One of TV’s most gorgeous murder-mystery dramedies will soon return — okay, it’s almost definitely on top of that list — as The White Lotus is currently in the midst of filming its highly anticipated fourth season. (Even if it won’t be ready in time for a 2026 premiere date.) The HBO series suffered a creative blip in recent days when the absolutely stacked cast lost Oscar winner Helena Bonham Carter over curiously described creative differences. But her replacement has already been found, and it’s a banger.

In a pinch, creator Mike White was able to work some recasting magic by bringing in one of his go-to collaborators, the always excellent Laura Dern, who is officially set to fill the void left by Carter's absence, as reported by Deadline. All hail the queen!

Dern won't be playing the exact same character that was written for The Crown vet, which is possibly a good thing, since it was the role itself that caused disagreements once filming began, sparking the actress to bow out. (It was stated the character "didn't align" with everyone else.) Mike White says he'd still love to bring Carter back for a later season in a different capacity.

Instead, the Jurassic franchise fave will be taking on a completely new character that White is creating just for her. Carter's role was pivotal to the Season 4 storyline, so it's assumed that the creator is finding ways to make the plot elements match up with the new addition.

This certainly won't be the first time Laura Dern and Mike White work together. In fact, it won't even be her first role in this HBO series, though it will specifically be her first on-screen performance. Fans may remember that she voiced Abby, the estranged wife of Michael Imperioli's Dominic in Season 2, during phone calls.

Their collaborations first started back in 2007, when Dern co-starred in White's feature Year of the Dog. Some years later, they reconnected to co-create the dramedy Enlightened, which Dern led, and which also aired on HBO. Fans were inclined to jump on the speculation bandwagon that Dern was involved in Season 4 when she and White were seen togher in L.A. when the filmmaker was locking down locations. (Season 4 is filming in France, for all that the locals may not be enthused.)

Check out this non-exhaustive list of all the big stars filling out The White Lotus Season 4, with Dern's name now in the mix.

• Chloe Bennet
• Sandra Bernhard
• Vincent Cassel
• Steve Coogan
• Laura Dern
• Heather Graham
• Ari Graynor
• Max Greenfield
• Frida Gustavsson
• Marissa Long
• Alexander Ludwig
• Chris Messina
• Kumail Nanjiani
• Rosie Perez

Given that filming just kicked off for the season, which will be set during the Cannes Film Festival, we'll hopefully get more updates in the months to come, but likely won't see the new season's episodes hitting HBO or streaming (via HBO Max subscription) until Spring 2027.

Dern most recently co-starred opposite Kristen Wiig in the Apple TV dramedy Palm Royale, which was canceled in March after two seasons. She's currently filming Molly Gordon high school reunion comedy Peaked.

Laura Dern is an legend of the silver screen, with Dern’s iconic movies ranging from everything like Jurassic Park to David Lynch films like Wild at Heart. She is magnetic , and even when she takes on small roles, she makes every film endlessly watchable. However, it turns out not every director could see this. Dern recently revealed she was turned down for roles constantly when she was first starting out as an actress, and it apparently had nothing to do with her acting prowess.

In a recent interview with The Independent, the Big Little Lies star opened up about her latest critically acclaimed film, Is This Thing On and hurdles she had to overcome when she first started auditioning. Dern started auditioning for acting roles as a kid, but as a tall child, her height ended up being a problem – specifically because she was already 5’11" at 12 years old. When asked if this ever resulted in her being turned down for parts, she told the publication,

Unfortunately, this isn’t very surprising. Many male actors are short, and movies are oftentimes cast around small movie stars. This presents a problem when traditional directors like their female leading ladies to be shorter than their counterparts. She eventually overcame this and was often paired with tall actors like Kyle MacLachlan and Nicolas Cage. She was also paired with Will Arnett for Is This Thing On?, who is also very tall, at 6’2. However, her height was still a factor during scenes when the two were sitting down together. She said:

Even though this may be the case, I think this ended up working for the movie. Is This Thing On? is about divorce, and having the leads at the center of the story be similar in height in some scenes almost evens out the power dynamic. They are on equal footing, giving Dern just as much power in the frame as Will Arnett. Sometimes tall actors can take over a frame, like Chris Hemsworth does in scenes with Natalie Portman in Thor. That may make sense for that story, but for an intimate story about a relationship unraveling, the height similarities are actually alluring.

It may have been a problem in Dern’s early career, but I think her height eventually became one of the star’s greatest strengths. It gives her power in scenes, especially when they put her in heels. Her Oscar-winning performance in Marriage Story comes to mind and how memorable her stature is as the divorce attorney in that movie.

In Big Little Lies, her attitude fills the screen, and her height makes her stand out even more, making that character even more dominant. Once Hollywood learned how to use Laura Dern, it opened up doors for the actress, and her height became another thing that makes her unique.

You can see Laura Dern in her latest film, Is This Thing On?, when the movie becomes available on digital on February 10, 2026. You can also see the movie star in Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly, which is currently available streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Super Bowl LX is nearly upon us, and many are looking forward to watching Bad Bunny's halftime show as well as the slew of commercials. Thus far, viewers have been treated to a tease for Ben Affleck’s latest Dunkin’ TV spot as well as a Raisin Bran ad featuring William Shatner. Now, Jurassic Park fans have reason to be excited, as the three main stars of Steven Spielberg's 1993 science fiction flick reunited for an ad. It’s a truly funny piece of work, and I’m still grinning at the sight of the stars donning their costumes again.

Ian Malcolm famously said, “Life, uh, finds a way,” and I believe that sentiment is just as true as the notion that advertisers will always find a way to bank on nostalgia. Xfinity is doing that in a fun way for this year’s SB by reuniting Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill for a TV spot in which they reprise their roles as Malcolm, Ellie Sattler and Alan Grant, respectively. The ad presents an altered version of the events that transpired in one of Spielberg’s best movies, and you can check out the funny commercial for yourself down below:

As fans can see, the TV spot initially plays on the fateful moment from Jurassic Park in which Dennis Nedry shuts down the power in the titular location, which sets the core action of the film in motion. However, in this scenario, all of that death and destruction is avoided due to an Xfinity employee saving the day by plugging in one of the brand’s routers. From there, Grant, Sattler, Malcolm and co. end up having a joyous weekend at John Hammond’s park on Isla Nublar, complete with swimming, jogging and web-surfing.

What’s particularly surreal for me is seeing the three center stars wearing recreations of their original costumes. Alan Grant’s blue denim shirt and red ascot are on point, and Ellie Sattler’s pink camp shirt are on point. Additionally, Jeff Goldblum even wears Malcolm’s signature black shirt and poses as he did in that iconic shirtless scene. I’ve honestly been impressed by some of the fun Super Bowl ads that play on classic movies (like that spot featuring Timothée Chalamet as Edward Scissorhands’ son). But this JP ad really makes me smile.

Fans of the Jurassic Park universe may also be delighted to see some funny nods to iconic lines and scenes from the original film. At one point, Grant – like in the movie – asks how Hammond recreated the dinosaurs only for the Xfinity rep to offer to show him. Malcolm, while at a buffet, also takes note of a “big pile of shrimp,” which alludes to his NSFW comment about dino feces in the movie. To top it all off, while on a ride, Grant gleefully calls Hammond to say he’s endorsing his park unlike in the actual film.

I think the only awkward part of the ad is that there seems to be a little de-aging tech involved, which seems a tad wonky. Nevertheless, the nostalgia outweighs any uncanny valley vibes for me this time around.

Although there’s a lot to love about this commercial, the biggest draw is the sight of Dern, Neill and Goldblum reuniting. The trio last reprised their roles for the 2022 film Jurassic World Dominion, which marked the first time all three had starred alongside each other in one of the franchise's installments since the original movie. It warms my heart to see that they still maintain ties to the groundbreaking ‘90s blockbuster.

The original core cast of the Jurassic franchise grew quite close while they were working on the film. In fact, they all endured what was actually a very dangerous-sounding situation. While promoting this ad, Sam Neill recalled how they faced a hurricane during production. Luckily, everyone got through the experience, which actually gave the group some time to bond with each other as well as director Steven Spielberg. I'd like to think that that off-camera chemistry bled into Neill, Dern and Goldblum's interactions on screen.

The chances of any of the aforementioned Jurassic alums reprising their roles in another film seem slim. With that in mind, I’ll just be relishing this Super Bowl and the nostalgia it evokes. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to give this another watch (and I’m also eager to know if that Xfinity rep ended up getting chased down by that Dilophosaurus).

Fans can check out Super Bowl LX when it airs on NBC on Sunday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m. ET. The game and halftime show will also be streamable with a Peacock subscription.

Jurassic Park is undoubtedly one of Steven Spielberg's best movies, and has also influenced countless projects that followed after going from stop motion to CGI. The movie was a wild success that kickstarted a franchise that's still going on with Jurassic World Rebirth (which is streaming with a Peacock subscription). But Laura Dern recently got honest about the doubts she and the rest of the OG cast had while filming that beloved blockbuster back in the day. Lets break it all down.

While we know that Jurassic Park is one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, actually filming it was a bit of a gamble. Laura Dern recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show, where she got real about the concerns she had while bringing Ellie Sattler to life. She told the story about her first day shooting, saying:

Honestly, points were made. Jurassic Park was the first movie of its kind, where CGI was used to add spectacle and stakes to its scenes. So for Dern and company, they were acting opposite nothing, and seemingly felt awkward as a result. Of course, we all know just how successful the renderings of the movie's dinosaurs would ultimately be in the theatrical cut.

Laura Dern celebrates Jurassic Park's legacy, but actually filming the original movie was a leap of faith for the cast and crew alike. There was also a learning curve for the OGs, specifically as they tracked dinos that weren't actually there. The Oscar-winning actress went on:

Of course, she was wrong. In the end, Jurassic Park was a huge success, kickstarting a franchise which still remains a beloved part of the pop culture landscape to this day. There might have been a learning curve for everyone involved, but those efforts definitely worked out. And to this day Ellie is one of Dern's most iconic characters.

As previously mentioned, Jurassic World Rebirth was released last year, and was one of the highest grossing movies of the year. It remains to be seen if a sequel is ordered, but it seems like a logical choice. Alas, we shouldn't expect it as part of the 2026 movie release list.

One thing I’ve always appreciated about Reese Witherspoon is her love of Christmas. Whether she’s sharing her always-excellent holiday decor or showing off her adorable (and now very college-aged) children, it comes off like the actress appreciates both the aesthetic and the coziness of the holiday season, something I also very much identify with. So, I wasn’t surprised when she took to social to give everyone an update on Deacon and Ava, not to mention the younger Tenn, but I was surprised by the fun Laura Dern cameo that popped up.

‘Tis the season for sparkly fashion, big Christmas trees, fancy charcuterie boards, snow, and plenty of shopping sprees. Witherspoon looks like she’s been a busy lady the last few weeks, “making merry,” as she herself put it. There’s a bunch of cute photos from her celebrity holiday, including one semi-matching fashion photo with Ava, but if you scroll to the end you’ll see the actress shopping with her Big Little Lies pal Dern.

The two are fairly frequent collaborators in Hollywood, with projects like Wild, Big Little Lies and the producing collaboration Tiny Beautiful Things under their collective belt.

Reese famously said Dern taught her so many wonderful things. They cemented their friendship during their time together promoting Wild, where they initially grew close. She famously told the New York Times that it was the taller actress who taught her to “love red vines” and how to correctly wear “brown lipstick.”

A lot of times when actors spend a ton of time together on a set, they then move on to other projects and may not hear from one another for years, if ever. It’s nice to see this hasn’t been the case with Reese Witherspoon and her Wild pal, who are clearly bffs still. The two absolutely make time for one another, even during the busy holiday season. The whole thing makes my holiday heart grow three sizes larger (not that it needed to get any bigger; I’m no grinch, y’all.)

Anyway, there’s nothing I love more than the holidays, and there’s nothing I love to report on more than celebrities making the best of their own holiday seasons. I’m so glad we got these pics, and if you haven’t taken a look yet, yes, they also include a lot of commenters talking about how Reese and Ava are “twins.” Though, we all know how dad Ryan Philippe actually feels about who looks like who.

Will Arnett is well-known for his comedic roles, including but not limited to the magical Gob on Arrested Development and the voice of Lego Batman. In his latest movie, Is This Thing On?, he actually plays a stand-up comedian, but the tone may be a bit more somber than we’re used to. Co-starring with Laura Dern, Arnett’s character turns to humor to help navigate his divorce, and critics who have screened the film say he and Laura Dern are impeccable.

Is This Thing On? is loosely based on the life of British comedian John Bishop, and with the help of Bradley Cooper’s direction, Will Arnett gives a career-defining performance, Ethan Anderton of SlashFilm says, that will have audiences looking at him in a whole new light. The critic rates the film 9 out of 10, writing:

Jocelyn Noveck of the AP gives the movie 3 out of 4 stars, saying, “Rarely does a foundering relationship seem so naturally observed, and so lacking in forced drama or artifice.” Noveck praises the lead actors as well as Bradley Cooper in the review, which reads:

Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence says in his third directorial effort, Bradley Cooper finds something fresh to say, and the twice-divorced Will Arnett (who contributed to the screenplay and story) helps drive home an emotional story that features some of the best work in his and Laura Dern’s careers. Miller gives the movie a B+ and writes:

David Rooney of THR says this movie sneaks up on you with its humor and soulfulness, fueled by “gorgeous” performances from Will Arnett and Laura Dern. Rooney says:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety is only slightly less taken with Bradley Cooper’s latest effort. Will Arnett seems to be playing Alex as a sitcom dad, the critic says, and while filmed in voyeuristic fashion, this couple may not be as relatable as they’re supposed to come off as. Gleiberman says:

Overall, critics are liking this one, as it’s earned a Certified Fresh 90% on Rotten Tomatoes so far, with Bradley Cooper and his lead actors receiving high praise for the nuance they bring to such a sensitive subject. If you want to check out these performances for yourself, Is This Thing On? is in theaters as of December 19.

Few actors can say they’ve had the success that Laura Dern has experienced over the course of her career. The last several decades have seen the fan-favorite actress star in a variety of films, from smaller features like Blue Velvet and Certain Women to blockbusters like Jurassic Park and Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Dern – who won an Oscar for Marriage Story, is a legend, but she doesn’t mind taking smaller roles in projects. Dern actually spoke to CinemaBlend about why she still books those kinds of acting gigs.

