña (Irma St. Clair)

I cannot say I have seen Chris Rock’s Death at a Funeral co-star and Christian Bale’s Out of the Furnace co-star, Zoe Saldaña, play a role quite the like the reserved yet radiant morgue nurse Irma St. Clair — save, perhaps, her characters from Drumline, The Terminal, and Guess Who, for instance. I am more used to picturing her as a fierce, ass-kicking action hero from such films as the more recent Star Trek movies as Uhura, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies as Gamora, and the Avatar movies as Neytiri, just to name a few.

Taylor Swift (Liz Meekins)

I also cannot say I have seen Taylor Swift — who has been acting since her first appearance on SNL, before nailing her sole hosting gig, more than a decade ago — give a performance quite as strong and convincing as when she played Liz Meekins in Amsterdam. The Grammy-winning musician’s other acting credits include a 2009 episode of CSI, 2010’s romantic ensemble comedy, Valentine’s Day, the animated Dr. Seuss adaptation The Lorax, the 2014 Lois Lowry adaptation, The Giver, and Tom Hooper’s 2019 adaptation of Broadway’s Cats.

Robert De Niro (General Gil Dillenbeck)

Last, but certainly not least, as respected military general Gil Dillenbeck, we have frequent David O. Russell collaborator Robert De Niro, who is also known for his collaborations with Martin Scorsese — such as Taxi Driver, Raging Bull (which earned him his second Oscar) and Goodfellas — and plenty of other gangster movies, like The Godfather Part II (which earned him his second Oscar). The living legend is certainly not one to shy away from all kinds of genres, having done horror with Angel Heart, various comedies (one of the best being Meet the Parents), heist thrillers like Heat, and a comic book flick (2019’s Joker).

It is always a pleasure to see an ensemble as stacked and as stellar as the Amsterdam cast and, luckily, the film — now in theaters — is also worthy of their talent.

The title Amsterdam doesn’t necessarily tip an audience off on what they should expect from David O. Russell’s latest, and star-studded affair. The scope and reach of the story is addressed in our Amsterdam review, where CinemaBlend critic Eric Eisenberg plugged in to the “quippy zappiness” that weaves through the picture, dancing on the energies and personalities of its powerhouse cast. But there’s an unexpected emotional channeling through Amsterdam that the three main leads – Christian Bale, Margot Robbie (taking a break from her Barbie movie duties), and John David Washington – believe is the heart of the movie. And while it might sound cliche to state this, they think the emotion audiences will discover, once the layers of the main mystery are peeled away, is love. 

In an exclusive Amsterdam clip provided to us by the studio, Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington reveal a bit about the backstory of their trio. In that description, they talk about the importance of the Netherlands capital, the location where they all met while contributing to the war effort during World War I. But as the actors elaborate on their characters’ friendships, they dig into why love is the thing that unites the ensemble, and ties the movie together in a bow. Watch the clip at the top of this page.

I can’t go much deeper into the ways that these three sticking together helps them out as the Amsterdam plot plays out. We did cover some spoiler-free details about the David O. Russell movie, and you can also scan why critics appear to be split on the movie, while also appreciating the work of the cast – especially Christian Bale, who is doing something extraordinary in this role. I’m not sure that Amsterdam, his third collaboration with this director, will be remembered as one of the best Bale movies of all time, but I am confident that this movie will lead a list of best Christian Bale movies you might not have seen for the foreseeable future.

In addition to the high-powered leads, there are so many reasons to go see Amsterdam when it opens in theaters on October 7. The movie is beautifully shot by the master, Emmanuel Lubezki, and it’s worth seeing on the big screen just to see how Chivo and Russell collaborated to bring a distinct period gloss to the 1930s production values on display in the film. Also, if half of the Taylor Swift fans on the planet showed up to Amsterdam to see the powerhouse sing with Christian Bale in a scene, this movie could potentially earn more box office money than Avatar. 

Put Amsterdam on your list of upcoming movies to see, because you really won’t get over the sheer number of famous faces who pop up in role after role, making this one of the most eclectic and electric ensembles assembled in years.  

With a big name like David O. Russell at its helm, and a ridiculously stacked cast featuring John David Washington, Christian Bale and Margot Robbie among many others, it’s impossible to not be intrigued by Amsterdam. Details about the mystery/comedy/thriller (Russell’s first film since 2015) were kept pretty well under wraps for a while. But with the film being one of this fall’s big releases, critics have had the opportunity to screen the movie and give us a better idea of what to expect.

What we do know about Amsterdam is the story revolves around the three main characters — a doctor, a nurse and a lawyer — becoming suspects in the murder of U.S. Sen. Bill Meekins. The supporting cast includes the likes of Chris Rock (who Christian Bale had to keep his distance from on set), Robert De Niro, Zoe Saldaña, Mike Myers, Timothy Olyphant, Taylor Swift, Rami Malek, and the list really does go on and on. So let’s see what the critics are saying, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Amsterdam, in which our own Eric Eisenberg rates the film 3 stars out of 5. He says it’s a fun cinematic experience, even while walking a tightrope of being too much: 

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics also rates Amsterdam 3 out of 5 stars, calling it “convoluted but enjoyable.” This review says David O. Russell takes an already complicated plot and fills it with flashbacks and an onslaught of often pointless characters, but it eventually tells a hopeful tale worth watching. The critic says: 

Tessa Smith of Mama’s Geeky agrees that the story has potential, but argues that even the A+ cast can’t save it. This critic also calls the plot “convoluted” and says the movie can’t figure out what genre it wants to be, rating the film a 1 out of 5: 

Jeff Ewing of SlashFilm agrees with the above assessment, giving the movie a 4 out of 10. This review also argues that the cast, while excellent all around, can’t save Amsterdam from its “tonal chaos,” saying: 

Ian Freer of Empire rates Amsterdam 2 stars out of 5, saying the director wants to celebrate love, humanity and kindness, but the movie needed more finesse to come together successfully: 

It sounds like there’s definitely a lot going on in this movie, but the critics don’t seem to agree on how successful the final product is at overcoming its flaws. If you’d like to give this film a whirl, Amsterdam will be available in theaters beginning Friday, October 7. See what else is hitting theaters soon with our 2022 Movie Release Schedule, and get a peek into next year by taking a look at the movies coming in 2023. 

It will take individual members of the moviegoing audience only a few minutes to decide whether or not David O. Russell’s Amsterdam is a film that is “for them.” A manic tone is established from the outset as we are introduced to Christian Bale’s Burt Berendsen, a Hunter S. Thompson-esque doctor and World War I veteran with a glass eye who operates a shady medical practice helping out fellow veterans in 1933 New York City. Voiceover from Burt quickly ushers us through his life and work before catapulting the character to a meeting with his best friend, John David Washington’s Harold Woodman, a fellow veteran and attorney who proceeds to roll out a dead man in a box (Ed Begley Jr.) and introduce the corpse’s grieving daughter (Taylor Swift), who is certain that her father was murdered.

Quippy zaniness is the keystone of the madcap adventure, and that voice is relentless even as the film veers towards some of the most consequential subject matter in modern history. If it’s not your thing, you’ll check out immediately, but those who get onboard will find an entertaining, albeit overcooked mystery that is enhanced with what feels in the moment like a seemingly endless ensemble of talented actors who enter the picture with each new plot development.

The aforementioned dead man in a box is identified as General Bill Meekins, who not only has a close history with Burt and Harold (technically he was the one who introduced them), but was supposed to be the main speaker at a benefit that the two men are coordinating. They believe Meekins’ daughter’s claims, which then almost immediately results in more murder… and then, indicative of the movie’s weirdness, everything goes into flashback mode. We first see how Burt first met Harold during World War I in France 1918, but then we learn how the duo met Valerie Voze (Margot Robbie), an eccentric nurse who patches them up and saves their lives after they are nearly killed on the battlefield.

Amsterdam's manic style is matched well with an engaging mystery.

Amsterdam sports a lot of “stranger than fiction” energy (it opens with a non-committal based-on-a-true story title card reading “A lot of this really happened”), and it more than occasionally feels like it’s trying to do too much – such as with Valerie’s avant-garde artistic sensibilities making sculpture from shrapnel, and the trio coming up with a “nonsense song” comprised of random French phrases. It takes quirkiness into the red, but the film works because it’s all tied to an engaging and propulsive mystery.

Once the movie bounces back from the flashback – with Burt, Harold and Valerie’s lives becoming intertwined while they live together in the titular city after World War I – Amsterdam establishes proper stakes and keeps the narrative moving with Burt and Harold finding clues that get them closer to discovering the truth of what happened to General Meekins. It never gets particularly complex, but it also never gets stupid, and each progression in the plot keeps you wondering about what’s coming next.

Part of the fun of Amsterdam is wondering what famous face will show up next.

Said curiosity is both driven by the desire to know the answers to the movie’s biggest questions, as well as David O. Russell’s special brand of stunt casting. If I could make one particular recommendation going into Amsterdam, it would be that you should avoid looking at the film’s full cast list (and I’m actually going to stop naming names in this review beyond those I have already mentioned). Practically every line is delivered by actors who are headlining movies released throughout the year – and none of them are shortchanged. Each has a memorable part to play and a standout personality to go with it.

Of course, anchoring the whole thing is the trio headlining the adventure. Given that Christian Bale, John David Washington and Margot Robbie have proven themselves as three of the most consummate performers working today, their success should inspire little surprise, but that makes it no less wonderful. Chemistry in the triumvirate is essential to the story that David O. Russell is telling, and theirs is effortless and palpable. Between the three, Bale is given the most to work with and delivers one of his best comedic performances – rounding out his David O. Russell trilogy after making The Fighter and American Hustle – but they are all given memorable lines and moments from the writer/director’s script.

Their individual characters’ eccentricities and choices in their performances mesh impressively well together, and the movie clicks into high gear when they are all together – first in the World War I flashback, and then in 1933 when Burt and Harold are inadvertently reunited with Valerie while trying to solve the murder mystery.

Amsterdam walks a narrow tightrope line of being too much, and there are moments where knees bend and arms flail for balance, but it does stay upright and put on a show in the process. It has a distinct voice, an entertaining story to tell and a well-used phenomenal cast, which amounts to a fun cinematic experience.

John David Washington’s acting career started in 2015 when he had a role in the HBO drama series Ballers. With his Oscar-winning father Denzel Washington being in the acting world for 40 years longer, people can’t help but constantly make comparisons. Luckily, the 38-year-old isn’t “worried” about what his father thinks of his acting, and he has shared a major life lesson the Philadelphia actor taught him that influenced his career.

The Tenet star will soon be making his Broadway debut in August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson, and he is attached to the film adaptation that is being produced by Denzel Washington as well. It looks like the son taking after his in that Denzel Washington performed as the lead in August Wilson's Fences during its 2010 Broadway revival being directing, producing, and starring in the big screen version released six years later. According to People, John David Washington was asked if he feels self-conscious with his father watching him act during a press conference promoting the play, and he said,

It’s a good sign that John David Washington would prefer to care more about his director's notes than any his father may give him after his performance. While Denzel Washington has been in the biz for a few decades longer, his son needs to focus on his own career compared to thinking about being under the shadow of his famous dad. He just wants people to see him as “John David” compared to being referred to as “Denzel’s son.” A lot of actors – like Michael Douglas, Colin Hanks, Ben Stiller, Kiefer Sutherland, and more – have probably felt what he's experiencing while trying to break out, and they've established their own identities through their stellar work.

While John David Washington may not think too hard about his dad when performing on stage, he still thinks about the strong advice given to him by his father that he carries with him in his career. 

