Some of the most enduring stars got their starts more than six decades ago, and they are still going strong today. Stars like Harrison Ford, Dame Judi Dench, Jeff Bridges, and even Jodie Foster have been acting their whole lives, and their amazing careers will live on forever. Here is our list of amazing actors who started in the 1960s and are still working today.

Robert Duvall

After cutting his teeth with some television appearances starting in 1959, Robert Duvall made one of the most memorable film debuts of all time as Boo Radley in 1962's To Kill A Mockingbird. Duvall hasn't stopped stealing scenes in the 60+ years since. He's starred in some of the greatest movies ever, like The Godfather, and won an Oscar for Tender Mercies. His most recent credit is The Pale Blue Eye from 2022.

Sally Field

Sally Field is truly America's sweetheart. Her breakout role came on the classic TV show Gidget, and she's starred in some legendary movies and TV shows ever since. With roles in movies as diverse as Smokey and the Bandit, Forrest Gump, and Fried Green Tomatoes, Field has proven she can handle any role she takes on.

Clint Eastwood

There are no bigger legends in Hollywood history than Clint Eastwood. Not much has been said here. His career started in earnest with Spaghetti Westerns, and he's been directing and starring in movies ever since.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda is Hollywood royalty as the daughter of Henry Fonda, so it's no surprise that she started her career at a young age. Her first credit goes all the way back to 16960's Tall Story, and she's still starring in movies today, like 2023's 80 for Brady.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman's career really didn't take off on screen until the 1980s (though he had plenty of credits in the '70s, too). He started mostly on stage in the 1960s and kept his focus there until landing a TV gig in 1971 on PBS's The Electric Company. Today, he remains one of America's most beloved stars.

Shirley MacLaine

Shirley MacLaine made her film debut way back in 1955 and by the 1960s was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. Her star has never dimmed in the decades since, either, with memorable roles in Downton Abbey and the live-action The Little Mermaid in 2018.

Dustin Hoffman

When you burst onto the scene in a movie like The Graduate, as Dustin Hoffman did in 1967, it's pretty much a guarantee you're going to be a star. In the 60 years since that seminal movie, Hoffman has won countless awards and starred in everything from comedies like Tootsie to dramas like Rain Man, getting nominated for Oscars for both (and winning his second for the latter).

Faye Dunaway

If you look at a list of the best movies of all time, you'll notice Faye Dunaway in the credits of many of them. Starting with Bonnie and Clyde in 1967, right up until the 2020s. She took a small hiatus in the teens, but has been back working regularly since.

Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell's career started when he was just a kid, often starring in Disney projects. It's even Hollywood folklore that Walt Disney's last words were when he scrawled Russell's name on a piece of paper. Though there is no way to know when the note was written. Still, for the better part of seven decades, Kurt Russell has been a Hollywood superstar.

Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren (you know they are important when they get a title like "Dame") started in film in 1966, and that was after having already started acting professionally on stage in the UK. She's never stopped, including starring in the recent hit MobLand on Paramount+

Anthony Hopkins

Sir Anthony Hopkins' first credited film role came in the Shakespeare adaptation The Lion in Winter in 1968 alongside Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn. He's since become one of the most beloved actors of his generation and has won countless awards and accolades.

Jodie Foster

If you look at Jodie Foster's credits, you might think she started in the 1970s as a teenager, but she was starring in commercials as far back as 1967 when she was just three years old.

Jeff Bridges

When you have a legend for a father like Jeff Bridges with Lloyd Bridges, its not hard to understand how he got his start so young. His amazing career in the decades since can only be credited to his immense talent, charm, and charisma on and off screen. And that's not, like, my opinion, man, it's a fact.

Rita Moreno

Puerto Rican superstar Rita Moreno can do it all. She can act, she can sing, and she can dance, and she's been dancing into our hearts since she first way back in 1950! For those of you counting, that's EIGHT decades of excellence.

Judi Dench

Like Dame Helen Mirren, Dame Judy Dench started in the theater, especially doing Shakespeare plays. Her first professional stage credits date back to 1957, and right up through the 2020s, she's been a favorite of millions. One of the best actors of her generation, it's crazy she's only won one Oscar (for Shakespeare in Love).

Harrison Ford

The first thing you might think of when you think of Harrison Ford is Star Wars or Indiana Jones. It's true that it was those movies in the late '70s and early '80s that made him a superstar, but his career started humbly with roles in movies like A Time for Killing and Luv in 1967.

Sophia Loren

For more than 70 years, Sophia Loren has been a star in Europe and the United States. She started in her native Italy in 1950 before coming Stateside in 1958 when she signed on to star in movies for Paramount. Before long, she was a superstar on both sides of the pond.

Warren Beatty

Like his co-star in Bonnie and Clyde, Faye Dunaway, Warren Beatty has been a star in Hollywood for decades. He's also been discerning in the roles he's taken over the years, so he doesn't have a long list of credits like most of the people on this list. That's not because his star dimmed. He's just particular, and that is something we all strive for.

Barbra Streisand

What can we really say about Barbra Streisand? She's a legendary singer and actor, and she's equally well-known for both. There are few stars as enduring and amazing as "Babs."

Robert Redford

Though he is officially retired now, Robert Redford is still one of the biggest Hollywood stars today (and ever). His career started with early roles on shows like The Twilight Zone, and by the time he hung up his cleats, so to speak, the star of The Natural was one of the biggest stars in the history of the industry.

Blythe Danner

Like many on this list, Blythe Danner started her professional career on Broadway and Off-Broadway in the 1960s. Her first movie credit came in 1972, but by then, she was a seasoned pro. She may be best known as the mother of Gwyneth Paltrow these days, but that is selling her way short, as she's been an award-winning actress for decades.

Al Pacino

Famously, Al Pacino entered the American consciousness in 1972's The Godfather, but he'd been working for a few years at that point, mostly on stage. His film debut was in Me, Natalie, alongside Sopranos cast member Nancy Marchand. He has been widely considered one of the best actors of his generation ever since.

Ellen Burstyn

Though her breakthrough didn't come until 1971 with The Last Picture Show, Ellen Burstyn had been picking up small roles on TV shows for years at that point. She has since gone on to win an Academy Award, a Tony Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards, a BAFTA, and a Golden Globe Award. Not too shabby.

Robert De Niro

When you ask someone who the best actor of the last 60 years is, there is a decent chance Robert De Niro will be the name that comes out of their mouth. For many, many decades, De Niro has been stealing scenes and working his tail off to be the best actor he can be. He's gained weight for roles, dropped weight for others, and gotten completely cut for still others. All the while delivering his trademark charm and skills.

Cher

If you could turn back time and you were taking bets in the 1960s that Cher would still be one of the biggest stars in the world in the 2020s, you would probably get pretty good odds that she wouldn't be. She's proven everyone wrong, winning an Oscar for Moonstruck and continuing to wow audiences with her concerts.

Martin Sheen

It's hard to say just what role Martin Sheen will be best remembered for long after he's gone. Will it be Jeb Bartlett on The West Wing? Captain Benjamin L. Willard in Apocalypse Now? Carl Fox in Wall Street? Robert E. Lee in Gettysburg? What is for sure is that Sheen, who landed his first movie role in 1967, will be remembered fondly by millions of fans.

Vanessa Redgrave

English actress Vanessa Redgrave got her star in period pieces like A Man For All Seasons and Camelot in the 1960s. She parlayed that into a decades-long career that is still going, including a role in Cold Storage in 2025.

Ian McKellen

For modern generations, Ian McKellen is known for his roles as Gandalf the Grey and Magneto, but his career is so, so much more. One of the great Shakespearean actors of the last 60 years, he's been starring on stage and screen since the mid-'60s.

Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen found her biggest fame in the 1990s with Murphy Brown, but her career started way back in 1966 in the Sidney Lumet film The Group. She was a model before that, and has turned in role after beloved role on TV and in films.

Ron Howard

These days, Ron Howard is pretty much sticking just to directing, and he's an ace director to be sure. He famously started his Hollywood career as a kid in the 1950s and became a child star in the '60s as Opie Taylor on The Andy Griffith Show. He later starred in Happy Days, before getting behind the camera and becoming one of the great directors of his time.

Goldie Hawn

Goldie Hawn first became a household name in 1968 when she starred in Laugh-In. She's been a star ever since, including starring in a slew of box office hits in the '70s and '80s. There is no question she is one of the funniest actors of her generation, and now she's also the mother to some big stars, too, in Wyatt Russell and Kate Hudson. Not a bad legacy to leave.

Patrick Stewart

Like others on this list, Patrick Stewart will be best known for roles that came in the second half of his career, like Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Professor X in The X-Men series. Of course, his career is much more than those two roles. It's a career that started in TV in the '60s on British shows like Coronation Street and Civilisation.

Even the biggest and brightest stars of Hollywood have movies that they’d rather not mention being a part of in polite company. And the list you’re about to read has some of the most infamous examples of those types of projects making silver screen history…just not in the way one would have expected.

Tom Hanks - The Bonfire Of The Vanities

While we’ve seen Tom Hanks’ comments on why The Bonfire of the Vanities didn’t work, the movie’s infamy as a box office dud is something he probably doesn’t address all that often. And who could blame him, as the public considered America’s Dad to be the worst casting choice to lead a satire about the amorality of late ‘80s/early ‘90s stockbrokers.

Jamie Lee Curtis - Virus

The film adaptation of Dark Horse Comics’ Virus is uncompromisingly bad, no matter if you’re familiar with the book or not. But the most entertaining thing to come out of it was the fact that star Jamie Lee Curtis has taken every chance to roast this picture with the most cutting of remarks. It’s truly one of the best cases of entertainers who have trashed their own movies.

Michael Caine - Jaws: The Revenge

This is an example of using class and wit to politely stuff a movie like Jaws: The Revenge into the trash bin of life. Actor Michael Caine’s remarks about never seeing the film, but loving its payday, is something that always hits like the best line at a cocktail party celebrating the movies we love to loathe.

Emily Blunt - Gulliver’s Travels

History almost gave us an Iron Man 2 with Emily Blunt playing the role of Black Widow. And then contractual obligations forced Ms. Blunt to pass, in favor of starring in the Jack Black vehicle Gulliver’s Travels. So yeah, maybe it’s best not to mention this one to this star of A Quiet Place, no matter how much you think she might laugh.

Dennis Quaid - Jaws 3-D

All legendary actors have the gigs that make them, and the ones that they took so early in their career that they’d rather not think about them. Dennis Quaid’s role in Jaws 3-D more than likely falls into the latter bucket, as it’s one of the two Jaws sequels that failed to make the cut with even the franchise’s most devoted fans.

Viola Davis - The Help

Academy Award winner Viola Davis scored a nomination for her role in Tate Taylor’s film adaptation of The Help. Despite her performance’s excellence, Davis still maintains her opinion of regretting having taken part in the movie’s production, and the resulting product. 

Bill Murray - Garfield

No cinematic icon is immune to trickery, especially a trickster like Bill Murray. With his infamous Garfield casting story seeing the comedy legend mistake the movie’s writer for one of the Coen Bros, you can kind of see why he’d use his Zombieland cameo in 2009 to poke fun at the film being his only life’s regret.

Mariah Carey - Glitter

Glitter wasn’t enough of a disaster to kill Mariah Carey’s acting career, and to her credit, she went on to deliver some amazing performances in films like Lee Daniels’ Precious. But whoo-boy, does this musical drama still sting to think about from time to time? 

Elijah Wood - North

While there’s an interesting selection of beloved films Roger Ebert absolutely hated, North is one of the flops that the legendary film critic rightfully roasted. Though it definitely wasn’t Elijah Wood’s fault, it’s probably best if you don’t approach him about this one without some sort of care. 

Jennifer Lopez - Gigli

As a legendary turkey in the world of infamously bad movies, even Gigli’s director Martin Brest has pointed thoughts about that epic fail. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s colossal dud of a rom-com has more than earned its place on the bad side of history, and one could bet that even its mere mention would inspire the most withering side eye from J.Lo herself. 

George Clooney - Batman & Robin

If there’s a constant in George Clooney’s career as an entertainer, it’s his regret over Batman and Robin. Stepping in after Val Kilmer bolted on Joel Schumacher’s second Gotham-based tentpole, you can bet the ER heartthrob wishes he could use a time machine to go back and prevent this experience from ever happening. 

Renee Zellweger - Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

Out of the Oscar-winning pair of Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey, it’s a safe bet that Ms. Zellweger would be the one who’d want to keep Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation off the table of discussion. Then again, she might be a bit more relaxed on the subject since so much time has passed. 

Robert Downey Jr. - The Shaggy Dog

Early on in his mid-Aughts comeback, Robert Downey Jr. diversified his acting portfolio with everything from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to Good Night, and Good Luck. And mixed in with the lot was his role as the antagonist in Tim Allen’s remake of The Shaggy Dog. Downey would probably talk about the movie if asked, but one has to wonder what he’d say? 

Emma Watson - The Circle

For someone like Emma Watson, an actor who chooses their projects with a level of mindfulness and message in mind, The Circle must have seemed like a good choice. But the eventual public reaction to the film may have caused the Harry Potter vet to think twice even before approaching source material with names as storied as author Dave Eggers and director James Ponsoldt attached. 

Eddie Murphy - The Adventures of Pluto Nash

The Adventures of Pluto Naash is a habitual punching bag when folks choose to talk about the most infamous disasters in movie history. And thanks to that distinction, even the very open Eddie Murphy wouldn’t be mistaken for keeping this sci-fi/comedy flameout away from the conversation. 

Lucy Liu - Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever is an infamous movie without even taking into account that it somehow managed to snag the star power of Lucy Liu into its clutches. Admittedly, so few people remember this one that it doesn’t feel like she’d have to be on guard for random fans mentioning its existence. 

Matt Damon - The Great Wall

You might think that the “white savior” worries of Matt Damon’s character in The Great Wall are the reason he might not want to talk about this massive box office dud. But the fact of the matter is, he’d probably politely decline any discussion on the matter because it was a thundering failure that didn’t really win him any new fans.

Jennifer Lawrence - Dark Phoenix

How much did Jennifer Lawrence distance herself from the X-Men movies by time she made Dark Phoenix? Well, not only was her time in makeup severely reduced/scaled back in quality, but she died quite early in the final X-Men prequel from the Fox days. Maybe that's part of why the two-part structure was abandoned prior to its release. 

Sylvester Stallone - Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

It’s the movie so bad that Arnold Schwarzenegger tricked Sylvester Stallone into starring in it. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot is still a punch line for the Rocky franchise star/director, even decades after the film was released and tanked. One has to wonder how awkward some of those Planet Hollywood openings were, thanks to this awkward piece of history existing.

Lily Collins - Rules Don’t Apply

Actor Lily Collins is a talent that has the old Hollywood look down to a tee and isn’t afraid to show it. That confidence is probably what got her cast in Warren Beatty’s misguided rom-com Rules Don’t Apply, and to be fair, she and co-star Alden Ehrenreich are two of the only bright spots in this mostly forgettable throwback. 

Eddie Redmayne - Jupiter Ascending

If anyone is ready to admit Eddie Redmayne’s Jupiter Ascending performance is bad, it’s the man himself. While some might be inclined to give him more credit for his work in the Wachowski’s far-flung space opera, Redmayne’s criticisms of his role do come with some important caveats. 

Jennifer Hudson - Sandy Wexler

Adam Sandler is a talent who’s able to draw a wide range of actors into his orbit, and his Netflix movie Sandy Wexler was no exception. Playing a talent agent who knows a good client when he sees one, Jennifer Hudson is one of the people he rightfully tries to fast-track to fame. By no means does that proper judgment mean that this movie is something she, or most viewers, would even remember.

Hugh Jackman - Pan

Some flops crash and burn with very little trace of the wreckage. Others, like the Hugh Jackman starring Peter Pan adaptation Pan, collapse under ill-fated ambitions that don’t end up adding up in the end. But at least we got Jackman’s Captain Hook singing “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” in a totally bonkers musical number.

Pedro Pascal - Wonder Woman 1984

Pedro Pascal is almost universally recognized as one of, if not the best part of Wonder Woman 1984. That still feels like a far cry from something The Mandalorian star would even want to discuss, as its infamy is something that still echoes pretty strongly so close to its initial execution.

Dame Judi Dench - Cats

You can always count on an acting talent as iconic as Dame Judi Dench to tell it like it is. And whether it was reacting to her Razzie award nomination or the final look of her character in 2019’s Cats, she certainly hasn’t left any of her thoughts to the imagination. 

Daisy Ridley - Chaos Walking

One would probably think that Daisy Ridley would merely not want to remember Chaos Walking because of its unsuccessful bid for box office success. However, the protracted production and crazy amounts of reshoots and edits have probably ensured that the Star Wars vet has actually forgotten the ins and outs of this failed YA franchise.

Ben Kingsley - A Sound of Thunder

You don’t get to be an actor as legendary as Ben Kingsley without logging some seriously wild projects like A Sound of Thunder on your resume. This 2005 sci-fi disaster is so ill-regarded that its Game Boy video game adaptation is seen as a more favorable experience. That’s both terribly unique and just plain old terrible. 

Brendan Fraser - Monkeybone

Brendan Fraser is a lovable actor who knows how, and when, to get goofy. It’s just a shame that a project like Monkeybone never understood how to use those skills to its advantage, saddling The Mummy star with a movie that he more than likely hasn’t thought about for some time. 

Scarlett Johansson - Ghost In The Shell

There are some who might defend the live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson. Considering how much the movie has been rejected by even the source anime’s fans, and the kerfluffle that came from her casting as Major Mira Killian being seen as a bit of whitewashing, this project is probably one that the Marvel veteran would reasonably remain silent on.

Keanu Reeves - 47 Ronin

It’s not Keanu Reeves’ fault that 47 Ronin was a stinker for the ages. Although if one were to mention the movie to him in passing, he’d probably just smile and laugh, charmingly admitting defeat in that particular case of cinematic disaster. 

Will Smith - Gemini Man

What’s worse than a movie failing with one Will Smith in the starring role? Apparently, a technologically advanced picture like Gemini Man, which saw Smith playing against a CGI de-aged younger version of himself. Finally, a movie that rivals Wild Wild West for infamy on Mr. Smith’s resume.

Jack Nicholson - How Do You Know?

Jack Nicholson has been comfortably retired ever since making 2010’s How Do You Know? One has to wonder if he’d be equally as comfortable if he were to be prompted to remember the experience and the fallout that came from its release into theaters. 

As you can see, even the most talented of actors have their potential sore spots in conversation. Maybe they're not as shy about discussing these films as we'd think, and you can get a good story out of the deal. In any case, if there was a class of losers that the best and brightest of Hollywood wished they could forget, this is more than a formidable crop of titles that would fit that bill for good reason.