Laura Dern has three titles on the 2025 movie schedule, which see her playing a supporting role or making a last-minute cameo. The latest title on that slate is the Bradley Cooper-directed dramedy Is This Thing On?, which is headlined by Will Arnett. When CinemaBlend spoke to Dern and Arnett about their new movie, we asked the actress about her approach to choosing such roles, and she shared a very sweet take that feels quite on brand for her:

Those are the kind of sentiments I love to hear from an actor, and they speak to the notion of Dern loving the craft regardless of the amount of screen time she’ll have in a given production. On top of that, what’s particularly impressive is that whenever the Little Women star appears in a movie or show, she absolutely nails her part no matter how big her part is. I’m happy to see Dern act in any capacity and, on that note, Will Arnett posed a question that really resonates with me:

In the last decade or so, Laura Dern has appeared in small TV roles in shows like The Mindy Project, The Last Man on Earth and The White Lotus, and she lent her voice to Jurassic World video games. As a member of Taylor Swift’s Girl Squad, Dern also appeared in Swift’s “Bejeweled” music video. These are interesting credits in Dern’s body of work, and I appreciate her eagerness to work with friends and creatives that interest her.

On the movie side, this year, Dern cameoed during Caught Stealing’s mid-credits scene, playing the mother to Austin Butler’s character. She also co-stars in a 2025 Netflix release, Noah Baumbach’s Jay Kelly (which I wish would’ve utilized her character more). As for Is This Thing On?, the film sees Dern play Tess Novak, who must navigate the end of her years-long marriage to Alex (Arnett), who takes up stand-up comedy as a hobby.

Quite frankly, I hope Laura Dern continues to line up smaller roles in movies. In my humble opinion, she remains delightful, and I’ve yet to see a film that isn’t enhanced by having her present. Those who’d like to see Dern on the big screen once more should check out Is This Thing On?, which opens in theaters on December 19th.

Spoilers for Jay Kelly lie ahead, so proceed with caution.

Jay Kelly has finally hit the 2025 movie schedule and, all in all, the George Clooney-led film has been mostly well received by critics. Writer/director Noah Baumbach’s screenplay is tight, and his direction – as is usually the case – is as precise as it is purposeful. Of course, Clooney also effectively portrays Jay, an aging actor reflecting on his life choices, and the rest of the cast is excellent, too. On that note, I really would’ve loved to have seen more of one actor, as their character is one of the best in the entire film.

There’s One Character In Jay Kelly Who Should’ve Been Used More

Early on, viewers meet several characters who are typically in Jay’s orbit, including his longtime manager and friend, Ron, played by Adam Sandler (who’s getting Oscar buzz). Also in the fold is Jay’s publicist, Liz, who’s portrayed by the always-wonderful Laura Dern. It’s quickly established that, in many ways, Liz must be the adult in the room whenever Jay gets a wild idea that Ron ends up humoring. All in all, Dern’s character is excellent, which makes it all the more disappointing that she’s not utilized more.

Liz appears in a little less than half of the film. She’s present in Hollywood with Jay when he decides to travel to Europe to meet up with his daughter, Daisy (without her having prior knowledge of his plans). Already perturbed that Jay blew off an upcoming movie to take the trip and didn’t mention he was in a fist fight, Liz becomes more exasperated when Jay has his team board a train in Paris at the last-minute to follow Daisy. Eventually, Liz quits due to having reached her limit with Jay’s neediness and disembarks from the train.

What I should make clear here is that I understand, from a narrative standpoint, exactly why Liz has to exit the story when she does. It also completely makes sense that she’d quit on Jay. However, this all would’ve worked better for me had Noah Baumbach found a way to structure his 2025 Netflix release so that Liz had even more to do before she leaves. That would've been especially great since Baumbach was working with an excellent actor like Laura Dern, who he directed to an Oscar by way of 2019’s Marriage Story.

The Scenes Laura Dern Does Have Are Very Good

Make no mistake, even though I think Dern could’ve been given more to do, she does make the most of what she does have. From the moment she appears on screen, she adds a jolt of energy to the proceedings, and that’s especially true during the train portion of the film. Liz is a no-nonsense individual, and it’s funny watching her try to wrangle Jay and serve as the voice of reason.

While Dern brings moments of levity to the film, she also brings an emotional center, which is exuded through her discomfort with work pulling her away from her son. Dern is also particularly excellent in her final scene, which involves a reveal tied to Ron.

It’s a bit of a head-scratcher that the film doesn’t do more with Liz before she says her goodbyes, especially since she’s played by such a capable actor. Honestly, if anything, the fact that Laura Dern is still a scene-stealer – as the first Jay Kelly trailer suggested – is a testament to the skills she possesses as a performer. I suppose the age-old saying is true: there are no small parts, only small actors.

Grab a Netflix subscription and stream Jay Kelly now. It’s an introspective film and one that may leave viewers grappling with a few existential questions.

Everyone’s aware of Adam Sandler’s talents as a comedian, and we even got to see him reprise one of his most famous characters in Happy Gilmore 2 earlier this year. However, much of the latest chapter of his career has been defined by his more serious roles, and next up on the 2025 movie calendar, we’ll see the Sandman teaming up with George Clooney and some other heavy-hitters for Jay Kelly. So what are critics saying about the dramedy?

Jay Kelly has already hit theaters for a limited time before it premieres on the Netflix schedule on December 5. George Clooney stars as the titular movie star who sets out on a journey of self-discovery, with his loyal manager Ron (Adam Sandler) in tow. The movie is getting mostly positive feedback, but critics seem to agree it lets its main character off the hook too often. Mark Kennedy of the AP mentions this but ultimately says he likes director Noah Baumbach’s love letter to Hollywood. He gives it 3.5 out of 4 stars and says:

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com rates it 3 out of 4 stars, pointing out a lot of good, but saying much of Jay Kelly feels calculated and too neat. Adam Sandler, however, according to Tallerico, saves the movie with a performance that some think could win him his first Oscar. The critic says:

Owen Gleiberman of Variety says Noah Baumbach is doing what he does best: feeding us a dialogue-driven drama that feels ripped from personal observation. However, the film is a bit too forgiving of the title character and doesn’t allow us to buy Jay Kelly as a flawed individual. In Gleiberman’s words:

Stephanie Zacharek of Time writes that Adam Sandler plays his role “superbly,” and Laura Dern threatens to steal it all in one scene with him. George Clooney, meanwhile, couldn’t be more well-suited to play Jay Kelly, getting to razzle-dazzle one minute and brood over his mistakes the next. But too often the movie refuses to dig deep into its actor’s conflicts, Zacharek says, continuing:

Nick Schager of the Daily Beast simply isn’t buying the “woe-is-me” version of George Clooney that he says mistakenly assumes that the routines of the rich and famous are the stuff of great drama. Schager calls the project “saccharine, toothless, and cheesily meta,” concluding:

It seems the most common complaint amongst the critics is that Jay Kelly doesn’t hold its protagonist accountable for the things he’s done to find himself in this state of identity crisis. Still, the majority of the critics are rating it favorably, to the tune of a Certified Fresh 80% on Rotten Tomatoes.

If you want to see George Clooney and Adam Sandler in action, check your local theaters to see if there’s a showing near you, and if not, fire up that Netflix subscription when it hits streaming on Friday, December 5.

Hollywood lost one of its stars this week, as Diane Ladd passed away on November 3 at the age of 89. The actress boasted a seven-decade career that saw three Academy Award nominations, three Emmy nods, a BAFTA for her role in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore and a Golden Globe for the TV series Alice. She was also Laura Dern’s mother, and as the actress and her father Bruce Dern paid tribute to Ladd, many others jumped in with their own memories.

Laura Dern released a statement announcing her mother’s death, calling Diane Ladd “the greatest” and saying their family was “blessed” by all that she gave them. In Laura's words:

Diane Ladd was married to Laura’s father, Bruce Dern, from 1960 to 1969 — the first of her three husbands — and he recalled the immense talent she had on screen, as well as the way she paved the road for other actors in Hollywood as part of the Screen Actors Guild board. He said:

In addition to the roles that earned her Oscar and Emmy nominations, Diane Ladd was part of the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation cast, where she played Clark’s mother, Nora Griswold. In David Lynch’s 1990 film Wild at Heart, she portrayed Marietta, the mother of Laura Dern’s character Lula, and she again played her real-life daughter’s mother in 16 episodes of the HBO dramedy Enlightened in the 2010s.

Bruce Dern’s tribute continued, as he noted that her role as Laura’s mother was her most important. He said:

Several others in Hollywood also paid their respects to the late actress. Hugh Jackman shared a photo on Instagram Stories of himself with Diane Ladd and Laura Dern, recalling the stories Ladd would tell:

Meghan Ory also mentioned the late actress’s stories as she shared a photo of them from Chesapeake Shores on Instagram:

Nancy Sinatra wrote a lengthy Instagram post memorializing Diane Ladd. She said her heart goes out to Laura and Bruce Dern and said she knows her friend is now “one of His special angels.” She continued:

Jessica Lynn Wallace, who played Diane Ladd’s granddaughter in 2022’s Isle of Hope — Ladd’s final movie credit — called the actress “a legend, a force, a light” in her own social media tribute, which read, in part:

Diane Ladd accumulated more than 140 acting credits over her career that spanned from the 1950s into the 2020s, but it seems clear from those who are speaking out following her passing that she was so much more than an actress. Our condolences go out to her family and loved ones at this time.

Ted Lasso won’t be the only show to come back from the dead after seemingly being done. After years of discussions and hope, Big Little Lies is finally making a comeback. The mystery dramedy aired for two seasons on HBO, with Season 2 wrapping up in 2019. The door wasn’t necessarily closed on a third season, but with the long wait it didn’t look like it was happening. However, the cast have remained hopeful about Season 3 of BLL, now, despite nearly turning down the show, Shailene Woodley is getting hyped for Season 3, as am I.

As one of several HBO shows that have the world talking, it’s not surprising that Season 3 is still being talked about, even six years after Season 2. Following Deadline's news that Big Little Lies’ third season is officially in development at HBO, with Francesca Sloane set to write the first episode, the excitement is being turned up a notch.

Woodley even celebrated on her Instagram Stories, sharing a fun photo of her reunion with co-stars Laura Dern and Zoë Kravitz during New York Fashion Week. And just seeing a photo of the three of them has me ecstatic, as well as confirmation on Season 3:

Considering Big Little Lies Season 3 has been talked about for so long, it’s kind of hard to believe that it’s actually happening. Or at the very least, close to finally happening. The wait has been a long one, but the expensive HBO show has a good reason for taking so long, as HBO and HBO Max Content Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys previously said he wasn’t sure about another season. But then they told Variety in 2024 that he was optimistic it would move forward. Now getting Woodley’s confirmation that it is has me so incredibly excited.

That being said, just because the new season is finally moving forward doesn’t mean that HBO is only now working on it. Technically, Season 2 of Big Little Lies wasn’t the official final season, hence why Season 3 has always been in play. Bloys shared that it’s been hard to line up schedules, and with the show based on Liane Moriarty’s novel of the same name, he was waiting for her to write a follow-up. The wait has been worth it, and seeing the cast reunite and getting confirmation from them has me as pumped as ever.

Even though a third season is in development, it’s unknown how much longer it will take. It’s taken six years for the season to officially move forward, who knows how long it will be until production starts. Of course, fans have been waiting over five years already, so having to hold off for a little bit longer will be like nothing. At least the first two seasons of Big Little Lies are available with an HBO Max subscription.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Caught Stealing. If you have not yet seen the film, proceed at your own risk!

Throughout Caught Stealing, Austin Butler's Hank Thompson makes a regular habit of calling his mom to make sure she know that he is ok, and in addition to being a sweet aspect of the movie that adds to Hank as a character, it also sets up an amazing cameo. While we never see who the protagonist is talking to on the other side of the line, the actress is revealed in the film's end credit sequence, and it turns out to be none other than the wonderful Laura Dern.

It's a terrific surprise at the end of Caught Stealing – but there is a wonderful bonus surprise to be discovered as well. It turns out that while they've never previously been in a movie or TV show together, Austin Butler and Laura Dern have been friends for years, and that helped lay the groundwork for the latter playing the former's mom in the new 2025 movie. CinemaBlend's Hannah Saulic asked about the special cameo while interviewing Darren Aronofsky earlier this month during the Los Angeles press day for the film, and he explained the past connection between the two actors:

It's perfect casting in all respects. In the movie, Hank has nobody closer to him in his life than his mom, even though she lives 3,000 miles away in California. They talk everyday and have a connection not only as mother and son but as die-hard fans of the San Francisco Giants. While Laura Dern is never shown while she is on the phone, the Caught Stealing mid-credits sequence sees her receive a package from her son in the mail that contains millions of dollars in cash.

After learning about the special connection between Austin Butler and the Jurassic Park star, Hannah followed up by asking the actor about the relationship when she had the chance to talk with him during the press day (where he was paired with co-star Zoë Kravitz), and he explained how she has been a wonderful part of his life in the last few years. Said Butler,

In recent years, Austin Butler has spoken about the fact that his mother passed away from cancer in 2014, when he was 23 years old, and it had an understandable emotional impact on him. In his time getting to know Laura Dern, he has found a special relationship, and he mentioned in our Caught Stealing interview that Dern even physically reminds him of his mom. He and Zoë Kravitz had a sweet back-and-forth about it, as captured in the video at the top of this article:

• Austin Butler: My mother used to always be told she looks like Laura Dern.
• Zoë Kravitz Really?
• Austin Butler: Yeah.
• Zoë Kravitz: Aww, man.
• Austin Butler: So when anybody would talk to my mom, they’d say, “You know, you look just like Laura Dern.”
• Zoë Kravitz: That’s crazy!
• Austin Butler: Isn't that wild?
• Zoë Kravitz: Yeah.
• Austin Butler: So all these years later, I got to actually tell that to Laura. And now she's like this, like, pseudo mom to me
• Zoë Kravitz: Aw, I love that.

It adds a terrific extra layer to what is already a great cameo in a super fun movie (as I detail in my Caught Stealing CinemaBlend review).

Adapted from the book of the same name by Charlie Huston and also starring Matt Smith, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Regina King, Griffin Dunne, Liev Schreiber, and Vincent D'Onofrio, Caught Stealing is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Upon hearing that George Clooney and Adam Sandler were going to be in a dramedy together, my ears perked up. That anticipation has only grown after seeing the teaser for their 2025 movie Jay Kelly, which will be headed to theaters and Netflix this fall. However, after watching this footage, I have one more reason to be excited, as a venerated co-star of theirs stole the show.

All it took was three words, which provided the closing laugh line for this first look at director Noah Baumbach’s latest. Or rather, it only took 2020 Academy Award winner Laura Dern saying those words, in a perfectly deadpan manner, to send me out on a laugh that could carry me to November 14th. That simple grouping of words?

Trust me, in the context of the trailer above, it makes absolute sense. Though even out of context, simply knowing that Ms. Dern is saying this to George Clooney’s character could still make you laugh. Especially when Adam Sandler is standing over the other shoulder of Jay Kelly’s titular actor in crisis, playing the straight man like a champ.

While I’ve called this upcoming Netflix movie a dramedy, I feel like I’m doing it a disservice. After all, Netflix’s first Jay Kelly announcement labeled the movie as a “heartbreaking comedy,” and I take such a distinction seriously. The official synopsis for the picture even fleshes out some of the existential fun George Clooney and Adam Sandler will be having, as both men are looking over their lives and careers and wondering if they’re really where they want to be.