The Golden Globe winner is right about that. While failure may not be our favorite thing to experience in life, you’ll feel much better about your accomplishments when you rise above them. 

Before becoming an actor, John David Washington had a brief football career playing in the NFL, NFL Europe, and United Football league. While acting was something the Malcolm & Marie actor always wanted to pursue, it was hard for him to chase that dream knowing it would come with being compared to his father. He even rebelled as a teenager by choosing a physical activity that allowed him to hide behind a helmet completely unrecognized while playing.

Once he accepted Denzel Washington for being the famous father that he is, John David Washington allowed himself to let go of the comparison and do what he enjoyed. And luckily, he never got the impression that nepotism played a role in the parts he earned throughout his career.

It appears that John David Washington has been able to create his own shadow instead of being under his famous father’s. Even if he doesn’t worry about what his dad must think of his acting, he’ll still carry a piece of Denzel Washington's advice during auditions and his performances going forward. 

You can see the BlacKkKlansman actor in The Piano Lesson revival starting on September 19 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre in New York. Keep up with CinemaBlend’s new movie releases so you’ll be the first to know when its film adaptation will hit theaters.

For what seems like an eternity, there has been a great deal of buzz surrounding David O. Russell’s Amsterdam, the one-time mystery project from the Oscar-nominated filmmaker that features a stacked ensemble. And although the movie, its story, and even production were all shrouded in mystery for the past couple of years, we finally know what is going on with Russell's first theatrical release since Joy in 2015 –  which concluded one of the greatest five-year stretches from any single filmmaker in modern Hollywood history.

With a release date, information on the cast, and details on what the highly anticipated movie will be about, there’s actually quite a bit we know about what will surely be one of the frontrunners at the 2023 Academy Awards. Let’s dive in and take a look at everything we know about Amsterdam so far.

Amsterdam Will Be Released Theatrically On November 4, 2022

For the longest time there was little to no information about David O. Russell’s latest movie, and while CinemaCon 2022 changed things in a major way when when 20th Century Studios revealed a great deal of information about Amsterdam, one thing we did know beforehand was the film's release date. It was announced in the fall of 2021 by the studio that a "Untitled David O. Russell Project" would be coming out on November 4, 2022. This will have the star-studded affair landing at the beginning of the awards season and just one week before the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters.

Christian Bale, Margot Robbie And John David Washington Lead The All-Star Amsterdam Cast

David O. Russell has always been able to pull together incredibly talented Hollywood stars for his various film projects, with American Hustle and Silver Linings Playbook being two of the best examples of this. That trend will continue with Amsterdam, which will be lead by Academy Award-winner Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington (the latter two don't have Oscars yet, but both have earned multiple award nominations in the past decade).

20th Century Studios has yet to reveal the exact names of the characters the three Hollywood heavyweights will play in Amsterdam, but at CinemaCon 2022 the studio did reveal the movie will center around three close friends played by the stars.

The Amsterdam Cast Also Includes Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro, Rami Malek, And More

The three top-billed stars at the top of the Amsterdam cast aren’t the only big names to be featured in David O. Russell’s first movie in seven years. Appearing alongside Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington in the upcoming crime epic will be Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro (who appeared in Russell’s previous three films), Rami Malek, Chris Rock, Anya Taylor-Joy, Zoe Saldana, Timothy Olyphant, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Matthias Schoenaerts, Andrea Riseborough, and Alessandro Nivola. 

Just like the situation with the main stars, none of the identities of the characters the supporting actors will be playing have been revealed at this time. This will probably change, however, when the first official trailer arrives online.

Amsterdam Tells The Story Of Three Friends Caught In A Mysterious Crime Plot In Early 20th Century Europe

David O. Russell knows a thing or two about making high-stakes crime movies with a comedic tone, as seen with movies like American Hustle and Three Kings, and Amsterdam sounds like Russell will be returning to that well. During the CinemaCon 2022 presentation where much of the details about the upcoming movie were finally revealed, it was revealed that Amsterdam will follow three close friends — a doctor, a nurse, and an attorney — as they get caught up in some kind of mysterious crime plot in early 20th Century Europe (per Deadline).

The exact kind of criminal plot the core trio will find themselves in during the movie remains a mystery for now, but 20th Century Studios did promise in the big reveal that the characters will find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history and that the movie is based on facts that meet fiction.

In Addition To Directing Amsterdam, David O. Russell Also Wrote The Screenplay

Not only did David O. Russell sit in the director’s chair for Amsterdam, the filmmaker also wrote the script for the upcoming crime epic, which has been the case for all but one of his past feature films (he only directed The Fighter, while Paul Tamasy, Eric Johnson, and Scott Silver penned the script). This was first confirmed back in January 2020 when Deadline revealed that Russell would both write and direct the movie that would see him work with Christian Bale for the first time since American Hustle back in 2013.

With Russell handing both writing and directing duties, there’s a chance the filmmaker could win his first Oscar in both categories at the 95th Academy Awards in early 2023 as well as other awards shows preceding the grand Hollywood affair.

Production On Amsterdam Was Shrouded In Mystery With The Name Not Being Officially Announced Until CinemaCon 2022

Up until the the big reveal at CinemaCon 2022, not a lot of details were released about Amsterdam. In fact, the film’s official title wasn’t even officially announced until the April 2022 event, though its name had been rumored for a couple of years now. And even though filming was underway in early 2021, per Deadline, there was a level of mystery surrounding the production – one that Anya Taylor-Joy described as being “very secretive” even to the members of the cast when speaking with Vanity Fair in March 2021.

That level of mystery has only continued to shroud the movie in the months since, and chances are it will until Amsterdam is finally released into the wild come November. And honestly, that makes the whole matter all the more interesting.

There is a lot we do know about Amsterdam at this point, but we expect to find out more as the months go on and we get closer to the release date. In the meantime, check out all the other exciting 2022 movie releases that are slated to open in theaters and on streaming services before year’s end.

It always brings me joy to see the children of famous, beloved actors prove that the apple did not fall too far from the tree, and a perfect example of what I mean is the recent success of John David Washington. As the lead of acclaimed award-winners like 2018’s BlacKkKlansman and mesmerizing blockbusters like Tenet in 2020, the son of Denzel Washington has successfully managed to follow in his father’s footsteps while steering impressively clear of his father’s shadow.

Despite being open about how he “rebelled” against his father’s fame in his youth, I highly doubt that JDW is actively looking for ways to keep his career distinguishable from the elder Washington's. However, if he did want any tips on that, his father has never, in more than four decades working as an actor, starred in any superhero movies, meaning that JDW could become the first in his family to appear in some new Marvel movies. If the opportunity arises, we have a few Marvel characters in mind, starting with one he has already expressed interest in playing.

Mister Fantastic

Even before Disney merged with Fox in 2019, making it possible for Marvel Studios to reboot the comic book properties previously owned by the studio, fans have been voicing their choices for who would be perfect to play the Fantastic Four in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. When the CinemaBlend staff voted on our own picks for each of the four main members, one runner-up for the role of Reed Richards (also known as Mister Fantastic) was John David Washington, which seems especially plausible now, following his interview with Nerd Reactor in 2020.

When asked if he would be interested in playing the flexible physicist and leader of Marvel’s first superhero family, the actor responded enthusiastically. Well, that is good news for comic book fans because an actor with his talent and charisma would make for a truly fantastic Mister Fantastic in director Jon Watts’ upcoming adaptation, which still has yet to be cast.

Robbie Robertson

Granted that this is nothing uncommon these days, but John David Washington has actually shared the screen with a few Marvel movie actors already, including Laura Harrier in one of the best Focus Features movies, BlacKkKlansman, and Zendaya in Sam Levinson’s Netflix original drama, Malcolm & Marie, from 2021. If you did not notice already, both of these actresses had big roles in the “Home Trilogy” of Spider-Man movies. While an onscreen reunion with either of them is somewhat unlikely given how their characters ended up, I think it would be fun to give JDW the opportunity to share the screen with Tom Holland in a future installment and I have a great role in mind.

The Spider-Man: No Way Home ending potentially sets up the chance to see Peter Parker finally take up his famous career in photojournalism from the comics and, with that, see the big screen return of his friend and mentor, Joseph "Robbie" Robertson. This fan-favorite comic book character never really got the screen time he deserved in director Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, despite a heartfelt portrayal by the late Bill Nunn. JDW could bring something fresh and exciting to the role of the ace reporter, especially if J. Jonah Jameson will not be involved. 

Cardiac

On the other hand, and with all due respect to my fellow fans of Robbie Robertson, perhaps John David Washington would rather his MCU debut be as a more exciting character than a newspaper reporter. If he would still be interested in becoming a character related to Spider-Man, though, I just might have the perfect role in mind.

First introduced in 1990 Spider-Man comic, Dr. Elias Wirtham decided to fight crime in honor of his late brother by using an artificial skin made from the indestructible, Wakanda-based metal, vibranium, and an artificial heart that, in addition to keeping him alive, emits concussive electrical blasts - hence the name “Cardiac.” While technically already MCU canon after he was briefly mentioned on The Defenders (a former Netflix exclusive now available on  Disney+), Wirtham has yet to be cast. I think that a future Spider-Man movie would be perfect way to see his official debut, and JDW would be able to portray his tragic backstory and display his vengeful rage beautifully.

Doctor Voodoo

I have really enjoyed Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance as Dr. Stephen Strange in the MCU movies, but would also be the first to admit that his appearances so far have barely scratched the surface of what his extensive world (or, because this is the multiverse, worlds, I could say) holds. For instance, among Doctor Strange’s many magical allies, one I really hope to see make an appearance at some point is Jericho Drumm, otherwise known as Doctor Voodoo, who was previously rumored to appear in the first Doctor Strange movie and now rumored for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. 

However, it looks like we still have yet to see the Sorcerer Supreme in the realm of voodoo make his big screen debut, but when the moment arises, I believe that John David Washington could nail the role. It would also be the perfect opportunity for him to play someone as truly powerful as he is physically imposing.

Nova

Speaking of powerful and physically imposing people, Richard Ryder became the sole surviving member of the Nova Cops after becoming imbued with the power of his fallen fellow comrades and traveling the galaxy as a lone crusader for justice known as Nova. This cosmic crimefighter has also been subject to internet rumors over the years, particularly that he would make his MCU debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, especially after director James Gunn teased it as a possibility.

Well, considering how the adventures of Star-Lord and the gang are apparently about to come to a close, the galaxy is going to need a new guardian and I recommend John David Washington to breathe life into this long-awaited, fan-favorite character when the time comes. The actor has already played various kinds of heroes - such as when he led Netflix’s Beckett cast - but all of them have been confined to Earth so far. It is about time that JDW takes his knack for heroic portrayals out of this world.

The mere idea of John David Washington brining any of these Marvel roles to life on the big (or small) screen is exciting enough. On the other hand, if he was to appear in any upcoming DC movies, such as in the role of Harvey Dent in Matt Reeves’ The Batman sequel, that would be just as cool. 

Based on the ending of The Batman, there is at one villain we can expect to see in director Matt Reeves’ follow-up to his smash hit DC reboot. However, there are a few other characters we also hope will appear alongside Robert Pattinson’s Caped Crusader at some point in this franchise, and one of them is Harvey Dent, who would also come to be known as Two-Face.

Instead of how Aaron Eckhart’s depiction was handled in The Dark Knight, I would like to see the next movie only explore Harvey’s days as Gotham City’s district attorney and save his tragic evolution into a murderous psycho at war with himself (and Batman) for a later sequel. It is going to take one hell of an actor to portray this good man’s descent into madness and we have a few candidates in mind, including one who has played a similar role before.