Dame Judi Dench has been in more James Bond movies than some of the stars who played 007s and is the longest serving cast member in the franchise. The legendary actress played M, the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service for the MI6 agency, for eight Bond movies. She also holds the distinction of having worked with two Bond actors, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Now, she's reflecting on her time in the role, specifically what it was like meeting Brosnan for the first time. And I have to say, I feel these thoughts so much.

The Oscar winner chatted with People, during which her memorable run as M within the James Bond franchise came up. When she took the job in the mid '90s, even the decorated actress was nervous considering the loftiness of the franchise. James Bond was a beloved character, and GoldenEye was the first film to feature Pierce Brosnan in the lead role. The Dame talked about feeling jumpy on the first day, but also being struck by how cute and wonderful the leading man was from the jump:

I mean, can you really blame her for feeling that way after meeting the Mrs. Doubtfire alum? The leading man is still very debonair today but, years ago, he was practically the epitome of cool.

The two co-stars ended up working together for the four Brosnan-led James Bond films, and Judi Dench clearly took a liking to her handsome colleague. While the debate on who the best Bond is is an ongoing debate amongst fans, many agree that Brosnan’s look was perfect for the historic character. Some prefer the more rugged Daniel Craig in the more recent movies or the womanizing cheekiness of Sean Connery’s 1960s performance. But no one really seemed to be as striking as Brosnan. Dench echoed this sentiment, mentioning how her daughter was equally taken by the actor when she met him:

Who can blame her? The star's coolness was unmatched in the 90s, and I can't say that I wouldn't have been somewhat flustered over being around him. After his final performance as the character in 2002's Die Another Day, the Bond franchise had to pivot to a completely different aesthetic and energy when casting Craig. Brosnan’s perfection was almost irreplaceable in this fan's eyes and, ultimately, the producers had to revamp the idea of what James Bond was. I’m sure portraying a beloved character like M was intimidating, but playing opposite a Bond like Brosnan was in its own way equally intimidating it seems. On that note, shout out to the imposing Judi Dench for admitting that even she felt the way a number of us probably would have.

The kind of standard that actors like Pierce Brosnan set for 007 is why casting the character is a tedious process. The producers of the Bond movies have more recently been working on casting the role for the future and have seemingly put a lot of time into finding the perfect face to take on the mantle. Even replacing Dame Judi Dench after her character died in Spectre wasn’t easy, and the team decided to completely pivot by casting Ralph Finnes as M. 

With Daniel Craig's tenure now done, it'll be interesting to see if casting directors will continue go down the more rugged, modern lane, maybe casting someone like Tom Hardy, who topped the casting odds at one point. However, more recent rumors have suggested that Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been cast in the role. That's yet to be confirmed. Regardless of what lies ahead though, I think most would agree with Judi Dench that there's something special about Pierce Brosnan's portrayal. I'd like to imagine that some viewers still buckle at the knees today whenever his dapper iteration of 007 on screen.

On that note, fans of the franchise can revisit Pierce Brosnan and Dame Judi Dench’s performances in their four Bond movies together. Some of the movies are streaming, including Die Another Day, which is now available for Max subscribers. For more information on where to check out other movies in the franchise, read up on how to watch all the 007 movies.

As much as we like to see Hollywood as a dream factory, some projects can be total nightmares. Maybe people realize that fact during production, or maybe it’s a big case of hindsight providing 20/20 vision; but eventually there comes a time when an entertainer decides that their own movie is the enemy. For one reason or another, the list we’re about to share with you is a bunch of cases where that sort of takedown was warranted by the talent that had to endure making them in the first place. 

Jamie Lee Curtis - Virus

No matter how many times the 1999 sci-fi horror movie Virus comes up, it seems that Jamie Lee Curtis has a colorful variety of responses that detail just how flat-out horrible the finished product was. And depending on which interview you read, the language can get just as cheeky, so reader discretion is definitely advised. 

Michael Caine - Jaws: The Revenge

If you ever want a lesson in destroying a cinematic turkey with great wit and class, look up Michael Caine’s remarks on Jaws: The Revenge. Simultaneously admitting he’d never watched the film, but loved the personal enrichment that came from it, it’s one of the best moments of Sir Michael’s legendary charm at work.

Charlize Theron - Reindeer Games

How bad is the perennial punchline Reindeer Games? Well, if you ask Charlize Theron like Esquire did back in 2008, the Ben Affleck co-starring film is "a bad, bad, bad movie." So that question's pretty much asked and answered. 

George Clooney - Batman and Robin

George Clooney’s continued Batman regrets will never stop being entertaining. Playing that very DC hero in 1997’s Batman & Robin, the infamously campy Joel Schumacher picture holds a very special place in the ER veteran’s heart; and it’s one of intensely self-deprecating comedy. 

Katherine Heigl - Knocked Up

The story about Katherine Heigl and her apparent lack of love for Knocked Up is one that’s circulated pretty much since Judd Apatow’s 2008 comedy mega-hit landed. However, it seems that years after the star seemed to slam her own movie, Heigl’s 2016 comments on the matter painted a different picture.

Christopher Plummer - The Sound of Music

How an actor like the late great Christopher Plummer could grow to despise a musical like The Sound of Music is still a mystery. Well, it’s puzzling in the sense that his apparent criticism of its sentimental and emotional nature feels a bit rough. Despite his misgivings, the Rodgers and Hammerstein adaptation remains one of Christopher Plummer’s best roles. 

Sally Field - The Amazing Spider-Man

Comic book movies aren’t for everyone, and The Amazing Spider-Man’s Sally Field admitted just that when talking about her role as Andrew Garfield’s Aunt May. Field’s reason for taking the role as a favor to her friend, late producer Laura Ziskin, is still sweet. But digging into Sally’s comments about the Marvel role, it would seem that there isn’t enough money in the Multiverse to bring the Academy Award winner back for any hypothetical follow-ups.

Edward Norton - The Italian Job

One of the most infamous stories of modern movie feuds, Edward Norton’s reluctance to play the villain in The Italian Job remake came down to two words: contractual obligations. As Observer covered in the lead-up to the movie’s production, Norton fulfilled his duties; but did so while taking every chance to put the project down. 

Jessica Alba - Fantastic Four

When your director tells you that CGI tears are better than the actual waterworks you’re providing on set, to say things are problematic is a bit of an understatement. That’s the scenario that Jessica Alba faced on Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which she revealed to Elle Magazine (via Today) as the reason she almost quit acting. 

Bill Murray - Garfield: The Movie

Confusion is something that even a legendary comedian like Bill Murray can admit to falling into from time to time. It just so happens that one of those times saw the legacy cast member of Ghostbusters accidentally assume one of The Coen Bros. wrote Garfield: The Movie. Thankfully for Murray, he only had to make one sequel before the franchise shifted gears to another iteration.

Jennifer Lawrence - Passengers

When Adele tells you to skip a movie like Passengers, that’s a sign you should take to heart. Unfortunately, Jennifer Lawrence ignored this advice, and what resulted was a movie that is as questionable as it is baffling. On the plus side, hearing Ms. Lawrence trash that movie means that the project is technically a valuable source of entertainment.

Channing Tatum - G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra

We’ve all kind of known that Channing Tatum despises G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra; and rightfully so. But just how horrible was the man’s opinion of this past franchise starter? Well, not only did he pass on this project seven times, but when G.I. Joe: Retaliation came about, Tatum requested to be killed off in that very sequel. 

Viola Davis - The Help

Despite the contemporary hoopla that saw The Help become an Academy Awards darling at 2012’s Oscars, Viola Davis’ opinion on the movie is far from golden. Indeed, the project has become more and more scrutinized as time goes on, and Davis’ upset with the movie has only developed more nuance over time. 

Ryan Reynolds - Green Lantern

Even if you knew nothing about Ryan Reynolds starring in the much-maligned Green Lantern adaptation, his dislike for the picture is legendary. Especially when part of Deadpool 2’s wild time travel-correcting ending saw the Marvel anti-hero icing his reality-bound actor before even getting to make the film. 

Halle Berry - Catwoman

The downside to Halle Berry being in Catwoman is that she, unfortunately, had to actually make the movie. However, the upside to this painful experience is that Berry’s quips and jabs at her unfortunate DC Comics entry continue to show her impeccable sense of humor. 

Oscar Isaac - X-Men: Apocalypse

While Oscar Isaac doesn’t outright disown his X-Men movie, he does express serious regret for taking on the titular role in X-Men: Apocalypse. Though if you were cast to act up against James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, only to have your abilities hampered by an abundance of prosthetics, you’d probably be pretty steamed too. 

Dame Judi Dench - Cats

Not many actors would consider a Razzie nomination entertaining, or even valid. But then again, Cats' Dame Judi Dench isn't "most actors." Proud to have not seen the film, or read its reviews, the famed performer laughed off her own nomination, and even compared her character's final look to a bunch of foxes engaged in some not-so-family-friendly activity. 

Matt Damon - The Bourne Ultimatum

For as much cultural cache as the Jason Bourne movies still have in the world, it’s kind of astounding that the subpar reaction to some of the sequels doesn’t seem to have dampened that pedigree. That’s an especially good question after Matt Damon’s trashing of The Bourne Ultimatum script somehow didn’t prevent the worst sin that franchise has committed, 2016’s Jason Bourne. 

Megan Fox - Transformers

Megan Fox’s relationship with the Transformers franchise saw her putting the Hasbro toy franchise on blast after the release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. More specifically, her comments comparing Michael Bay to Hitler allegedly helped distance her even further from the series that she apparently has no particular love for. 

Matthew Goode - Leap Year

In remarks to The Telegraph about his role in the rom-com Leap Year, Matthew Goode fully admitted that the Amy Adams starring vehicle wasn’t exactly ideal for his tastes. Taking a page out of Michael Caine’s proverbial book on silver linings, Goode did admit that one of the reasons he did enjoy being part of the project was the fact that he could go home easily on the weekends. 

Kate Winslet - Titanic

While the world fell in love with Kate Winslet after her role in Titanic, the actor herself didn’t exactly love watching herself put in, what she feels, was a performance full of errors. Even in a legacy interview with CNN, Winslet criticized everything, even her American accent.  

Mark Wahlberg - Boogie Nights

Boogie Nights was a star making performance for Mark Wahlberg, and to this day it’s a role that’s aged well on his resume. And yet, Wahlberg has asked God to forgive him for making the Paul Thomas Anderson masterpiece, regarding it the biggest mistake of his career. 

Michelle Pfeiffer - Grease 2

Allegedly, Michelle Pfeiffer was cited to have chalked up her experience with Grease 2 as a case of being young and not knowing how to pick a good script. While those stories persist, Pfieffer has apparently started to set the record straight, attributing her supposed Grease sequel bashing to misreported remarks that grew a life of their own.

Sir Alec Guinness - Star Wars

While Sir Alec Guinness’ reaction to watching Star Wars was one of being refreshed, his outlook on taking the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn’t as rosy. Actually making George Lucas’ sci-fi opus was a different story, with Guinness’ on-set feelings seeing the legendary actor less than pleased in the middle of production.

Miriam Margolyes - The Harry Potter Series

Harry Potter fans have been a frequent source of discussion for actor Miriam Margolyes. The performer who brought Madame Sprout to live in the film adaptation of the series not only has no personal connection with the franchise but she’s also shared some thoughts on adult Potter fans that have kicked up more dirt than one of her Herbology classes.

Sylvester Stallone - Stop, Or My Mom Will Shoot!

The widely reported story of how Sylvester Stallone became the action lead in Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot! is thanks to his feud with action star Arnold Schwarzenegger. Apparently, Arnie tricked him into thinking he wanted the movie, which led Stallone to lobby for the part, and win it. His enduring torment can still be heard to this day, and Sly has even suggested the film as a form of interrogation enhancement. Yikes.

Dakota Johnson - Madame Web

Madame Web seems to be an experience that barely anyone enjoyed, even the actors who starred in the movie. Dakota Johnson’s skewering of the finished product, while extremely erudite and empathetic towards herself and the rest of the cast, cuts to the core problems that some feel superhero movies have possessed since day one. 

Daniel Radcliffe - Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Out of all the Harry Potter movies Daniel Radcliffe has fronted, the one that comes in as his least favorite is the sixth entry, The Half Blood Prince. Radcliffe called his own performance “one-note,” especially when compared to his own personal favorite: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Jennifer Aniston - Leprechaun

Jennifer Aniston’s performance in Leprechaun makes her cringe to this day. So much so that in a 2019 interview on The Howard Stern Show, she mentioned that she tried and failed to stop her then-boyfriend Justin Theroux from watching the film; much to her dismay. 

Brad Pitt - The Devil’s Own

“20 pages of dog…” You can fill that phrase in for yourself, but Brad Pitt’s Newsweek interview about 1997’s The Devil’s Own said all that needed to be said about the actor’s feelings for the Harrison Ford co-starring drama. 

Sandra Bullock - Speed 2: Cruise Control

Some experience will stick with you, no matter how hard you try. Sandra Bullock’s no-sequel rule was an echo of such a trauma, thanks to her displeasure with Speed 2: Cruise Control. Admittedly, her concerns about a large cruise ship not being as perceptively speedy as a city bus were part of the equation as well, and can you blame her? 

Robert Pattinson - Twilight

Robert Pattinson’s hate affair with the Twilight Saga is as well-documented as the memes that have committed the franchise’s dialogue to memory. Thankfully, the man didn’t develop an aversion to bats, otherwise The Batman wouldn’t have happened; which is probably one of the best things that actually came out of Twilight when you think about it.

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this trip in the trenches with stars who had to tell it like it is. Judging by some of the movies mentioned here, it might be safe to say that for the most part, these reactions were spot on. But if you’re ever wondering why a movie you're fond of might be slammed by an actor or entertainer involved, keep these tales of woe in mind, and try not to take it too personally.

Stories about Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses have long been a Hollywood favorite. Sure, there are amazing fictional kings and queens like T’Challa in Black Panther and Abe Froman, the Sausage King of Chicago in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, but this list is about the real ones. Historical depictions of some of the greatest, and worst, monarchs in world history. Kings like Henry VIII and Louis XIV. Queens like Elizabeth II and Victoria. Sure, the movies they appear in are not always the most historically accurate, but that doesn’t diminish the portrayals of royalty by these fine actors. 

Patrick McGoohan As King Edward I - Braveheart

Braveheart is far from the most historically accurate movie of all time, but one character that Mel Gibson and company at least got close to correct is Edward I, or Edward Longshanks, as he was known in the movie and at the time. He was a brutal, remorseless leader, and fought with the Scots for most of his reign. Patrick McGoohan’s performance of Edward is great, one of the real highlights of the movie. 

Judi Dench As Queen Elizabeth I - Shakespeare In Love

To be sure, Shakespeare In Love isn’t as loved today as it was when it was released in 1998. Its upset win for Best Picture at the 1999 Oscars over Saving Private Ryan is still questioned and the movie is often maligned unfairly. One reason it's unfair is Judi Dench’s fantastic performance as Queen Elizabeth I. 

Emily Blunt As Queen Victoria - The Young Victoria

Most of the images we see of Queen Victoria come from later her in her long reign, after Prince Albert died and the older queen was seen wearing black and looking dour. The Young Victoria is a fresh take, showing the queen, played by Emily Blunt, as young and vibrant. It wasn’t a huge hit in the United States, but it’s a really good movie, with a great performance by Blunt. 

Kenneth Branagh As King Henry V - Henry V

Kenneth Branagh has done more for Shakespeare in the modern age than anyone in Hollywood and the prime example is his portrayal of the titular king in Henry V. His delivery of the famous St. Crispin's Day speech is worth the price of admission alone. 

Colin Firth As King George VI - The King's Speech

Colin Firth’s performance and King George VI in The King’s Speech is as close to perfect as possible and well deserving of the Oscar he was awarded for it. Firth brilliantly plays both the reluctant king’s vulnerability and his strength. It’s a fine line to walk, as both are completely necessary to understand King George VI in full. 

Kirsten Dunst As Marie Antoinette - Marie Antoinette

Marie Antoinette is one of the most infamous royals of all time. The French queen is notorious in history for her aloof attitude towards the revolting French peasants during the French Revolution. The film Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst as the titular queen, did wow audiences at first, but has since become one of Sofia Coppola’s most respected films, and with good reason. It’s a very modern movie telling an old story and Dunst’s performance enhances that perfectly. 

Elizabeth Taylor As Cleopatra - Cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor’s performance in Cleopatra is one of the most iconic in Hollywood history. Though it deserves some criticism from more enlightened modern audiences, it doesn’t diminish the performance. Taylor is amazing and only a star like her could carry a movie on the scale and scope of Cleopatra. It’s a true Hollywood epic from the Golden Age of Hollywood and Taylor is as glamorous as any actor could be. 

Timothée Chalamet As King Henry V - The King

It’s not easy for any actor to step into one of Shakespeare’s best characters like Henry V in Henry V. This is a character that Laurence Olivier played on the silver screen for goodness sake!  Timothée Chalamet took the risk and it paid off for the actor and audiences in The King. The movie is a new take on Shakespeare’s plays,  taken from his four plays about historical English kings, so the pressure was on. Chalamet kills it in the movie, playing the role quite differently as others have, but it works for the updated version. 

Cate Blanchett As Queen Elizabeth I - Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a wonderful movie, anchored by a wonderful performance by Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth I. Blanchett returned for a sequel, Elizabeth: A Golden Age which was a less-than-wonderful movie, but Blanchett was once again great. The performances in both set a new standard for the historical figure who has been portrayed often on film. 

Janet Suzman As Tsarina Alexandra - Nicholas And Alexandra

One of the most pivotal moments of the 20th Century was the overthrow and execution of Tsar Nicolas of Russia and his family by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. It’s a story that has rarely been told on film in the West, but Nicholas And Alexandra is the rare exception. It’s a good movie, with a great Oscar-nominated performance by Janet Suzman.

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi As King Cetshwayo - Zulu

Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi is not a professional actor, and the great 1964 film Zulu is his only appearance. His role as King Cetshwayo is also not a large one, but he makes this list because one, he was an actual Zulu chief in South Africa, and two, he was the son of the man he plays. King Cetshwayo who led the Zulu Kingdom at the time of the war depicted in the movie, so while the part was not big, it’s important to have it on this list. 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers As King Henry VIII - The Tudors

One of the most popular depictions of royalty on screen in the last couple of decades has to be Jonathan Rhys Meyers As King Henry VIII in The Tudors. Meyers plays a young, dashing version of the king that most people know from his later portraits, looking less healthy than the king was as a young man. Henry VIII is one of the most notorious kings in English history and Meyers shows why, but also plays him as anti-hero we all kind of love. 

Helen Mirren As Queen Elizabeth II - The Queen

Helen Mirren's performance as Queen Elizabeth in the Queen is everything you would expect, as the The Dame plays the role with respect, but with with a toughness that the queen was known for behind closed doors. 