There’s clearly a very meta framework at work in Jay Kelly, right down to a scene that makes a recent interview in which George Clooney addressed “playing himself” all the more appropriate. Balancing all of this out are encounters with other members of this stacked ensemble, which also includes Billy Crudup, Jim Broadbent, Riley Keough, and Greta Gerwig.

While we may not totally know what to expect from any of those people in this world, this photo of Ms. Gerwig with Adam Sandler certainly looks charged with emotion.

Heartbreak certainly feels like it’s lingering around the corner in this world, even as our leading man drops an f-bomb when seeing a huge ad with his face on it. That leaves Laura Dern another opportunity to shine, as her dramatic chops could also be well served by Jay Kelly’s introspective story. It certainly wouldn’t be called a teaser if they gave you everything up front, would it?

Jay Kelly certainly has the potential to rival some of George Clooney’s best movies, as well as becoming a strong candidate to become yet another “surprisingly good” Adam Sandler film. However, I’ll be watching to see how Laura Dern fares, as she’s already got my vote for being a strong glue that bonds this picture together.

Should I be proven correct, I do hope that Mr. Clooney will consider finding a place in that Ocean’s 14 script where she can join the team. We’ll have to wait to see what happens, as Jay Kelly will debut in select theaters on November 14th, with its Netflix streaming debut set for December 5th.

Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern are two Oscar-winning actresses, and they just happen to have a close friendship. Fans loved watching them share the screen in Big Little Lies (which is streaming with a Max subscription), which had two popular seasons on the air. Witherspoon just shouted out her "BFF" Dern after her latest movie hit #1 on Netflix, but give us Big Little Lies Season 3 already!

Laura Dern's new movie Lonely Planet has been super popular on Netflix since it hist the streamer, with audiences all over the world watching the film. To celebrate just how many people with a Netflix subscription are watching it, Reese Witherspoon shouted out her bestie on Instagram story. Check it out below:

How cute is that? Good friends celebrate each other's victories, and that's exactly what Reese Witherspoon is doing here. Lonely Planet's success on its streaming service is definitely notable, given just how many people must be watching the steamy Netflix movie in order to go to #1. Although anytime I see Witherspoon and Dern together, I have to admit that my mind goes to Big Little Lies.

Over the years, Nicole Kidman and other Big Little Lies stars have hinted that they'd be down to continue the story of the Monterey Five on another season, but there's been no real information since the Season 2 finale aired back in 2019. While the second season got some criticism, there's a clear interest in seeing more of this outstanding cast... and I'm including myself.

Sine Big Little Lies was based off the book of the same name by Liane Moriarty, Season 2 had to craft a new story in order to continue the narrative. The women bonded together while keeping the truth of Perry's death under wraps, while they got a new adversary with Meryl Streep's Mary Louise. Although we never got to see that viral scene with Reese Witherspoon throwing ice cream at her.

The Season 2 finale saw Bonnie turning herself in for pushing Perry and ultimately causing his death. Fans are definitely curious about what came next, as well as the state of Madeline's marriage. Hopefully development on Season 3 of Big Little Lies happens sooner rather than later.

While it remains to be seen if Laura Dern ever gets to play the iconic Renata Klein again, the Jurassic Park icon has plenty to celebrate. Namely the wild success of her latest movie Lonely Planet, which she stars in opposite Liam Hemsworth. The romantic comedy follows her protagonist Katherine, who finds love with a younger man while writing in Morocco.

Lonely Planet is streaming now on Netflix, and both season of Big Little Lies are available on Max. Be sure to check out the 2025 movie release dates to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.

Actor Laura Dern is set to return to the screen on the 2024 movie schedule, and with that in mind she’s been making the rounds to promote her next project. At the same time, the acting legend from films like Jurassic Park and Marriage Story has taken a moment to honor an interaction she had with the late Kris Kristofferson. Sharing a touching story about their time together on the set of Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Dern discussed the country singer turned actor and his “deeply generous” spirit.

Through her guest spot on SiriusXM’s The Spotlight with Jessica Shaw, Laura Dern was on hand to promote her next film, the Netflix original Lonely Planet. In light of Kris Kristofferson’s passing, the Academy Award winner shared this anecdote about what she learned from the man himself:

Making a cameo in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, Laura Dern’s short appearance was probably due to her mother, actor Diane Ladd, playing the role of the legendary Flo. While this might be seen as a perk for an actor you may not remember has famous parents, Dern was able to get an education that would undoubtedly help along her future career of accomplishments.

This moment was at a critical time in her life too, as the "household of women" raising young Laura Dern included her mother Diane and maternal grandmother Mary, which was due to her parent's divorce in her early years. Much like Martin Scorsese’s tribute to Kris Kristofferson, Laura Dern’s remembrance saw the Blade alum once more remembered as a poet of his time. Which coincidentally was helped along in her drive to this guest spot, and revealed thusly:

To be able to remember such a pivotal interaction with Mr. Kristofferson, and all the little details that came with it, is a dream for a budding actor and a human being who appreciates good company. We also saw this in Wesley Snipes’ fond memories of his Blade co-star. In these handful of memories shared with the world at large, the legacy of Kris Kristofferson as both an artist and as a person is richly appreciated across the board.

The same could be said about Laura Dern, a woman who is just as widely considered to be one of the great actors of our time. Her own curiosity has benefitted her career, and those memories have made us all richer in having observed them. So with that in mind, let’s watch that very Kris Kristofferson song Ms. Dern name checked:

Fans can next see Laura Dern in Lonely Planet, which premieres on October 11. Those looking to catch that new movie will only need a Netflix subscription to be able to do so.

Celebrities owning restaurants is an old tradition in Hollywood. Sometimes, like Mark Wahlberg, it's a simple burger chain, other times, it's a classy hotel where you can have an elegant meal, like Richard Gere. Everything from tacos to sushi to fried chicken and everything in between. 

Just like people love watching scenes in movies about food, people love to rub elbows with the elite in some of these establishments. Here are 32 actors who own restaurants all over the country. 

Mark Wahlberg - Wahlburgers

The first Wahlburgers opened in Hingham, Massachusetts in 2011. The chain has since grown to dozens of stores all over the country and was the subject of a reality show for 10 seasons on A&E. The chain is collectively owned by three Wahlbergs, including Mark and Donnie, along with their chef brother, Paul. 

Ryan Gosling - Tagline

Ryan Gosling has become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and so it makes sense he would open a restaurant in Beverly Hills. Co-owned by the Barbie star and Chef Ben Benameur, the Moroccan joint serves up delicious food in a cozy atmosphere.

Lady Gaga - Joanne Trattoria

Joanne Germanotta was a beloved aunt to Lady Gaga (whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta). Not only did Gaga name a 2016 album after her, but the family has also opened Joanne Trattoria on the Upper West Side in Manhattan. In true Gaga style, the restaurant is not only a great place for Italian food, but it supports local artists, hosts regular drag shows, and has regular performances by local musicians. 

Robert De Niro - Nobu

Robert De Niro first became a regular at chef Nobu Matsuhisa's LA sushi joint Nobu way back in the 1980s. In the mid-90s, De Niro approached Matsuhisa about opening a New York spot. Nobu opened in 1994 in Tribeca and the company has since become a powerhouse in the hospitality industry, with dozens of restaurants and hotels all over the world. 

Michael Imperioli - Scarlet

White Lotus star Michael Imperioli has dabbled in the restaurant industry for a long time. In the mid-'90s Imperioli and his wife opened a speakeasy-style bar called Ciel Rouge, in Tribeca. Almost 30 years later, and 20 after Ciel Rouge closed in 2005, the couple opened Scarlet on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. It sticks with the classy, chill speakeasy vibe that made their first venture successful. 

Sandra Bullock - Walton's Fancy & Staple

Walton's Fancy & Staple in Austin, TX, is pretty much exactly what you would expect from Sandra Bullock. It's an upscale neighborhood place with hearty food and a cheery atmosphere. Walton's is the Speed star's second restaurant in her adopted hometown. The first, Bess Bistro, closed in 2016 after a successful 10-year run. Walton's opened in 2009. 

Ludacris - Chicken And Beer

Is there anything better than good fried chicken and great beer to wash it down? If you're in Atlanta and don't check out Ludacris' place, simply named Chicken and Beer, you're missing out on those two wonderful things that pair so well together.

Norman Reedus - Nic & Norman's

Norman Reedus is famous for playing rough-around-the-edges characters like Daryl in The Walking Dead, but his restaurant is not. Nic & Norman's, which has locations across the Southeast is rustic, but it's not rough in any way. The upscale but relaxed gastropubs are sure to satisfy anyone. 

Susan Sarandon - SPiN

When Susan Sarandon and her fellow investors opened SPiN in 2009, there was a surge in the popularity of table tennis (or ping pong). The fad was pretty short-lived, but the table tennis-focused restaurants have remained successful with multiple locations around the country. 

Dan Aykroyd - House Of Blues

One of Dan Aykroyd's most beloved SNL characters, Elwood Blues of The Blues Brothers, has proven to be more than just a role for the actor. On Thanksgiving Day 1992, Aykroyd and his partner Isaac Tigrett (who founded the Hard Rock Cafe), opened the first House of Blues in Cambridge, MA. It has since grown into one of the largest chains of live music venues in the world, and serves some pretty delicious food, too. 

Eva Longoria - Beso

Eva Longoria can do no wrong on the big and small screens, but she didn't have much luck in the restaurant industry. Her steakhouse in LA, Beso, ran into multiple problems in its short run, though none were the fault of the actress. 

Kevin Hart - Hart House

Kevin Hart's LA chain Hart House was ambitious. He wanted to create an affordable vegan chain, and despite rave reviews, it just couldn't make it in the market. The company closed all of its locations in 2024 after initially finding success. 

Issa Rae - Hilltop Coffee And Kitchen

Issa Rae is a true force of nature both in front of and behind the camera. She's also found success in the food industry. Hilltop Coffee And Kitchen brings high-end coffee vibes to historical Black neighborhoods in LA, like Inglewood and View Park. 

Danny Trejo - Trejo's Tacos

Everyone loves tacos and every loves Danny Trejo. So of course a concept like Trejo's Tacos is sure to work and it has succeeded greatly. The chain has multiple locations across LA and has even spawned a second concept: Trejo's Donuts which also opened to rave reviews. 

Channing Tatum - Saints And Sinners

Saints And Sinners, a bar on Bourbon Street in New Orleans co-owned by Channing Tatum was a wild success... at least for a time. The industry is notoriously fickle and Tatum and his partners learned that the hard way when the bar closed in the summer of 2024 after 12 great years. 

Justin Timberlake - The Twelve Thirty Club

Justin Timberlake first dabbled in the food industry in the early teens when he helped design a Memphis-style BBQ joint in New York City called Southern Hospitality. Though he wasn't an owner, he was involved in the concept phase of the place and was a regular there. More recently, he has teamed up with restauranteur Sam Fox to open The Twelve Thirty Club in Nashville. 

Nicholas Braun - Jac’s On Bond

Cousin Greg may not always get the most respect on Succession, but the actor who plays him, Nicholas Braun, sure gets respect in the hospitality industry. Braun is an investor in multiple restaurants in New York City, including a chill bar and restaurant called Jac's on Bond Street in the trendy NoHo neighborhood. 

Zach Braff - Mermaid Oyster Bar

MacDougal Street in New York's Greenwich Village is home to some great restaurants, like the legendary Caffe Reggio and Mamoun's Falafels. It's also where you can find Zach Braff's more upscale, but still laid-back seafood spot appropriately called Mermaid Oyster Bar. 

Anthony Mackie - NoBar

Like others on this list (and in the world), Anthony Mackie has had mixed results as a bar/restaurant owner. His most famous spot, NoBar, opened in Brooklyn in 2011, followed by a second Booklyn location in 2013. Sadly both closed in 2015. 

Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis - Planet Hollywood

The granddaddy of all actor-owned restaurants has to be Planet Hollywood. The first Planet Hollywood opened in New York City in 1991. Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Bruce Willis, among others, were all investors in the concept and, at least at first, the restaurant was a huge success, opening additional locations across the globe. At its peak, there were upwards of 60 locations in the late '90s, but the fun didn't last. Things started to unravel and the stars started to jump shit and most of the locations, other than their most successful ones, closed. 

Richard Gere - Bedford Post Inn

Legendary actor Richard Gere doesn't just own a restaurant, he owns an 8-room bed and breakfast called the Bedford Post Inn in... appropriately, Bedford, NY. The stylish and quaint inn does include a spot to eat, the Bedford Post Tavern, and the inn and the restaurant both draw all kinds of celebrities for a restful stay or a delicious dinner. 

Robert Redford - Zoom

It shouldn't come as any surprise to learn that Robert Redford's former restaurant in Park City, UT was home to a lot of home to a lot powerbrokers during the Sundance Film Festival for many years. Prior to closing in 2016, the hot spot was where the elite met to eat and strike deals during one of the biggest film festivals in the world. 

Hugh Jackman - Laughing Man Coffee

The origin story for Hugh Jackman's Laughing Man Coffee is one of the best on this list. The Aussie actor and his wife took a trip to Ethiopia to learn more about coffee and how the beans were grown. There, according to the coffee shop's website, Jackman met a coffee farmer named Dukale. Dukale gave Jackman a real hands-on experience and after the trip, he and some partners opened Laughing Man Coffee with the goal of working directly with farmers around the world to bring their coffee to New Yorkers. 

Jon Bon Jovi - Soul Kitchen And JBJ's

Jon Bon Jovi may be most famous for being the voice of the band named after him, but he's dabbled a lot in acting, and a little in the hospitality biz. His first venture was started by his foundation and called Soul Kitchen. The restaurant, located in Red Bank, NJ, sells food for whatever hungry customers can afford. Bon Jovi has also opened a spot on the famous Broadway strip in Nashville called JBJ's which features live music and a full menu, in addition to beer and booze, of course.

Piper Perabo - Jack's Wife Freda

Piper Perabo got her big break playing a bartender in Coyote Ugly and while the New York City chain she's an investor in, called Jack's Wife Frida, doesn't feature half-dressed women dancing on the bar, it's got something even better: delicious Mediterranean food. With five locations across the city, you can always find what you're craving, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Jessica Biel - Au Fudge

Au Fudge, which closed its doors in 2018, was something unique in the celebrity restaurant world - a kid's restaurant. As the name implies, Jessica Biel's spot was all about dessert and candy. It also had all the stuff kids love, like chicken fingers, on the menu. The world needs more of these, right parents?

Debi Mazar - The Tuscan Gun

Debi Mazar and her chef husband's love of food was first shown through a cooking show on the Cooking Channel. They spun that into a Tuscany-themed New York restaurant called The Tuscan Gun. Using chef Mazar's husband Gabriele Corcos' recipes, the Italian joint brought the best of Italy to Williamsburg. 