Adam Driver

Opinions regarding the more recent Star Wars movies vary, but one thing most agree on is Adam Driver’s performance as Kylo Ren - a Dark Side wannabe wrestling with an inner desire to use his Force sensitivity for good. From the opposite perspective, the arc feels a lot like how Harvey Dent struggles with his latent, menacing split personality before it is fully unlocked by his disfigurement, turning him into Two-Face. By channeling his Kylo Ren performance in reverse, the Academy Award nominee would be perfect for The Batman sequel.

Antony Starr

Someone who is also well-versed in playing two-faced individuals, as well as comic book characters, is Antony Starr - best known as Homelander in The Boys cast. The leader of The Seven is usually good at appearing heroic to the public, but is actually one of the most despicable characters on Amazon Prime’s hit show based on Garth Ennis’ truly graphic series. The New Zealand-born actor could make a great Two-Face by, once again, portraying this struggle to maintain a clean reputation, but with a more sympathetic angle.

Michael C. Hall

As the lead of the Dexter cast, seven-time Emmy nominee Michael C. Hall gave one of the most celebrated performances of his career as a homicidal two-faced individual. Of course, considering his moral code, I think most think of Dexter Morgan as more akin to Batman, but if the Dark Knight never honored his no-killing rule, that is. By playing Harvey Dent, Hall could revisit that duality he mastered on the hit Showtime series while also tapping into the more damaged psyche of an individual who is completely beyond saving. 

Jon Bernthal

Jon Bernthal has played two iconic comic book characters on TV and both give off some serious Two-Face vibes. The former Walking Dead cast member played Shane as the once trusted best friend of the main hero before grave circumstances brought out his true nature, and his vengeful and homicidal Frank Castle on Daredevil and The Punisher was once a kind, everyday individual before losing his family. We also know from both of those roles that he can play unbalanced very well and I’d like to see him lay that on a little thicker in a Batman movie.

Oliver Jackson-Cohen

I think it is clear that Oliver Jackson-Cohen could pull-off Two-Face from his roles in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix miniseries. We saw him wrestle with the demons (sometimes literally) that made him an outcast on The Haunting of Hill House and, on The Haunting of Bly Manor, his character was once a sophisticated and (seemingly) well-intentioned man before he was driven to murder by a violent act committed against him. Not to mention, the Londoner is, kind of, the spitting image of how I would picture Harvey Dent in a live-action setting.

Daniel Kaluuya

Did you ever notice how Daniel Kaluuya rarely plays a character who is not relatively calm and well put-together? For instance, throughout most of 2017’s Get Out, as Chris Washington, he keeps his composure brilliantly before shit really starts to hit the fan in Jordan Peele’s horror masterpiece, at which point he allows himself to let loose and rebel. I want to see the Academy Award winner play Harvey Dent in a similar way in future Batman movies: a cool, trustworthy everyman pushed to the brink of his sanity when he (or, more accurately, the left side of his face) falls prey to a cruel injustice.

Michael Shannon

Some iterations depict Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne as old friends around the same age, such as on Batman: The Animated Series, but I am intrigued by the idea of making the DA older, more experienced, and privately disillusioned by what he has seen on the job - opening the door for his descent even wider. For this, I thought of Michael Shannon, who, surprisingly, received neither of his two Oscar nominations for his mesmerizing performance in 2010’s Take Shelter as a family man trying to keep his life together as he slowly loses his mind. I think seeing him play a Dent who struggles to internalize his maddening discontent would make for an amusing, unique take on Two-Face, which would be his second big DC role after General Zod, whom he is set to reprise in The Flash.

John David Washington

If Matt Reeves was to go with the angle that Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne are old friends, I think he should cast someone who has already proven to have good chemistry with Robert Pattinson. For this, I thought of John David Washington, who previously teamed up with the Batman actor for a mission that exceeds the bounds of time in 2020’s Tenet, from Dark Knight Trilogy helmer Christopher Nolan. Additionally, I think that his portrayal of a charismatic justice seeker in 2018’s BlacKkKlansman would translate very well to a pre-Two-Face Dent, making his post-Two-Face transformation all the more shocking.

Taylor Lautner

If Matt Reeves, instead, reimagined Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne as rivals, similar to how Christian Bale and Aaron Eckhart played them in The Dark Knight, I think he should cast someone who knows what it’s like to be at odds with the Batman actor. I am talking about the Jacob to his Edward from the Twilight cast, Taylor Lautner, who has not been given the chance to really show his worth as a performer beyond his career-making role as a werewolf in the blockbuster franchise based on the YA novel series. I would be curious to see his take on Two-Face and to see if it could put him on a new career trajectory like Pattinson’s post-Twilight years.

There are so many great storytelling opportunities in the character of Harvey Dent. Maybe we will see one of the actors above portray the best depiction of the tragic DC villain yet in one of Matt Reeves' next Batman movies.

Growing up in the shadow of a celebrity parent is an unenviable feat, no matter who you are. When it comes to the career of Tenet actor John David Washington, always being tied to famous dad Denzel Washington caused him to rebel when it came to joining the family business. That rebellion would see John David turn his attention to football, which eventually prepared him in more ways than one to become the actor he is today. 

As he spoke with iNews, Washington elaborated on how his father’s shadow inspired certain personal decisions. With the legacy of the Academy Award winning actor looming above him, John David Washington chose football as his rebellion for these very specific reasons:  

Oddly enough, the game of football would help John David Washington become an actor after all. Despite all of the rebelling he had done, the time came where he saw himself ready to switch careers. By accepting that he couldn’t outrun his father’s career, the moment that John David’s acting career started was allowed to happen. By that point, football had set him up for success, partially because of the following mindset:

That mental preparation wasn’t the only thing that put the BlacKkKlansman star on the road to being in front of the camera. In fact, it was his role as bad boy Ricky Jerret on HBO’s football drama Ballers that would put John David Washington on the map. So all of that time on the gridiron was not only a healthy exercise in personal rebellion, it helped him prepare for the intense role that would write his own ticket.

It’s not surprising that John David Washington would be so concerned with earning his keep when it comes to his acting career. Not falling far from the apple of his father Denzel Washington, John David has a very similar work ethic, and the results have spoken for themselves. Just as it’s easy to watch Denzel play the leading man, John David Washington is another natural when it comes to commanding the screen. 

Which brings us full circle, with a pair of surprises in the Washington household. As Denzel Washington was surprised by his son’s acting career, John David Washington is equally taken aback by the question of whether or not he’s officially a movie star. As both actors continue to enrich their careers, father and son co-exist as in demand talents in their own right. Now the big question is, will the two ever intersect by performing in a project that combines their leading man talents into one explosive act? 

John David Washington can next be seen in the currently in production untitled David O. Russell film, which is presumably slated to release this year. For more information on what upcoming movies are already announced for 2022, the entire listing of that playing field is available to those who seek it. Finally, if you want to revisit Washington’s role in the five season arc of Ballers, the series can be streamed as one of the best HBO Max series available on the platform.  

Like father, like son comes to mind when you think of father-son Hollywood duo Denzel Washington and John David Washington. Fans have watched the younger Washington ascend the Hollywood ladder while his famous father has been balancing his onscreen and directing gigs. While no one’s prouder than the older Washington, seeing his son become a movie star wasn’t on his radar. Now, The Tragedy of Macbeth star opened about not seeing the Tenet actor's booming acting career coming.

Having a two-time Oscar winner as a father would influence or retract a son from following in those big footsteps. For a time, John David Washington did the latter as he pursued a professional football career before pivoting to an acting career. According to Denzel Washington, he didn’t know about the pivot until later, telling Metro:  

Football has been a big part of the Washingtons’ lives as the eldest son made that his focus instead of Hollywood. Understandably, Denzel Washington was left in the dark as the younger Washington was a professional running back for five years. So John David Washington shifting to Hollywood threw him off a bit. Now, Denzel Washington is seemingly more than thrilled about his son’s thriving career. Of course, like any father, the Oscar winner wanted to make sure the younger Washington was prepared for Hollywood stardom.

So, the Hollywood bug has bitten all of Washington’s children in some way. While his oldest son shares the spotlight with him, Denzel Washington has all his kids’ back when it comes to pursuing other facets of Hollywood. As any father would, Washington couldn’t help but gloat about his offspring despite his claims stating otherwise.

With a seal of approval from his dad, John David Washington has been honest about his rise in Hollywood. Washington admitted to having more work to do as people still see him as “Denzel’s son.” He felt his father’s shadow still looming while working in Hollywood. It seemed the younger Washington accepted the idea of Denzel Washington’s son as he began to relax and enjoy his acting career.

Of course, John David Washington came to terms with the idea before revealing a sweet father-son moment while watching some playback footage in the video village on the set of his father’s breakthrough film Glory. That moment helped to inspire his acting aspirations. Denzel Washington finally understood his influence on his eldest son as the younger Washington sang his praise upon being named the greatest actor of the 21st century. Watching the surprising moment rendered his famous father speechless.

Hopefully, Denzel and John David Washington will finally do a film together, which Christopher Nolan is even more enthusiastic about than fans. It might be a while before a film surfaces as the Hollywood father-son duo is currently busy with multiple projects. You can see what both Washington men are up to by looking over some upcoming 2022 releases.

Some of the proudest moments a parent can have often revolve around watching their child branch out on their own. When you're a world famous actor, who also happens to be the parent of an up-and-coming star, seeing your child blossom on screen has to be especially surreal. Denzel Washington will tell you that his own experience seeing his son in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet was unforgettable – and not just because they watched the movie at the director’s house. 

John David Washington has really started to make a name for himself as an actor, which is no small feat given that his father is a two-time Oscar winner and one of the most beloved performers of all time. While the elder Washington has shown plenty of support for his son, that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been a strange experience to watch him carve out a career. He told ReelBlend’s Kevin McCarthy that when he saw Tenet for the first time, he really went through it: 

Denzel Washington having a “duh, that’s my son” moment while sitting in the Dark Knight director's personal screening room makes for a pretty amusing mental image. It also shows not only how supportive he is being of his son but also how down to earth and relatable the actor can be. Most parents have at least one moment where they look at their child and get freaked out by how similar they are to them, even if those moments usually don’t happen while watching the big budget, mind-bending movies they’re starring in. 

I would've loved to have heard the actors debriefing with the director after the movie. If the veteran actor's mind wasn’t blown by his son’s resemblance to himself, it definitely would have been by Tenet’s storyline, which even John David Washington has admitted he can’t explain. Also, I can’t help but wonder whether any talk of a potential father-son collaboration took place when they visited the Nolan home – that is something that could blow everyone’s mind. 

No matter what the future holds for Denzel and John David Washington, it’s cool to know they have a strong relationship. They can hype each other up and leave each other speechless, but also make sure to keep each other humble, too. Maybe next we’ll get to hear what the younger Washington thought of his dad’s performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth, which is currently available to stream on Apple+. 

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Have you figured out the ending to Tenet yet? The movie came out about a year ago and many of us are still scratching our heads about what the heck happened during Christopher Nolan’s latest science fiction film. If you somehow found yourself in a conversation with Tenet’s Protagonist, John David Washington, he might not be much help to finding peace about the meaning of the film, given that he only shares a funny response.

The actor was recently asked about Tenet and whether people still ask him to explain what happened in last summer’s release. John David Washington shared that “just about every one” of his friend and family members ask him to explain Tenet, but here’s his apparent answer when he is confronted with the question:

It sounds like John David Washington is not down to get into intense Tenet discussions. Probably because he’d be in them all the time. When speaking to Collider, Washington shared that he just plays it off at this point, joking that he “forgot” what Tenet is about and he’s on to other subjects. At the same time, he’s just inspiring them to go back and watch it because that’s how the writer/director intended it.