Sean Connery As King Richard - Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves

We couldn’t make this list without one of the most famous cameos of all time. It’s one of the shorter roles on the list, but Sean Connery’s surprise appearance as King Richard at the end of Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves shocked and delighted audiences. In real life, King Richard spent almost none of his time on the island of Great Britain, preferring to remain in Aquitaine in France, so it’s a bit of a stretch that he would be at a wedding in England, but no matter, he makes everyone smile. 

Trine Dyrholm As Queen Margrete - Margrete: Queen Of The North

Margaret I of Denmark is one of the most important monarchs in European history, to say nothing of her being a woman in power in the Middle Ages, which was very rare. Her story is well known in Scandinavia, but less known in the United States. That’s even more reason to watch the Danish movie Margrete: Queen Of The North, along with Trine Dyrholm’s performance of the queen. 

Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton As Queen Elizabeth II - The Crown

How do you put only one of the three women who played Queen Elizabeth II on The Crown with such aplomb on this list? You can’t, so all three, Claire Foy, Olivia Colman, and Imelda Staunton all make it. Each one brought their own panache to the role of the now-legendary queen who we lost in 2022. Foy and Coleman both won Emmys for the role and Staunton was nominated in 2023. It’s three fantastic performances by three wonderful actresses. They even got to act together at the end. 

Nigel Hawthorne As King George III - The Madness Of King George

King George III is most famous in the United States for being the king we fought a revolution against. While he is considered one of the greatest kings in English history, he also had a severe undiagnosed mental illness that affected him later in life. It’s that part of his life that The Madness Of King George is about. It’s a hard role to play, but Nigel Hawthorne nails the role. 

Leonardo DiCaprio As King Louis XIV - The Man In The Iron Mask

There are surprisingly few portrayals of King Louis XIV of France in English-language cinema, despite the Sun King being one of the most consequential monarchs in European history. The most notable one is a fictionalized version of King Louis by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Man In The Iron Mask.

Vanessa Kirby, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lesley Manville As Princess Margaret - The Crown

One of the best achievements of The Crown (among many) was the show’s casting. The three actors who played Princess Margaret, Vanessa Kirby, Helena Bonham Carter, and Lesley Manville, all did an amazing job. You can’t pick one of the next because they all simply nailed the tragedy and triumph of the princess in the shadow of her older sister, Queen Elizabeth II. 

Olivia Coleman As Queen Anne - The Favourite

Olivia Coleman is great at playing royalty on screen, even when it’s a wildly fictionalized and weird version of Queen Anne like she does in The Favourite. The movie is very loosely based on history but is very much representative of director Yorgos Lanthimos’ style. So while Coleman may not be playing Queen Anne exactly as she was, it’s still a downright amazing performance. 

Natalie Dormer As Anne Boleyn - The Tudors

Natalie Dormer is perfectly cast as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors. She’s beautiful, yet vulnerable, coy, yet determined, and sweet, yet conniving. Boleyn is one of the most tragic queens in English history and it’s hard to picture anyone but Dormer playing her after she starred in this show. 

Richard Harris As King Arthur - Camelot

We could argue all day about how “real” King Arthur was. More myth than man in English folklore, there isn’t even consensus on whether he existed at all. But no matter, Richard Harris’ portrayal of the legend in Camelot is still worthy of mention on this list because it’s so darn good and so darn iconic. 

Oliver Dimsdale As King Edward VIII - Downton Abbey

In the finale of Season 4 of Downton Abbey, audiences meet Edward VIII when he is still Prince of Wales, before becoming king and before his abdication shocked the world. Though it’s not the biggest role, Oliver Dimsdale instantly gives you a sense of exactly who the future Duke of Windsor was, a conniving womanizer who really wasn't fit to be king. 

Katharine Hepburn As Eleanor Of Aquitaine - The Lion In Winter

It’s hard to understand why The Lion In Winter isn’t as remembered as other movies from the late ‘60s, because Katharine Hepburn's performance as Eleanor Of Aquitaine, the queen of England in the 12th Century, is amazing. She even took home an Oscar for it. 

Sean Bean as Odysseus - Troy

In the original theatrical version of Troy, Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, played by Sean Bean, doesn’t have all that big of a role. He’s a scene-stealer though. In the director’s cut, which makes for a much better movie, the role is expanded. Plus, it's a rare movie that Sean Bean doesn’t die in. 

Sigourney Weaver as Queen Isabella I - 1492: Conquest Of Paradise

There’s no way around this: 1492: Conquest Of Paradise is not a good movie. It’s historically inaccurate and celebrates Christopher Columbus a little too much while ignoring a lot of his atrocities. Still, Sigourney Weaver, while slightly miscast, does a phenomenal job with what she’s given to do as Queen Isabella I of Spain, Columbus’ benefactor. 

Tadanobu Asano As Genghis Khan - Mongol

If this was a list of the worst performances of royalty, John Wayne’s offensive and terrible version of Genghis Khan in The Conqueror would be at the top of the list. On the flip side, we have the Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano as the Mongolian king in Mongol. It’s not the most widely-known movie, as it’s a Russian production in Mandarin and Mongolian. It’s worth your time and effort to seek it out though, it’s fantastic. 

Judi Dench As Queen Victoria - Mrs. Brown

Is there a role out there that Dame Judi Dench doesn’t nail? That’s a rhetorical question, of course, and her performance as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown is certainly no exception. Though the actual history in the movie is dubious at best, putting that aside and enjoying the movie is easy with Dench as the recently widowed queen. 

Gerard Butler As Leonidas - 300

Of all the movies in this movie that stretch the true stories to their max, 300 wins in that category. Still, Gerard Butler’s portrayal of Leonidas is a fan-favorite for good reason. Sure, it’s mostly because he looks so darn good, but the movie is fun, exciting, and completely unique, so we’ll allow for a little historical nonsense. 

Richard Harris As Marcus Aurelius - Gladiator

Another movie on this list that takes a lot of liberties with its historical accuracy, Gladiator basically changes everything about Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and Commodus’ (Joaquin Phoenix) real-life father/son relationship. But both Phoenix and Harris are fantastic in their roles, so again, we’ll allow it. 

Peter O'Toole As Henry II - The Lion In Winter

The Lion in Winter has a few excellent portrayals of royalty. Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine, Timothy Dalton as King Philip of France, and Anthony Hopkins as a young Richard The Lionhearted. Of course, the lead in the film, Peter O’Toole as Henry II is the lead for a reason. In a career filled with amazing performances, this is one of O’Toole’s best and resulted in one of his eight Best Actor nominations. 

Chris Pine As Robert The Bruce - Outlaw King

Robert The Bruce has been portrayed in a few films, probably most famously by Angus Macfadyen in Braveheart. While that performance is great, Outlaw King, with Chris Pine in the lead role, is a more historically accurate version of the story of Robert fighting the English and rising to King of the Scots. 

Audiences have always been fascinated by the lives of monarchs worldwide, and that is not likely to change anytime soon. We’ll continue to see great portrayals of royalty in entertainment for a long time to come. 

Plans for the future of the James Bond movies are in a bit of a holding pattern right now. With Barbara Broccoli and the rest of EON Productions still looking to start crafting Bond 26, and the future of the 007 saga with it, a lot of key decisions need to be made. However, as far as I’m concerned, Ms. Broccoli and company should call off its search for a new M; thanks to Olivia Colman throwing her hat into the ring.

As she spoke to Vogue during a recent interview, the Wonka star expressed some deep excitement about possibly taking over the role of Ian Fleming’s iconic spymaster. The pitch stemmed from the interviewer comparing Olivia Colman to Dame Judi Dench herself, thanks to her short haircut. Once that comparison was brought up, it didn’t take long for Olivia to stump for the role as follows:

The actress was previously tipped as a potential Moneypenny for Bond 26 and beyond, thanks to Naomie Harris’ enthusiastic suggestion. As the current Moneypenny is still very hopeful to keep her role, which she last played in Daniel Craig’s James Bond swan song, No Time To Die, this intriguing pitch from Ms. Harris seems like a pretty good fit as well. But now that the Favourite star has flat out tossed her hat into the ring to play 007’s commanding officer, I'd honestly say this is the better fit.

That’s partially because Olivia Colman has some good practice in this sort of role in recent projects. Just this year, she played the role of Sonya Falsworth as part of the Secret Invasion cast and gave us a taste of what this could look like; which, in turn, reinforced a similar project that the 2019 Academy Award winner had tackled. By previously playing Angela Burr, an M-style figure to Tom Hiddleston in the limited series adaptation of John le Carré’s The Night Manager, Colman already built a foundation for her potential James Bond credentials. 

Of course, both of those projects could also clash with the Empire of Light star’s odds of becoming the next M. With The Night Manager still moving towards its second season and Marvel's usual desire to keep its actors on retainer for future appearances, there’s a chance that either of those franchise could call the fan-favorite actress back to deliver her unique brand of gravitas. I mean, you can see in the clip below that Secret Invasion provided her with a very sleek and shady role:

As always, it all depends on who Bond 26 introduces as the next face of Commander Bond. The chemistry between Bond and M, or any member of the MI6 family, is as important as the companion James is paired with on his latest mission. For example, if November 2023’s James Bond odds report are any indication, current frontrunner James Norton would be the 007 to Olivia Colman’s M. That, on paper, sounds like another great fit.

There are a lot of moving pieces to consider in the world of James Bond, with M only being one of the many that orbit around the role of Bond himself. As such, we’ll have to wait until whatever “reinvention” planned by EON Productions becomes a more concrete reality before we really hold our breath over the next M.

Though with that being said, good luck shaking the thought of Olivia Colman commanding the desk that Ralph Fiennes, Dame Judi Dench and Bernard Lee stood behind before her. Especially if she happened to be paired with Henry Cavill as James.

It's just a scenario to think about while we wait for Bond 26 to hit theaters, at an undetermined point in the future. But in the meantime, you can next see Olivia Colman in Wonka, as it premieres in its 2023 movie release schedule slot of December 15th.

When Michelle Yeoh won her Oscar for Everything Everywhere All At Once, she told the ladies watching at home never to let anyone tell them when they’re past their prime. She’s not old enough to be on this list, but her words of wisdom apply to everyone that follows. 

Some of these actors had success their entire careers and then just kept having success as they got older. Some of these actors didn’t find a ton of success until much later than life. All reached the mountaintop of acting past the point when many others stop working because they kept pushing and doing groundbreaking work. Here's a look at great actors who had Oscar success later in life...

Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins didn’t get his first Oscar nomination until his mid-50s, but once he got his first recognition, the praise did not stop. His work was consistently recognized well into his eighties when he was nominated in consecutive years for The Two Popes and The Father in which he gave very different performances. 

Bill Nighy

Nighy mostly acted in theater productions for the early portion of his career, but he turned to films later in life and found incredible success with Love Actually. That led to key roles in a variety of huge franchises like Pirates Of The Caribbean and Harry Potter, and eventually in his mid-70s, it led to Living, which netted the popular actor his first Oscar nomination. 

Bruce Dern

Bruce Dern worked from the sixties forward on a wide variety of interesting projects in many different genres. He picked up his first Oscar nomination back in ‘79 for his work in Coming Home and got another surprise nomination at 77 more than three decades later for his work in Nebraska, a fantastic Alexander Payne road trip movie shot in black and white.

Charlotte Rampling

Charlotte Rampling made a fantastic career for herself as a model and actress drawn to unusual and daring projects, but it was her work much later in life that attracted huge recognition. Her performance in Swimming Pool was particularly popular with critics and awards voters, but it was 2015’s 45 Years that finally broke through at the Oscars and gave her a well deserved first nomination at age 69.

Clint Eastwood

There aren’t many total people who have had more Oscar success than Clint Eastwood. Over the course of his life, he picked up more than ten nominations, but only two of those were in the acting categories. He got one in ‘93 for Unforgiven and another in ‘05 for Million Dollar Baby. In both, he was also the director and clearly knew how to get the best out of himself as an actor. 

Henry Fonda

A movie based on a play about a couple in their mid-70s doesn’t sound like a likely box office winner, but On Golden Pond won seven weekends in a row at the box office in 1981. It also netted its leads late in life Oscar nominations including one for Henry Fonda at 76. It marked his second acting nomination, more than four decades after the first one for The Grapes Of Wrath in 1940.

Jessica Tandy

Jessica Tandy experienced a ton of success throughout her career in a variety of mediums, but it was her work on the stage that drew the most acclaim. At least that was the case until her 80s when she picked up two Oscar nominations for Driving Miss Daisy and Fried Green Tomatoes. She won for the former and the latter capped a fantastic six year run that also saw her earn raves for her work in Cocoon.

Jonathan Pryce

Jonathan Pryce was ten years younger than Anthony Hopkins when the two picked up acting nominations for their work in The Two Popes. It was his first recognition from The Academy, but it was far from his first recognition overall, as he netted both Emmy and Tony nominations earlier in his career. 

Judi Dench

Judi Dench didn’t pick up her first Oscar nomination until her 60s, but that’s mostly because she was too busy crushing the British theater scene. She somehow netted an astonishing eight nominations after her 62nd birthday, including one at age 78 for Philomena and age 87 for her performance in the touching Belfast. In between all that, she also found time to appear in eight James Bond movies, which introduced her to a new generation of fans.

Katharine Hepburn

Between 1934 and 1969, Katharine Hepburn was nominated for an astonishing eleven Best Actress Oscars. It’s arguably the greatest run in movie history, and yet, she wasn’t finished. At the age of 74, thirteen years after what everyone assumed was going to be her last nomination, she walked the red carpet one more time as a Best Actress nominee for On Golden Pond in 1982. The win made it that much sweeter. 

Laurence Olivier

There aren’t many people on this list that had more success throughout their careers than Laurence Olivier. The beloved thespian won Emmys, Oscars and now is the namesake for London’s version of the Tony’s. At 71, he picked up his last Oscar nomination for The Boys From Brazil but continued to act for another full decade.

Peter O'Toole

Peter O’Toole was nominated for acting Oscars in the '60s, '70s, '80s and '00s. The last of those recognitions came when he was 74, and while he famously lost all eight of his Best Actor nominations, he was given an honorary Oscar by The Academy, who recognized him for his entire body of work, including the fantastic performances he gave late in life.

Morgan Freeman

Many of the nominations on this list came as a bit of a surprise. Not Morgan Freeman’s for Invictus. Playing Nelson Mandela sounded like the sort of thing that could pick him up an Oscar nomination for Invictus, and that’s exactly what happened when the movie came out and at 72, he was quickly given a nomination. It was his fifth overall.

Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer’s entire career was accompanied by praise from critics and numerous nominations, including three at the Oscars, all past the age of 75. None were a bigger surprise than the one he got at age 88 for All The Money In The World. The role was originally shot with Kevin Spacey, but after allegations of misconduct surfaced, producers reshot everything with Plummer in just 8 days.

Judd Hirsch

From Taxi to Dear John to The Goldbergs, Judd Hirsch was a part of numerous popular television shows and worked constantly from the mid-70s forward. Along the way, he was in a ton of good movies, but it was his work first in Ordinary People in 1980 and then in The Fabelmans in 2022 that were singled out by Oscar voters. 

Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall was nominated for seven Oscars, but six of those came between 1973 and 1999. His last one was, by far, the biggest surprise, as it came for The Judge when he was 84. It was proof that the popular actor was still capable of greatness, and it was also a sign of how much fans and critics connected with his work at various stages of his life. 

Max Von Sydow

During his incredible career that spanned seven decades, Max Von Sydow played everyone from Jesus Christ to the Three-Eyed Raven on Game Of Thrones. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1987 for his work in Pelle The Conqueror, but he wound up getting recognized one more time at the age of 82 for his incredible work in Extremely Loud And Incredibly Close.

George Burns

George Burns had a fantastic run as a radio star and then an early huge name in television, but he started losing momentum as an actor and shifted to producing until he signed on for The Sunshine Boys in 1975. It was his first movie in 36 years and won him an Oscar at 80, as well as paved the way for the fantastic final act of his career.

Jack Palance

After a successful stage career, Jack Palance became a huge movie star in the early 1950s, picking up tons of fans and multiple Academy Award nominations. He later went to Europe and made a series of popular movies, but his career was starting to fizzle out by the 1980s. Then he was hired to host a revival of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and the popularity of that show, netted him a bunch of parts including in City Slickers, which proved so popular it won him an Oscar at 73.

Alan Arkin

Alan Arkin worked constantly for sixty years because what director wouldn’t want to hire him? He was seemingly always in very highly seen projects, often in key supporting roles. Little Miss Sunshine and Argo are, of course, the two most notable examples, as both netted him Oscar nominations in his seventies and the former landed him his only win. 

Ethel Barrymore

There aren't many, if any, bigger families in the history of Hollywood than The Barrymores. They were firmly established when Pinky came out in 1949 and netted Ethel Barrymore another Oscar nomination. For much of her career she focused on the stage, but she later shifted to mostly Hollywood and picked up four nods in her 60s and 70s. What a run.

Ruth Gordon

Ruth Gordon had a lot of success earlier in her career as a screenwriter. She picked up three nominations for her writing between 1947 and 1952. Later in her career, she found new life as an actress, picking up multiple Oscar nominations, the last at 72 for Rosemary's Baby, and starring in cult classics like Harold And Maude.

Youn Yuh-jung

With fantastic reviews and strong word of mouth, Minari made a lot of noise throughout award season. It eventually picked up six Oscar nominations, but it was the one for Youn Yuh-jung that fans were most delighted with. The 73-year-old wound up winning in the most feel good moment of the entire ceremony, becoming the first Korean actress to pick up a trophy at The Oscars. 

Helen Hayes

You won’t find many people on this entire list with more success than Helen Hayes. She’s an EGOT winner with at least one additional nomination from all four of those award shows. She picked up her last Oscar at age 70 for her work in Airport, where she stood out next to a ton of other acting legends including Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Jean Seberg, Jacqueline Bisset and more. 

June Squibb

Mostly a theater actress, she didn’t appear in her first movie until she was in her sixties. In her mid-80s, she found the perfect role opposite Bruce Dern in Nebraska. Audiences fell in love with her performance, and she picked up a surprise feelgood nomination. That opened the door for a ton of fun parts in everything from Pixar movies to Shameless. 

Gloria Stuart

I’m not sure there’s a single quote from Titanic referenced more often than Gloria Stuart’s “It’s been 84 years.” For her, it took 87 years to find a performance that resonated with that many people, but it was so good and connected with so many people that she picked up an Oscar nomination. Well deserved too. One of the most famous movies ever just wouldn’t have the same emotional punch without her. 

Peggy Ashcroft

Peggy Ashcroft made less than twenty film appearances during a career that was mostly dedicated to the stage, but despite that limited output, she was nominated for four BAFTAs and won an Oscar at 77 for her supporting work in A Passage To India. She then turned her focus toward television, where she was picking up Emmy nominations into her 80s. 