Quentin Tarantino - Do Hwa

For years, Quentin Tarantino's Korean restaurant Do Hwa brought the delicious flavors of East Asia to the West Village in New York. While very few people would call Tarantino "understated," his restaurant was, in all the best ways. It was cozy and delicious before it closed in 2018.

Jerry Ferrara - Fat Sal's

A sandwich joint called Fat Sal's is just perfect for Entourage star Jerry Ferrara. It sounds exactly like something Turtle would open on the show. Fat Sal's has multiple locations around LA and is a great spot if you want traditional deli sandwiches sold by a guy you can be sure loves them as much as you do. 

Justin Theroux - Ray's

Justin Theroux is a jack of all trades. He's an actor, a writer, and an ex-husband to Jennifer Aniston. He's also a bar owner, along with partner Nicolaus Braun with Ray's on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. The dive bar is everything you could ever want in an unpretentious local water hole, which is no surprise, coming from Theroux. 

Ashton Kutcher - Dolce Enoteca E Ristorante

Ashton Kutcher has never been afraid to make risky investments. Some have paid off handsomely, like his early investments in Spotify and Uber. Others haven't worked out so well, like his short-lived Italian spot, Dolce Enoteca E Ristorante. The hot spot worked for a while but it closed in 2020, like so many other restaurants. 

Ty Burrell - The Eating Establishment

Modern Family star Ty Burrell took a slightly different route to restaurant ownership than most of the other actors on his list. Instead of starting a new spot, he bought an old one. The Eating Establishment, which dates back to 1970, was purchased by Burrell and other investors in 2016 and they've continued to run the popular Park City, UT restaurant ever since. 

Eminem - Mom's Spaghetti

Mom's Spaghetti is the perfect kind of place for Eminem to own, right? The Detroit, Michigan-based eatery has name that perfectly describes the food you can get there, and it's taken straight from an Eminem lyric in "Lose Yourself."

Jon Huertas - Clutch

Jon Huertas, best known for playing Brad Alcerro in Sabrina The Teenage Witch, is the proud owner of Clutch Roadhouse in Culver City, CA. Clutch is known for its great food and charitable works, both very important to the This Is Us star. 

I was already obsessed with Reese Witherspoon’s night out at the Emmys, mostly thanks to the beautiful black ballgown she’d chosen (more on that in a minute). Next, however, the star of the upcoming Morning Show Season 4 shared a series of photos from her big night out, and she’s palling around with co-stars like Laura Dern and Jennifer Aniston. Yes, it’s very much a case where I wish I could have been a fly on the wall.

I’ll take the next best thing, though, and the next best thing is selfies and pretty pics of all of the ladies dressed to the nines while the 2024 Emmy winners were announced. To me a favorite moment in thread comes when Dern and Witherspoon are walking down the hallway and she touches the hair and shoulder of her Big Little Lies co-star in a sweet gesture. Dern was actually her date to this weekend's big TV event, and it looks like they had a really fun night out.

While Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston actually both lost in the Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series category, an award Shogun’s Anna Sawai (and her epic fight scenes) very much deserved, they still seem to have had a very good time at the event. In fact, Aniston commented on Reese’s post after she dropped it this week, writing “Love my girls! ❤”

Cameron Mathison and Kate Hudson also sent all the heart emojis on the post. And while I love a good girls night out, I’d also just like to take a second to talk about Reese’s Dress. It’s stylish, it’s black and it has dreamy detailing.

I actually just watched Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina and learned that iconic black and white dress came out of a collaboration that only happened after Givenchy thought Katherine Hepburn was coming in for a fitting. They hit it off, and created some lovely looks for the film that are still talked about years later.

Now, Reese is giving me a bit of the same vibes here with her dress from Dior (also a Hepburn favorite), which is a far cry from the red dresses she tends to favor on the red carpet.

She paired the look with a diamond choker with a yellow stone and stud earrings which popped with the black and ivory dress. But what I love about it outside of its classic silhouette is that it’s giving old Hollywood glam and is specifically reminiscent of that pretty ballgown Hepburn wore that helped Sabrina win best costume design back in 1954.

Sure, there are differences. The Morning Show actress’ silhouette is much simpler and Hepburn’s gown had beaded floral notes at the top and bottom while Witherspoon’s appliquè snakes up the side of her dress. Hepburn’s was white with a black floral overlay and Witherspoon’s is black with an ivory overlay. Yet, the two-toned theming and vibe are both so similarly romantic, and both are dresses I just want to look at again and again.

Maybe it’s me, but I wouldn’t mind a little more throwback glamor at upcoming Hollywood events. Timeless looks are timeless for a reason, and this is a standout moment of Reese’s for me.

In the informative history of Jurassic Park trivia, one of the most remarkable stories comes from the time that the cast and crew were unexpectedly visited by natural disaster. As the on-location shoot for one of Steven Spielberg’s contributions to the best '90s movies ever was about to wrap in summer 1992, Hurricane Iniki would arrive and have a massive impact. 

The bigger picture is a story that includes some rather interesting developments and aspects. With everything from Sir Richard Attenborough being able to sleep through the chaos, to a stunt performer risking life and limb to get weather updates, this Jurassic Universe story is further proof that life can truly find a way; especially when you throw in a chance encounter that ties Raiders of the Lost Ark to this sci-fi movie masterpiece.

CinemaBlend readers, and my dear Jurassic Park fans, welcome to the story of Hurricane Iniki.  

Hurricane Iniki: The Natural Disaster That Eerily Mirrored Jurassic Park’s Plot

Between September 5th and September 13th, 1992, Hurricane Iniki took shape in the Central Pacific region, eventually becoming a Category 4 storm. As Jurassic Park was nearing the end of its shooting schedule on the Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, initial reports stated that the hurricane was projected to hit Oahu, 100 miles southeast. 

That would not be the case, as producer Kathleen Kennedy explained to author James Mottram in the book Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History. Here’s how Kennedy recalled the moment that defined the rest of the film’s shoot, from the section entitled “The Power of Iniki”: 

That knowledge is an eerie coincidence that draws a parallel to Jurassic Park’s plot. Game warden Robert Muldoon (Bob Peck) warns of a tropical storm raging “75 miles west of us” as the tour is about to begin. Hinging their hopes on the storm changing course away from Isla Nublar, John Hammond (Sir Richard Attenborough) gives Ray Arnold (Samuel L. Jackson) the go ahead to start the tour program. 

But as we know, Jurassic Park’s equivalent of an influencer preview turned into a modern fight for survival against prehistoric creatures. In the real world, however, as Sam Neill’s own Jurassic hurricane story revealed, cast and crew saw worsening conditions that posed a very real threat. 

The Chance Encounter That Helped Kathleen Kennedy Get The Jurassic Park Cast And Crew Out Of Kaua'i

Kathleen Kennedy could be considered the Ellie Sattler of Jurassic Park’s production thanks to her resourcefulness and a hell of a trek on foot. In the moments leading up to Hurricane Iniki’s impact, Kathleen Kennedy requested that Universal Pictures send a jet that would transport cast and crew off of Kaua’i and back home to California. Unfortunately, in another parallel to the Jurassic story, communications were down in this literal disaster area. 

Once Hurricane Iniki had dissipated, the producer took a ten-mile round trip run to Lihue Airport in order to check on the location’s condition. As she did this, the Jurassic crew, led by head greensman Danny Ondrejko, provided vital assistance in clearing storm debris in Kaua’i.

Kennedy would then take a Jeep back to Lihue Airport in order to talk her way onto a flight to Oahu, which would hopefully help her secure passage home for everyone. All of this travel was necessary so that the Jurassic Park producer could continue her quest, while also assuring families back home that everyone was ok. 

And this is where life imitating art took a kinder turn, thanks to a chance encounter with Hawaiian Airlines pilot, and one-time actor Fred Sorenson. You probably don’t recognize the man by name, but you’d definitely know him through his singular acting gig, shown below: 

That's right! Sorenson’s claim to fame, besides being a real-life Jurassic Park hero, was playing Jock, the pilot who saves Harrison Ford’s life in the opening sequence to Raiders of the Lost Ark. The funny thing is, Fred was an actual pilot cast at the last minute, taking him away from his gig at Hawaiian Airlines.

To be fair, Kathleen Kennedy didn’t recognize him at first either, as she recalled to authors Don Shay and Jody Duncan. Here’s how that story unfolded in their 1993 book, The Making of Jurassic Park: An Adventure 65 Million Years In The Making:

Thanks to this serendipitous meeting, Kennedy and Sorenson worked out a strategy that would not only get vital medical personnel and supplies out to Kaua’i, but would also allow Jurassic Park’s cast and crew to evacuate as a result. Through the use of a Hawaiian AIrlines DC-8 and a Universal private jet, it only took 48 hours to execute this plan. 

Of course, Fred Sorenson had a real sense of humor about his role in making this all happen. Kathleen Kennedy made that fact perfectly clear in her story for Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History, which added this fun detail: 

When all was said and done, director Steven Spielberg claimed in an interview for that same book that only a day of shooting was scrapped to Hurricane Iniki. Several days after their flight to safety, Jurassic Park would pick up its shooting schedule once more on the Universal lot. 

While not much time was lost, there was a bit of a tradeoff that took place. As the production would gain some actual footage from the hurricane's earlier phases, which was used in the film. a pretty big scene had to be scrapped because of the devastation. 

How Hurricane Iniki Wound Up In Jurassic Park, And The Big Scene It Scrapped

Telling his side of the Jurassic Park story involving Hurricane Iniki, cinematographer Dean Cundey revealed during a 2009 episode of Storm Stories that Steven Spielberg actually had a quick idea to take advantage of the storm. Before conditions forced everyone to take shelter, the E.T. director approached Cundey with the following pitch: 

If you recall the brief shots of disaster that show huge waves crashing over barriers, just before Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) is about to sabotage the park, that’s the footage that came from this crazy shoot. However, the storm giveth and the storm taketh away, as Samuel L. Jackson would eventually reveal in an interview for Jurassic Park’s 20th anniversary.

Published in the September 2013 issue of Empire, the feature “When Dinosaurs Roamed The Earth," which is currently shared on author Nick de Semlyen’s website,  a whole bunch of Jurassic history was discovered. That included the story where the MCU veteran revealed why we never saw Ray Arnold die at the claws of a Velociraptor pack. Jackson’s explanation, and his reaction to the change of plans, was the following: 

Years after that admission, Jackson continued to tell that Jurassic tale, and it’s one of the greatest “what ifs” in Jurassic Park history. Besides, of course, 'what if Jurassic Park’s original ending remained intact?' In the grand scheme, the loss is still heartbreaking, but thankfully it wasn't a deal breaker for the production's June 1993 release date. 

Also, at least Samuel L. Jackson didn't have to endure Hurricane Iniki firsthand. That was an experience that had most of Jurassic Park's cast and crew shaken, except for one notable exception. 

Sir Richard Attenborough's Curious Reaction To Hurricane Iniki

I’d like to end with one final anecdote from Sam Neill, courtesy of Jurassic Park: The Ultimate Visual History. More specifically, I feel like it'd be a waste to not recall Sir Richard Attenborough's reaction to the events that were unfolding.

You see, while most everyone involved was rattled, and rightfully so, the person who seemed to weather the storm the best was the Gandhi director, who was cast as the park's visionary creator, John Hammond. 

Neill’s recollection of why that happened to be is a humorous button to a serious story. At the same time, it feels like a moment where actor and character come together in a comfortable chuckle, as you'll read below:

30 years later, Jurassic Park is still a marvel of blockbuster filmmaking, and if you're ready to return to Isla Nublar, you can do so with a Netflix subscription. But whenever you partake in this adventure 65 million years in the making, keep the history told above in mind. 

For all of the danger and devastation that Hurricane Iniki delivered to Kaua’i, the fact that the cast and crew made it through safely feels like a miracle. To remember that only makes the end result all the more astonishing. 

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

Mariska Hargitay

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

Tom Holland

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

Lenny Kravitz

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

Benedict Cumberbatch

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

Tracee Ellis Ross

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

Jordana Brewster

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

Zooey Deschanel

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

Vanessa Kirby

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

Alfie Allen

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

Josh Brolin

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

Louisa Jacobson

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

Zoey Deutch

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

Lewis Pullman

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

Jamie Lee Curtis

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

Ben Platt

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

Laura Dern

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

George Clooney

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

Daniel Day-Lewis

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

Rob Reiner

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

Zosia Mamet

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

Billie Lourd

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

Bessie Carter

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

Timothée Chalamet

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

Phoebe Dynevor

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

Melanie Griffith

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

Jennifer Aniston

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

Jessica Capshaw

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

Margaret Qualley

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

John David Washington

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

Riley Keough

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

Hannah Einbinder

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

Nico Parker

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

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

Taylor Swift's girl gang is legendary, and it includes A-list names like Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid and Emma Stone. Of course, this list also includes Laura Dern, whose friendship with the singer began in 2022 when she was asked to do a cameo in the “Bejeweled” music video. Obviously, the actress said yes, and you could see how much fun both artists had in the Cinderella-inspired project. Now, over a year later, the two powerhouses remain close friends, and the Jurassic Park star opened up about her “deep friendship” with The Eras Tour frontwoman.  

As Taylor Swift released project after project last year and went on her historic North American leg of her Eras Tour, her celebrity pals were spotted in the audience, including Laura Dern. That proved their relationship went further than a cameo, and recently, the actress shared just how deep their friendship is as she told People:

Continuing to gush about the pop star, Dern spoke about what she admires most about her pal. The Jurassic Park star said:

Isn’t that the sweetest thing ever? And you better believe this love goes both ways. When Swift talked about becoming friends with a lot of the people she works with and Dern joining the cast of “Bejeweled” on The Tonight Show, her excitement was infectious. She kept referencing the actress as “Oscar-winner Laura Dern,” and then said:

Like Dylan O’Brien and Sadie Sink, who starred in All Too Well: The Short Film, and went on to be friends with Swift, Laura Dern was in the same boat. Last November, she was asked about working with Swift on the “Bejeweled” music video. During her chat with USA Today about what surprised her most about the collaboration, the Little Women star said:

Overall, it looks like these two love each other dearly, and Dern loves being recognized by Swifties and sharing her appreciation for the pop star with them. And she’s not the only one, as many of Swift’s famous friends have opened up about what it’s like having a relationship with one of the biggest artists in the world.

While Swift has been friends with Selena Gomez forever, and we’re all well aware that the “Anti-Hero” singer and Blake Lively are besties, lots of other very famous folk have spoken about hanging out with her too. 

For example, like Dern, Deadpool 3 director Shawn Levy gushed about Swift, saying “she’s a very fun hang.” He also starred in All Too Well: The Short Film, and the two share a mutual friend in Ryan Reynolds. 

Along with Levy, and many others, Taylor Swift and Sophie Turner have become quite close, as the pop star let the Game of Thrones actress stay in her apartment during her divorce from Joe Jonas. On top of that, they’ve also been seen out for dinner and at a Chiefs game together. 