Tenet is one of those movies that you might get something new from everytime you watch it. Christopher Nolan has put a lot of tender love and care into the film in order to inspire thinking and discussion. And the beauty of it is there isn’t one way to explain Tenet – so it actually makes sense as to why John David Washington would take a step back when asked to explain it.

The Christopher Nolan movie, which explores time travel in a twisty way, found its first home in theaters at a time when the industry especially needed a big exclusive release for exhibitors to benefit from. Tenet hit HBO Max this past May and was met with some crazy internet discussion regarding what the film was about. You can sign up for HBO Max using this link if you’d like to stream the Nolan movie.

John David Washington’s latest film is Beckett, a Netflix release about an American tourist who finds himself in the middle of a political conspiracy in Greece. The actor, who is the son of Denzel Washington, has found some more recognition in the past few years with movies like Malcolm & Marie and BlacKkKlansman. But do you feel like you have a solid grasp on Tenet? Vote in the poll below.

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The concept of an “everyman” action hero has disappeared from our cinematic landscape. It used to be that rugged actors such as Bruce Willis, Kurt Russell, and even comedian Eddie Murphy could pass in action thrillers because audiences liked to believe they were looking up at the screen and seeing themselves. Nowadays we look for superheroes as our saviors, but that doesn’t mean no actor brings an everyman quality to a role. John David Washington, for example, tried to infuse the character he plays in the Netflix film Beckett with a relatability that he thinks makes him the opposite of a Die Hard hero like John McClane.

In Beckett, John David Washington gets caught up in some international espionage when -- following a debilitating car accident -- he sees something in the countryside of Greece that he’s not supposed to see. Unsure who to trust, and miles away from the nearest U.S. Embassy, this American tourist must overcome odds to survive. But when discussing his character, and whether or not he watched Die Hard in preparation for Beckett, John David Washington told Collider:

Except, circumstances keep conspiring to keep Beckett in the crosshairs of some crooked cops and politicians who are trying to protect a secret. In another script, this character might have had a dark past that would prepare him for confrontations like this. Not Beckett, and John David Washington seemed to really appreciate that aspect of the role. He went on to say:

It makes for an unpredictable viewing experience. Because, as John David Washington notes, Beckett isn’t supposed to be in this situation in the first place. So you stay with the story to find out how exactly he’s going to get out of it. We had Beckett director Ferdi Cito Filomarino on CinemaBlend’s ReelBlend podcast, which you can hear right here:

And if you want to watch Beckett, it’s on Netflix as we speak.

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Imagine a relaxing international vacation with your significant other ruined by a horrifying accident before later discovering that you have somehow become a pawn in some mysterious political conspiracy. That is the premise of Beckett, a Netflix original from director Fernando Cito Filomarino, starring John David Washington in the title role of an ordinary man in an extraordinarily distressing situation during a seemingly normal visit to Greece. Outside of Washington and his romantic lead Alicia Vikander, there are a few other actors from the Beckett cast you may also recognize or will have the pleasure of discovering for the first time while watching the thriller. However, why don’t we begin by revisiting the career of our story’s hero first?

John David Washington (Beckett)

Since debuting at a young age in 1992’s Malcolm X (starring his father, Denzel Washington), John David Washington has become one of Hollywood’s top leading men, especially after appearing alongside Dwayne Johnson on the HBO series Ballers, reuniting with Spike Lee for BlackKklansman in 2018, and playing the unnamed “Protagonist” in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet in 2020. However, Beckett marks the second of two Netflix movies featuring the actor in a titular role after Malcolm & Marie, which he also produced with co-star Zendaya, in 2021. Washington will be able to call the likes of Academy Award nominee Margot Robbie and Academy Award winner Robert De Niro his co-stars in a currently untitled David O. Russell project and True Love, his upcoming film from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story director Gareth Edwards, is now in pre-production.

Alicia Vikander (April)

Because the story requires it, Alicia Vikander does not get as much screen time as John David Washington’s girlfriend, April, in Beckett as you would expect from an Academy Award winner (for 2015’s The Danish Girl) and blockbuster action hero (for The Man from U.N.C.L.E., 2016’s Jason Bourne, and the Tomb Raider reboot from 2018). The Swedish actress’ English-language debut was the Russian-set, 2012 period piece Anna Karenina, which she followed with the Julian Assange biopic The Fifth Estate before making her breakthrough as an android in 2014’s Ex Machina and meeting her husband, Michael Fassbender, on the set of The Light Between Oceans. After starring in a more unusual biopic called the The Glorias in 2020, Vikander returned to the fantasy genre for The Green Knight in 2021 and will hopefully return to play Lara Croft in Tomb Raider 2 soon.

Boyd Holbrook (Tynan)

Also known for biopics (like his debut film Milk, the History Channel’s Hatfields & McCoys miniseries, and Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra) and blockbusters (including Logan as the villain and The Predator as the hero) is Boyd Holbrook, who plays a U.S. embassy employee in Beckett. The thriller is the actor’s fourth Netflix original after the series Narcos, the sci-fi movie In the Shadow of the Moon, and Robert Rodriguez family film We Can Be Heroes in 2021, but he has also led a versatile big screen career with the dramedy The Skeleton Twins, David Fincher’s adaptation of Gone Girl, and even two Liam Neeson movies. Holbrook will next star in an episode of B.J. Novak’s FX anthology series The Premise, the former Office cast member’s directorial debut Vengeance, and he has joined the Indiana Jones 5 cast in an undisclosed role.

Vicky Krieps (Lena)

Playing a stranger who comes to Beckett’s aid we have Vicky Krieps, who was most recently seen in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old cast as the mother of two children growing up way too quickly. A decade earlier, the Luxembourg-born actress broke into English-language movies with Hanna and Anonymous, which questions if William Shakespeare was more than one person, and later played Daniel Day-Lewis’ muse in 2017’s Phantom Thread and Mikael Blomkvist’s “occasional lover” in The Girl in the Spider’s Web the following year. Despite her success in the states, Krieps still appears in films and TV series from Europe to this day, such as the 2019 limited series sequel to Das Boot or the upcoming two-part adaptation of The Three Musketeers by French filmmaker Martin Bourboulon.

Michael Stuhlbarg (April’s Father)

Playing Alicia Vikander’s onscreen father is Emmy nominee Michael Stuhlbarg in a reunion with Beckett producer Luca Guadagnino, who directed this student of Broadway in Call Me By Your Name in 2017. He may be one of the most underrated character actors of his time, but might not care considering all the amazing filmmakers he has worked with, including the Coen Brothers for A Serious Man, Martin Scorsese for Hugo and HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, Steven Spielberg for Lincoln and The Post, Danny Boyle for 2015’s Steve Jobs, and Denis Villeneuve for Arrival in 2016. Stuhlbarg also stole scenes in Men in Black 3, became a Marvel movies star with a Doctor Strange appearance, and will next star in a pair of really interesting miniseries: the star-studded “Big Pharma” exposé Dopesick and the true-crime story The Staircase, in which he will play Michael Peterson’s lawyer, David Rudolf.

Yorgos Pirpassopoulos (Karras)

While you could infer that Yorgos Pirpassopoulos may have felt right at home while filming Beckett in Greece, the actor was actually born in Adelaide, Australia, before moving to Athens, where his acting career began to take off. He is best known for the acclaimed comedy Chevelier, lending his voice to the video game Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey in 2018, and he recently appeared alongside Sebastian Stan in the romantic drama Monday, which was also filmed in Greece. His next English-language film will be the sci-fi thriller Crimes of the Future, which also stars Kristen Stewart and is written and directed by the legendary David Cronenberg.

Panos Koronis (Officer Xenakis)

Another actor who starred alongside Yorgos Pirpassopoulos in the Greek comedy Chevelier is Panos Koronis, who plays a corrupt Athens cop in Beckett. Despite originating from Greece, the actor’s English-language debut (the 1999, Thomas Jane-led drama Junked) was also his acting debut, which he followed up with Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight 14 years later before starring in more productions from his native land. His next film The Lost Daughter - the directorial debut of Maggie Gyllenhaal, who also adapted the screenplay from Elena Ferrante’s novel - which also stars Academy Award winner Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, and Ed Harris.

Lena Kitsopoulou (Female Shooter)

You may recognize Lena Kitsopoulou from the Beckett trailer as the blonde woman who shoots a gun at John David Washington. The Netflix film is, indeed, the English-language debut of the Greek-born performer, whose most notable acting credits include the 1997 romantic sci-fi thriller No Sympathy for the Devil, Paradise is a Personal Matter, and the coming-of-age sports drama Park.

Could Beckett end up being remembered as one of the strongest 2021 movies, especially in terms of star-studded suspense thrillers? See for yourself by streaming it on Netflix after it releases Friday, August 13.

There always seem to be new stars entering the Hollywood scene but, as time goes on, only a handful of them truly manage to stick around and solidify themselves as cinematic staples. An actor who’s been making a serious name for himself over the past several years is John David Washington, whose father is Oscar winner Denzel. The rising star hasn’t relied on his famous name, though, as he’s managed to blaze a clear trail on his own merits. But with so many high-profile films under his belt at this point, is Washington now exclusively a movie star?

John David Washington first gained widespread attention when he appeared alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on the HBO dramedy Ballers. Since then, he’s worked on notable films like BlacKkKlansman, The Old Man and the Gun, and Tenet. So in the eyes of the public, he probably looks like a bonafide movie star, yet Washington doesn’t quite see it that way:

The humble comments the actor gave to Deadline indicate that he doesn’t view himself solely as a film star. If anything, he simply views himself as an actor willing to jump into any project that interests him and will ultimately help him evolve as a performer. And his track record definitely represents those sentiments.

So far, John David Washington seems to take a very cerebral approach to his projects. BlacKkKlansman, inspired by a true story, was a biting commentary on the public’s relationship with law enforcement and how it intersects with race. Meanwhile, Tenet was a science fiction thriller that asked audiences to rethink their perception of time. And of course, along the way, there’s plenty he can learn from seasoned filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Spike Lee.

Aside from the productions he chooses, the actor has been quite candid about other aspects of his career as well, particularly stepping out of the shadow of his famous father. He’s previously admitted that despite his accomplishments, people still see him as “Denzel’s son.” Still, he also believes his career truly started when he accepted the fact that Denzel Washington will always be his father. And make no mistake, the younger Washington has plenty of love for his papa, as evidenced by the fond childhood memories he has of being with him on set.

The future is certainly bright for John David Washington though, and he definitely seems to know what he wants moving forward. And if he gets his way, that could even include a role in a superhero movie.

At present, the actor is playing the title character in Beckett, a thriller about an American tourist who becomes the target of a manhunt while visiting Greece. You can check out the film when it makes its Netflix debut on August 13, 2021.

John David Washington had quite the year in 2020, starring in Christopher Nolan’s time-bending action movie Tenet and being at the forefront of the clash movie theaters and movie studios during the pandemic. He also starred in Malcolm and Marie alongside Zendaya, in a relationship drama exclusively on Netflix. His new movie Beckett releases on Netflix on August 13, and it looks like quite the thrill ride, reminiscent of a film his father Denzel Washington might make. Being the son of one of the most renowned and successful actors of all time has its challenges and John David Washington is well aware of those. While promoting Beckett, John David Washington has revealed why his career really started after he accepted the idea Denzel Washington would always be his famous father.