Hal Holbrook

Holbrook had plenty of success in his career with wins at the Tonys and Emmys, but it wasn’t until later in life when he was finally singled out by The Oscars for his work in Into The Wild. With more than 130 acting credits, his nomination at 82 was a good reminder that sometimes the best way to get acclaim isn’t by shopping for possible Oscar roles, it’s by consistently doing good, creative work and waiting for the right project to resonate. 

Don Ameche

Cocoon features a ton of fantastic performances from older actors, but it was veteran funnyman Don Ameche’s supporting role that voters most gravitated toward. He picked up a surprise win at 77 for his work as the revitalized Arthur Selwyn. It was a fantastic outcome, especially after the studio fired an early-in-his-career Robert Zemeckis from the director’s chair during pre-production.

Melvyn Douglas

If you want to have prolonged success in Hollywood, you need to find a way to reinvent yourself and start playing different kinds of roles. Melvyn Douglas had a great run early as a leading man, who acted opposite some of the industry’s top leading ladies, but it was later in his career, when he started playing more mature characters that he found Oscar success with three separate nominations, including one for Being There when he was 79.

John Houseman

Probably best known for his work alongside Orson Welles, John Houseman worked regularly as a director and especially producer, but he also found time to be an actor. Late in his career, he picked up an Oscar at 71 for The Paper Chase in a role fans loved so much he later played it on TV too.

Edmund Gwenn

You never know what your defining role as an actor is going to be until it happens. Edmund Gwenn carved out a really nice career for himself on the stage and screen, but his biggest success came when he was seventy. His role as Santa Claus in Miracle On 34th Street is still being watched decades later, and it also opened up the door for some great late career work, including another Oscar nomination in Mister 880.

Just about all of us have probably had an accident or two that involved technology. Let’s be honest, even the most technically inclined among us have had our share of faux pas in that regard. One such person who’s had an experience like that is acclaimed actress Judi Dench. The titan of cinema, TV and stage stage may know how to thrill an audience with her legendary acting chops, but she recently admitted to making a major tech-related mistake. Apparently, there was an instance in which Dench didn’t know she was on FaceTime and, as a result, she ended up making a birthday call while she was in her birthday suit. 

You’re probably wondering how such an error could even happen. Well, the delightfully cheeky 88-year-old actress laid out the situation when she appeared on BBC Radio’s The Zoe Bell Morning Show alongside Brendan O’Hea. The two were present to discuss their new book, Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent, but the host soon asked about the tech mix-up. The Belfast actress prefaced the story by explaining that she has poor eyesight played into the snafu, as she can barely see the buttons on her phone. She then revealed that this all started with a call from her daughter, Finty Williams: 

That’s a sweet gesture she decided to make for Chris Logan, who’s a mutual friend of both her and Brendan O’Hea. A hangout with actor Ben Wishaw (who is Judi Dench's 007 co-star) and a birthday message from the dame herself would theoretically add up to a delightful birthday for Logan, I’d think. However, I’m not sure he would’ve expected to get the kind of surprise he ultimately received. The Shakespeare in Love icon continued:

Poor Chris Logan indeed. With any gift or birthday wish, though, it is the thought that counts, right? It was admirable of the acclaimed star to send her well wishes to Logan on his special day. If anything, it’s probably a safe bet that that’s a b-day the man will never forget. He also now has a great story he can tell at parties. I don’t know about all of you but, while I’d be shocked at first, I’d eventually be able to see the humor in being unintentionally flashed by Dame Judi.

Up to this point, Judi Dench has been open about her vision and how she’s opted to keep working while losing her eyesight. More recently, Dench has been able to keep working by learning different methods of memorizing her lines, and much of that involves much repetition. While it may not sound ideal, she has found a silver lining in that asking others for help allows her to get closer to her colleagues. 

Also, don’t assume that she’s totally out of the loop when it comes to technology. She did share some TikTok videos amid COVID quarantine back in 2020, which she said “saved my life.” I’m hoping her experience with Chris Logan doesn’t dissuade the kind actress from ever using FaceTime for the purposes of wishing one a happy birthday. Also, let’s hope Logan can find humor in the birthday suit message now.

You can see Judi Dench in her most recent film, Belfast, which is now available for Max subscription holders. Fans of hers should also keep checking out the 2024 movie schedule in case she has a title that pops up on there at some point.

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

Meryl Streep - The Deer Hunter

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

Daniel Day-Lewis - My Left Foot

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

Amy Adams - Junebug

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

Leonardo DiCaprio - What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

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

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side

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

Tom Hanks - Big

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

Viola Davis - Doubt

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

Peter O’Toole - Lawrence Of Arabia

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

Jodie Foster - Taxi Driver

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

Morgan Freeman - Street Smart

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

Cate Blanchett - Elizabeth

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

Anthony Hopkins - The Silence Of The Lambs

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

Charlize Theron - Monster

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

Christian Bale - The Fighter

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

Kate Winslet - Sense And Sensibility

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

Denzel Washington - Cry Freedom

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

Kathy Bates - Misery

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

George Clooney - Good Night, And Good Luck/Syriana

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

Helen Mirren - The Madness Of King George

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

Judi Dench - Mrs. Brown

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

Dustin Hoffman - The Graduate

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

Susan Sarandon - Atlantic City

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

Russell Crowe - The Insider

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

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

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

Gary Oldman - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

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

Julia Roberts - Steel Magnolias

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

Al Pacino - The Godfather

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

Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married

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

Matt Damon - Good Will Hunting

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

Jennifer Lawrence - Winter’s Bone

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

Ben Affleck - Good Will Hunting

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

Samuel L. Jackson - Pulp Fiction

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

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

Dame Judi Dench is an absolute legend, to say the least. She's appeared in numerous productions made for the stage and screen and is one of the most celebrated British actresses of all time. The 88-year-old continues to work and take roles and was even among the 2022 Oscar nominees, thanks to her performance in Belfast. Unfortunately, as she’s gotten older, it’s become more difficult for the star to learn lines due to her deteriorating eyesight. Despite this, Dench plans on taking more roles, as she has a method of working

The celebrated performer spoke with Sunday Mirror and opened up about the challenges she has when it comes to her sight. As she explained, this makes her work on film sets harder. While her poor vision does present a significant hurdle, her talent persists. That's because the actress has found ways to learn dialogue and without needing to see to read her lines. She said:

It sounds like she's mastered the art of learning her lines auditorily and gets help from people when she can. A photographic memory also gives her an advantage, as she can likely recall details better than some other actors on set. When asked if she would ever retire from her craft due to her health, Dench shot down the notion, saying:

The celebrated actress is definitely seizing the day and has been doing so throughout her illustrious career. She was a powerful force while performing her early stage roles in Much Ado About Nothing and Cabaret. She officially received the title of Dame in 1988, being honored for her contributions to cinema and theater. As she grew older and took on different roles, she continued to shine and won an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love. 

Judi Dench arguably became even iconic for her role as M in the 007 franchise. She appeared in eight James Bond films, and her portrayal is widely loved by fans of the franchise. (Thank goodness M wasn't killed off in Skyfall.) Overall, Dench continues to be one of our biggest and brightest stars and is clearly not letting anything stop her. 

It's apparent that she loves acting and hopes to continue doing it for as long as possible. Hitting marks and memorizing lines while also staying in character is a struggle for many actors. She deserves a lot of credit for working through her loss of vision and doing what she can to stay in the game. I think I speak for everyone when I see we’d be happy to have Dench share her unparalleled acting talents with the world as long as she's willing. 

Those who'd like to see her Oscar-nominated work in Belfast can do so by streaming the film with a Max subscription. For more information on other films hitting streaming later this year, take a look at CinemaBlend's schedule of 2023 new movie releases.

It may not be as widely discussed as it was in the immediate aftermath, but Chris Rock and Will Smith’s Oscar slap still finds its way into some conversations. Most recently, the subject was raised in an interview with Dame Judi Dench, who experienced the hoopla first hand as a nominee at this year’s chase for the best picture Oscar. Her view on the situation is most interesting, as Dench revealed that she and her fellow attendees were just as confused about what was going on in the moment as audiences watching at home were.

Speaking with The Times, Dame Judi recalled the infamous situation as it evolved in front of the crowd. One of 2022’s Oscar nominees for her role in Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, her presence allowed her to observe, and thus retell, the following: 

Thinking back to that fateful Oscar night, there was a window of time when it felt like Will Smith’s stride up to the stage could have yielded a more comedic moment of live television. Smith and Chris Rock are both well-known comedic talents that can think on their feet, so it’s not like anyone expected violence. It was a fleeting notion, as the world would learn through both Rock getting slapped and Will Smith’s immediate, heated reaction. 

Once the reality set in, comedians and show business personalities offered reactions to just what happened between Will Smith and Chris Rock. Meanwhile, Rock has given details on the slap, while refusing to fully address the situation until he's paid to provide such examination. Considering the point we’re at with the matter and its place in pop culture, it’s almost like looking into another reality when picturing Dame Judi Dench and the Oscar audience processing events in real time.

Though the slap itself may not have been a joke, Chris Rock is certainly getting some laughs out of it all. Friend and tourmate Marlon Wayans admitted to slap jokes being told and prepared backstage at their current gigs, with Wayans claiming at least an hour’s worth of material on his end addressing it. For now, those jokes are being kept behind closed doors, so even Dame Judi Dench will have to wait to see what happens next.

In the meantime, you can rent or buy Belfast, and see the performance that landed Dame Judi her latest nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Or, if you’re interested in revisiting her part in the James Bond legacy, Amazon Prime subscribers can stream all but one of her appearances in the franchise.

2021 wasn't quite the "back to normal" year at the movies that we were all hoping it would be, but it was certainly a step in the right direction. If nothing else, most of the 2022 Oscar nominees were at the very least released in actual movie theaters. And 2021 was a solid year for movies with strong contenders expected to do well tonight including The Power of the Dog, West Side Story and Dune.

While this year's Academy Awards broadcast will be dealing with some degree of controversy following the decision to not give out all the Oscars live, it should nonetheless be an interesting show. Follow along with us live as we update the list below as the awards are given out.

Best Picture

• Belfast
• CODA
• Don't Look Up
• Drive My Car
• Dune
• King Richard
• Licorice Pizza
• Nightmare Alley
• The Power of the Dog
• West Side Story

Best Directing

• Belfast, Kenneth Branagh
• Drive My Car, Ryusuke Hamaguchi
• Licorice Pizza, Paul Thomas Anderson
• The Power of the Dog, Jane Campion
• West Side Story, Steven Spielberg

Best Actress In A Leading Role

• Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
• Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
• Penélope Cruz, Parallel Mothers
• Nicole Kidman, Being the Ricardos
• Kristen Stewart, Spencer

Best Actor In A Leading Role

• Javier Bardem, Being the Ricardos
• Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
• Andrew Garfield, Tick, Tick... BOOM!
• Will Smith, King Richard
• Denzel Washington, The Tragedy of Macbeth

Best Actress In A Supporting Role

• Jessie Buckley, The Lost Daughter
• Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
• Judi Dench, Belfast
• Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
• Aunjanue Ellis, King Richard

Best Actor In A Supporting Role

• Ciarán Hinds, Belfast
• Troy Kotsur, CODA
• Jesse Plemons, The Power of the Dog
• J.K Simmons, Being the Ricardos
• Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)

• Belfast
• Don't Look Up
• King Richard
• Licorice Pizza
• The Worst Person in the World

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

• CODA
• Drive My Car
• Dune
• The Lost Daughter
• The Power of the Dog

Best Animated Feature Film

• Encanto
• Flee
• Luca
• The Mitchells vs. The Machines
• Raya and the Last Dragon

Best International Feature Film

• Drive My Car, Japan
• Flee, Denmark
• The Hand of God, Italy
• Lunana: A Yakin the Classroom, Bhutan
• The Worst Person in the World, Norway

Best Documentary (Feature)

• Ascension
• Attica
• Flee
• Summer of Soul(...Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
• Writing With Fire

Best Production Design

• Dune
• Nightmare Alley
• The Power of the Dog
• The Tragedy of Macbeth
• West Side Story

Best Cinematography

• Dune
• Nightmare Alley
• The Power of the Dog
• The Tragedy of Macbeth
• West Side Story

Best Costume Design

• Cruella
• Cyrano
• Dune
• Nightmare Alley
• West Side Story

Best Film Editing

• Don't Look Up
• Dune
• King Richard
• The Power of the Dog
• Tick, Tick...BOOM!

Best Makeup And Hairstyling

• Coming 2 America
• Cruella
• Dune
• The Eyes of Tammy Faye
• House of Gucci

Best Music (Original Score)

• Don't Look Up
• Dune
• Encanto
• Parallel Mothers
• The Power of the Dog

Best Music (Original Song)

• "Be Alive," King Richard
• "Dos Oruguitas," Encanto
• "Down To Joy," Belfast
• "No Time to Die," No Time to Die
• "Somehow You Do," Four Good Days 

Best Sound

• Belfast
• Dune
• No Time to Die
• The Power of the Dog
• West Side Story

Best Visual Effects

• Dune
• Free Guy
• No Time To Die
• Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
• Spider-Man: No Way Home

Best Short Film (Animated)

• Affairs of the Heart
• Bestia
• Boxballet
• Robin Robin
• The Windshield Wiper

Best Documentary (Short Subject)

• Audible
• Lead Me Home
• The Queen of Basketball
• Three Songs For Benazir
• When We Were Bullies

Best Short Film (Live Action)

• Ala Kachuu - Take And Run
• The Dress
• The Long Goodbye
• On My Mind
• Please Hold

Did your favorite film of 2021 take home an Oscar?

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

Locked In

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

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

Likely Bets

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

Dark Horses

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

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

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

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

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

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Despite releasing back in December of 2019, the conversation surrounding J.J. Abram's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hasn't slowed down much. The blockbuster ended the nine-film Skywalker Saga, and there was a mixed reaction from the generations of fans. A number of potential plot lines ended up on the cutting room floor, and concept art has revealed that Dame Judi Dench was considered for a role in Episode IX.

Judi Dench is a living legend, who has continued to work in high profile projects over the years. While recently making headlines for her performance in the infamous Cats movie, it turns out that we could have gotten her in another holiday season release: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Concept artist Phil Saunders recently shared some abandoned concept art, and explained how Dench could have been used in the galaxy far, far away. As he put it,

FOMO alert. The origin of the Millennium Falcon has never truly been explored on the big screen. While we saw Lando's version of iconic ship in Solo: A Star Wars Story, it looks like Lucasfilm flirted with the idea of diving deep into that backstory, including a possible appearance by Judi Dench.

This Rise of Skywalker twist comes to us from the Art Station of artist Phil Saunders. His talents have helped franchises like Star Wars and the MCU find a visual language, with previous credits including Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. Saunders has no doubt seen plenty of ideas come and go, including Judi Dench's possible inclusion in Episode IX. Check out the concept art below.

Ending the nine-film Skywalker Saga came with a ton of pressure, so there were a number of plot ideas that were tossed around which didn't make it into The Rise of Skywalker's theatrical cut. The art featuring the creator of the Millennium Falcon is certainly intriguing, and would have made for a surprising twist. We'll just have to see if this concept ever comes into play in a future installment in the galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars fans can re-watch the franchise over on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

There are seemingly a ton of stories to farm related to the Millennium Falcon and Han Solo's life. While Solo: A Star Wars Story very clearly set up a sequel, the movie's disappointing box office performance put those plans on hold. But if we were ever to return to that corner of the galaxy, maybe that could offer the opportunity for the ship's origin.

With the Skywalker Saga now in the rear view, it should be interesting to see how Star Wars continues to grow as a franchise. First up as a number of live-action TV shows, starting with The Mandalorian. And as far as films go, Patty Jenkins is developing her Rogue Squadron movie, and there's Rian Johnson's movie. The property's main story may have ended, but the future seems even more open as a result.

Rogue Squadron is currently in development, and production is underway for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series. In the meantime, check out our 2021 release list to plan your next movie experience.

Judi Dench’s acting career has spanned over seven decades and multiple acclaimed performances on stage, film and television. Her influence in acting has translated to other opportunities. That’s even more so with her public battle with eyesight loss, and the celebrated actress recently explained how she has continued to work while losing her eyesight.

Judi Dench has made a career of playing dignified (and not so dignified) women in her work. Many of today’s most successful actresses cite her as an influence for those roles. But in recent years, the Oscar winner has shown dignity and grace in public as she deals with losing her eyesight. The actress participated in a conversation about her battle for the London-based charity Vision Foundation, as reported by People Magazine. During the discussion, Dench revealed how she deals with reciting her lines on set:

After talking about her unique technique for memorizing lines, Judi Dench revealed the positive aspect of losing her sight while still maintaining her acting career. It involved getting closer to her cast and crew while following COVID-19 protocol:

Even as she continues to deal with eyesight loss, Judi Dench has managed to find the humor in her condition. As seen by her words, the actress has found new ways to still carry on with her craft. Dench decided not to let her condition stop her from continuing her career. Her example can serve as an inspiration for anyone dealing with similar eye conditions to hers.

But Judi Dench hasn’t let eyesight loss stop her from living her best life. The legendary actress became a viral Tik Tok sensation alongside her grandson during the summer of 2020. She admitted doing the videos helped her during quarantine in the U.K. It’s nice to see someone like Dench continue with her life despite all the obstacles against her. At the end of the day, the actress continues to be in demand (if not as a dream casting for Hollywood stars).

The struggle, as they say, my friends, has been very real for many people in the past few months. We have all been very concerned with several things since mid-March (at least), and considering the fact that two of those things are staying healthy and staying entertained, it's meant finding a variety of ways to eke joy out of every day within the four walls that we call our own. Academy Award winner Judi Dench has discovered TikTok videos as a way to do just that, and, surprisingly, the Cats star says that working on those little clips has actually "saved my life."

Dame Judi Dench spoke recently to Channel 4 News in England, and was asked about the viral TikTok videos she's been doing with her grandson, Sam Williams, during lockdown. While the social media platform is generally the go-to for quick, goofy dance challenges and other short videos, it turns out that taking part in such silliness has really been helpful for the 85-year-old star of stage and screen. Here's what Dench had to say about her new hobby:

Oh, yeah. I am feeling Judi Dench's thinking on this, and I know many of you are, too. Even though staying at home hasn't been that difficult for me (I'm 95% indoor kid), there have still been many days when I've been, say, shocked by the fact that it's Thursday and not Saturday, or aghast at idea that summer is in full swing and I won't be able to go to any concerts this summer or see a single movie in a theater.