Many of Swift’s famous friends have spoken at length about how good a friend she is, and I think they’d all agree with Laura Dern’s kind words. Hopefully, we’ll get to see the Big Little Lies star work with the singer again, because they’re such a fun duo! In the meantime, I’ll be keeping my eye on that VIP tent at the Eras Tour to see if the actress shows up to jam out to the music of her pal again. 

Big Little Lies besties Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern are one Hollywood friendship that we all want to be part of, and their hilarious holiday posts are only adding more fuel to the fire. 

The Oscar-winning actresses—who first got close while playing daughter and mother in Wild, the 2014 film adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's memoir— were seen sporting matching Christmas-party fits in several funny snaps that Witherspoon posted to her Instagram page on Wednesday, December 20. 

The social media post included two photos of the famous pair in a before-and-after situation. The first saw the stars smiling sweetly next to a Christmas tree, each with a festive cocktail in hand, both wearing cozy white knits, silver sequined midi skirts and matching red lipstick. The second is a comedic follow-up, with the twosome looking pointedly less jolly, standing barefoot outside with their high heels and purses in hand. The Morning Show star captioned the silly snap:

Plenty of fellow celebrities took to the comments to cheer on Witherspoon's post, including Kate Hudson, who called the duo "cuties"; Kelsea Ballerini, who dubbed the photo set "iconic"; and Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott, who wrote:

Yes, based on that comment and the colorful tree behind them, it looks like Dern and Witherspoon had been holiday-partying over at the Scott residence with the HGTV personality and his fiancé Zooey Deschanel when the Instagram photos were taken. 

Clearly, the celebrity pals had a good time, with Witherspoon mentioning in the comments that there was "so much caroling and eggnog and catching up!” happening that evening. Dern also made a post from the spirited shindig on her own Instagram page, sharing with her 1.2 million followers a staged shot of Witherspoon "on the phone" with Santa, alerting him about their shared "skirt emergency." She added the caption:

In the photo, the Jurassic Park icon can be seen cracking up at her friend's hammy antics:

And the feeling is seemingly mutual: the Walk the Line actress previously told Vanity Fair in March 2020 about her close bond with Dern, whom she considers a "sister" and makes her laugh like "no one" else: 

Dern recently reacted to news that co-star Nicole Kidman confirmed that Big Little Lies season 3 was officially a go, which would mean reuniting onscreen with Witherspoon and the rest of her Monterey, CA pals. She told Today.com that she was excited about the prospect with these words:

We doubt Renata and Madeline would have quite as much fun together as Laura and Reese do, though!

Early-birds have already screened The Color Purple, the upcoming musical adaptation of Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize–winning 1982 novel of the same name, the subsequent 1985 film by Steven Spielberg (which featured one of Whoopi Goldberg’s best performances as well as Oprah Winfrey in a career-defining role) and the 2005 Broadway production. And among those lucky first-watch moviegoers are some household names like Gwyneth Paltrow and Laura Dern.

Most movie lovers won't be able to see Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks and the rest of the 2023 Color Purple cast until the film hits theaters on December 25, but stars like Paltrow and Dern got the chance to see the Blitz Bazawule-directed flick early, per Instagram Stories that the Goop guru posted on Wednesday, December 13.

"About to watch The Color Purple, we looooove you @oprah," Paltrow captioned the first photo, which saw the Iron Man actress posing in a cinema room alongside Oscar winner Laura Dern, fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, film producer and political activist Nicole Avant and artist-poet Cleo Wade, among others. 

Paltrow, of course, is referencing her longtime friend Oprah Winfrey, who acts as a producer on the new The Color Purple film alongside Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones and Scott Sanders. 

In another Instagram Story, Paltrow showed the moviegoing group applauding the film, with the caption "OW Films 💜," another plug to her billionaire pal:

Along with starring as Sofia in the Spielberg pic (for which she received a 1986 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress) Winfrey also produced the original Broadway show of The Color Purple, which was also highly acclaimed, winning two Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical. The new movie features members from the stage productions, including Danielle Brooks, who took on the role of Sofia herself in the 2015 Broadway revival and reprises the character in the musical drama film. 

It was Oprah herself that reportedly gave Brooks the news that she was cast for the iconic role in the film, with the mogul telling CBS News: "I wanted to make the call myself because Sofia had been such an iconic part of me and The Color Purple has been such an amazing part of my life.  

As for passing the baton to the Orange is the New Black actress, Winfrey added: 

Brooks took the "responsibility" of playing the beloved character very seriously and also praised Winfrey for being "a voice" for her. 

Given that The Color Purple is one of the most-anticipated titles on the 2023 movie schedule, there will undoubtably be other fellow famous theatergoers joining Paltrow, Dern and their big-name buddies in flocking to the cinemas to check it out on Christmas Day and beyond. 

Everyone loves a good courtroom drama like Philadelphia, A Few Good Men, and To Kill a Mockingbird, films that are often considered the best of all time. Over the years, some of the biggest Hollywood stars have played lawyers in the movies (or TV shows) like those, and transform themselves into committed defense attorneys, hard-nosed prosecutors, and pretty much every other type of lawyer imaginable. 

Here are 32 famous actors who played a lawyer in a drama, comedy, or somewhere in between…

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks won his first Academy Award for Best Actor thanks to his emotional and pivotal performance in Jonathan Demme’s 1993 legal drama, Philadelphia. In the movie, he played Andrew Beckett, an attorney who sues his old firm that fired him after senior partners discovered he was gay and had AIDS. Hanks would play an insurance attorney years later in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies.

Reese Witherspoon

Already on the rise, Reese Witherspoon became a massive star after her portrayal of Elle Woods, a sorority-girl-turned-law-student who enrolls at Harvard to win her boyfriend back in Legally Blonde. Watching the unassuming Elle become a pro in the courtroom, especially during the film’s high-profile murder case, is nothing short of amazing.

Tom Cruise

Two of Tom Cruise’s best movies are those that saw him play lawyers. In 1992, Cruise had the lead role of Lt. Daniel Kaffee in Rob Reiner’s A Few Good Men, a performance he followed up with by anchoring Sydney Pollack’s 1993 legal thriller, The Firm.

Denzel Washington

How Denzel Washington did win or receive an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of attorney Joseph "Joe" Miller in Philadelphia is one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in the history of the awards show. Tom Hanks receives a lot of praise for his role, and rightfully so, but Washington's dynamic portrayal of a man facing his internal battles and overcoming his own prejudice is the stuff of legend.

Gregory Peck

Gregory Peck will always be associated with his character, Atticus Finch, from the adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird. The Hollywood legend won an Oscar for his portrayal of the dedicated defense attorney standing up against the prejudice and racism of his community to defend an innocent man, and became the stuff of legend in the process.

Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey is another actor who has played an attorney on more than one occasion. The future Academy Award winner first portrayed a lawyer in Joel Schumacher’s 1996 adaptation of John Grisham’s A Time to Kill, taking on the role of defense attorney Jake Brigance. A decade-and-a-half later, McConaughey played embattled criminal defense attorney Mickey Haller in The Lincoln Lawyer.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has played a lawyer on multiple occasions. There’s the 1996 legal thriller A Time to Kill in which she played law student Ellen Roark, as well as the 2002 romantic comedy, Two Weeks Notice which saw her take on the role of Lucy Kelson, an idealistic attorney who tries to break away from her real estate developer boss (played by Hugh Grant).

Matt Damon

One of Matt Damon’s best movies, 1997’s The Rainmaker (which was directed by Francis Ford Coppola) sees the young actor take on the role of law school graduate Rudy Baylor as he takes on his first case against an insurance company. As is the case with John Grisham adaptations, the legal thriller is full of twists, turns, and bad faith deals.

Laura Dern

Laura Dern won an Academy Award for her portrayal of divorce attorney Nora Fanshaw in Noah Baumbach’s 2019 drama, Marriage Story. To say she steals every scene she’s in would somehow be a disservice to her performance, it’s that great.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk has done a lot throughout his career, but the role he’ll most likely always be remembered for is Jimmy McGill, aka, Saul Goodman on AMC’s Breaking Bad and its spinoff/prequel Better Call Saul.

Michael B. Jordan

In addition to playing one of the best villains of the MCU’s Phase 3, anchoring the Creed franchise, and playing Tom Clancy characters, Michael B. Jordan has also played a lawyer on the big screen. In 2019, Jordan portrayed real-life attorney Bryan Stevenson in Destin Daniel Cretton’s Just Mercy, in which he helped wrongfully convicted death row inmate Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx) overturn his sentence. 

Paul Newman

One of the iconic Hollywood stars, Paul Newman played a lawyer in Sidney Lumet’s 1982 legal drama, The Verdict. In the movie, Newman took on the role of once-promising but now down-on-his-luck attorney Frank Galvin who found himself doing the right thing for once when taking on a medical malpractice case.

Glenn Close

Richard Marquand’s 1985 legal thriller Jagged Edge saw Glenn Close take on the role of Teddy Barnes, a defense attorney who is tasked with representing a man (played by Jeff Bridges) accused of murdering his wife. Despite taking on the case, Barnes has a hard time figuring out if he’s actually innocent or not.

Joe Pesci

One of the funniest movies of the 1990s, Jonathan Lynn’s 1992 legal comedy sees Joe Pesci take on the role of personal injury lawyer Vinny Gambini as travels from New York to the Deep South to defend his cousin who has been charged with murder. 

Kevin Costner

At the height of his fame, Kevin Costner led Oliver Stone’s 1991 conspiracy thriller JFK as New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison. Set years after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, this three-hour epic follows Garrison as he attempts to prove that Lee Harvey Oswald didn’t act alone in the November 1963 killing.

Viola Davis

Over the course of six seasons and 90 episodes, EGOT winner Viola Davis made waves on the ABC legal drama series, How to Get Away with Murder. Taking on the role of Annalise Keating, a defense attorney and law professor, Davis won numerous awards for her portrayal.

Al Pacino

Though Al Pacino’s absolutely bonkers performance in The Devil’s Advocate is probably the first movie that comes to mind when talking about the actor’s lawyer roles, his performance in And Justice For All is where it’s at. His portrayal of a young and idealistic attorney tasked with defending a devilish judge is something to behold.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves’ performance in The Devil’s Advocate is often overshadowed by Al Pacino literally playing Satan himself, but his portrayal of Kevin Lomax is worth checking out. The arc he experiences over the course of this 1997 supernatural horror film is something else.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx has played characters on both sides of the law over the course of his career, but his most recent portrayal of flashy personal injury lawyer Willie E. Gary in 2023’s The Burial is arguably one of his best roles ever. It would be a surprise if he’s not nominated for multiple awards in the coming months.

Harrison Ford 

Harrison Ford, known for roles like Indiana Jones, Han Solo, and Jack Ryan, has played a couple of different attorneys over the years. In 1990, Ford took on the role of Rozart K. “Rusty” Sabich, an on-the-rise prosecutor in Presumed Innocent. The following year, he would take on the titular part in Regarding Henry, a movie about a high-price lawyer who loses his memory after being shot.

 Felicity Jones 

In 2018, Felicity Jones played perhaps one of the most influential legal minds in American history with her portrayal of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in On the Basis of Sex. Released two years before the real RBG passed away, the movie follows the future Supreme Court justice as she takes on a landmark tax case that forever changes gender discrimination in the United States.

 Sarah Paulson 

The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, the first entry in Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series retold the “Case of the Century” with an equal amount of time spent on all the major players in the infamous 1995 murder trial. Sarah Paulson received a Primetime Emmy Award and Golden Globe for her portrayal of prosecutor Marcia Clark.

 Susan Sarandon 

Joel Schumacher’s 1994 adaptation of John Grisham’s legal thriller, The Client, saw Susan Sarandon give one of her best performances with her portrayal of Regina “Reggie” Love, a dedicated attorney who stops at nothing to protect a young child who witnessed a senseless crime connected to a lot of people in powerful positions.

 Richard Gere 

Richard Gere played defense attorney Martin Vail in the 1996 legal thriller, Primal Fear, a movie with a totally wild ending. The film centers on Vail as he is tasked with defending a Chicago altar boy (played by Edward Norton) charged with the murder of a powerful Catholic archbishop.

 Jim Carrey 

One of the best Jim Carrey movies, as well as one of the comedian’s highest grossing per BoxOfficeMojo, Liar Liar sees the legendary comedian take on the role of Fletcher Reede, a lawyer who can no longer lie after his son wishes he would be honest for once. This radical change to Fletcher’s personality has major implications on his line of work and a high-profile case at the center of the movie.

 Sterling K. Brown 

Sterling K. Brown earned a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe, and a vast amount of respect for his portrayal of lead prosecutor Christohper Darden on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Though a well-known actor before taking the role, Brown hit new heights in the wake of its success.

 Emma Thompson 

Emma Thompson gave one of her best performances in Jim Sheridan’s 1993 biographical crime drama, In the Name of the Father. She played an attorney tasked with representing a man (played by Daniel Day-Lewis) falsely imprisoned for a bombing he did not commit. Thompson, like other members of the cast, was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Gareth Peirce.

 Adam Sandler 

Adam Sandler’s Sonny Koufax isn’t the hardest working movie lawyer (he doesn’t even pass the Bar Exam when he helps represent himself in the 1999 comedy’s final act), but he does come around in the end and turn his life around. Does he still put newspapers over spills? Probably so.

 Brad Pitt 

Barry Levinson’s 1996 crime drama, Sleepers, sees Brad Pitt take on the role of Michael Sullivan, an assistant prosecutor who orchestrates a scheme to get two friends, with whom he suffered abuse at a juvenile detention center, acquitted in the murder of one of the guards. 

 Mark Ruffalo 

One of the movies showcases Mark Ruffalo’s excellent acting, the 2019 legal drama Dark Waters sees the Marvel actor take on the role of Robert Bilott, a criminal defense attorney who decides to take on the DuPont corporation after their toxic chemicals bring illness, death, and devastation to a small farming community.

 Sean Penn 

In Brian De Palma’s 1993 crime drama, Carlito’s Way, Sean Penn portrayed David Klenfield, the sleazy attorney and best friend of Al Pacino’s titular career criminal. One of Penn’s most iconic roles, the performance took his craft to the next level, even if he’s one of the most despicable practitioners of the law in the history of cinema.

 Calista Flockhart 

One of the most popular ‘90s TV shows, Ally McBeal spent five seasons following Calista Flockhart’s titular the lawyer as she faced battles in and out of court at her Boston law firm. Over the course of the show’s run, Flockhart earned three Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and universal praise for her career-defining performance. More than 20 years after the show’s conclusion, the show is still the actress’ most well-known credit.

Regardless of which side of the law their characters ended up on, these 32 actors will always be remembered for these iconic performances in movies and television. And while they may not have law degrees or know enough to pass the Bar Exam, they could probably do a great job of representing us in court. Well, maybe there are a few we would be kind of terrified to have our corner for a variety of reasons.