John David Washington and the director of Beckett Ferdinando Cito Filomarino sat down with Deadline to discuss the new film ahead of its premiere. John David Washington spoke about what appealed to him about the movie and the challenge it presented. Of course, he couldn’t escape talking about his father, Denzel Washington, giving some insight about his career and having such a famous father. John David Washington explained the realization that truly started his career, saying he did use to be concerned about being in his dad's shadow.

John David Washington was a professional football player, playing in the NFL, NFL Europe, and United Football league before fully committing to and pursuing acting. Acting is clearly something he always wanted to do, but he had to overcome the hurdle of having one of the greatest actors ever as a father and the insecurities that gave him. John David Washington has said before he's had to struggle with being Denzel’s son and deal with the fact that it’s not something he can escape, so he couldn’t let it affect his dreams any longer. He implies he played football for longer than he probably wanted to because he was unsure about following his real dream, though he eventually committed fully to what he really wanted to do.

The idea that John David Washington was unsure if he was getting roles because of his father instead of his own hard work was an obstacle he had to get past to start his own career. He says he feels like he has earned his success, and the insecurities he might have felt seem to be in the rearview. Starring in major action movies with visionary directors is probably a sign that you’ve made a pretty good path for yourself and he shows no signs of slowing down. It also helps that Beckett Ferdinando Cito Filomarino confirms he saw the actor in BlacKkKlansman and that's what helped him land the Netflix role.

Hopefully, we get to see Denzel Washington and John David Washington share the big screen together. Director Christopher Nolan was particularly enthusiastic about the possibility of the father and son duo making a movie together. Maybe it will be a Tenet reunion on Netflix since they are eager to score his next film after Nolan’s fallout with Warner Bros.? Only time will tell.

John David Washington has some big shoes to fill, but he’s more than likely going to continue to carve out his own path. Beckett will surely be another entertaining showcase for John David Washington, and we cant wait to see it and what else is in store for him in the future. Catch it next month, and see what else is coming with our full Netflix premiere schedule.

The last words anyone wants to hear while on vacation are “government conspiracy.” Unfortunately for John David Washington’s character in the Netflix original film Beckett, those two words are about to become a lot more dangerous. What began as a lover’s retreat has now become a free-for-all that sees Washington getting shot at, punched, and tied up. And that’s just the beginning of the mayhem that’s on display, courtesy of the film’s first trailer.

It all starts out innocently enough in our first look at Beckett, as John David Washington and Alicia Vikander are ready for some rest and relaxation, while taking in the sights and sounds of Greece. A fateful car accident changes everything, with Beckett being the sole survivor. Forced to trade lunch dates for being chased across a country where political unrest is growing, our hero must clear his name and learn who to trust in the process.

That lesson is going to be something the audience of Beckett will get to join in on, as there’s some familiar faces that we’ll be forced to question. Already in the trailer we see Phantom Thread and Old star Vicky Krieps, as well as Boyd Holbrook from Logan and We Can Be Heroes, as two people that may or may not pose a threat to John David Washington. Much as you’d see in a conspiracy thriller like Beckett, those people that look like the safest bet can sometimes be the greatest threat.

Another factor worth mentioning is that Beckett’s central hero is doing all of this with a broken arm. As if John David Washington didn’t already have enough of a battle learning how to fight in reverse for Tenet, he now has to run for his life with one arm bound in front of him. The odds still seem pretty even, as we’ve all see how the man handles himself in a fight. But I'd be lying if I said that the whole injury situation didn’t present this protagonist with a unique challenge.

With the season for action blockbusters already in full swing, thanks to offerings like F9 and Black Widow keeping the box office blazing, Beckett seems to be coming at the right time. The adrenaline of movie fans will be up, and all anyone needs to do is decide to take the journey. Of course, there’s only one place you’ll find Beckett, and it’s not in a theater near you.

Continuing its campaign to deliver blockbuster originals every week in 2021, Beckett is set to invite Netflix subscribers into its world of intrigue and danger when it starts streaming on August 13th. While you wait, check out what’s headed to platform in July 2021, as there’s quite an impressive catalog of newcomers coming online.

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In 2018, director Reinaldo Marcus Green released Monsters and Men, one of the hidden gems of that year. It’s a film that stars three very popular rising actors: Anthony Ramos, John David Washington, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. Monsters and Men is a thought-provoking film that challenges viewers to ask questions, make choices, and rise up when faced with difficult decisions. The Monsters and Men ending further supports the film’s goal of starting an engaging conversation about what happens next.

Monsters and Men addresses topics of police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement, and cop culture. It’s the type of movie that leaves an impression long after the credits roll. Monsters and Men doesn’t want to tell you what to think and feel about the movie and the situations presented in it but, instead, wants to inspire you to navigate your own path with this complicated topic. Let’s explore the Monsters and Men ending and how it sparks conversations.

What Happened At The End Of Monsters And Men

Zyrick's (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) father throws him a party to celebrate the night before his baseball showcase. Instead of staying to celebrate, He leaves to join the protest about the Darius Larson (Samuel Edwards) shooting. His father attempts to stop him by saying that things like this will continue to happen and it’s not worth risking his future, his ticket out.

Zyrick still decides to go. The protest starts off peaceful but eventually gets a bit out of hand. He returns home to his disappointed father. The next morning, Zyrick, his coach, and the scouts are excited to see him play. Meanwhile, Zyrick continues to ponder the events of last night. While getting ready for his game, he decides to put on a protest shirt that says “I Am Darius Larson” and heads to the baseball field. He takes a knee and Monsters and Men fades to black.

Why The Unresolved Monsters And Men Ending Works

Monsters and Men ends on Zyrick’s story, but each ending of all three men’s stories offers no resolution. Manny's (Anthony Ramos) story ends with him being arrested for allegedly selling a gun to a child. We see throughout Zyrick and Dennis's (John David Washington) stories that his girlfriend Marisol (Jasmine Cephas Jones) and activists like Zoe (Chante Adams) are continuing to fight for his freedom. However, there are no answers about whether the charges against Manny are ever dropped.

Dennis’s story ends with him choosing to protect his police brothers, specifically Scala (Steve Cirbus), by not helping the investigation into the Darius Larson shooting. We don’t know if he continues to remain silent or if one day, he’ll speak up. Zyrick chooses to fight for what he believes in but we never learn the effects of this action. Does he lose his chance to be recruited into the minor leagues?

In an interview with Pop Matters, Monsters and Men director Reinaldo Marcus Green discussed how in real life, we often don’t get things like this nicely resolved and all our questions answered. He wanted to at least give viewers some direction on the path that Dennis, Manny, and Zyrick were embarking on in their lives, but no definite conclusion for their stories. Green also added that characters like Dennis have no defined endpoint. It’s an ongoing battle of whether to speak up or to remain silent.

The Monsters and Men ending for each man feels realistic because, in this complex situation, there isn’t any real conclusion or definite path. It’s a constant struggle and chain reaction of choices.

Three Very Different Men With The Same Problem

Dennis, Zyrick, and Manny are united in many ways. They work or live in the same Bed-Stuy neighborhood, they all encounter the same two cops, and they all have some connection to the Darius Larson shooting. They also are all connected in being young men of color who are, at some point, targeted by the police.

Monsters and Men opens with Dennis being pulled over while driving. He later tells his partner that he’s already been pulled over six times and it’s only June. Being a cop doesn’t protect Dennis from being targeted because of the color of his skin. Throughout the film, Zyrick is a model for the community, quiet, stays out of trouble, and has a bright future because of his baseball career, but he’s still stopped and searched by the police, because at the end of the day, they don’t see his accolades, they see his skin color.

Each man is also united in the dilemmas they face with the Darius Larson shooting. They all must decide whether to do nothing and continue on with their lives or to take action. Two of them take action.

Creating A Balanced Conversation In Monsters And Men

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Green revealed that the inspiration for Monsters and Men came at Sundance. He was there with friends to premiere his short film Stop. One of his long-time friends, who is a white cop, was there too because he was in the film. Later that night, the topic of Eric Garner came up. The conversation started off normally, but progressively got more heated. This conversation led to the movie and the dinner scene in Monsters and Men.

At a dinner with friends, Lisa (Cassandra Freeman) asks Dennis for his opinion on the Larson shooting. She expects him to agree that something needs to be done about it and cops need more training or something to handle these situations better. Dennis grows increasingly defensive and says that Lisa doesn’t understand how it feels to be a police officer in that situation.

Green explained that he didn’t make Dennis a white cop, like his friend, because he didn’t want it to come off as a white or black thing. He wanted to present a more complex conversation and that worked better with Dennis being black. He wanted viewers to sympathize with him and see his perspective as much as they see Manny and Zyrick’s perspectives. He wanted police officers to also have their side of the debate shown.

The dinner scene is the best way Monsters and Men displays this complex conversation, because even if you don’t agree with Dennis’s point-of-view, you understand it. You see that he means what he says when he talks about fearing for his life on the job. The film then shows two police officers dying and how that causes ripples in the police force. Their death is felt just as strongly by these police officers as Larson’s death is felt by his community.

Lisa is also right in everything that she says, and Dennis not speaking up and his conversation with his wife after the police officers’ deaths show the problematic side of cops putting each other before communities that they’re sworn to protect. Monsters and Men allows each side of the debate to get their fair share of screen time and a chance to present their case to the audience.

What Choices Are The Audience Given In Monsters And Men

In the PopMatters interview, Green said this to summarize one of the main themes and purposes of the film:

Green further explained that the audience sees how difficult these choices are for the characters, but he hoped that it would inspire the viewers to do something. He discussed that the actions that hopefully are inspired by the film don't have to be as big as protesting but could be as small as how police officers choose to approach people in the future.

In an interview with The Fall Mag, Green also added that he hoped the audience would see themselves in one of the characters and that would inspire change:

Monsters and Men has a powerful message and great performances by the entire cast. You can see Anthony Ramos, John David Washington, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. in other fantastic 2021 movies being released soon. Monsters and Men is currently streaming on Hulu. Stream it here.

John David Washington is now a full-blown movie star. Despite Tenet having a tumultuous release that was marred by the pandemic, the film also marked John David Washington‘s arrival as a star. Tenet is getting another life after releasing in theaters earlier this year, now that it’s streaming on HBO Max. More people are getting to watch Christopher Nolan’s time-bending epic and witness John David Washington take the next step in his career. Now, it looks like he'll stick with streaming for his next flick and Netflix has shared the first look At John David Washington’s new thriller months after Tenet tried to lure people back to theaters.

Tenet's failed theatrical release happened during the height of the pandemic and the uncertainty around the movie industry, resulting in smaller box office numbers than expected. In the meantime, theatrical struggles have led a slew of other movies to head to streaming, which is where John David Washington's next movie endeavor has been set up. The actor is set to star in Beckett, which looks exciting. Here is a first look at the film:

Tomb Raider’s Alicia Vikander and The Predator’s Boyd Holbrook are joining John David Washington in a dramatic thriller following a man (Washington) who gets caught up in a conspiracy while vacationing in Greece. If you are a fan of John David Washington, this genre movie is probably precisely what you want to see from him, and I can't wait to see how the film turns out.

Tenet establishes John David Washington as a really physical on-screen presence even if he can’t explain what happens in that film. He is a former professional athlete, so he runs with purpose and can make sliding 15 feet look routine. When he beats a man with a cheese grater, you can feel the athleticism bouncing off the screen. Next, he'll have to maneuver and fight his way through a vast conspiracy while on vacation and it will undoubtedly be a sight to behold.