Most of us are feeling very antsy at the prospect of continuing to stay at home, and have been for some time. But, it's good to have something akin to a purpose in all of this, and filming TikTok videos with one's grandson is just a good as checking out 23 DVDs from the library in one go during these weirdo times. By the way, if you haven't seen any of Judi Dench's work with Mr. Williams, it's just as adorable as it sounds. Take a look:

I mean, come on! Should Dame Dench decide that she's done with Shakespeare, James Bond movie flashbacks, and other potential franchises, this might be the best next direction for her career. Also, as a slight side note, is her grandson really...Ed Sheeran? It's OK if you don't want to tell us, Judi. We get it.

At any rate, Dench is correct that having something to solidly look forward to right now is incredibly helpful. So, it's a very good thing that her grandson pulled her into his TikTok shenanigans, and she says she'd be willing to keep it up.

Awww! If this doesn't make up for Cats in your mind, then I think nothing will. For more on the latest in movie and TV news, including this year's new film releases, stick with CinemaBlend!

Having not read Eoin Colfer’s fantasy novels on which Artemis Fowl is based, I can only comment on what is shown. It doesn’t compel me to dive deeper into the books. Perhaps Artemis Fowl plays better on the page. Stories very often do. But Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Colfer’s bestselling series feels like Spy Kids mashed with Fantastic Beasts, and a dash of 007 thrown in for the suspense factor. The mythology’s too dense for young ones, and the execution’s too simplistic for advanced audiences. It’s a surprising misfire by Sir Kenneth Branagh, one which I’m chalking up to the director of Hamlet, Henry V and multiple Agatha Christie adaptations being the wrong fit for this material.

The world of Artemis Fowl is strangely generic.

That’s an odd criticism to level at a story that takes place both in our world, and in Haven City, a realm occupied by all manner of fairies. But despite all the reveals waiting in Artemis Fowl, it all feels familiar, as if the ground has been covered before, a number of times.

Artemis Fowl starts off with real intrigue. Fowl (Colin Farrell) is an antiquities collector and reported thief whose global adventures have inspired all sorts of conspiracy theories. As the movie begins, the man has gone missing, leaving his son, also named Artemis (Ferdia Shaw), to piece together clues and discover his missing father’s whereabouts.

This isn’t an issue for young Artemis. He’s a 12-year-old genius, blessed with the cunning and confidence of Sherlock Holmes. Paired with a sidekick in Domovoi Butler (Nonso Anozie), Artemis begins to investigate his dad’s research into an artifact known as the Aculos, which crosses his paths with the fairies, trolls and dwarves of the mystical realms.

That’s already a lot to process, and Artemis Fowl doesn’t stop there. Halfway through this 95-minute sprint, the screenplay continues to introduce new characters and unlock new realms. You’ll need a scorecard to keep it all straight, and an instruction manual to explain why you should bother to care. Artemis Fowl repeatedly loses its plot, letting down some vibrant effects work. A simpler approach to the material might have been preferred.

The newcomers shine, but the seasoned veterans are wasted.

The two young leads almost make Artemis Fowl enjoyable. “Boy genius” can be a difficult tone to nail without coming off as pretentious, and Shaw finds intelligence, instincts and humor in young Artemis. He’s matched by Lara McDonald, who plays Holly Short, an 80-year-old elf who’s part of the Lower Elements Police. She essentially talks her way onto the Fowl case… or, maybe, she’s assigned to investigate a troll who interrupts an Italian wedding. That’s never really clear. Anyway, Holly eventually ends up captured by Artemis and caged Fowl Manor, and… nevermind, really. It doesn’t go anywhere.

Sometimes it’s amusing when polished screen actors take side roles in family-friendly fantasy, but here, the pedigreed cast is either wasted or humiliated. Farrell gets introduced as the mysterious collector Artemis Fowl, and then kidnapped (so he’s mostly off screen). Josh Gad works overtime as the movie’s narrator, the smarmy dwarf Mulch Diggums. Wait until you see how he tunnels through dirt.

Then there’s Dame Judi Dench, lowering her voice to a menacing growl and wearing silly practical costuming to play Commander Julius Root, commander of Holly’s beloved LEP. The 85-year-old Oscar winner is above this material, and she doesn’t even appear to be having fun with the role. Perhaps her grandchildren love the books? They should just read them again, instead.

I don’t love kicking Artemis Fowl. There’s like a huge fandom for the books who has been anticipating this adaptation, so they can see characters they enjoy brought to life. But as a newbie to the universe, I found Branagh’s take to lack the whimsy and spirit that typically infuses this genre with wonderment. It’s meant to launch a franchise, but they’ll need a different approach if they are indeed planning on moving forward with future adaptations of Colfer’s popular stories.

At this point, there are more articles talking about Tom Hooper's 2019 musical Cats than tickets sold during the movie's disastrous box-office run. From the time the first trailer dropped months ahead of the film's release, the internet was quick to jump on awkward cat-people that looked like something buried underneath the uncanny valley, the awful CGI that was clearly rushed, and just the shear ridiculousness of this big-budget bomb in the making.

But it seems like a good Rotten Tomatoes score or box office success weren't the only things Hooper and the film's producers were worried about when they released this circus of a musical. In fact, despite the Razzie award-winning film performing poorly at the global box office, people are still talking about the movie months after it left theaters, mostly because of the craziness behind the scenes and possibility of "Butthole Cut."

Here are 10 insane behind-the-scenes facts, including the "Butthole Cut", that you might not know about Cats.

There Is Apparently A Version Of The Musical Called The Butthole Cut

Just when the fervor surrounding Cats was beginning to subside, word broke that there's reportedly a "Butthole" cut out there. When writer Ben Mekler sent out a tweet in March 2020 saying he was in a desperate need for a tell-all book about Cats, he had no idea what he was about to discover.

Shortly after throwing the idea out into the universe, one of Mekler's followers revealed that a friend of a friend, who was a visual effects producer, claimed that they had to digitally remove 400 buttholes that had been added just months earlier. There has been no confirmation to this claim, but please, please, please be true. If one thing could bring joy to our current state of affairs, it would have to be a version of Cats that is even wonkier than the one barely anyone saw in theaters.

There Is Also A Reported Peeing Scene That Almost Made The Final Cut

You know what's crazier than the possibility of there being a Butthole Cut of Cats? The reported existence of a graphic peeing scene might do the trick. Remember the tweet from Ben Mekler that I mentioned just earlier? Well, that Twitter chain got a little crazier days after his original post when someone made a burner account to share this tidbit of information:

The Film's Production Was Rushed, So Some Glaring Mistakes Were Left In The Original Cut

It should come as a surprise to absolutely no one that Tom Hooper and the rest of the crew behind Cats rushed to meet the film's December 20, 2019 release date, so rushed, in fact, that there were some pretty glaring mistakes left for audiences to find in theaters around the world. One of the most notable mistakes was the inclusion of Judi Dench's human hand, wedding ring and all. That wouldn't be bad if Dench was playing a human, but no, she's playing Old Deuteronomy, a cat, or at least something resembling a cat.

Just look at this tweet from Jenelle Riley and see if anything looks off to you:

An Updated Version Of The Film Was Sent To Theaters Days After Its Initial Release

Usually, fans of certain film franchises are forced to wait for a film's home-release before they get to see extended versions or a director's cut, but "fans" of Cats only had to wait a few days before a new and improved version hit theaters.

According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Universal Studios notified theaters they would be receiving an updated version of the musical with "some improved visual effects" just two days after it opened to a mediocre response at the box office. This was an unprecedented move, but there's nothing normal about Cats. Not in the slightest.

The Cast Went To "Cat School" To Prepare For The Movie

After watching Cats, or at least the trailers, you probably spent way too much time trying to figure out how the cast - who look more like something from a David Cronenberg movie than cats - pulled off acting like a bunch of walking, talking, singing, and swinging felines. Easy… they went to cat school.

According to Rolling Stone, every actor in the movie was required to undergo cat school where they learned everything from the anatomy of cats to movement training. Each class was led by a movement director and a sphinx cat (no hair makes it easier to see the movements) who helped the actors get in the mindset of a cat before shooting got underway.

Taylor Swift's Beautiful Ghosts Started With One Specific Line

One of the few aspects of Cats that everyone can agree on (or at least non-ironically) is that, "Beautiful Ghosts," the new original song by Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Weber is an absolute killer track (it was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2020). What you may not know about the song, however, is that Swift already had the lyrics, or at least one specific line, before she even heard Weber perform the unfinished music.

Swift shared the thought process behind Victoria's (Francesca Hayward) hauntingly beautiful solo in an interview with Variety:

Swift would go on to perform radio version of "Beautiful Ghosts."

Producer Steven Spielberg Was Originally Set To Make An Animated Version Decades Ago

Steven Spielberg, whose production company Amblin would produce the 2019 Cats, was previously attached to make an adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical, only instead of live-action, the acclaimed director's version would have been animated. According to Gizmodo, Amblimation, as it was called, had been working on a lot of the pre-production work before the studio shut its doors in 1997, ending the project in the process.

For those who don't remember, Amblimation produced such films as An American Tail: Fievel Goes West, We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story, and Balto, so it's a safe to assume that the animation would have had a lot of personality and style.

Speaking Of Spielberg, He Reportedly Didn't Even See The Final Cut Prior To Its Release

As I mentioned earlier, there was a race to get Cats ready for release (or at least as close as possible) before sending the Tom Hooper-directed musical to theaters in December 2019. With all of the visual effects mishaps left in the theatrical cut, it's easy to see that Hooper and crew cut a few corners in order to hit a deadline. But to see how much the final days of the post-production were rushed, just to the Deadline report that Steven Spielberg (remember, his production company was helping runn things) didn't even get a chance to see the movie before it was released. Whether this was intentional or just a sacrifice that had to be made remains to be seen.

Rebel Wilson And James Corden Found A Comfortable Spot In One Of The Production's Longest Shoots

Say what you will about Cats, but it has one of the most impressive casts in recent memory. With everyone from Judi Dench to Idris Elba lending their talents to the musical, there were bound to be a few massive scenes. Rebel Wilson and James Corden, who happened to featured in the background of one of those scenes tried to make the most of the situation.

During an appearance on The Late Late Show With James Corden, Wilson reminisced with her co-star about the time the two made found the most comfortable way to sit in the background during a two-day shoot:

Covered in padding and leaning up against a wall, Wilson and Corden sat down for the length of the multi-day shoot.

This Is The Second Film In Which Judi Dench Has Played A Character Traditionally Portrayed By A Man

Up until Tom Hooper's version of Cats, the role of Old Deuteronomy, the elderly and wise cat, has long been portrayed by male actors. In a casting decision that goes against typical casting for the role, Hooper cast Judi Dench to play the beloved role this time around.

This isn't the first time that Dench has taken over a role that has traditionally gone to male actors. Ahead of the release of the 1995 James Bond film Goldeneye, Dench was hired to portray M, the head of MI6 and 007's superior officer. Prior to Dench taking over the iconic spy role, M had been portrayed by Bernard Lee (1962-1979) and Robert Brown (1983-1989). Dench would hold the role until 2012, when Ralph Fiennes took over as the spy chief at the end of Skyfall.

Well, those are just 10 of the crazy behind-the-scenes facts that will surely make your next Cats watching experience just as memorable as your first, second, or third. Let me know if there is anything I missed and I'll make sure to do my best Tom Hooper and send out an update.

To counteract the prestige of Oscar season, the Golden Raspberry Awards were created to annually celebrate the worst achievement in movies. And as you can imagine, this year’s Razzies is going to be a big night for Tom Hooper’s fever dream musical, Cats. Oscar winner and seven-time nominee Judi Dench has been nominated for a Razzie Award. Check out her purr-fect response to the honor:

Judi Dench sounds like she’s just tickled to be nominated at the anti-Oscars. Considering the actress has over a twenty-year history in the framework of award season, I bet she doesn’t mind at all that she’s being poked fun of for once. Dench played a CGI female-human hybrid character named Old Deuteronomy who literally looks into the camera at the end of Cats to say “A cat is not a dog” in the film’s epic finale. That’s some startling revelations to reveal on film.

And when BBC’s Front Row asked the actress if she’d actually seen the love-to-hate disaster that is Cats here’s what she said:

JUDI! These responses just keep getting more and more adorable. Apparently the upcoming Artemis Fowl star hasn’t really read anything about the response to Cats. She has no idea it's been called an “a horror and an endurance test," “cinematic lunacy,” and “a half-digested hairball of a movie." Okay, maybe that’s for the better…

It’s also interesting that Judi Dench actually had no idea how her cat character would look. Old Deuteronomy had this grand fur coat when she thought she’d have old mangy fur. Considering all the CGI talk surrounding Tom Hooper’s film, perhaps her look was changed and altered during post-production too.

Judi Dench does have a solid reason why she hasn’t read the Cats reviews, though. The 85-year-old actress has an eye condition called macular degeneration that prevents her from reading reviews. She continued with these words:

Here’s hoping she didn’t hear Ricky Gervais’ bleeped-out comments about her Cats role at this year’s Golden Globes. Last month, Cats ended its domestic run after eight weeks in theaters with just $27 million in earnings. The movie was made on a production budget of $95 million and made itself $74 million worldwide. Big loss for Universal.

At one time the studio had dreams for Cats to enter the Oscar race – namely for Taylor Swift’s original song “Beautiful Ghosts." Once the response hit, the title was pulled from Universal’s “For Your Consideration” page.

Judi Dench is nominated for a Razzie alongside Jessica Chastain for X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Cassi Davis for A Madea Family Funeral, Fenessa Pineda for Rambo: Last Blood, and fellow Cats actor Rebel Wilson. Cats tied with Madea and Rambo for eight nominations.

Despite many Los Angeles gatherings being cancelled due to coronavirus concerns, the Razzies are still on for tonight, March 14 and will be televised for the first time on the Comedy Dynamics Network. (Update: Nope! That didn't last long. Just hours after this March 14 post, the Razzies event was either cancelled or postponed, the organizers weren't sure what to do after the mayor of Los Angeles shut down city-owned venues where more than 50 people could gather.)

Vin Diesel's Fast and Furious franchise is always adding new celebrities. We only recently got Charlize Theron and Helen Mirren in the mix, and F9 has John Cena as -- surprise -- Dom's brother Jakob. We know at least one more movie is coming in Fast and Furious 10, so who could join the team?

F9 just shared its first trailer via an insanely over-the-top concert premiere. While the stars were gathered to promote the film, they were asked who would be their dream bucket list celebrities to join the franchise. Producer/star Vin Diesel had a surprising answer:

He even added his version of a British accent to "awesome" via his response to MTV International. Judi Dench! I love that he picked her. She does have action franchise experience as M in Daniel Craig's James Bond movies, and she's clearly up for some freaky shit since she agreed to be in the Cats movie.

I love this idea. Not to have Dame Helen Mirren take on Dame Judi Dench in a fight, although that might be kickass, but what about Judi Dench having a much younger man on her arm in John Cena's Jakob Toretto? What if it turns out Dom (and Mia's?) brother has a sugar mama? I'm stretching now because I'm suddenly invested in this Judi Dench casting. She's 85 but you'd never know it. Get on that, Diesel.

Other F9 stars shared their own dream celebrities for the Fast franchise:

I think Judi Dench has enough of a playful edge to join Helen Mirren and company. Matt Damon, too. Did you see him in The Informant, or in his Thor: Ragnarok cameo? The Martian was even a comedy, if you ask the Golden Globes. Denzel Washington and Marion Cotillard might be harder to convince, although Cotillard was in a Batman movie, so she's willing to go for a big franchise.

As Michelle Rodriguez noted, though, they do some crazy things in the Fast and Furious world. F9 is going to be particularly nuts, she warned:

Yeah, we always do, and the F9 trailer included at least two more moments to add to the Just Go With It list. Plus, F9 has to explain how Han is back. Hopefully that explanation doesn't defy physics too, but it probably will.

F9 is scheduled to open in theaters on May 22, 2020.

Awards Season officially kicked off last weekend, as the Hollywood Foreign Press had the annual Golden Globe Awards. This ceremony honors both TV and film, and was hosted for the fifth and final time by comedian Ricky Gervais. Gervais pulled no punches during his opening monologue, making a ton of savage and awkward jokes about the celebrities in the room. But there was one joke he truly struggled to get out, focusing on Dame Judi Dench and her infamous role in Cats. The punchline was bleeped out, and the dirty word the comedian said might surprise you.

Ricky Gervais took aim at Cats, which has become the viral source of countless memes since Tom Hooper's movie musical arrived in theaters in December. Judi Dench has been adamant about her love for the role of Old Deuteronomy, with Gervais' joke being "Dame Judi Dench defended the film, saying it was the role she was born to play because she – I can’t do this next joke. Because she loves nothing better than plunking her ass down on the carpet, lifting her legs and licking her own --" That's when his dirty word was bleeped out from the Golden Globe telecast, although Ricky Gervais has clarified the choice expletive of the quip. Check it our below.

Well, that's one way to get bleeped. We all knew that Ricky Gervais was doing to a dirty place, and it turned out that the British slang word for the female genitalia was the word of choice. No wonder he had such a hard time delivering the joke.

For those unfamiliar, minge is a slang word used to describe lady parts across the pond. It's a street colloquialism, and one that wouldn't be naturally associated with such a respected figure like Judi Dench. That juxtaposition is where the comedy truly lies, with Ricky Gervais struggling to say such a dirty thing about the beloved icon. And while it ultimately got bleeped, there were plenty of shocked looks around the room as the comedian skewered the audience.

The Judi Dench joke was just one of many super awkward jokes that Ricky Gervais fired off during his Golden Globe opening monologue. He made jokes about the last year of entertainment world, and held nothing back. That includes zingers about Felicity Huffman's time behind bars, Leonardo DiCaprio's reputation for dating younger women, as well as taking Martin Scorsese's side on superhero movies by claiming the actors were only working out and taking steroids.

As a reminder, you can re-watch Rick Gervais' opening monologue from the 2020 Golden Globe Awards below. Or just watch the audience's reaction-- that's just as fun.

Well, that was one way to go out. Ricky Gervais made it clear that his fifth time hosting the Golden Globe Awards would be his last. And as such, he didn't pull any punches when making fun of various entertainment news stories. The host didn't appear in many more sequences after that monologue, indicating that he really was retiring from the gig.

Related: 2020 Golden Globe Movie And TV: The Complete List Of Winners Includes Brad Pitt, 1917 And More

It should be interesting to see how Awards Season continues on, and if other ceremonies like the Emmys and Oscars have similar results to the Golden Globes. The Globes tend to honor some wild cards, and have more categories. So almost anything could happen with the upcoming ceremonies. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Tom Hooper's Cats is finally in theaters, and is getting quite the reaction from those who have seen see the movie musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic Broadway musical (based off T.S. Eliot's poetry) has been adapted for film by Les Miserables director Tom Hooper, and the critical response has been wild. The movie is unlike anything that has hit theaters before, with bonkers source material and digital fur technology creating a moviegoing experience that will leave you dizzy. But what happened during Cats' movie ending?