In Hollywood, there are plenty of celebrities we all know and love, but sometimes, we might not realize that there are other actors they are related to, such as famous parents who have been around for decades. From new up-and-coming stars to people who have been in the business for some time, here are some celebrities with famous parents that you should know about. 

Gwyneth Paltrow

First up on this list has to be Gwyneth Paltrow. While the actress has built a career for herself over the last few decades with roles in movies like Shakespeare in Love, Seven, and of course, her role as Pepper Potts in the Iron Man movies, Paltrow comes from fame and is the daughter of Bruce Paltrow and Blythe Danner, both of which worked in the industry. 

Maya Hawke

Maya Hawke may be an up-and-coming star, with her breakout role as part of the Stranger Things cast and only continuing to grow as an actor as time passes, but her parents have been around for some time. Hawke is the daughter of the actor Ethan Hawke and the actress Uma Thurman, who were married for a time back in the early 2000s. 

Anderson Cooper

While we all know Anderson Cooper now for his presence on the cable news network CNN, Cooper came from a large family that we all know well. His mother was Gloria Vanderbilt, who was a part of the famous Vanderbilt family. 

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston has become a significant actress in the last couple of decades, specifically for her time as Rachel Greene in the Friends cast and many other great movie and TV roles. But Aniston also comes from Hollywood royalty, as her father was John Aniston, who was on the classic soap opera Days Of Our Lives for 37 years. 

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie's best movies have only evolved over the years, from her time as the classic Disney villain, Maleficent, to her critically acclaimed roles. Jolie's father is Jon Voight, an Academy Award-winning actor; and her mother is Marcheline Bertrand, a Hollywood actress.

Chris Pine

Chris Pine is another example of someone you would never expect is the child of another celebrity, but his father was Robert Pine, and his mother was Gwynne Gilford. Robert Pine is best known for starring in the TV series CHiPS, while his mother appeared in many TV shows during the '70s and '80s. 

Colin Hanks

Colin Hanks has appeared in various films and TV shows over the last few years, including Fargo, Band of Brothers, Dexter, and more, and he hails from famous actor Tom Hanks. In 2022, Colin Hanks was a part of The Offer cast on Paramount Plus. 

Margaret Qualley

Margaret Qualley is another actress who has been up and coming for some time now, appearing in films like Death Note, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, and more, as well as in TV shows like The Leftovers and Maid on Netflix. Qualley's famous parent is Andie MacDowell, a former fashion model and actress who has appeared in films like St. Elmo's Fire, Groundhog Day and Four Weddings and a Funeral. 

Zoë Kravitz

Zoë Kravitz's best movies include The Batman, the Divergent franchise, and more, but she hails from a family of famous faces. Her father is the renowned guitarist/actor Lenny Kravitz, and her mother is a Hollywood it girl, Lisa Bonet. Zoe Kravitz is also the granddaughter of Roxie Roker, from the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. 

Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson has appeared in plenty of movies, including the Fifty Shades of Grey series, and she is the daughter of Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith. Johnson was known for his role on the TV show Miami Vice, and Griffith appeared in films like Working Girl, Something Wild, and more. 

Mamie Gummer

With a mother like Meryl Streep, it's no surprise that Mamie Gummer went into acting. Streep, known for many famous roles, was married to Don Gummer for several decades and had a few children with him, including Mamie Gummer. The actress has starred in the CW series Emily Owens, M.D., and appeared in films like Side Effects, Cake, and more. 

Rashida Jones

Rashida Jones is the daughter of the famous musician Quincy Jones. Considered a legend in the music industry, Jones was a significant influence and worked with several prominent musicians, such as Frank Sinatra and Count Basie. Rashida Jones  is known for numerous acting roles, including her part in the Parks and Recreation cast as Ann Perkins. 

Riley Keough

Riley Keough is an actress who has appeared in movies like The Runaways, Magic Mike, Mad Max: Fury Road, and more. She is the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, who was the daughter of Elvis Presley. 

Liv Tyler

Liv Tyler is a well-known actress for her roles in movies like Heavy, Armageddon, Ad Astra, Wilding, and more, as well as the Lord of the Rings movies. But you might not know that Tyler is the biological daughter of Steven Tyler, the frontman of the famous band Aerosmith. 

Lily-Rose Depp

The actress is the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. Lily-Rose Depp made a name for herself in 2023 with her starring role in The Idol cast on HBO. Depp has also appeared in other movies and roles, such as Tusk and A Faithful Man. 

Tracee Ellis Ross

While many know Tracee Ellis Ross as one of the main stars of the hit family show black-ish, Ross is the daughter of another famous face in Hollywood – Diana Ross, a legendary singer from the 1970s and beyond. Ross can sing like her mother, too, and recorded an album for the film The High Note in 2020.

Bryce Dallas Howard

Bryce Dallas Howard is known for many incredible movies and TV shows. She'll even be in the 2024 release of Argylle on Apple TV+ and is a well-known actress. However, her father, Ron Howard, began in Hollywood first and is a renowned director. Some of his biggest movies that he's directed include Willow, Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind, and Frost/Nixon.

Jessica Capshaw

Jessica Capshaw is primarily known for her role in the TV shows The Practice and Grey's Anatomy, which has gone on for many years. However, Capshaw is also the daughter of actress Kate Capshaw, whom you might know from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, among other films. Jessica Capshaw is also the step-daughter of a famous Hollywood director you may have heard of – Steven Spielberg.

Jasmine Cephas Jones

Jasmine Cephas Jones earned much acclaim for her roles in the Hamilton cast and went on to star in the Starz series Blindspotting, but her father, Ron Cephas Jones, had been in Hollywood for far longer. While he has numerous movie and TV credits to his name, you may known him in recent years from his part among the This Is Us cast before he sadly passed away in August 2023. 

Lily Collins

Lily Collins is known for her starring role in the Emily in Paris cast and several other movies like The Blind Side and Mirror Mirror. Her father, Phil Collins, is a well-known musician and was the lead singer and drummer of the band Genesis. 

Jack Quaid

I knew who Jack Quad was before I knew who Dennis Quaid was, thanks to the young actor being in The Hunger Games franchise and then in one of the best Amazon TV shows, The Boys. His father, Dennis Quaid, has been in Hollywood for many years. Dennis Quaid's list of films include The Parent Trap, Breaking Away, Vantage Point, and more. Jack Quaid's mother is Meg Ryan, an actress known for her great romantic comedies and hilarious comedic timing. 

Harley Quinn Smith

Harley Quinn Smith is a young actress on this list who has appeared in movies such as Tusk and Yoga Hosers. Her father is Kevin Smith, a filmmaker who has made movies like Clerks, Mallrats, and more. He also directed both Tusk and Yoga Hosers. 

Laura Dern

Laura Dern is the daughter of Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd. Bruce Dern has appeared in movies like Nebraska, Coming Home, and more, and Diane Ladd also appeared in films like Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Wild at Heart, Rambling Rose, and more. Ladd is the recipient of three Academy Awards. 

Allison Williams

Allison Williams has appeared in the show Girls and horror movies like the Jordan Peele-directed film Get Out and M3GAN. She is the daughter of Brian Williams, a famous news correspondent for NBC Nightly News. 

Kate Hudson

Kate Hudson is a well-known actress who has appeared in movies like Desert Blue, Almost Famous, Bride Wars, How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days, and more. Her mother is Goldie Hawn, and her biological father is Bill Hudson. Based on the post she shared honoring Kurt Russell -- her mother's long-time partner -- on Father's Day in 2022, it seems she has a very close family relationship with him. 

Liza Minnelli

When you think of Hollywood it girls, Liza Minnelli is bound to be one you think of, appearing in such movies as Cabaret, Stepping Out, The Act, and more. An EGOT winner, Minnelli is the daughter of director Vincente Minnelli and Judy Garland, known for her starring role in The Wizard of Oz. 

Domhnall Gleeson

Domhnall Gleeson is primarily known for his roles in the Harry Potter franchise, where he played Bill Weasley, and appeared in Star Wars films and movies like Anna Karenina, Frank, and more. He is the son of Brendan Gleeson, a famous actor who has appeared in movies like 28 Days Later, The Banshees of Inisherin, Gangs of New York, and more. 

Kaia Gerber

Kaia Gerber is a well-known young model who has appeared in Fashion Week for the last couple of years. She is the daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, two famous models. Arguably, Crawford was one of the most popular models of the 1980s and '90s, and it's fitting that her daughter is turning out to be the same in the 2020s. 

Maude Apatow

While everyone knows Maude Apatow from the Euphoria cast, as her character in the show, Lexi, is a fan favorite, the actress grew up as the child of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann. Judd Apatow's best movies that he has directed include Bridesmaids, Trainwreck, and The King of Staten Island, among others. Leslie Mann is a famous actress in films like This Is 40, Knocked Up, Big Daddy, and more. 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Jamie Lee Curtis first appeared in the BC drama Quincy, M.E., and continued to gain popularity over time with her roles in the Halloween franchise and many other films. She is the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, two well-known classic movie actors. Curtis lets their legacy live on now, and even won an Academy Award for her acting in 2023 for Everything Everywhere All At Once. 

Hailey Baldwin

Hailey Baldwin is a model who is the daughter of Stephen Baldwin, an actor who has appeared in movies like Bio-Dome, 8 Seconds, and more. She is also the niece of famous actor Alec Baldwin. Her legal last name now is Hailey Bieber, as she is married to well-known singer Justin Bieber, but many remember her as Hailey Baldwin from her earlier years in the industry. 

Cazzie David

Cazzie David is a scriptwriter and actor. She appeared in The Umbrella Academy on Netflix and has written TV show scripts for Hannah Montana, Eighty-Sixed, and more. She is the daughter of comedian and actor Larry David and Laurie David. 

Wyatt Russell

Wyatt Russell has appeared in shows like Black Mirror, Under the Banner of Heaven and more, and also was a part of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier cast. The actor is the son of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell.

Other celebrities have famous parents out there, but these are just some you might not realize were related to someone famous. And now, I need to figure out who else might be related to someone I never knew about—time to dive into some Hollywood history. 

Among the best sci-fi movies out there is 1993’s Jurassic Park, as it imagined a world where dinosaurs and humans could collide in a theme park concept gone wrong. Ahead of the classic’s 30th anniversary coming up this summer, one of its stars, Sam Neill, got real about the time while making it when he, along with the cast and crew, “came very close” to dying on set. 

Sam Neill just released his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This? this week, where he speaks to his career as an actor and gets candid about his cancer diagnosis. In between the pages of the new book release, Neill shared how he and the Jurassic Park cast almost said their final goodbyes in Hawaii while filming the Steven Spielberg dino movie. In his words (via People): 

Now that’s intense! As it turns out, Jurassic Park was filming at the same time a Category 4 hurricane called Iniki passed through and destroyed 14,350 homes on Kauai. As Neill reflected in the memoir: 

For context, a Category 4 hurricane is based on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale where Category 1 is the least dangerous and Category 5 is the worst possible. On the hurricane scale, a Category 4 will cause winds between 130 and 156 miles per hour and will cause “catastrophic damage,” per Weather. So for real, the Jurassic Park cast and crew almost actually died while filming one of the most beloved movies of many of our lifetimes. 

As Neill recalled, within three to four hours, the hurricane had moved through their area and they found themselves “surrounded by wreckage of our huge resort hotel.” The actor also shared that a few days after the hurricane, the Jurassic Park team flew out to Los Angeles to film some scenes in a studio before returning to Hawaii to film the rest of the footage. 

The story is among many anecdotes Sam Neill tells during Did I Ever Tell You This? As Neill recently shared, while he was being treater for stage-three blood cancer, which the actor has been in remission for eight months, he found that writing about his life was helpful to him while he took time off work. Since recently revealing the details of his personal health, his co-star Jeff Goldblum has opened up about the diagnosis, which he knew about “early on.” 

The 75-year-old's memoir comes after he, Goldblum and Laura Dern returned to their legacy characters for Jurassic World: Dominion last year to tie up loose ends for their characters and save the world. Sam Neill is currently back to work as his memoir arrived to bookshelves this week. 

Taylor Swift’s Eras era is officially upon us, as the artist kicked off her highly anticipated tour this weekend in Glendale, Arizona. Tickets were already a hot commodity, given the fact that this was Swift’s first tour in five years, but throw in the huge Ticketmaster fiasco that saw millions of fans walk away ticket-less after experiencing multiple crashes and long queues, and you’d have to imagine everybody in State Farm Stadium felt lucky to be witnessing this moment in pop culture history. That certainly goes for her VIP fans too, as proven by Laura Dern, Emma Stone and others, who seemed to be having a blast as they sang and danced the night away.

A number of A-listers made appearances for the opening of  The Eras Tour, which featured shows in Arizona on Friday and Saturday. The sold-out crowd of nearly 70,000 sang along to more than 40 of Taylor Swift’s best songs from all 10 of her albums during the three-hour shows, and concertgoers were sure to capture some of the more famous faces in the crowd. Jurassic World: Dominion star Laura Dern was among them, as she danced along with the HAIM sisters in the VIP section. One TikTok user documented their jubilation: 

Laura Dern appeared in Taylor Swift’s “Bejeweled” music video, so it’s no surprise that the Oscar winner would turn up for The Eras Tour kickoff, and she even posted an Instagram pic of the two of them backstage after the show: 

The Marriage Story star partied in VIP with T-Swift’s longtime friends HAIM — who are set to open for the artist later on The Eras Tour — and another actress with ties to the pop goddess in Emma Stone. The La La Land Academy Award winner could be seen briefly in the above TikTok post but was also a mood in a video captured by another fan, as she sang along to “Fearless”: 

Emma Stone and Taylor Swift have been friends for over a decade, and rumors have been swirling that the two will collaborate on the straight-to-streaming sequel Cruella 2. 

Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick also celebrated a night out with friends, posting several photos and videos to Instagram from The Eras Tour and calling the show “the most amazing concert I have ever seen”: 

Scream VI actress Samara Weaving also appeared to be in attendance, and the modern-day final girl posted a few moments from her spot in the crowd to her Instagram Stories: 

As The Eras Tour continues through August, there’s no doubt there will be more celebrity sightings at the shows — particularly, I’d imagine, when she wraps the tour with five nights in Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. In the meantime, maybe you’d like to check out Taylor Swift’s best movie performances, because the stage isn’t the only place where T-Swift shimmers. 

Laura Dern is extremely well-known for her prolific work in massive movies like Jurassic Park and Oscar-winning films like Marriage Story. However, these days instead of being asked for photos or autographs for her work in these films, she’s being recognized by some for a small cameo she made in one of Taylor Swift’s music videos. And what’s even better about all of this, is she had an interaction with said Swiftie at Jurassic Park. 