Commanding the screen clearly runs in the family, and like Christopher Nolan, many fans are holding out hope for Denzel Washington and his son John David Washington to make a movie together. John David Washington is a star now (who still has to do what his old man tells him) and it would truly something to see the pair share the big screen. The way John David Washington’s career is going, nothing is off the table, and a movie with his iconic father is certainly in the cards.

The future is bright for John David Washington, and fans will get to see him on streaming train when Beckett hits Netflix this August. As for after that, Washington has a lot of options on deck, and there’s even the very unlikely chance we see Tenet 2 in the future. Whatever is in store, the actor is making his mark, and I for one am looking forward to what's next.

At long last, Anthony Mandler’s legal drama Monster is finally here more than three years after it made its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. But now that you can watch the story of a high school honor student falsely accused of murder in a robbery gone wrong on Netflix, you are probably wondering where you’ve seen the Monster cast before. And while names like Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright, and John David Washington are easy ones to figure out, some, like the film’s star, Kelvin Harrison Jr. might have you stumped.

Below is a quick breakdown of the major players on the Monster cast, who they play, and where you’ve seen them in the past. With both established and rising stars in the acting world, as well as some of the best hip-hop artists of yesterday and today, taking up residence on the cast, there’s a lot to unpack here…

Kelvin Harrison Jr. - Steve Harmon

Kelvin Harrison Jr. portrays Steve Harmon, a 17-year-old honor student at a private New York City high school who dreams of one day becoming a filmmaker, a dream that this is cut short when he goes on trial for a robbery and murder he did not commit. Prior to Monster (which initially premiered in 2018), Harrison appeared in 12 Years a Slave, Ender’s Game, and The Birth of a Nation before becoming relatively well known with It Comes at Night. In the past couple of years, Harrison has shown up in Waves, The High Note, and most recently The Trial of the Chicago 7, playing the late Fred Hampton.

Jennifer Hudson - Mrs. Harmon

Taking on the role of the Mrs. Harmon, Steve’s successful and devoted mother, is Academy Award, Golden Globe, and two-time Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson. The talented singer-turned-actress has appeared in a number of well-regarded movies since making her big screen debut with 2006’s Dreamgirls. In the 15 years since her award-winning performance as Effie White, Hudson has gone on to show up in movies like The Secret Life of Bees, Chi-Raq, and Sing, to name just a few. Hudson is also set to portray the late, great Aretha Franklin in the upcoming biopic Respect.

Jeffrey Wright - Mr. Harmon

Portraying the character Mr. Harmon, Steve’s supportive father, is Emmy Award winner Jeffrey Wright. One of the most established stars featured in the Monster cast, Wright has appeared in everything from limited series like Angels in America (which netted him the aforementioned Emmy), shows like Westworld, and countless movie titles including Cadillac Records, W., and various James Bond films as Felix Leiter, with another, No Time to Die, on the way. And then there’s the whole business of Wright taking on the role of Jim Gordon in The Batman.

John David Washington - Richard ‘Bobo’ Evans

Taking on the role of Richard “Bobo” Evans, one of the men accused of the robbery and murder who then testifies against Steve Harmon for a lighter sentence, is John David Washington. At the time of Monster’s initial premiere, Washington had yet to make a name for himself with memorable performances in BlacKkKlansman, Tenet, and Malcolm and Marie, though the few credits to his name at the time included some heavy-hitters like Monsters and Men, Love Beats Rhymes, and the HBO series Ballers. As a child, the future leading man, had small roles in several films featuring his father, Denzel Washington.

Rakim ‘A$AP Rocky’ Mayers - William King

Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky is featured heavily throughout Monster as William King, a fixture of the Harlem streets who is also charged with robbery and murder alongside Steve Harmon. Despite his explosive performance leading you to think otherwise, this is only A$AP Rocky’s second acting role in a movie (he previously appeared as himself in a few others), with the other being the 2015 coming-of-age story Dope. The Grammy-nominated rapper remains one of the leading voices in today’s hip hop scene with a slew of hit singles, albums, and mixtapes released in the past decade.

Jennifer Ehle - Katherine O’Brien

Stepping in as Steve Harmon’s cold yet pragmatic defense attorney Katherine O’Brien is Jennifer Ehle. With credits going back to her theatre work back in 1991, Ehle has remained a major player in film, television, and the stage with memorable roles in everything from the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries to the pandemic thriller Contagion in 2011. If neither of those titles ring any bells then you’ll surely remember Ehle from the Fifty Shades franchise, in which she plays Carla Wilks.

Tim Blake Nelson - Leroy Sawicki

Tim Blake Nelson plays Leroy Sawicki, Steve Harmon’s high school film teacher who inspires him to document the world around him. Over the years, the actor/writer/director has appeared in everything from Coen brothers movies like O Brother, Where Art Thou? and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs to entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Incredible Hulk, as well as the the HBO series Watchmen. Nelson has also written and directed his fair share of movies over the years including Leaves of Grass, Anesthesia, and Kansas.

Nasir ‘Nas’ Jones - Raymond ‘Sunset’ Green

Legendary rapper and producer Nasir “Nas” Jones takes on the role of Raymond “Sunset” Green, a fellow inmate who helps Steve Harmon navigate life behind bars and is more like a spiritual leader in the sense that he works with the young high school student to help him learn how to put his mind at ease and not let the system get him down. Largely known for his rap career, which kicked off with 1994’s Illmatic, Nas has made several film appearances including Hype Williams’ 1998 hidden gem Belly where he shared the screen with the late DMX.

Paul Ben-Victor - Anthony Petrocelli

Leading the prosecution against Steve Harmon in Monster is Paul Ben-Victor’s Anthony Pretrocelli, who is hellbent on proving that the high school student and aspiring filmmaker isn’t as innocent as he claims. Probably best known for his portrayal of Greek crime boss Spiros “Vondas” Vondopoulos on The Wire, Ben-Victor’s career in film and television goes back more than 30 years. Over on the film side of things, Ben-Victor has shown up in staples of the early ‘90s like Tombstone and True Romance as well as more recent movies like The Irishmen and The Banker. He’s also had roles on shows like Entourage, NYPD Blue, and Monk to name a few.

Jharrel Jerome - Osvaldo

Jharrel Jerome is seen in Monster as Osvaldo, a Harlem teenager who despite being an accomplice in the robbery gone wrong, hopes to get a full acquittal based on his age and testimony. Prior to the filming of Monster a few years back, Jerome came on the scene with a memorable performance in Moonlight, in which he appeared as the teenage version of Kevin, Ciron’s (Ashton Sanders) longtime friend and romantic interest. Since then, Jerome has gone on to win an Emmy and multiple other awards for his portrayal of Korey Wise in When They See Us and recently appeared in Concrete Cowboy.

Jonny Coyne - Detective Karyl

Detective Karyl is one of NYPD detectives investigating the bodega robbery gone awry in Monster and the investigator who is determined that Steve Harmon is involved in the murder. Over the years, Coyne has appeared in a number of movies including Nightcrawler, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and even Lara Croft: Tomb Raider — The Cradle of Life. The English actor, however, is more known for his various television roles over the years which include everything from The Blacklist to Preacher and Turn: Washington’s Spies to Mom, with dozens upon dozens of smaller roles and one-off appearances mixed in.

Lovie Simone - Renee Pickford

Relative newcomer Lovie Simone appears as Renee Pickford, Steve Harmon’s love interest in Monster. The new Netflix movie was Simone’s first film production at the time but has gone on to show up in Share, Selah and the Spades, and the 2020 supernatural horror film The Craft: Legacy, portraying Tabby. Simone got her first big break in the acting world with a recurring-turned-main role on Greenleaf from 2016 to 2020. She has since shown up in Orange is the New Black, Blue Bloods, and Social Distance.

Mikey Madison - Alexandra Floyd

Mikey Madison shows up in Monster as Alexandra Floyd. Prior to landing a role in the Netflix crime drama, Madison made a name for herself on the FX comedy series Better Things. She has had a few more film appearances in the years since filming Monster with the most notable being as “Sadie” one of the members of the Manson Family who decide to target Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) instead of Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In case you’re wondering, yes, she was the cult member who was incinerated in Dalton’s pool. She will next appear in the 2022’s Scream though her role has yet to be revealed.

This is just the main cast from Monster and there are tones of other great actors who appear in the gripping legal drama throughout its duration. If you’ve finished the movie and now want to see what else is coming to theaters this year (especially those featuring Jennifer Hudson and Jeffrey Wright), check out CinemaBlend’s list of 2021 movie premiere dates.

Tenet, Christopher Nolan’s time-bending epic, has finally come to HBO Max this weekend. The film could be seen as one of the first movie casualties of 2020, having its release severely affected by the global pandemic. The initial response to Tenet varied from person to person, with some people who loved it, some who hated it, but mostly everyone had no idea what was going on even if they enjoyed the film. Now, the movie is now getting its second life, first making a comeback at the box office and now releasing on one of the most popular streaming platforms in HBO Max. And as you'd expect, the internet has more thoughts about the movie in the midst of its streaming debut.

Tenet is a polarizing film for a few reasons. Still, the central divider is the confusing nature of its plot that requires subsequent views to even begin to wrap your head around what John David Washington and Robert Pattinson were up to. With its release to HBO Max, Tenet is now widely available for people to experience for the first time or give it a second chance, and people are doing just that, judging from the film trending on Twitter:

Tenet is a semi-flawed and admittedly confusing film, but it absolutely rules, as Teen Wolf director Stephen Ford puts it. Christopher Nolan's latest is best experienced as pure spectacle. Leave everything else at the door until your second or third viewing, as internet commentators will tell you, along with some other key advice:

Tenet is confusing, especially on its first viewing. The user above describes the correct way to watch the film and truly appreciate and understand what’s going on in Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster. There is truly a higher level of thinking that is required to finally "get" Tenet but if that is too intimidating just think of it as a conventional spy thriller and enjoy the ride.

Aside from its disorienting storytelling, the Christopher Nolan-directed movie also had some technical problems. References to Tenet’s notorious sound problem controversy also got a shoutout in the form of a funny and ironic subtitle seen at the beginning of the film:

Fans also seem to be having a good time having fun with their methods of watching the film. Many know that Christopher Nolan prefers that his films be seen on the largest screens possible, and some can't help poke fun at the notion:

The stars of Tenet, John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, are also getting their praise from fans. John David Washington had one of the craziest fights sequences you will see in a movie, and Robert Pattinson was basically auditioning for the role of James Bond. Their chemistry in Tenet is excellent, and the reveals at the end and watching a second time really highlight their back and forth in the film:

Tenet is gaining more steam thanks to streaming and, despite its confusing plot, it has its devotees and has gained some new fans. The cult following around it will surely keep gaining members, and the call for a sequel might become too loud for Christopher Nolan to ignore.

Even if you aren’t super interested in how the plot device of the movie works, you will probably still be on the edge of your seat, asking how they pulled off crashing a real plane into a building and, for most people, that may be enough. My advice is to leave the speculation and theorizing in the hands of the true Tenet-heads and just enjoy the spectacle.

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Following his turn as Ron Stallworth in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman, John David Washington scored the opportunity to work with director Christopher Nolan on his latest movie, Tenet. For more than two decades now, Nolan has been one of Hollywood’s most famous filmmakers, from his time putting a unique stamp on Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy to delivering the epic space adventure known as Interstellar. Well, as it turns out, Nolan keeps mementos (pun intended) to commemorate working on these movies, and this resulted in one of the happiest moments of Washington’s life.