Cats: It's All About The Jellicle Ball

While Cats might be a somewhat confusing moviegoing experience, the plot is actually simple. Just like the Cats musical, once a year the Jellicle Cats (that's just their name, go with it) assemble for the most exciting of days-- appropriately named The Jellicle Ball. It's a grand contest, where one cat is chosen for the Jellicle Choice. See a theme here?

In the Cats musical and movie, the winner of the Jellicle Choice is given a new life. That lucky kitty ascends to the Heaviside Layer, where it transforms into everything it ever wanted to be. The stakes are high for the cats of Cats, and plenty of colorful characters show up to compete for the affections of Judi Dench's Old Deuteronomy. O.D. (as call her for short) is the one who makes said Jellicle Choice, and picks the most deserving candidate from the group of cats.

That's it. Every cat wants to win, and only one will. The runtime of Cats is made up of various cats showing up to join the competition, and hopefully go to the Heaviside Layer. Each of the starring cast members pop up and sing a song, allowing for the Cats movie to function as a true ensemble project. But every competition has its winner, and for Cats that is Jennifer Hudson's Grizabella, the glamor cat.

For some reason, Grizabella is an outcast from the rest of the kitties in Cats. Life has treated her badly, with Griz being an outcast. But once she eventually is welcomed to the Jellicle Ball by Francesca Hayward's protagonist Victoria, Jennifer Hudson is able to shine by singing the 11 o'clock number of the musical "Memory."

What Happens At The End Of Cats?

Since Cats is all about the Jellicle Ball, Tom Hooper's movie ends the same time as that mythical kitty event. While plenty of cats appear to sing their songs and compete for the Jellicle Choice, there's one cat who seems to want the victory at all costs. That's Idris Elba's villainous Macavity, who somehow has magical abilities the other cats do not. (They're talking cats, it's best not to think too hard about it.) Macavity spends most of the movie lurking around, and kidnapping (catnapping?) the starring cast after each actor finishes their big number.

Eventually the kidnapped cats (including Judi Dench) manage to escape in the Cats movie's third act, through some magic by Laurie Davidson's Mr. Mistoffelees, who also has magic. The quirky characters of Cats make it back to the Jellicle Ball just in time. Judi Dench's Old Deuteronomy decides that Grizabella is the one who deserves a new life the most, with the ensemble cats all moved by her life story. And as such she gets the honor of ascending the Heaviside Layer. Jennifer Hudson jumps into a chandelier, and flies out of the Jellicle Ball and into the sky to her destiny, bringing an end to the main story of Cats.

Of course, Idris Elba's Macavity can't help making one last ditch effort to steal the spot from Grizabella in the final moments of the Cats movie. He uses his magic and nearly manages to get aboard the chandelier, but comes up short. We last see him stranded on top of a statue, and seemingly without the powers he used to teleport around for the entirety of the movie. I call that kitty karma.

How Is Cats' Ending Different From The Musical?

Cats director Tom Hooper clearly has love for the original musical, as his movie is a fairly accurate adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's record-breaking show. Yet, there are a few changes made to the source material. The most obvious is that the director attempted to give the film adaptation more of a linear narrative than the musical. The cats no longer break the fourth wall, with their stories all told through Victoria's eyes. This choice makes sense to give Cats a more film feel, although it is startling when Judi Dench finally addresses the audience in the closing number. It was a moment that got an audible reaction from the audience during my Cats screening.

As for for Judi Dench, her role is actually gender-swapped from the usual casting of Cats the musical. Old Deuteronomy is usually played by a man, with a high baritone voice. Dench's songs were adjusted to fit her voice, and she sounded killer in the role. If you didn't already know Cats, you wouldn't know any change was made. She has the necessary gravitas and wisdom for the role, and has had a long tenure in the theater.

Regarding Cats' ending itself, it pretty closely follows the musical, although Macavity's plot to become the winner goes by a little differently. He doesn't spend the Cats musical slowly kidnapping the Jellicles, but instead focuses solely on Old Deuteronomy. Once he kidnaps that powerful cat, Macavity returns disguised as O.D. in an attempt to crown himself the winner. But he's found out, and is forced to flee the stage. From there, Mr. Mistoffelee uses his magic to return Old Deuteronomy in time for the Jellicle Choice-- just like Tom Hooper presented in the movie.

Grizabella is the one chosen in both the Cats movie and musical, as Jennifer Hudson's character is given a new life after her years of suffering and isolation. But the way she ascends to the Heaviside Layer is a bit different. In the Cats movie she rides an old chandelier, a la another musical, Phantom of the Opera. In the stage version, Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy ride a flying car tire to the heavens, where she makes her exit into the sky. The tire moment is an iconic Broadway visual, as the musical version of Cats ran for nearly two decades, and was the longest-running show on the Great White Way.

What Does Cats' Ending Mean?

So what exactly does the ending to Cats mean? Well, it's fairly straightforward... kind of. Regardless, it's an ending that strikes true to the original, complete with Judi Dench's final number "The Ad-Dressing of Cats" Basically Grizabella lived her life and suffered, and was rewarded with a new life. Whether or not this is literal or metaphorical is never quite clear, even in the musical Cats. The plot of the movie hints that the goal is for the cats to be reborn, this time as exactly who they've always wanted to be. For some this means young and beautiful, and for others it means some new power. But Griz is the winner of the Jellicle Choice, so the happy ending is for her to enjoy.

Since Cats premiered as a show on Broadway, the show's ending has been discussed by musical fans. Many consider the Heaviside Layer to simply mean heaven-- I mean, they sound similar. Since Grizabella was an old cat, Cats' ending could represent the natural circle of life and death.

There are also darker theories about what the Heaviside Layer could symbolize. Some of these include a ritual sacrifice, which certainly makes Cats' ending less happy. Another is that the kitties in Cats are actually in purgatory, and that the Heaviside Layer is the real heaven. Clearly it's up for interpretation, which is why moviegoers may be puzzled by the ending of Tom Hooper's Cats movie.

Cats is in theaters now, so you can check out the wild musical blockbuster and judge its ending yourself. Plus, CinemaBlend's official review is up here. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Movie musicals have had a long history in the film world, originally helping to shape moviemaking, and still remaining a tried and true genre. Usually around this time of the year a movie musical will arrive in theaters hoping to accrue some Oscar nominations in the coming awards season. This year's entry is Tom Hooper's Cats, based off the record-breaking Andrew Lloyd Webber Broadway musical of the same name. However, while Hooper scored a whopping eight Oscar nominations and won three with 2012's Les Miserables, Cats won't have the same impact on voters or audiences.

Cats is based on the 1939 poetry book Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. The story takes place over one special night a year when the Jellicle Cats assemble and compete to become the winner of the Jellicle Choice. That lucky kitty will get a new life, ascending to the Heaviside Layer a.k.a. Heaven. And as you probably guessed, the words "Jellicle" and "cat" are uttered countless times throughout the course of the story.

Cats is a show about dancing, and in that respect the movie version really delivers. The main ensemble of dancers kill it, making each of the big names look better as a result. But the movie went viral ahead of its release thanks divisive digital fur technology used to transform the cast into their feline alter egos, and the final result is just as bizarre as expected. You won't be able to look away, but you might wish you could forget the "memory" of Cats by the movie's end.

Despite its flaws, Cats is a fascinating visual experience. There's a strange cognitive dissonance happening, as human faces and forms are given digital fur. The actors also play with giant set pieces, meant to give them smaller appearances of cats. But the scale isn't quite right, and the digital fur technology is inconsistent depending on the scene and character involved. In fact, it ends up being the most distracting aspect of the new movie musical.

Cats’ Fur-Like CGI Is Inconsistent And Distracting,

In some shots, the transformation truly happens. An actor's face properly becomes more cat-like, allowing for a unique visual experience. But it really depends on which scene and which character is involved. Newcomer Francesca Hayward plays protagonist Victoria, one of the characters whose visual effects always look completed. As for the bigger names in the Cats cast, they didn't all fare as well. Jennifer Hudson's transformation never quite clicks. Taylor Swift's appearance is another that appears unfinished. That, or they want to give the pop star's fans ample times to connect with her during the character's brief role and didn't want the CGI to completely hide her.

With the digital fur technology so inconsistent, audiences will likely spend much of the time in theaters trying to figure out exactly what is off about Cats' visuals. It's a disservice to the cast, who are each trying to sell their respective solo songs in the movie. One has to wonder if doing the traditional Broadway makeup would have been a better choice. While this would obviously take a toll on the skin of the cast, it might have allowed the Broadway magic of Cats to properly translate to the screen.

The All-Star Cast Of Cats Fails To Become An Ensemble,

Tom Hooper assembled a killer group of actors to play the iconic roles in Cats. While Francesca Hayward will be a new (cat) face for moviegoers, there are plenty of big names attached, each with their own musical number. There are legendary talents like Judi Dench and Ian McKellen alongside Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba, James Corden, and Rebel Wilson. Pop stars Jason Derulo and Taylor Swift round out the group for some extra star power. But despite all the talent, the group fails to ever truly become an ensemble.

It appears that it was a scheduling nightmare to get such big names together in the same room to film Cats, so it appears like Tom Hooper and company might have avoided this task altogether. Each big name shows up and introduces themselves, gets a song backed up by the dancers, and then fades back into the background. A subplot about kidnapping (catnapping?) is added to remind the audience that those names are even in the movie, as the various cat origin stories continue at the Jellicle Ball.

While it looks like Judi Dench was present during the big ensemble scenes, Cats' theatrical cut makes it seem like the majority of the starring cast recorded their numbers in private. As a result, the group of all-stars fail to gel together. The group mentality is vital to what Cats is as a Broadway show, and while the movie version keeps the dancers as a unit, the starring cast didn't have that same dynamic.

Cats The Musical Just Isn’t Right As A Movie

As I sat watching the movie version of Cats, I was struck by how difficult it was to connect to the material. Andrew Lloyd Webber is a legendary Broadway composer who has other hits such as Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Sunset Boulevard. The Broadway run of Cats lasted a whopping 18 years, and was the record holder for the longest running show. Clearly there's something special about the story that resonates with audiences, so why does it feel so strange in film form?

It's because it simply doesn't work in the medium. Cats has no real plot; each principal cast member pops up and sings a song-- eventually one of them is chosen to ascend into cat heaven. There's no real story to follow on the big screen. And while its not usual for dancers to wear flamboyant costumes and transform into a cat on stage, seeing people act like cats just isn't as effective here. The cats break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience in the show, although Tom Hooper abandons this framing device and tries to craft a linear narrative out of the film. It's changes how the story is told, and creates some dissonance. Is this supposed to be a drama or comedy?

The main issue with Cats seems to be that it's a movie at all, as the task of adapting such a stylized and iconic Broadway musical into a film would be a challenging task for anybody. The cast, however separate from each other, puts on spirited performances-- and there are some moments of magic and joy throughout the course of the movie's 110 minute runtime. Jason Derulo is arguably the scene stealer of the movie, while both Judi Dench and Ian McKellen prove why they're legends. But overall, Cats is a wild theatrical ride that as bizarre as you'd think... and perhaps more.

Movie musicals have always been a tried and true genre of filmmaking. In the modern era, these type of blockbusters typically arrive around Awards Season, allowing actors to rack up nominations and awards for their ability to bring stage characters to life on the big screen. We've seen this in notable movies like Chicago, Dreamgirls, and Les Miserables. The latter was directed by Tom Hooper, with the project earning a whopping eight Oscar nominations and winning three.

Tom Hooper is bringing his director's vision back to the musical genre with Cats, adapting the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber classic onto film for the first time. Hooper has assembled an all-star cast to play the Jellicles, and a set video recently teased the wild spectacle of the blockbuster. But now we've got an official trailer, and you can see the various feline characters come to life below.

Holy wow. Just how director Tom Hooper was going to bring Cats to life was largely a mystery, but now his method is clear. Rather than the typical costumes and makeup from the show's Broadway run, it seems that the feline appearance of the cast is happening thanks to some cutting edge visual affects.

The Cats trailer opens on Francesca Hayward's Victoria, the white cat. The part is usually only brought to life through dance, but it's clear that Victoria is going to be the protagonist kitty by which we meet the rest of the Jellicles. Dance is still at the heart of the character as well, and Hayward is a principal ballet dancer who is making her big screen debut in Cats.

Casual moviegoers might not be familiar with Francesca Hayward's work, but they'll recognize all the other kitties that will occupy the space and flesh out the cast. Top Hooper assembled a stellar cast, not dissimilar to what he did with his adaptation of Les Miserables. Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is playing Grizabella, and we can hear her goosebumps-inducing rendition of "Memory" throughout this first trailer.

There's a ton of musical talent attached to the project including the likes of Idris Elba (he has albums, look it up), Jason Derulo, and pop princess Taylor Swift. Swift is surprisingly not featured very heavily in this first trailer, playing the role of feisty cat Bombalurina. Then again, the extensive visual affects make it hard to discern the faces shown in this first trailer, so it's not like those hardcore T Swift fans are missing much.

Related: James Corden Felt High While Filming Cats

There's also some legendary actors involved in Cats, namely Ian McKellen and Dame Judi Dench. Both appear briefly in this first trailer, taking on colorful unique feline personas in their own wright. Additionally, Tom Hooper got some comedic royalty involved as well, in the form of James Corden and Rebel Wilson. Both actors have done movie musicals before, and their characters look like they'll be real scene stealers once Cats arrives this Holiday Season. Wilson's likeness was captured quite well in this first trailer, and you can see a glimpse of the comedic chops she'll bring to the character Jennyanydots.

For those unfamiliar, Cats is an iconic part of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's catalogue, alongside Broadway hits like Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar. The show takes place over the course of one night, where the Jellicle cats must decide which among them will ascend to Heaviside Layer, and the next stage of life. Each one of the cats gets a song of their own, so we should expect to see each A-Lister get their time to shine when Cats is released.

Cats is currently set to arrive in theaters on December 20th, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

Artemis Fowl is a brilliant character at the center of a set of books that delve into a world full of fairies and other fantastical creatures. In Eoin Colfer's popular novel series, Fowl often encounters Julius Root, the commander of LEPRecon, a curmudgeonly older dude with chest hair who smokes cigars on the regular. It's hard to imagine Judi Dench in that role, but she will play a female version of Commander Root in the new movie based on the book... and director Kenneth Branagh had a heck of a time convincing the actress to do it.

During a set visit earlier this year, Kenneth Branagh explained to CinemaBlend and a set of reporters that choosing to cast a female actress like Judi Dench in a traditionally male role had everything to do with "the uninformed hunt," explaining,

At 83 years of age, Judi Dench has taken on a lot of different types of roles over the years. However, it's not often that a gender-switched elf role comes along in a universe that ties in the world as we know it with a magical underworld filled with possibility. According to Branagh, the role was ultimately outside the box enough that Judi Dench was intrigued, but watching her transform into the character was a different matter entirely.

When it hits theaters, Artemis Fowl will feature some actors who have been in the business for quite a long time. People like Judi Dench, Josh Gad and Nonso Anozie will all pop up in the film. However, Artemis Fowl will also feature newcomers like Ferdia Shaw and Lara McDonnell, and Judi Dench's occasional reticence in regards to knowing how to translate a curmudgeonly male elf onto the big screen as a steely female elf proved to be a good learning lesson for the newcomers. Per Branagh:

Judi Dench has been in this game for a long time and still occasionally gets lost in the character, a lesson that is good for the newcomers to learn. Dench is also a major professional, however. Eventually, Kenneth Branagh says that she began roaming around the rehearsal space growling "Knock it off" in a way that reminded the director of Napoleon. So, her version of Commander Root sounds as if it will feature a lot of the same facets as the male literary version, although since it's a modern-day Disney movie, there may not be any smoking, fungus cigar or no. It should also bring some additional female power to a series that traditionally features a slew of dudes.

If you'd like to take a look at what the final version will be like onscreen, you can check out the first trailer for Artemis Fowl, below.

The movie based on Eoin Colfer's series has been a long time in the works, as Kenneth Branagh admitted to reporters he was working on creating the project for the big screen long before his recent movie Murder on the Orient Express got off the ground. Although Artemis Fowl has moved forward at this point, it doesn't hit theaters until August 9th 2019, which means we still have a while to wait to catch the flick. To find out what else is hitting theaters in 2019, take a look our full movie schedule.

The world of Hollywood and entertainment has seen a seismic shift in the past few years. After the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke the dam, allegations began flooding in about various powerful men in the industry. This included acclaimed actor Kevin Spacey, who was accused of sexual harassment by a bevy of men-- beginning with Anthony Rapp's allegations from when he was 14. Spacey ultimately lost his job at Netflix's House of Cards in the process, and reshoots were filmed in order to replace him with Christopher Plummer in All the Money In The World. Dame Judi Dench worked with Kevin Spacey in 2001's The Shipping News, and recently spoke up about the actor being cut from All the Money in the World, saying:

While not defending Kevin Spacey's alleged sexual misconduct, Dame Judi Dench takes umbrage with him being cut from a film role. She seems to think it sets a dangerous precedent, where actors can be fired from projects for any past impropriety.

Judi Dench's comments from San Sebastian Film Festival (via BBC) are sure to be polarizing for her generations of fans. The allegations made against Kevin Spacey are deeply personal by their nature, so emotions are high-- for even the outside observer. Yet the 83 year old actress doesn't think it should affect the movie itself, due to the imperfect nature of humans. Because one thing is clear in the current entertainment world: any past misstep has the potential to end your career.

Kevin Spacey's very public fall from grace was one of the first and biggest stories associated with the #MeToo movement, and the industry quickly attempted to distance itself from the actor. This included the cast of All the Money in the World, who insisted on reshoots in order to bring a new actor into Spacey's role. House of Cards will also release its final season this year without Spacey's protagonist Francis Underwood.

In addition to firings involving sexual misconduct, offensive comments have also gotten certain Hollywood figures fired. Roseanne Bar was fired by CBS for making jokes deemed racist, while Guardians of the Galaxy director/writer James Gunn was canned after offensive tweets from a decade ago resurfaced.