Dern was on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote her movie The Son, which is on the 2023 movie schedule, and she talked about her recent cameo in Taylor Swift’s music video “Bejeweled.” Turns out the power of Taylor Swift and the Swifties is real, because the Academy Award-winning actress explained she was recognized for her cameo in the Midnights music video over her return to an iconic role in 2022's Jurassic World: Dominion, while literally at Jurassic Park.    

While it’s a bit confounding to think that someone would recognize Laura Dern, like the Laura Dern, for her cameo in a Taylor Swift video over her iconic role in the Jurassic Park franchise, in this day and age, it kind of makes sense. The Cinderella inspired video currently has over 39 million views, and some of Swift’s older videos have surpassed 3 billion views, showing the power and popularity of the pop star.   

Dern appeared to be genuinely pleased by the recognition for her performance in Swift’s video, and found it funny that the fan didn’t even realize the irony of where they ended up taking the photo. The actress explained: 

I absolutely love that this Swiftie didn’t realize that she took a photo with Laura Dern at Jurassic Park, a photo long-time Jurassic Park fans would likely die for, and didn’t realize the significance of the photo's location. 

I do think with Swift announcing her first feature film, it’s 100% possible that Dern could work with the pop star again, I mean she’d be perfect to appear in the cast of said film. I’d assume just about any actor who works with the “Anti-Hero” singer on this movie will become better known to many for being in Swift’s first feature over any other project, even if they’ve starred in classic films like, oh I don’t know, Jurassic Park. 

Personally, I love that Dern had such a kind and light-hearted reaction to being recognized for “Bejeweled” while literally at Jurassic Park. Hopefully, as Swift releases her upcoming projects there will be more A-list cameos that introduce Swifties to more iconic actors and artists. 

With Taylor Swift’s tenth album, Midnights, out in the world now, the singer has not only brought fans more clever, relatable and catchy songs, but a continued relationship with being the writer and director of her own music videos. Her most recent viral visual, Bejeweled, is the tenth project she’s been behind the camera for and what I believe to be the beginning of a burgeoning movie director’s discography. That’s right, I’m counting on a future Taylor Swift movie director era because girlie can’t stop and won’t stop outdoing herself. 

While songwriting will clearly always be Taylor Swift’s number one passion, and she’s had to have put in her 10,000 hours there, as the pop star has evolved as an artist over 15 years, having spent all that time as a fan of hers, it also seems to me like she’s beginning an affair with expressing herself through the medium of filmmaking. Here’s why I’m betting on Taylor Swift moving into more work in Hollywood (aside from her few movie performances here and there thus far): 

She’s Already A Talented Director 

First off, Taylor Swift has already made it known she has ambitions to direct movies, and if she says she’s going to do something, she’s going to do it. Aside from providing visuals to her music through music videos, it feels like All Too Well: The Short Film is the project where Swift made her first attempt at moviemaking. The short was met with massive acclaim, and while at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Swift said this when asked if she’d be interested in making a feature film (via Variety): 

In All Too Well, Taylor Swift recruited The Maze Runner’s Dylan O’Brien and Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink to play a couple in a short romantic drama about a coming-of-age love story turned sour, with a highlight kitchen fight scene between the actors sending chills down many spines. Swift adapted the lyrics of her song “All Too Well” into a greater concept of lost love that spans 13 years and ends in the once-young woman catching a glimpse of her ex as she becomes a bestselling author and he wears the scarf she once abandoned. With All Too Well and the singer’s more traditional music videos, including the recent Anti-Hero music video, she’s established herself as a gifted director already, it’s only a matter of time before she does her own feature. 

Taylor Swift Has Been Telling More Stories Outside Herself 

Most of Taylor Swift’s career has revolved around her telling her own stories through song to a massive fanbase, but has often resulted in a ton of public drama and discourse, usually regarding who she’s dating or is no longer in a relationship with. However, in 2020, Swift took the spotlight off her own life to tell folklore and evermore, two quarantine albums that are greatly about fictional characters Swift made up and wrote songs about rather than drawing on her actual life. 

Within folklore, as we learned in her Disney+ concert film, Swift created a “teenage love triangle” and wrote songs from all their perspectives, with lengthy backstories for all of them among other characters she created for those albums. Seeing Taylor Swift’s career progress over the years, folklore and evermore is my personal favorite projects the artist has ever done, and I can absolutely see why she found inspiration outside herself for those works. Following those albums, I think Taylor Swift will want to return to creating ideas from scratch rather than doing every one of her projects with her own life at the center. This could also happen through her own movies, perhaps even adapting some of her own characters in her music. 

Her Growing Network Of Hollywood Friends 

Also, can we talk about how many friends Taylor Swift has who are in the Hollywood community? For Midnights alone, The Batman’s Zoë Kravitz wrote “Lavender Haze” with the singer, and Dylan O’Brien ended up doing the drums on “Snow on the Beach” purely for hanging out in the studio with her that day. Then, Laura Dern and the Haim sisters turn up in Bejeweled. Add that with other talents she hangs out with, like Selena Gomez, Emma Stone, Cara Delevingne and couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds (whose kids' names were inspirations for folklore), and you already have an impressive pick for a cast. 

Taylor Swift has a real knack for bringing big names together for her visions and that would prove to be a superpower as a movie director too. It feels as though she’d have her pick of talent if she decided to put something together. Plus, I figure if so much of your circle is in Hollywood, not only at some point will an idea strike within the industry, but she’ll have such a large support system of people with experience in moviemaking that she’d likely turn up with something great. 

All The Best Filmmakers Are As Intentional As Taylor Swift Is

Let me tell you something else about Ms. Swift, girl thinks of everything. Her latest Bejeweled music video was ridden with cameos and easter eggs, as with many of her videos. She’s basically Marvel Cinematic Universe status when it comes to hinting at things (maybe even better) and that’s something that would only fondly carry over as a filmmaker. My favorite types of movies are those with intention – the kind of movie that knows what it is and goes for it all the way. That’s the type of artist Taylor Swift has proven to be over the years, and I think this part of her creativity would carry over well into being a filmmaker. 

All this being said, I don’t necessarily see the singer having her filmmaker era tomorrow. Taylor Swift’s upcoming music is plenty for now, from rolling out more from her Midnights era, delivering on all her re-release albums and finally touring after being away from the stage for big shows for the past three years. Maybe this is five, 15 or 30 years from now, but regardless, I’m counting on Taylor Swift’s movie director era. I'm absolutely convinced it's happening! 

Following the release of her 10th album Midnights, Taylor Swift has released her second music video for the album, and now millions and millions of Swifties are busy breaking it down frame-by-frame. The pop star is known for her Easter eggs, and putting her famous friends in her music videos, and “Bejeweled” has copious amounts of both as Swift explained. 

The singer appeared on The Tonight Show to talk about her new album, and told Jimmy Fallon she wanted to make a video “for the fans.” She said it’s a retelling of Cinderella and pointed out that it’s for the fans who really love “glitter” and “Easter eggs” and “lots of little cameos.”  

Taylor Swift Explains The Cameos In 'Bejeweled' 

Swift has a Reputation for putting her famous friends and fantastic actors in her songs and music videos. While we've seen stars like Selena Gomez and Miles Teller in past videos, in the Midnights era, we are getting actors like “Oscar winner Laura Dern.” 

Even though Swift was part of the Amsterdam cast with many Academy Award-winning and nominated actors earlier this year, she is clearly awestruck over getting Dern into her video. This was a super fun cameo, and while Dern has two movies on the 2022 movie schedule, I think this is my favorite performance of hers this year. While chatting with Fallon, Swift only referred to the Jurassic Park actress as “Oscar winner Laura Dern,” and called her the “greatest,” making it clear she adores her.  

Along with Dern, who played the stepmother to Swift’s Cinderella, the singer’s longtime friends, the Haim sisters appeared as the step-sisters. These four were the only ones with significant dialogue, but Swift also starred alongside her producing partner Jack Antonoff, the makeup artist Pat McGrath and the burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese. 

There Are An Insane Number Of Easter Eggs In Taylor Swifts Music Video For 'Bejeweled'

To quote the singer herself, there is a “psychotic amount” of Easter eggs in this video. The detail-oriented singer, who does things like categorizing her songs by pen type, explained to Fallon: 

The main Easter eggs fans are picking up on are the ones that seem to tease Speak Now as the next re-release for Swift. Many fans are pointing to the elevator sequence with the Speak Now colored buttons and the instrumental version of “Enchanted” at the beginning. On top of all this, “Oscar winner Laura Dern” said:  

On top of all this, Swift is also seen with hair clips (as you can see in the image) that are the letters S and N. So, it feels like this video is setting the stage for Swift to release Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) next. 

The video also includes nods to her other albums like 1989 and folklore, among others. There are many, many more Easter eggs in the video along, which has become the norm with Swift. She loves to give the fans hints, and they love to pick it all apart and theorize over it, kind of like they did with her cursing in her music and the song titles of Midnights. 

The fun with Swift’s music won’t stop there. Along with the videos, fans are picking up on fun name-drops and Easter eggs in her other songs, like Janet Jackson in “Snow on the Beach.”  

Taylor Swift has a lot of upcoming projects and appearances surrounding this album. I’m sure everything will be laden with Easter eggs and cameos. So buckle up Swifties, we're in for a wild ride with Midnights and all the fun surprises Swift always has up her sleeve.  

The loudest noise coming out of San Diego Comic-Con is almost always about upcoming movie and TV adaptations, particularly in the superhero, sci-fi or fantasy genres, but within collectors circles, there’s always buzz around artwork, action figures, comics and Funko Pops too. Quite a few franchises use the annual convention, which returned in person this year, to tease or fully debut new offerings, and this year, the Jurassic Park/ Jurassic World franchise was no exception. Mattel gave fans a look at a ton of dino-themed action figures on the horizon, and there’s one that I cannot get enough of.

Remember that scene in Jurassic Park where Dr. Sattler digs through the dinosaur poop to try and figure out what’s going on with the triceratops? Well, that’s being rolled out as a toy. You can check it out in all its glory below…

As you can see in the picture, the Dr. Sattler action figure comes with swappable arms. So, if you’d her to be cleaner and more in line with how she starts the tour, you’re certainly free to keep her that way. If you’d like her to get a little grosser, then you can just swap out the hands and she’ll be quickly covered in filth. The equal parts disgusting and amazing figure is slated to hit the market later this year, along with a dilophosaurus, which looks like it’s ready to spray goop all over Dennis Nedry’s stupid thieving face. They're both part of the Hammond Collection. You can check that one out below too…

Jurassic Park has remained popular since its initial release. The market for collectibles around the franchise has always been hot, but now is a particularly good time to release this figure given Dr. Sattler, played by the wonderful Laura Dern, just returned for Jurassic World 3, alongside characters played by her fellow stars of the original movie Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum. The movie, entitled Jurassic World Dominion, hit theaters back in June and has grossed almost a billion dollars at the box office since its release.

Not surprisingly, Mattel also went big with numerous other San Diego Comic-Con debuts for other franchises. Quite a few WWE figures debuted, including some sweet new retros. In addition, the popular manufacturer gave fans looks at some amazing Hot Wheels pop culture crossovers and a ton of toys around He-Man’s 40th anniversary. 

Over the last decade, the action figure market has really expanded to service both kids who want toys to play with and collectors who are willing to pay for a more premium experience. Regardless of what you might do with this Dr. Sattler figure, it’s a must-own for any Jurassic Park fan, and it’ll also be a great conversation starter given how memorable that scene still is almost thirty years later. 

In the original Jurassic Park, there are more iconic scenes than one movie can typically manage. But among them, it’s tough to forget Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm laying shirtless and sweaty midway through the movie. This moment was even once commemorated via a giant statue in London. But as Goldblum was recently asked about how the scene came to be, he got honest that Laura Dern actually had to remind him. 

Nearly thirty years following the release of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, fans of the 1993 movie are still talking (and gushing all over) that shirtless scene. While speaking to SiriusXM, Goldblum shared that he couldn’t recall why and how Ian Malcolm came to create that beloved and steamy image. In his words: 

The new movie release of Jurassic World: Dominion brought back Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill on the big screen together for the first time since the original Jurassic Park. While promoting Dominion, Goldblum shared that Dern recently reminded him why he might have been in that iconic shirtless position. As he said in that interview and previous ones, he apparently doesn’t remember. To refresh all our memories, here's the image, and there's a bit of blood on his hand and around his chest: 

Dern perhaps refreshed his memory, sharing that Ian Malcolm actually had an injury in his chest area, and his shirt was open and being tended to when that specific shot takes place. Dern is correct that there are people around him in other shots around that scene where they are treating an injury. But, of course, because of Goldblum’s magnetism, most of us don’t remember the circumstances of the shirtless scene. 

Jeff Goldblum also joked that he certainly didn’t ask Steven Spielberg if they could do a take where he showed “a little more” and some big shirtless scene wasn’t explicitly in the script. But, no matter, as it became a classic moment in Jurassic Park. Goldblum even recreated it in late 2020 to inspire others to vote in the Presidential election. Check it out: 

As far as Jurassic World Dominion goes, the movie disappointed critics overall, including CinemaBlend’s own Eric Eseinberg giving it 1.5 out of 5 stars in his review, but it generally pleased moviegoers, earning an A- with fans on CinemaScore. In its third weekend at the box office, it was in third place under Top Gun: Maverick and Elvis. The movie has made over $756 million worldwide. Jurassic World Dominion effectively wraps up the Jurassic World trilogy by bringing together the original and new cast, which included Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, but it’s proved tough to top the classic nature of the 1993 movie. 

Spoilers ahead for Jurassic World: Dominion. 

Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park movie changed the film world forever, partly thanks to the groundbreaking visual effects that debuted in the 1993 classic. The beloved movie starred Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern, who recently reunited for the new blockbuster Jurassic World: Dominion. And director Colin Trevorrow “never considered” killing off any of the franchise’s legacy characters for a very emotional reason.

Jurassic fans were delighted to see that the original heroes were going to be back on the big screen and facing dinosaur action in Jurassic World: Dominion. Colin Trevorrow assured fans early on that they’d have significant roles in the movie, which indeed turned out to be true. While some moviegoers were worried that Ian Malcolm, Ellie Sattler, or Alan Grant were going to be killed off, that was never in the cards for Trevorrow. He recently explained his approach while appearing on our very own ReelBlend podcast, saying:

Well, there you have it. While BD Wong’s Dr. Henry Wu might have been a villain in the last two Jurassic World movies, he was still safe from being killed off throughout the course of Dominion’s 146-minute runtime. As were the heroes played by the likes of Laura Dern, Jeff Goldlblum, and Sam Neill. In fact, the only original character to bite the dust in the movie was Lewis Dodgson. 