John David Washington recently stopped by Rolling Stone’s First Time show to talk about his career, and one of the topics covered was his first time reading Tenet. Washington started off by talking about when he walked into Christopher Nolan’s office for the first time, saying:

Christopher Nolan may not have a cell phone or use email, but clearly he doesn’t take office decoration lightly. No doubt many of you reading this are a fan of at least one of Nolan’s movies, if not many of them. So John David Washington wouldn’t be alone reacting with glee to the director’s decor. And unlike the Wizard of Oz, I’m pretty sure Nolan wouldn’t hide behind a curtain while visitors to his office gazed at his Interstellar posters, Batman figures and other adornments spotlighting his career.

But one doesn’t stop by Christopher Nolan’s office to simply shoot the breeze. After geeking out, John David Washington sat down to read the Tenet script, and he described the experience thusly:

John David Washington starred in Tenet as The Protagonist, a CIA agent who's recruited to help prevent an attack on the world from the future by learning how to control the flow of time. Christopher Nolan has never been one to shy away from exploring time in his movies, but needless to say that Tenet took that aspect of his filmmaking to a whole new level. Washington was joined by Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Dimple Kapadia, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kenneth Branagh and Michael Caine, among others.

Tenet was the first tentpole picture to open after the COVID-19 pandemic initially shut movie theaters down. While Christopher Nolan’s newest feature earned a fair amount of positive reception, it understandably didn’t commercially perform as well as it would have during normal times, making only a little over $363 million worldwide off a reported $200 million budget. Tenet arrived on home media last December, and it’ll hit HBO Max on May 1, so make sure you’re subscribed to the streaming service if you want to catch the movie’s streaming debut.

As for John David Washington, his most recent movie, Malcom & Marie, is playing on Netflix, and he’ll next appear in the thriller Beckett and David O. Russell’s yet-to-be-titled film. Don’t forget to learn what other movies are coming out this year with our upcoming 2021 movies guide.

Glory was such a moment not just in film history but for Denzel Washington’s career. And the Oscar-winning film held an even bigger place in John David Washington’s heart. Not only was he able to watch the film, but he was also able to live it through a set visit when he was a child. And during his visit, he shared a sweet moment with his father.

John David Washington talked about being on the set of Glory in a recent episode of Rolling Stone’s The First Time. Glory marked the first time John David Washington can recall being on set with his famous father and, as he discussed, there was on particularly cool father-son moment the two got to share during the production:

Despite being shut down by his mother, the potential moment between Denzel and John David Washington likely helped spark the younger Washington’s Hollywood aspirations. Watching his father in action on the set had to have been thrilling to say the least, and little did the young man know that he himself would get to do some cool big-screen moments of his own decades later.

Glory also helped John David Washington to meet one of his acting idols. In the same episode, the younger Washington admitted to being a huge fan of his father’s co-star, Morgan Freeman. He recalled memorizing Freeman’s lines from the Oscar-nominated film and being shut down for an autograph. I think most would agree that any of us would be excited to be on the Glory set and, at the very least, have opportunity to talk to Morgan Freeman. It was nice to hear Washington go on about the film that put his father on Hollywood’s A-list.

When it comes to his Hollywood journey, John David Washington has had quite an interesting path, especially since most of his formative years were spent under the tutelage of his two-time Oscar winner dad. Even though the actor has spent years in his famous father’s shadow, the younger Washington never hesitates to show love and admiration for his father whenever he can. The moment on the Glory set alone shows just how much of an impact the Oscar winner has had on his son's career.

With so much talent between them, it would be nice if someday John David and Denzel Washington were to team up for a project. Whether they would sharing the screen or the older Washington directing the younger, it would be worthwhile. But of course, we'll just have to wait and see if it happens.

John David Washington has become a rising leading man in Hollywood within the last few years. But having the last name Washington has helped to a certain degree. Being the son of Denzel Washington could be seen as giving him somewhat a leg-up (along with his acting talent). The younger Washington talked about working in Hollywood under the shadow of the older Washington.

John David Washington has quickly gained a name for himself as an A-lister. Films such as BlacKKKlansman, Tenet and Malcolm & Marie have resulted in him being a leading man. Even with his success, the younger Washington is constantly being compared to or being asked about his father Denzel Washington. Despite the constant comparisons, John David has continued to praise his father. Washington recently spoke on being “Denzel’s son” to Rolling Stone:

After acknowledging this unspoken matter, John David Washington equated his acting experience with his football one. He recalled being Denzel Washington’s son affecting his college football career. He spoke on changing his mindset since then:

Fortunately, John David Washington hasn’t let the “Denzel Washington’s son” talk get to him. He decided to let his work speak for itself instead of worrying about the comparisons between him and his father. A more fragile father-son relationship would crumble under that pressure. But the younger Washington has continued to retain a level of love and respect for the older Washington. It’s nice to see a father-son relationship in Hollywood that isn’t strained or complicated by competing careers.

As John David Washington pointed out in Rolling Stone, he and Denzel Washington had built a foundation long before the younger Washington decided to pursue an acting career. Within the last year, both actors have opened about their relationship. They’ve praised each other in the press as well as spoke on living in the same space during COVID-19. Hopefully, in the next few years, John David Washington will no longer be referred to as “Denzel’s son.”

Warning: spoilers for the ending of Malcolm and Marie are in play. If you haven’t seen the film yet, now’s the time to catch up on the fireworks.

If you’re looking for a knock down, drag out fight of emotional stakes, then writer/director Sam Levinson’s Malcolm and Marie is the movie for you. Over the course of almost two hours, Zendaya and John David Washington wage war against each other, through words and gestures, that push their titular pair to the edge and back again. By time we get to Malcolm And Marie’s ending, both characters have laid it all out on the field, and only one can be declared the winner. We’re about to look into the final moments of that film, and it’ll come with a breakdown of what both parties were looking for that night, answering the question every couple has after a big fight: who won?

What Happened At The End Of Malcolm And Marie

After a night’s worth of fighting, Malcolm (John David Washington) and Marie (Zendaya) settle into bed. Worn out from their fight, Malcolm says two things to Marie, “I’m sorry. Thank you.” With a full court assault that saw everything from Malcolm’s past relationships to Marie’s previous issues with substance abuse come into question, this couple couldn’t have had a fuller night. And this is without the issue of whether or not Marie prepared Malcolm’s mac and cheese in accordance with Kraft’s strict guidelines.

Waking up the next morning, Malcolm is looking for Marie, and finds her outside, standing on a dune. He walks up and stands next to her, both of them looking out in the distance and having a conversation we can’t hear. All we can do is guess what’s going on between these lovers, and even then it’s a rather ambiguous fate. But who won the argument of the night isn’t as open-ended.

Malcolm’s Side Of The Night’s Argument

The premiere of Malcolm’s latest film, Imani, started the argument between the two parties involved in Malcolm and Marie’s big, feature length brawl. As far as writer/director Malcolm is concerned, his work is not a mere rip-off of Marie’s life experiences getting clean. So the big thank you that she thinks she was owed in his speech is, to Malcolm, something that isn’t worth a big kerfuffle. Proving through examples of past relationships inspired Imani’s protagonist, Malcolm doesn’t feel that Marie’s demands to be thanked as an inspiration are valid.

If anything, he feels that he’s owed more credit from Marie for being there for her throughout all of her troubles and the occasional infidelity. Pushing for his younger partner to be more independent and build her own life, Malcolm feels her inspiration and authenticity aren’t enough to make Imani a hit. Malcolm believes you need someone with cinematic talent to turn a story into something interesting.

Marie’s Side Of The Night’s Argument

Over on Marie’s side of Malcolm and Marie’s night from Hell, she feels very under-appreciated and uncomfortable with how Malcolm treats the woman that could be considered his muse. He never thanked her for the inspiration for Imani, which came from her own life story of getting clean. A lot of the experiences depicted were merely “material” for Malcolm’s career, which is ready to take off.

Furthermore, Malcolm cast another actor in the role Marie inspired, even though he knew she was interested in playing that part. Which only ties into her greater point in Malcolm and Marie’s central battle: that Malcolm shows more emotion and respect towards anyone who isn’t him. Since his star is set to blast off with the success he’s about land with Imani, Marie is afraid Malcolm’s ego will become insufferable. She’s already seen the start of that process taking hold. Unlike her director boyfriend, Marie thinks that she’s merely an inspiration to his work, and that authenticity can buy you just as much as cinematic knowhow.

Who Won Malcolm And Marie’s Argument?

There has to be a winner in the every argument, doesn’t there? Well, not always, as emotional word play like that seen in Malcolm and Marie sometimes doesn’t have a clearly defined goal to be achieved. Without an endgame in sight, an argument can go in circles until it either peters out, or both parties leave. However, there is an achievable goal in Malcolm and Marie’s big showdown, as well as a clear winner.

All Marie wants from Malcolm is the "thank yous." She wants to be thanked for running the household, being there for Malcolm, and being his inspiration. After the events of Malcolm and Marie, there’s a demand for a very special “I’m sorry” thrown into the mix, thanks to how Malcolm has treated her throughout their relationship, as well as that night. And Marie gets both in the end, as seen in the ending of the film.

If Malcolm had any sort of goal for the evening’s proceedings, they’re unclear at best and non-existent at worst. So as far as I’m concerned, Marie totally wins Malcolm and Marie’s emotional olympics, and she’s probably had enough of his antics to really contemplate leaving him for good. Though I’ll tell you who’s the real loser in this movie’s battle of wits and words: Malcolm and Marie’s neighbors. At least, that’s what this video from Ryan Ken would have us believe, as we’ve already seen internet comedy spawn from the debut of this infamous shouting match:

Arguments are very subjective, and Malcolm and Marie is no exception, which means it’s time to give you folks in the audience the opportunity to weigh in. Who do you think won the argument? Take our poll, and jump into the comments to tell us what your outlook on this movie’s events are. Think of it as the Malcolm and Marie home game, only with less emotional scarring, and no soundtrack.

This poll is no longer available.

The following story gets into spoilers for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, so if you still haven’t seen the film, and want to avoid details, bail out now.

There’s a tremendous reveal in the middle of Tenet, the time-twisty thriller from revolutionary storyteller Christopher Nolan, where the audience learns that the man John David Washington’s character was fighting in a hallway at an earlier point of the movie… was John David Washington’s character. I told you it was time-twisty. Washington’s lead, known only as The Protagonist, is working his way back through the movie, and encounters himself from an earlier scene. We watched that scene, but didn’t know who the man was fighting at the time. Viewing it is nuts. Filming it, as it turns out, was even more crazy for all the people involved.

CinemaBlend’s ReelBlend podcast had John David Washington back on the show to talk about his new Netflix drama Malcolm & Marie, where he costars opposite Zendaya. But we couldn’t resist asking him a few Tenet questions, especially about specifics now that the movie has been out and he can peel back the curtain a tad. Listen to the clip above for him to tell the story about filming the hallway fight sequence, and how challenging it was, mentally as well as physically.

Speaking of physically, in the conversation above, ReelBlend co-host Kevin McCarthy mentions behind-the-scenes photographs that he saw of John David Washington filming the hallway fight scene from Tenet, and seeing cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema hauling a massive IMAX camera on his shoulders to capture the action. Hoytema got so close to the action that he received a swift kick from Washington. As he puts it:

Actors and craftspeople go to extreme lengths to bring Christopher Nolan’s visions to the big screen. Behind the scenes stories like this are such a joy to listen to, because talent usually loves collaborating with Nolan, but they can’t elaborate on the process because he keeps stuff so close to the vest. After the fact, though, when they can open up about their experiences, you get the enthusiasm that you see in John David Washington above.