Judi Dench has a few projects coming down the pipeline, including Artemis Fowl on August 9, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

It was only recently that Dame Judi Dench was finally written out of the James Bond movies, a franchise in which she had played the well-liked M since 1995's GoldenEye. While fans remember her role well, she recently revealed there is one detail those fans often get wrong: The number of big screen James Bond adventures she actually appeared in. In case you are one of the people who happened to be counting wrong, Judi Dench is technically in eight big screen ventures, not seven. She recently revealed:

Judi Dench plays M in GoldenEye, as well as the subsequent movies starring Pierce Brosnan which are Tomorrow Never Dies, The World is not Enough and Die Another Day. She was so popular that when Daniel Craig took over, Dench stuck around, appearing in Casino Royal, Quantum of Solace and having an important role in Skyfall. However, although the appearance was uncredited in Spectre, she did get to spend a day on the set of the movie, happily filming a small scene that helped to move the plot forward. She's counting it, and in her opinion, we should too. Luckily for her, it's hard to say no or even disagree with a Dame who has been a working actress for more than sixty years. That's not an exaggeration by the way. She played Ophelia in Hamlet back in the late 1950s at the Old Vic in London, which was and still is one of the most famous theaters in the world.

Speaking to Deadline's The Actor's Side, Judi Dench had quite a bit to say about her years as an actress and about her Bond gig, which also included voice work for various video games. She also noted that she thinks it was definitely time to give up the role, mentioning she feels MI-6 "would've given her the push" by now. However, Judi Dench's M is still one of the most well-known and beloved characters in the James Bond universe, so she certainly left on a high note, even if her character was (spoiler alert) killed off in the franchise rather than like, retiring off into the sunset or whatever.

Currently, the Bond universe is prepping for Bond 25, which doesn't have an official title, yet. After hemming and hawing a bit, Daniel Craig did sign on for at least one more go at the character, so that's one detail about the new movie we can absolutely confirm for you. The latest flick is also scheduled for 2019. While we do have a while to wait before Bond 25 hits theaters -- it also doesn't have a director yet -- you can check out what is on the schedule for 2018 with our full premiere guide.

An Artemis Fowl movie has been in development for nearly as long as the book series has existed, but it's only been since Disney secured the film rights to the fantasy series that it's made significant progress. It was announced back in September of 2015 that Kenneth Branagh will direct the Artemis Fowl movie, and over two years later, we've finally learned who will populate the main cast. By far the biggest names this production has secured are Josh Gad and Judi Dench, who recently appeared together in Murder on the Orient Express.

Hitting many of the same beats as the original Artemis Fowl book, the movie will follow the eponymous protagonist, a 12-year-old genius, caught up in a battle of strength and cunning against a powerful and hidden race of fairies who may be behind his father's disappearance. Judi Dench has been cast as Commander Root, the commander of the fairy police force known as LEPrecon, while Josh Gad will play Mulch Diggums, a kleptomaniac dwarf who works for the fairies, but mainly looks out for himself. Gad is no stranger to starring in family-friendly movies, previously lending his talents to Frozen, Beauty and the Beast and The Angry Birds Movie. Judi Dench has primarily stuck with content geared towards adult, though she did appear in last year's Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

But these wasn't the only piece of casting information to come out today. Disney also announced that the role of Artemis Fowl will be played newcomer Ferida Shaw, with the Artemis Fowl movie marking his onscreen debut. He'll be joined by Lara McDonnell, who will play Captain Holly Short, one of LEPrecons top officers who Artemis kidnapped in the book. McDonnell's previous credits include The Delinquent Season, The Walk Invisible and Love, Rosie.

Finally, Nonso Anozie has been cast as Butler, Artemis Fowl's bodyguard. Anozie's big screen credits include Ender's Game, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Cinderella and Pan, while TV viewers might know him better for recurring as Xaro Xhoan Daxos on Game of Thrones, or as one of the leads on Dracula and Zoo. You can be sure that there will be more Artemis Fowl casting announcements coming soon (such as who will be tapped to play Foaly and Julius Root), but for now, this is an interesting lineup of actors.

Based off both the first book and the follow-up, Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident, the Artemis Fowl movie will be released in theaters on August 9, 2019. To find out what movies will be released in theaters sooner, consult with our 2018 premiere guide.

Back in 2014, Stephen Frears and Judi Dench's collaboration on Philomena took the awards circuit by storm. While the film didn't win the lion's share of trophies it was nominated for, it still remains a powerful film that won the hearts of critics, and audiences, alike. So upon hearing that Victoria and Abdul would team the two up again for their third film together, as well as marking a return to royalty with Dench's second time playing Queen Victoria, it was as if the Academy was being properly baited for a repeat. Unfortunately, Victoria and Abdul does not fall anywhere near those heights, but it does manage to be a fun and enjoyable film, in its attempt at just that.

All Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) was supposed to do was go to England, present Queen Victoria (Judi Dench) with a ceremonial coin of minor importance, and go back to his home in India. But what was supposed to be a passing moment of pomp and circumstance turns into a friendship between the Queen of England and a man she's taken quite a liking to.

If you're going into Victoria and Abdul thinking it'll either be a deep examination of cross-cultural values or a serious costume drama of great self-importance, you're going to be very disappointed. Rather than take the completely serious route, this movie plays itself rather lightly for the most part, and it really does excel in this respect. If, however, you enjoy a mixture of mostly droll British humor, with some grounded and dour emotional notes, then Stephan Frears' latest film is perfect for you, as it lightens things up with genial charm, and absolutely gorgeous visual flair.

In fact, for a good portion of the first act, Victoria and Abdul acts as a comedy of manners, as Abdul's growing relationship with the Queen begins to make some people nervous, and causes everyone to speculate just what is going on between the two historical figures. However, it's when the film starts to shift gears into a more mournful gear in the second act that it starts to suffer its growing pains. By the end of Victoria and Abdul, the film has entered wholly dramatic territory that's meant to wring tears and inspire thoughts, which would have worked if the rest of the film wasn't so focused on the jovial relationship between Fazal's Abdul and Dench's Victoria. This doesn't render the entirety of the film a disaster, but rather, it leaves it a mixed bag that stands at the crossroads of being a delightfully dry comedy or a socially conscious drama.

The greatest asset that Victoria and Abdul has is the performances of its ensemble, with Judi Dench and Ali Fazal acting as bright and luminous suns to this film's galaxy of actors. Dench, as always, is in top form in her follow-up to her Oscar nominated performance as Queen Victoria in Mrs. Brown; showcasing that, as always, she knows how to portray regal grace and kind mischief. But even more impressive is Ali Fazal's efforts in the role of Abdul, as he more than holds up his end of the bargain in his scenes with Dame Judi. While the film's emotional finale may not have worked as well as it should have, his acting chops during those sequences are given quite a showcase. Apart, they're both spectacular, but together, their chemistry is undeniable.

As always, the question of just how accurate Victoria and Abdul is to the historical events that inspired it is raised. Though, as if to cheekily rebut these nit-picking efforts, the film starts with a title card that talks about how the film is "based on true events... mostly." Historical relevance or not, Victoria and Abdul makes for a mild, inoffensive entertainment that pleases fans of solidly acted historical fiction, beautifully photographed scenery and costumes, and all things British. But if this film were one of the desserts served to Queen Victoria herself, it would definitely be a Profiterole, as it looks denser than it actually is, but is still delightful in its lighter, puffier reality.

One of the more surprising films in Dame Judi Dench's varied filmography is the 2004 sci-fi adventure The Chronicles of Riddick. Playing Aereon, a prophet in the cult classic sci-fi sequel, that puts into motion Vin Diesel's fate as a hero and then leader of the Riddick universe, folks may not have expected such a part to be played by a woman who won an Oscar for Shakespeare In Love. And yet, she agreed to such a proposition, after a simple gesture of fandom, courtesy of Riddick himself Vin Diesel. Dench explained this process, as follows:

Considering what even the smallest of theater corridors measures out to be, that bouquet had to have been a proper monster to have not been able to fit into the Haymarket Theater. Dame Judi Dench was performing at that theater when Diesel made his offer for her to be in the sequel to Pitch Black, and while it may be a moderate to small sized theater when compared to some of the bigger houses, you still have to wonder just how big these flowers were exactly. Then again, there's a chance that the bouquet was hand picked by Vin Diesel himself, which means that whatever looked like a modest arrangement to him may have turned out to be a rather gargantuan assortment upon delivery.

Revealing this fun story to EW, Dench reminded us of two things: yes, she was in that Riddick movie we need to re-acquaint ourselves with, and that her career is more diverse than a lot of people might remember. While most remember her either as M in the James Bond films or from her role in the long-running British TV show, As Time Goes By, there are a couple of other roles that Dame Judi Dench has taken that most folks wouldn't think of. Roles like the talking cow Mrs. Caloway in Disney's Home on the Range, or Miss Avocet, or even a caretaker in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. When taking roles such as those into account, it only further highlights how awesome it was that Dench was given the role of Aereon is pretty spectacular.

Then again, most recent history has seen Dame Judi rapping alongside Lethal Bizzle, so there isn't really all that much left that could surprise her fans. Live this joyous moment for yourself, in the video below.

For those of you more used to the Dame Judi Dench showcased in traditional costume dramas, you'll be able to enjoy her in Victoria & Abdul, which is in exclusive NY engagements right now, but will roll out in limited release over time. Though don't be surprised if Vin tries to draft Dame Judi in for his Furia, the next proposed adventure in the Riddick canon.

As it has been written in the Sacred Book of Streaming, the content provider giveth, and yet they taketh away. Well, we've seen what Netflix has already deemed to giveth to us all throughout September, so now it's time to see what's up for the taketh part of the bargain. And trust us, there's some really good movies on here, some would have even been good for Halloween. So if you're in the mood to celebrate early, this list is your friend. But even if you're not in the mood for some early scares, there's a couple flicks on here worth your time and attention.

The Omen

Movies like The Omen are classics for a reason, despite the popular level of parody they've received over time. You might be inspired to laugh because so many gags about demon children and ominous choirs have been had by now, but if you look past that, Richard Donner's horror classic is still stylish and spooky as hell. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick love each other so damned much in this movie, and they love their little Damien as long as they can, before succumbing to the truth. It's that gradual fade into reality that really drives this flick home, and it holds up like nobody's business.

Something's Gotta Give

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton doing a romantic comedy together is something that should have happened a lot more throughout the course of Hollywood history. At least, that's what it feels like after watching them effortlessly play off of each other in Something's Gotta Give, which is already somehow 14 years old! The film certainly plays just as well as it did on day one, as it succeeds in a lot of places a typical rom-com tends to fail through. The entire cast is engaging, there's no falsely engineered conflict that stretches the film's credibility, and ultimately Nicholson's character is put on a journey of self-discovery that rings pretty true. It's fun, it's cute, and it's a great farewell to summer.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Man, who was put in charge of removing Netflix movies in September? Whoever decided A Nightmare on Elm Street should be taken out before Halloween even goes into full swing should be reprimanded. Or at the very least, have their account restricted to Kids Only mode for the month. Nightmare launched the slasher franchise that made Wes Craven a household name, and Freddy Krueger a cultural icon, so obviously it's perfect fall viewing. Only, it's not going to be here in the fall, so you'd better watch it now while you can.

Frailty

This year, we lost two titans of character acting talent: Bill Paxton and Powers Boothe. And both of those men are in full form in Frailty, the film directing debut of Paxton, which also found some space to make Matthew McConaughey a little more familiar to the world. A horror film that relies on atmosphere and performance, Frailty is one of the most underrated favorites of even the genre's most ardent fans, and it's earned its reputation in spades. With Paxton as the father that teaches his sons to supposedly fight evil, McConaughey as the son spinning the story, and Boothe as the FBI agent who's taking it all in, these three roles hold up a world of demons and trouble in a film that's always deserved a couple more soldiers in its army.

Scream

As if Wes Craven helping kickstart horror films in the 80's wasn't enough, the man also helped deconstruct the house he built in the 1990's. With Scream, audiences that were well versed in the methodology of their favorite screen killers found themselves in for a treat, as a smart-assed movie took those traditions and subverted them with a deft touch. Not to mention, it was the movie that basically reinvigorated horror, as the fact that such a functional parody of the standard "rules" of the game forced anyone who wanted to make their way in the world of the scary think twice before writing the words "I'll be right back." Try to remember the rules as you take this one for a last spin on Netflix.

Hope Floats

Believe it or not, there was a time when Sandra Bullock was considered the up-and-coming queen of both romantic comedies and dramas. While she leaped over that fence and became Hollywood royalty, regardless of genre, Hope Floats is still evidence to that time when America's Sweetheart was just getting started. What helps this film stand out in her early filmography though is her chemistry with one Harry Connick Jr., who easily shines alongside Bullock as her love interest. Here's hoping those two can make another film like this one at some point in the future, because Hope Floats really makes a good case for making it happen.

Lilo and Stitch

While we're getting some Disney favorites back onto Netflix this month, through the returns of Mulan and Hercules, we're sadly losing another one of the Mouse House's titles to the vault, Lilo and Stitch. A franchise that spawned two sequels and a TV series, and somehow never ruined itself, the story of a little girl and her alien is a film that ranks up there with Disney royalty. What's better, it was one of the final films in Disney animation's pre Princess and the Frog era that was hand animated, and it shows in each frame. Beautiful in message and visuals, flip this one on for your kids after a night barbequing in the backyard.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

There's one big admission that has to be made about Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: if you're a fan of the original, you'll probably have some bones to pick with the film. But put those aside for a moment, and hear us out, because this dark gem of a musical still deserves a place at the table. The fact that a major studio let Tim Burton even dream of making this movie is a miracle in and of itself, but the fact that it worked is a bigger feat in and of itself. Plus, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter were in the middle of their hot streak together under Burton's direction, and it shows. But if you need that one big draw to pull you into the world of murder and meat pies, let it be this: you get to hear Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron-Cohen sing, and they're pretty damned good, too.

Philomena

Steve Coogan and Judi Dench are one of the best comedy teams in the recent history of film, and Philomena is the absolute proof of this fact. With Coogan's snark and Dench's wide-eyed deadpan, the true story of a journalist trying to help a woman find her son has a huge streak of good natured humor between the two sides of the aisle. And yet, when it comes to the dramatic and emotional moments, both performers gamely portray the heartbreak and uncertainty that such a quest comes with. While it was lost in the best picture nominated shuffle in the same year that saw Argo take the top honors, Philomena deserves an audience, if anything to see just how much you can do with two really good actors and a simple story of reunion.

Déjà Vu

Tony Scott and Denzel Washington is a combination that always worked, and it's been proven time and again over the several times they worked together. And yet, Déjà vu is probably one of the movies that tends to find itself slotted behind the obvious double feature of awesome that is Crimson Tide and Man on Fire. Not only does this movie bring the typical pulse pounding action and humor that the two collaborators loved to bring to their projects, it works with a pretty novel sci-fi concept that works. It also helps that while Déjà vu is technically sci-fi, that portion of the story doesn't overtake the seriously crafty action beats. If you've missed this one, and you're a fan of either Scott or Washington, then you owe it to yourself to correct that immediately.

With the trend of nostalgia currently ruling the world of TV and film, it seems like every beloved property is being brought back for a reboot or revival. And the latest of these is the upcoming remake of the classic murder mystery film Murder on the Orient Express. The third adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel features an absolutely stunning ensemble cast, the film has been slowly accruing fan excitement and anticipation. And now all of the wait will pay off, as the first trailer for the new Murder on the Orient Express is upon us. It may be brief, but its sure to feature every starring member of the cast. Check it out.

This trailer is short and sweet, but pretty exciting nevertheless. Film stars new and old have assembled for this remake, and the resulting trailer is thoroughly intriguing. So I can only imagine how the finished film will look. Let's break down exactly what we're being shown in this brief trailer.

From the start, the feeling of foreboding and suspense in the film is palpable. We see the ominous titular train pull into a station, and various passengers get settled in the dining cart. But things quickly go awry when someone is murdered, and Kenneth Branagh's Hercule Poirot is tasked with finding out whodunit. While this might be a difficult task, Poirot has a mustache that could presumably conquer the world. So there's that.

The costume design for Murder on the Orient Express looks absolutely fantastic. Set in 1935, we see as the various passengers on the Orient Express attempt to enjoy their long train ride. Each character's class and status is immediately clear by how their costumes juxtapose each other. It's delightful to see the suits and dresses of the 30's, instantly transporting the audience back in time and suspending their disbelief.

Perhaps the most powerful moment of the entire trailer is a long shot featuring the majority of the film's cast. As each character is introduced, they're given a title card (which feels somewhat Suicide Squad-ish nowadays). The titles function similar to a game of Clue. There's the professor, the widow, the butler, etc. Their status will likely affect how they're interrogated, as well as which secrets the motley crew is respectively hiding.

The cast of Murder on the Orient Express is absolutely fantastic. Joining Kenneth Branagh are living legends like Dame Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Willem Defoe, as well as acclaimed performers like Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz. They're joined by more contemporary stars such as Star Wars' Daisy Ridley, Beauty and the Beast's Josh Gad, and Hamilton star and Tony Award Winner Leslie Odom Jr. During the project's filming, Josh Gad would repeatedly harass Daisy Ridley about Star Wars spoilers, with his videos quickly going viral. In fact, Judi Dench even joined in on the fun at one point.

Murder on the Orient Express will pull into the station on November 10, 2017. Be sure to check our our full 2017 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

While the Murder on the Orient Express remake suffer a slight setback when Angelina Jolie departed, the project has managed to bounce back and then some. Following yesterday's reports that Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer (seen above) were being eyed to join the remake, their casting was confirmed today, but they weren't the only familiar faces joining that 20th Century Fox had to announce.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens star Daisy Ridley and acting legend Dame Judi Dench, who can be seen starting tomorrow in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, have also been cast in Murder on the Orient Express. All four actors join director Kenneth Branagh, who will also play the main detective, Hercule Poirot. Johnny Depp will play Rachett, Michelle Pfeiffer will play Mrs. Hubbard, Ridley will play Mary Debenham and Dench will play Princess Dragomiroff. We won't provide any spoilers here for those who haven't read the original novel or seen the previous theatrical adaptations, but for one of those actors, we suspect they won't get that much screen time, assuming no major alterations to the story have been made.

Those four names are enough to get many excited for this new take of Murder on the Orient Express, but the list of new actors who've been added doesn't end with them. Here are the rest of the principal players: Sing Street's Lucy Boynton as Countess Andrenyi; Da Vinci's Demons Tom Bateman as Bouc; Gladiator's (and Tony-winner) Derek Jacobi as Masterman; Ant-Man's Michael Pena as Marquez and Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr. as Doctor Arbuthnot. There are still a few roles left to be cast, but otherwise, the main cast has shaped up nicely. Here's what Kenneth Branagh has to say about everyone's inclusion:

Written by Agatha Christie and published in 1934, Murder on the Orient Express remains one of the most famous crime novels nearly a century later.The story has been adapted numerous times in other media, but the most famous adaptation is without a doubt the 1974 theatrical movie, which starred Albert Finney, Sean Connery and Lauren Bacall, among others. Just like the other versions, the remake will revolve around a murder on the eponymous train, and it's up to Hercule Poirot to investigate the passengers and learn who committed the crime. We'll have to wait and see how this new version holds up to its predecessors, but with a cast like this, our interest is already piqued.