Here’s the latest episode of ReelBlend, for the full interview with John David Washington:

And make sure that you check his performance out in Sam Levinson’s Malcolm & Marie, a relationship drama that’s generating all sorts of conversations how that audiences are able to see it for themselves. It’s streaming on Netflix as we speak. For the full video interview with John David Washington, check out ReelBlend's YT channel, then hit like and subscribe.

John David Washington and Zendaya star in the new Netflix original movie Malcolm and Marie. The two actors play a couple whose relationship is tested during one night. It was written and directed by Sam Levinson (best known for writing Euphoria). Malcolm and Marie was one of the first major films created during the lockdown. Many people heard of Malcolm and Marie because of how it was created but stayed for actors on the rise Zendaya and John David Washington.

Zendaya has been acting since she was 14, but over the last few years, she has shown that she’s a force in Hollywood. John David Washington also appeared in movies at a young age, because of his famous father, but he really started to establish his acting career in 2015. After watching Malcolm and Marie, you may want some more Zendaya and John David Washington films and TV series in your life, so here are a few suggestions.

Zendaya - Euphoria - HBO Max

Euphoria is a teen drama that focuses on relationships, friendships, life, love, family, and more serious topics like consent, abuse, and drug addiction. Zendaya plays Rue Bennett in Euphoria. She starts the series fresh out of rehab, trying to cope with her addictions, various mental illnesses, and a secret love for her best friend. Her role as Rue earned Zendaya her first Emmy nomination and win.

Euphoria is a gritty teen drama that allows Zendaya to shed her Disney roots and take a more mature role. It also allows her to play a complex character struggling and trying to find belonging and acceptance. Euphoria is an intense drama, but worth watching for the performances, especially by Zendaya. Euphoria was renewed for season 2 on HBO Max, so now is the perfect time to catch up before the next season.

Stream Euphoria on HBO Max here.

John David Washington - Monsters And Men - Hulu

Monsters and Men is a film written and directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green. It tells three interlocking stories, following three main characters: Dennis (John David Washington), Manny (Anthony Ramos), and Zyrick (Kelvin Harrison Jr). Monsters and Men focuses on a shooting of an unarmed black man and how these men react to it. Washington plays a cop.

The film deals with Dennis’s conflicting emotions about protecting his fellow cops and thinking his job is vital and critical, but also knowing the struggles of being a black man in society--cop or not. Monsters and Men is one of John David Washington’s first lead roles and it is an interesting look at these men’s lives and society as a whole and the treatment of men of color. John David Washington, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Anthony Ramos are three actors to have on your radar, so Monsters and Men is definitely worth watching.

Stream Monsters and Men on Hulu here.

Zendaya - Spider-Man: Far From Home - Starz

Spider-Man: Far From Home is the sequel to 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming. It follows Peter Parker (Tom Holland) as he goes on a class trip to Europe. Peter is looking forward to this time away from New York City as his Spider-Man duties become increasingly stressful. He’s also dealing with not-existing for years and the death of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Zendaya reprises her role of Michelle, better known as MJ, in this film.

Zendaya has a bigger role in Spider-Man:Far From Home as Peter and her have developed feelings for each other, but they’re not sure how the other one feels. Peter is also still trying to keep his identity a secret from MJ and the rest of the world. Spider-Man: Far From Home is a fun movie that’s a lighthearted superhero movie with some moments that tug on the heartstring.

Stream Spider-Man: Far From Home on Starz here.

John David Washington - Ballers - HBO Max

Ballers was an HBO original series that aired for five seasons. Dwayne Johnson plays the main character Spencer Strasmore, a retired NFL player. Ballers follows Strasmore as he embarks on his new career as the financial manager for other NFL players. John David Washington plays Ricky Jerret, a competitive NFL player.

Jerret is the son of former NFL player Dennis Jerret (Robert Wisdom). Ricky Jerrett has played on many teams but often drafted because of his field antics. He’s a hothead with an ego, but he has enough charm to win people back over to his team. John David Washington played football professionally before returning to the world of acting, so he could bring a perspective to this role that many actors couldn’t. Ballers is John David Washington’s first main role.

Stream Ballers on HBO Max here.

Zendaya - The Greatest Showman - Disney+

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 original musical that stars Hugh Jackman as P.T Barnum. It tells the story of Barnum’s rise to fame with his circus and performers. The Greatest Showman shows the ups and downs of his life, like being doubted by his wife’s parents because of his poor background and losing himself to fame. The Greatest Showman cast includes Zendaya, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Rebecca Ferguson.

Zendaya plays Anne Wheeler, an acrobat and trapeze artist. She falls in love with P.T Barnum’s business partner Philip Carlyle (Zac Efron). Carlyle and Anne want to be together but the racial prejudices of the time make that difficult. The Greatest Showman is a must-see if you really enjoy musicals, especially pop ones. Zendaya and Zac Efron also get you invested in their romance so much that you’re likely still singing “Rewrite the Stars.”

Stream The Greatest Showman on Disney+ here.

John David Washington - Love Beats Rhymes - Netflix

Love Beats Rhymes is a movie about aspiring female rapper Coco (Azealia Banks). It’s about her journey trying to make it in the rap industry, while also balancing going to school. Love Beats Rhymes’s cast includes a collection of respected musicians, like Jill Scott, Mc Jin, Common, and Method Man. John David Washington has a supporting role as Mahlik.

Mahlik is a wannabe gansta rapper who is in a band with Coco. He’s also her sometime lover and collaborator. Mahlik represents the men trying to hold Coco back from reaching her full potential and achieving success. Love Beats Rhymes is a film that shows how poetry and rap are interlinked and how both require full honesty, creativity, and devotion.

Stream Love Beats Rhymes on Netflix here.

Zendaya - Shake It Up - Disney+

Shake It Up is a Disney Channel original series that aired from 2010 to 2014. Bella Thorne and Zendaya had lead roles as CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue. The best friends have their dream come true when they become professional dancers on the local series “Shake It Up, Chicago!” Like many family Disney Channel series, Shake It Up follows the professional and personal misadventures of these two girls.

Shake It Up is Zendaya's first major role in a series. The show is lighthearted family programming with wacky adventures and the main message on the bonds of friendship and family. The series is to watch if you want a simple comedy that’s good for all ages. It’s also an interesting look at the start of Bella Thorne and Zendaya’s careers and the evolution of it, from Disney Channel kids to adult women in Hollywood.

Stream Shake It Up on Disney+ here.

Zendaya - The OA - Netflix

The OA is a science fiction mystery series about a woman who resurfaces after being missing for seven years. There is a lot of mystery surrounding her disappearance and whether it involved traveling to another planet. Brit Marling stars and co-created the series. Netflix canceled The OA after two seasons.

Zendaya appeared in a few episodes of The OA’s second season. She plays Fola. Detective Karim (Kingsley Ben-Adir) meets Fola while looking for a missing girl. The missing girl became addicted to an online game. Karim finds a house where other addicts of this game stay. Fola helps Karim by offering him insight into the game. In an interview with Vulture, Kingsley Ben-Adir mentioned that Zendaya was a fan of the series and so was her dad. She didn’t let him know that she was going to be on it, so she could surprise him with her cameo. Though Zendaya isn’t a main character on The OA, the series is worth watching if you enjoy unique, complex series.

Stream The OA on Netflix here.

Zendaya-Zapped-Tubi

Zapped is a Disney Channel original movie starring Zendaya, Chanelle Peloso, Emilia McCarthy, and Spencer Boldman. Zendaya plays the lead character, Zoey. Zoey’s life gets disrupted when her mom remarries, giving her a loud stepdad and three new stepbrothers. Zoey also starts a new school and her first day is just as chaotic as her new family life.

Her phone gets broken but somehow it malfunctions into an app that allows her to control the people in her life and school. Zapped is a Disney Channel movie that’s a bit silly, but another film that showcases Zendaya’s comedic abilities.

Stream Zapped on Tubi here.

Zendaya - K.C.: Undercover - Disney+

K.C. Undercover is a Disney Channel original series that aired from 2015 to 2018. It stars teen spy K.C. and her family of spies. It blends family issues with missions to save the world. The K.C. Undercover cast includes Veronica Dunne, Kamil McFadden, Trinitee Stokes, Tammy Townsend, and Kadeem Hardison.

K.C. Undercover is a unique premise for a family series that’s kid-friendly but a little more complex than the typical Disney Channel series, but it’s still lighthearted and simple enough to appeal to most ages. It’s also Zendaya’s last major Disney show before transitioning to more adult roles.

Stream K.C Undercover on Disney+ here.

If you want more John David Washington options, BlackKklansman is available to rent or purchase on VOD and Monster will be available on Netflix in 2021. You can next see Washington in Beckett,a thriller coming to Netflix in 2021. You can next watch Zendaya in Dune. Dune will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on October 1. You can also catch Zendaya reprise her role as M.J. in the untitled Spider-Man 3 movie. It’s currently scheduled for a December 17 release.

Watch Zendaya and John David Washington as Malcolm and Marie in Malcolm & Marie streaming on Netflix on February 5. Stream it here.

Set to be released in theaters this Friday for a limited run before arriving on Netflix next month, Sam Levinson's Malcolm And Marie has earned a mostly warm reception from critics, though there has been some controversy surrounding the film. Namely, some have pointed at the film as the latest example of Hollywood pairing an older actor with a younger actress, as there is a 12-year age gap between the 36-year-old John David Washington and the 24-year-old Zendaya. It's a conversation that will likely continue to spark debate as the film gets closer to its streaming run, but adding his two cents to the mix, Washington has defended the choice primarily because of the maturity that he saw from his co-star.

The Tenet actor recently spoke with Variety about Malcolm And Marie, which was entirely conceptualized and created during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the trade reporter asked John David Washington for his opinion about the age gap criticism. In defense of Zendaya's casting, the actor explained that while she may be young, she very much demonstrates herself as a full adult in the new movie. Said Washington,

What John David Washington points out is interesting, as it's notable that one of the reasons the audience sees Zendaya as being young is because of the roles that she plays. In both the Spider-Man movies and Euphoria she plays a teenager (not to mention of her many years as a "Disney Kid"), but in truth she is in her mid-20s. On a certain level, Hollywood has conditioned viewers to see her as being younger than she actually is.

It should also be noted that the age gap between the two stars does have a role to play in Malcolm & Marie and how the characters are presented. Malcolm (John David Washington) is a director who we meet as he and Marie (Zendaya) are coming home from his first successful movie premiere, and while the mood starts mostly positive in the movie, it turns sour quickly as she confronts him about not getting a "Thank you" in a speech he gave. It turns out that this is just the tip of the iceberg as far as conflict in their relationship, however, and more is uncovered as the drama unfolds.

It's the first time that John David Washington and Zendaya have had the opportunity to work together, and the former isn't wrong when he says that his co-star's experience in the industry outweighs his. Zendaya got her first starring role in 2010 at the age of 14 on the Disney Channel series Shake It Up, and her career has evolved tremendously over the last decade. Washington's experience technically goes back further, as he had bit appearances in movies with his father, Denzel Washington, early in his life (including Malcolm X and Devil In A Blue Dress), but his big acting break only came in 2015 playing Ricky Jerret on the HBO series Ballers.

Continuing, John David Washington expressed real admiration for the mature perspective that Zendaya brought to the table in the making of Malcolm & Marie, saying,

After starting its run on the big screen this Friday, Malcolm And Marie will be heading to Netflix on February 5. You can check out my review here, and check out our 2021 Netflix premiere schedule to find out what other originals are hitting the streaming service this year.