Written by Michael Green, Murder on the Orient Express will begin production in London starting sometime in November, but no release date has been assigned yet. Stay tuned to Cinema Blend for all the relevant updates surrounding the remake as more news comes in.

At this point, James Bond has pretty much done it all. He’s fought all the bad guys, he’s been with all the girls. You’d think at this point they’d be running out of ideas. It turns out, however, that there are actually ideas that they’ve had to turn down, even in recent James Bond films. The script that eventually became the blockbuster Skyfall was once a very different movie, and it included a scene where James Bond does something that would have turned the franchise on its head. He killed M.

Peter Morgan, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of The Queen, tried his hand at writing a James Bond screenplay once upon a time. His script, entitled Once Upon A Spy, would have included flashbacks of Judi Dench’s M as a young MI6 agent herself. During this period, she had an affair with a KGB agent. Back in our modern day the agent’s son is blackmailing M and she brings in Bond to deal with the situation. The situation eventually culminates in Bond being forced to kill M. It’s not entirely clear from the story in The Guardian why he has to do it. Whether he’s actually being compelled by some outside force, or if he simply sees no other choice. And you thought Skyfall was already dark enough?

While Morgan’s script was rejected overall, it was the launching point that eventually led to the movie that Skyfall would become. The idea of a mistake from M’s past coming back to haunt here as the primary driver of the plot was kept, though the secret was drastically changed. Also, the fact that M does not survive the film remained as well, though Bond’s hands were kept clean. The final version of the script would go on to be the most successful film in the history of the franchise.

Robert Wade, one of the screenwriters who turned Once Upon a Spy into Skyfall says that that the original script was more of a John Le Carré spy story than it was Ian Fleming. This implies a much more dramatic and less action-focused film than we traditionally see in James Bond. Le Carré’s stories are generally much more about the politics involved in the spy trade than the people or the conflicts. It may have very well been a very good movie, but possibly not a good James Bond Movie.

Can you picture James Bond killing M? It’s interesting to imagine how this would have changed the impact of Skyfall and potentially the trajectory of the entire series if they’d gone ahead with it. Maybe it wouldn’t have been as good as Skyfall but maybe Spectre would have been better.

Of all the actresses to have Harvey Weinstein’s name tattooed on her ass, we would never have thought it would be Judi Dench. There’ve been rumors going around for a while that the Oscar-winning actress had gotten this particular piece of work done, but the man to whom she owes a great deal has transformed this gossip into fact. And you’ve gotta hear the story.

Judi Dench admittedly owes her later career as a big-screen actress to the head of The Weinstein Co. and she wanted to honor him in the only way she knew how: with a memorable tattoo. Weinstein went on The Graham Norton Show and revealed this pretty hilarious tale of how he found out about her new ink. Dench had taken him to the Four Seasons Restaurant and said, "I’ve got a surprise. You’re a guy who has everything. I don’t know what to get you." Though the restaurant was filled with a number of other Hollywood icons, including Carly Simon and the late Mike Nichols and Nora Ephron, Dench unbuckled her pants and dropped trou to reveal "JD loves HW."

"I put your name on my ass," she had told Weinstein, to which he replied by falling over. Only Dench could flash her bare bottom to one of the most influential figures in Hollywood and have it taken as a tribute. Meryl might be another exception. You’ve gotta wonder now if Jennifer Lawrence has done anything like that. She did, after all, become an Oscar winner for Weinstein’s Silver Linings Playbook.

According to Harvey Weinstein, Judi Dench also showed her tat to Oprah! When they were all at the BAFTA awards in 2013 (Dench had been nominated for Philomena and Oprah for The Butler), Oprah casually asked him if the whole rumor was true. That was all Dench needed as a prompt to once again unbuckle her pants and show the goods.

You might think this entirely nutty of the now 80-year-old star of the silver screen, but if it wasn’t for Harvey, she might have never risen to such stardom. She already had a successful run as a star of television and theatre, but Mr. Weinstein had wondered why she hadn’t done movies yet. When she was first making the transition, she had already been cast as M in the James Bond movies, but Weinstein approached her and persuaded her to take on the role of Queen Victoria in the 1997 film Mrs. Brown. She earned an Oscar nomination for Best Actress as a result, and from there she went on to star in another of Weinstein’s films Shakespeare in Love, which won her Best Supporting Actress at the Globes and Oscars.

There’s nothing like starting off the week with a story about Judi Dench exposing her ass to the likes of Harvey Weinstein and Oprah. Remember this in case you find yourself face to face with this iconic actress. If you ask nicely, perhaps she’ll put on a show.

This year’s Best Actress race is stacked. I’d be willing to listen to arguments that the five ladies involved are the single most talented grouping ever assembled in a Best Actress category. They’re the equivalent of last year’s Best Supporting Actor field. Let’s just do a quick round up. Meryl Streep has eighteen (yes, eighteen) Academy Award nominations. Judi Dench has seven. Cate Blanchette has six, Adam Adams is rocking five and Sandra Bullock, arguably the most famous person in the category, is bringing up the rear with two. That’s a stacked list of competitors, and it tells us we can’t just flippantly write anyone off.

Remember that speech Sally Field gave about everyone liking her? Well, at some basic level, that’s actually true. There has to be wide respect, admiration and some degree of like for a person to be singled out by her peers, and the more nominations someone has, the more overtly that’s true. As such, all of these women have a puncher’s chance of walking away with a gold statue, but from where I’m sitting some of them have a little bit more of a realistic shot than others.

Here’s how this year’s Best Actress field shakes out…

DARK HORSES: Judi Dench And Meryl Streep

God, it feels weird putting these ladies at the back of any line. They’re among the most respected actresses in the history of Hollywood, but unfortunately, neither is in a movie this year that really connected with the general public. Despite nominations for both her and co-star Julia Roberts, August: Osage County failed to secure a Best Picture nomination and hasn’t made a huge dent at the box office. It also hasn’t really earned a lot of buzz, possibly because it turned out to be a whole lot more serious than many fans imagined when they first heard "family drama with Julia and Meryl".

Philomena, not Philomania, poses a few of its own problems for Dench. The film did nab a Best Picture hat tip, but to this point, it hasn’t even crossed $30 million at the domestic box office. It’s also very heavy with religious themes, which doesn’t rule it out but will be a no-no with certain voters. In a tight race like this in which every vote matters, having a film that’s somehow a little controversial but also not widely seen is a bad formula to accrue enough votes.

CONTENDERS: Amy Adams And Sandra Bullock

With all due respect to George Clooney, Gravity is mostly a one woman show, and considering it made an insane amount of money and won fans over across the world, you would think Bullock would be trending as the frontrunner. That’s just not the case, though. Apart from a few great monologues and some wonderful physical acrobatics, there aren’t a ton of showy moments, and with this level of competition, that hasn’t allowed her to nudge ahead of the pack, let alone distance herself in any way. Maybe if she had a few more chances to interact. Maybe if so much of the movie wasn’t life or death practicalities. Regardless, she should be really proud of herself for what she accomplished.

Amy Adams has a little bit of momentum thanks to her Best Actress in a comedy or musical nod at the Golden Globes. Obviously, American Hustle isn’t a straight up comedy, but it offers enough laughs to be classified as such at that ceremony. With everything combined together and all the other women suddenly added as competitors, however, getting over the hump is a hell of a lot harder. Besides, a case could be made that the sheer wealth of brilliant performances in that film, three of which were also nominated, serve to soften her brilliance a bit by obscuring how incredible she really is.

FRONTRUNNER: Cate Blanchett

Blue Jasmine is a difficult film to sit through and not because it features director Woody Allen’s typical dialogue rife with sophisticated references and witty, high class retorts. No, Blue Jasmine is a difficult film to sit through because at its core it offers viewers a woman that’s rapidly spiraling out of control. It offers a selfish, manipulative and oblivious former socialite who is every bit as hard to root for as she is honest and complicated. Thanks to Allen’s tribute at the Globes, there has recently been quite a bit of talk about how complicated and fascinating Woody’s women typically are. I’m not going to say Jasmine is the best he’s ever given us, but in Blanchette’s capable hands, she deserves to be at least mentioned.

At this point, it’s easier to count the number of Best Actress awards Blanchett has lost over the past few months (4) than it is to count the number of honors she’s won (more than 30). Altogether, that’s enough to make her a prohibitive favorite to take home her second statue and first for Best Actress. If you’re filling out a pool and you go with Blanchett, this should be one of your safest categories, but as we’ve found out dozens of times in the past, every now and again defeat gets snatched from the jaws of assumed victory.

To read the other categories, click here.

Speculation is one of the most fun things about being a fan of something. I can't even begin to count the number of hours I've spent sitting on a couch talking with friends about where we see things going for Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I've loved every minute of it (even when it occasionally degrades into insults and shouting). Where speculation becomes dangerous, however, is when it becomes widespread enough to be upgraded to the status of "rumor." Rumor, of course, leads to the spread of misinformation, and it's an incredibly common occurrence when it comes to major movie franchises. It's with that in mind that we report the latest rumor from the Star Wars universe.

Sites around the internet have picked up a story from a website called Big Shiny Robot that claims to have the latest exclusive, super-duper, scoop about the latest development of Star Wars: Episode VII. The site claims - without confirming the story with anybody and simply citing a small podcast called "Full of Sith" - that Dame Judi Dench (of all people) is now in line to play Mon Mothma (of all characters) in J.J. Abrams' sci-fi epic. The source blatantly admits that the story may be "a case of misinformation," and, really, when you look at the evidence it pretty obviously is.

Let's start by talking about Caroline Blakiston. For those who don't recognize the name, Blakiston was the actress who first portrayed Mon Mothma back in 1983's Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. If Blakiston were retired from the acting world it might be conceivable that the production would recast the part (which was frankly a pretty small part to begin with), but that's not even the case, as the actress has continued doing film and television work and even appeared on an episode of the BBC series Father Brown earlier this month.

Even ignoring Blakiston, however, let's just think about the character of Mon Mothma for a second. While she was shown as a leader of the Rebel Alliance in the third Star Wars film, it was hardly a major part, and it's hard to imagine that it would be one that would be expanded in Episode VII. And if the production is actually looking at Dame Judi Dench (which I can't deny is a possibility given the fact that everybody is going out for a role) wouldn't it make a lot more sense that she would be playing a new character? There's not a whole lot of this that adds up or makes sense.

Until Disney and Lucasfilm actually start announcing some official casting news for Star Wars: Episode VII we are guaranteed to keep seeing stories like this for weeks and weeks to come. I look forward to the point in time when the number of real Star Wars stories outweighs the number of Star Wars rumors.

Taerg swen sredaer! Ahem. Great news readers! One of the quaintest children’s stories of our times is getting a big screen adaptation, and it has instant classic written all over it, if wishful thinking if alive and well. Esio Trot, Raold Dahl’s 1990 illustrated sub-micro –novella is soon going into production. It seems a cheat to just refer to this as a children’s book, as it easily translates adult themes on level enjoyable to all ages.

Which is good, because I don’t know how many children skew towards films that star Dustin Hoffman and Dame Judi Dench, because those are the two Oscar winning actors that Irish director Dearbhla Walsh will be working with, as reported by Showbiz411. With that kind of talent leading a film that will be adapted from an admittedly slight narrative, the bulk of the work will come down to Walsh, but she won the 2009 Primetime Emmy for her miniseries Little Dorrit and that’s on top of a solid career in television work in series such as Shameless and Borgia.

Esio Trot is the age-old tale of a man who lies in order to attract the attention of a woman, only sweeter and weirder. Mr. Hoppy, a bashful old fellow is in love with Ms Silver, the woman in the apartment below his. She has a tiny pet tortoise that she wishes would grow larger, and Mr. Hoppy has just the ticket: a semi-elaborate scheme. I expect the movie will elaborate further on said scheme in order to pull off a normal runtime. I certainly hope Walsh will go for a more stylized look than your average children’s film, or whatever this eventually gets marketed as.

In the meantime, you can catch Dench inspiring Oscar buzz in Stephen Fears’ drama Philomena opposite Steve Coogan. And Hoffman just directed his first film, Quartet, based on Ronald Harwood’s play of the same name.

An England production is set to begin filming.

When you're doing an interview on-camera, there are a few awkward moments where you're settling in and the cameras are getting ready, all with the star sitting right across from you. With some actors you just let them be-- the poor people barely get a break through an entire grueling day of interviews. But every now and then the break is a lot longer, while the actor has their makeup adjusted or orders lunch or something, and it would just be weird not to talk, right? So this is how I wound up chatting with Judi Dench about hangover cures.

I had just come from interviewing Daniel Craig, who was putting a packet of Emergen-C in water (clearly, press tour requires extra vitamins). WHen I mentioned it to Dench, she didn't know what it was, so we talked for a while before figuring out the British equivalent of Emergen-C, which is apparently heavy on vitamin B. And then-- yes, we still weren't rolling-- I mentioned that vitamin B is the best cure for a hangover. And oh, did Judi Dench ever know about that nugget of knowledge.

Around that time the cameras cut on, and it seemed wrong not to share, so below you can watch my conversation with the star of Skyfall, who reprises her role as Bond's boss M and gets in on the action more than she ever has before. We talk about being a feminist icon, her grandson thinking she's cool, how Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan are different Bonds, and of course, exactly when you have to take vitamin B for it to be the perfect hangover cure.

Skyfall is in theaters today.

Opening opposite The Avengers seemed like a bad idea for the arthouse ensemble dramedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. And in reality, it was. While Joss Whedon’s mega-massive blockbuster banked $207 million in its opening weekend, Marigold earned $737,051 (in 27 locations, mind you, but still). But Marigold didn’t completely disappear-- and in fact, it's now taken its surprise success on the road to a sequel.

Now it sounds like Fox Searchlight is actively pursuing a follow-up to the winning film, asking screenwriter Ol Parker to deliver a treatment that it involves the principle members of the original cast. If you had asked me to list 10 movies from 2012 that would have spawned a sequel, Marigold would have landed somewhere near No. 57, and yet, the decision makes a lot of sense. The original film, budgeted around $10 million, went on to earn a wildly successful $134.3M internationally, making it a huge hit for Fox Searchlight. The studio’s currently shopping the film for awards consideration, and it’s possible one of the elite members of the cast could break through into a critics’ group’s conversations.

Vulture, which breaks the story, says that the bulk of the cast “all wants to come back,” from Dame Judi Dench to Bill Nighy and Maggie Smith. And really, if you managed to catch John Madden’s feature – which followed a gaggle of Brits as they attempted to vacation at an off-the-beaten-path Indian resort – you know that you’d be willing to follow this graceful, funny and endearing ensemble virtually anywhere. Vulture goes on to point out several of the projects in the works that focus on older cast members. But for now, we’ll see where a Marigold sequel takes the audience. For now, consider us in.

It would seem that Stephen Frears is in the mood to do nothing but work. While is latest film, Lay The Favorite, hasn't even hit US theaters yet (following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January), he has already completed production on the drama Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight, and now it's being reported that he's set up the cast for his next project as well.

Variety has learned that the British filmmaker has hired Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan to star in Philomena, a new projects based on the Martin Sixsmith book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee: A Mother, Her Son and a 50 Year Search." Based on a true story, the plot follows Lee as she teams up with Sixsmith to try and find the illegitimate son that she was forced to give up while living in a Catholic home for unmarried mothers in Ireland. Meanshile, it turned out that her son had become Michael Hess, a Republican politician and closeted homosexual who had been diagnosed with AIDS. With the knowledge that he was dying, he actually traveled to Ireland to try and get the nuns at the Catholic home to reveal his mother's identity.

Coogan, who co-wrote the film with Jeff Pope, will play the role of Sixsmith while Dench will play Lee. Said Coogan about the story, "The film is a comic tragedy or a tragic comedy. It's about two very different people, at different stages of their lives, who help each other and show that there is laughter even in the darkest places."

Frears plans to shoot the film next month in London, Northern Ireland and Washington, D.C. and Pathe has already signed on to handle worldwide sales and distribution in the U.K. and France.

Despite the fact that Ralph Fiennes has been confirmed to play a role in the next James Bond film, Skyfall, for months now, one question that has remained is what role he will be playing. In a recent interview with the Daily Record, the actor said that he will be playing a government agent, but that's not really helpful considering that practically everyone but the villain in Bond films works for the government. Now a source over a MovieWeb is suggesting that the role Fiennes could be playing would be much bigger than any simple "government agent."

*POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED*

The unnamed source, who apparently works for EON Productions (the company behind Bond films) says that Fiennes will be playing a character that comes in to replace Judi Dench as M. If true, this could mean that Skyfall will be the final 007 movie that Dench does. She has played M a total of six times, dating back to 1995's GoldenEye. This news would give good reason to why we have yet to learn Fiennes' character's real name.

As previously reported, the plot involves the trust between James Bond (Daniel Craig) and M being breached as MI6 comes under attack. Directed by Sam Mendes, the film also Javier Bardem, Albert Finney, Helen McCrory, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe and Ben Whishaw. For more about the movie, be sure to head over to our Blend Film Database.

James Bond sequels regulary end up being international affairs. The secret agent’s license to kill usually works as a passport to global hotspots. I’d be hard pressed to come up with any major international location that didn’t serve as the backdrop for at least one 007 adventure.

As director Sam Mendes puts the finishing touches on pre-production for his as-yet-untitled Bond 23, we continue to hear about new locations that plan to host 007’s crew. India was on the list, until railway officials gave Mendes a hard time about an elaborate railway stunt that would “promote” train hopping by locals (a no-no in India). South Africa was selected as an alternate shooting location. Now MI6-HQ.com, a Web site dedicated to the latest James Bond news, says longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli met with officials in Istanbul, Turkey, to finalize plans to shoot multiple scenes in the city in November. At the very least, the film’s opening sequence – usually involving an eye-popping stunt – will be shot in Istanbul, though officials say the production could bank footage around town for use in different spots in the film.

As Turkey tourism officials point out, Bond fans often travel to filming locations to see where 007 left his mark. MI6 reports that Mendes will film in the historical neighborhood Sultanahmet Square, as well as along the shores of the Bosporus. Previously, Istanbul played host to two Bond sequels over the years: Sean Connery’s excellent From Russian With Love and Pierce Brosnan’s less-impressive The World Is Not Enough.

"It really just feels like we are coming home," Wilson told area reporters.

In other Bond-related news, Twitch is reporting that French television actress Berenice Marlohe has been cast as the next Bond Girl, a coveted role occupied over the years by everyone from Ursula Andress to Halle Berry. But nothing has been confirmed, so take this with a grain of salt until we hear something official from producers.

What do we know about Bond 23 for sure? Well, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan penned the script, which stars Daniel Craig in his third go-round as 007. MGM will get it into theaters on Nov. 9, 2012.