But exactly why did Colin Trevorrow make this decision for (most) of the Jurassic Park OG’s? Other franchises like Scream and Star Wars have promptly killed off legacy characters upon their return to the big screen. It turns it out it was a very emotional decision, as Trevorrow shared with the hosts of ReelBlend,

I’m not crying, you’re crying. While the Jurassic franchise is known for dealing with out of this world circumstances, it’s still made by people. And Colin Trevorrow thought that killing off the beloved original characters in Dominion would leave the audience with sobering thoughts about mortality and aging. Instead, Trevorrow let the original trio and BD Wong’s Dr. Wu survive the threequel with all of their limbs.

Jurassic World: Dominion ended the current story, so it’s unclear how long it’ll take the property to return to theaters. This is especially true since the reviews for Colin Trevorrow’s threequel have been less than positive.

Jurassic World: Dominion is in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Warning: minor SPOILERS for Jurassic World Dominion are in play. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, feel free to take a different Jeep off to the twist-free coverage we have on CinemaBlend. 

Bringing back their characters of Dr. Ellie Sattler and Dr. Alan Grant in Jurassic World Dominion, actors Laura Dern and Sam Neill had their fair share of moments that recaptured Jurassic Park’s magic. None of that would have been possible without an invitation to return to the dinosaur franchise, or a desire to even reprise their characters for the first time since 2001. Sure enough, Dern and Neill’s enthusiasm made for an easy return, as both actors were particularly excited about specific angles presented for their legacy Jurassic characters.

Covering the return of both Jurassic Park all-stars, my participation in interviews with both Sam Neill and Laura Dern saw us cover a lot of ground in the franchise they were representing. We made sure to talk about their experiences on Jurassic World Dominion, while also dipping back into the well of the past. As such, when discussing the run-up to making director Colin Trevorrow’s “conclusion of the Jurassic era,” there were various pieces to their classic roles that stuck out as pleasant paths for a much welcomed return.

Starting with Laura Dern’s recollections of what excited her most about Dominion, it all started with the man who kicked it all off in 1993. As she stated to talk to CinemaBlend about what most pleased her about returning, Dern praised three figures in the Jurassic power structure specifically when expressing her gratitude:

Dr. Ellie Sattler’s icon status is something Laura Dern is still praised for to this very day. Protecting that legacy went hand in hand with Colin Trevorrow and Emily Carmichael’s Jurassic World Dominion script, which sees Ellie leading the charge against an existential threat that could lead to the next mass extinction. She's the one who lures Dr. Alan Grant out of the first place you’d expect to see him: an archeological dig site in Utah.

As the two reunite for the first time since Jurassic Park III, Ellie eventually approaches Alan with an ask that turns into another adventure filled with genetically-modified danger. It’s pretty similar to how the two were won over on visiting Jurassic Park’s central island by a cheerily persuasive John Hammond (Sir Richard Attenborough). Only this time, the stakes are higher than a mere theme park endorsement.

However, Jurassic World Dominion shows off how ill-equipped, yet totally required Dr. Grant's presence is in the franchise. While there's one key difference between Alan and Chris Pratt's Owen Grady, Sam Neill's iconic emergency father figure has his own reasons to jump into danger yet again. As he explained in his own opinion of what Dominion represented to him, Neill admits there are two reasons that he'd even embark on this journey in the first place:

Bear in mind, Dr. Alan Grant has already made two harrowing trips into the world of dinosaur-filled peril, as following the events of The Lost World (that are still in canon), we reunited with him in Jurassic Park III. Being present on Isla Nublar, and then being suckered into a surprise trip onto the more dangerous Isla Sorna, the very academic character faced down more beasts than he probably cared to admit to. 

Yet as soon as Dr. Ellie Sattler turns up, asking an “old friend” to jump into danger for the sake of humanity, Sam Neill’s trademark smile flashes on screen, confirming that Grant is leaving another dig site. Ellie’s quest in Jurassic World Dominion was another huge part of what had Laura Dern ready to go when it came to returning to the franchise she helped put on the map. 

Looking into the genetically-engineered locust plagues that the nefarious corporation Biosyn have been using to push their own corporate agenda, Dr. Sattler’s expertise lures her and her fellow Jurassic Park co-stars into danger once more. Dern admitted to that focus drawing her back in for Dominion, as she continued to discuss the process that led to her participation in the third Jurassic World film:

Once their decisions were made to come back, it wasn’t long before Laura Dern, Sam Neill and even Jeff Goldblum were back to their old tricks on the set of Jurassic World Dominion. Presumably closing off their roles from the original film, Drs. Grant and Sattler finally sharing an on-screen kiss was a moment worth waiting nearly 30 years for. We may not see them again on the big screen, but if that’s the case, the ending to the Alan and Ellie story is one that stays true to their characters right to the final frames.

No one knows what the future holds for the franchise, as the Jurassic World still turns after Dominion’s conclusion. There’s plenty of opportunity, and even some promise in DeWanda Wise’s Kayla potentially leading the future of this dinosaur-populated world. For the moment, Jurassic World Dominion is currently in theaters, continuing to present dino-fueled adventures that are thrilling audiences.

Returning to a role like Dr. Alan Grant or Dr. Ellie Sattler is a prospect that can be intimidating but also comforting when making an upcoming movie. With Sam Neill and Laura Dern embodying their Jurassic Park characters again, there were bound to be moments where the production of Jurassic World Dominion would send both actors straight down memory lane. As it turns out, there were a few moments that mad them feel as though they were working on the OG film. And they weren’t the only people on set that felt like they were stepping back almost 30 years into the past.

While speaking with both Sam Neill and Laura Dern during their respective Jurassic World press days, it was time to get nostalgic. Looking back at the impact of Steven Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster adaptation of Michael Crichton’s original novel, stories of how Laura Dern’s role inspired fans all over have come to the forefront.

That inspiration is two fold, because when approached to star in Jurassic World Dominion, the actress shared the same concern pretty much everyone working on the film had. To make a sixth Jurassic movie, with the original trio of legacy characters returning, there had to be a good reason. If there was any doubt in her mind that Dominion wasn’t a good idea, it seemed to have washed away her first day on set. Here’s the first of two moments that the Oscar winner told CinemaBlend made her feel her most Jurassic: 

It’s easy to call Jurassic Park things like “a landmark classic” or a “massive blockbuster” almost three decades on. However, that still feels like it’s kind of underselling the reaction to the movie overall. Though it became the top movie of 1993’s box office showings, that wasn’t always a given with this then untested brand. In fact, right up to its earth shattering release, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s The Last Action Hero was supposed to be the victor of that weekend.

Even with Jurassic World Dominion’s critically savaging reviews, the film managed to land the best non-superhero opening since 2019. Those good feelings from Isla Nublar’s natural splendor have kept this franchise alive through an entire trilogy of legacy-quels, though that’s not all that’s survived. As Sam Neill responded to the question of his most Jurassic moment, he shared this very in-character observation: 

Having the Jurassic Park trio together certainly showed that they hadn’t lost any steps since last teaming up. Jeff Goldblum’s uncanny improv abilities were the best evidence, as both Sam Neill and Laura Dern had their favorite Dominion outtakes that they wished could have stayed in the finished film. The magic of the old gang together is still undeniable in the finished film, and it led to Dern’s other most Jurassic moment on set:

One scene in particular stood out to her, and it’s one that you can see in the most recent trailer for Dominion. Once the legacy cast of Jurassic Park and the new kids from the World series meet up, they’re faced with some close encounters that involve the Joker-esque Giganotosaurus. That creature in particular mined the practical experience for moments like the one the Ellie Sattler icon describes below: 

Once they’ve reached the ending of Jurassic World Dominion, audiences will probably have their own picks for the moments that felt the most reverent towards Jurassic Park. Reading Laura Dern and Sam Neill’s personal picks will only help bolster those discussions, as the events that transpire in this summer blockbuster are the payoff to a gamble made at the movies in 1993. Paired with the chemistry of the stars that helped land that first dinosaur adventure in the history books, it's enough to keep fans inspired to the entire series for some time to come.

Whether you’ve seen it yourself, or still need to take this latest walk with the dinosaurs, Jurassic World Dominion is currently showing in theaters. Those of you who have a nostalgic desire for the original trilogy can turn back to the past, so long as you’re an HBO Max subscriber. At the time of this writing, that’s where you can relive all of those iconic moments as you stream the Jurassic Park movies.

In 1993’s Jurassic Park, Laura Dern’s Dr. Ellie Sattler was a vital inspiration to generations of future scientists. Beyond that amazing feat, she was also a strong female role model in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster adaptation of Michael Crichton’s novel, and that effect can still be felt to this day. As Dern’s character makes a huge return in Jurassic World Dominion, one of the latest 2022 movie releases, she recently celebrated the legacy of Dr. Sattler in pop culture, sharing a mindblowing fan interaction in the process.

Speaking with Laura Dern during the press day for the latest sequel in the Jurassic universe, we discussed how Ellie leads the charge for the legacy actors to get involved in Dominion. An extension of her take-charge attitude and resourcefulness in Jurassic Park, it’s a perfect bookend to a character who means so much to so many people. Asking her to recount what she thought was one of her best experiences with a fan of her trailblazing role, Dern told CinemaBlend this:  

From the moment Dr. Ellie Sattler was introduced in Jurassic Park alongside Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant, you could tell she was the one in charge. Even in light of the age gap between these Jurassic personas, Neill’s comment that he always saw Dern as the more grown up part of the pair could be seen as she led him reluctantly down a mountain and back to work. 

Once the actual visit to Jurassic Park kicked in, Ellie proved herself a born leader in the park’s environment, jumping in to help a sick Triceratops during the tour that was supposed to drum up support for John Hammond’s dream attraction. Tangling with Velociraptors and protecting her fellow parkgoers, Ellie Sattler became an inspiration through quick thinking and indefinitely postponing discussions on “sexism in survival situations.”

Although Jeff Goldblum reprised Dr. Ian Malcolm in The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and both Sam Neill and Laura Dern returned for Jurassic Park III, Dr. Sattler and her legacy cohorts were absent from the first Jurassic World movie. Eventually Goldblum’s character returned in the follow-up, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, which seemed to be the door-opener for the gang to get back together. 

Sure enough, the announcement was eventually made that Laura Dern and Sam Neill would be along for the ride in Jurassic World Dominion after all. With adventures with animatronic dinosaurs and moments of Jeff Goldblum’s trademark improvs awaiting them all, all that needed to be nailed down was the most important component: a good reason to return.

Making such a decision doesn’t come easy, especially when co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow insisted on balancing screen time for both eras of Jurassic stars. Just as Trevorrow and co-writer Emily Carmichael wanted to give the Jurassic Park characters something significant, Laura Dern probably wouldn’t have come back unless the story felt worth telling. She said as much as she continued to talk about how much she appreciated being into the Jurassic World Dominion fold: 

Seeing a character like Dr. Ellie Sattler on screen reminds us of how representation can inspire us to do anything. Jurassic Park’s lasting inspiration is felt in Ellie’s return for Jurassic World Dominion, as she’s still at the forefront of getting the job done. Only this time, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and she has friends old and new for backup. With luck, this will inspire even more audiences, alongside the existence of that original film, for another 65 million years. 

Jurassic World Dominion is currently showing in theaters, pitting humanity against the various beasts it resurrected. If you’re looking to stream the Jurassic Park movies, or the sequels in the Jurassic World trilogy, the entire collection is out there. The first three adventures of that classic franchise are available, at the time of this writing, to HBO Max subscribers. 

What drives the popularity of the Jurassic Park franchise is obvious. The characters are cool, and there is strong thematic messaging about the arrogance of mankind, but the big draw will forever be the dinosaurs. The jaw-dropping wizardry in Steven Spielberg’s original film from 1993 brought the prehistoric creatures to life in a way that audiences had never seen before, and moviegoers have been chasing that extreme high in the sequels ever since.

In that sense (one of many), Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World Dominion is an extreme low point. Gone is the awe and wonder from the moment where Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) see a herd of brachiosauruses for the first time. In the sixth chapter of the series, dinosaurs are little more than living guns and window dressing.

This is a flabbergasting development when one considers that this franchise has gotten to the point where dinosaurs have become a part of ecosystems around the globe, and you wonder why the filmmakers couldn’t develop a story about that world-changing development. And while that’s bad, the actual execution is even worse. Orchestrating two bland, wholly disconnected plotlines, Jurassic World Dominion reduces all of its legacy characters into blank sheets of paper walking through plot developments, resulting in a slog of a film with only a light scattering of memorable moments in its bloated two-and-a-half hour runtime.

The first of these plotlines follows up the events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and finds Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) having taken on the responsibility of being the guardians for Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), the young girl who we learned was a clone in the previous film. Together they have made a home deep in the woods of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, trying to keep Maisie safe from those who would like to take and study her – but this plan fails as a group of poachers discover her location and kidnap her (oh, and they also take the baby of Owen’s “pet” velociraptor Blue, but that development is ultimately given so little attention it might as well not exist).

Simultaneously in another part of the country, Ellie Sattler begins an investigation into swarms of giant locusts that are devastating crops – but curiously not those on farms that are grown using seeds made by the pharmaceutical conglomerate Biosyn. Theorizing that the insects are genetically modified using extinct DNA from the Cretaceous era, she enlists the help of her old friend Alan Grant, and the two of them make plans to go see Ian Malcolm, who has taken a job at the massive corporation.

By complete and total coincidence, all of the principal characters end up heading to the same location at the same time, creating a hollow meet-up of stars from different generations of the franchise that fails in any way to capitalize on or develop the personalities of the characters.

Jurassic World: Dominion has little to no idea what to do with its impressive lineup of established characters.

Like Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World, Jurassic World Dominion features a constant stream of nods to fans and Easter eggs that suggest that there is a genuine love for this franchise behind the camera, but it’s bizarrely never demonstrated in the actual storytelling. The arc for Owen and Claire never gets more advanced than “they’re parents now, and they want their kidnapped daughter back,” and it all but ignores their past with dinosaurs – the exceptions being an opening sequence where Claire liberates some of these creatures from an illegal breeder, and moments where Owen tries to calm a threat by holding out his palm (which eventually just feels laughably goofy).

The worse sin, however, is treating the “legacy” characters like they’ve spent the last 20 odd years of their lives treading water. The only meaningful development highlighted in the lives of Alan Grant, Ellie Sattler, and Ian Malcolm is the revelation that Ellie has gotten divorced (her marriage previously revealed in Joe Johnston’s Jurassic Park III), and that’s clearly only included to clear the runway for a romantic pairing fans have been wanting to see develop for the last three decades (and the conclusion is just as hollow as the setup). It feels like the filmmakers were afraid that audiences wouldn’t recognize the three protagonists if they weren’t exactly how they were in Jurassic Park, and it’s hard not to feel shortchanged by their big reunion.

Without meaningful character development or interesting plotting, Jurassic World: Dominion is a two-and-a-half hour-long slog.

Because the distinct plots are so disparate and vague, Jurassic World Dominion feels like two poorly constructed movies in one, and it just bounces back and forth between them. The inclusion of various action set pieces motivates the direction of the film far more than any complex revelations or compelling twists (of which this blockbuster has exactly zero). The action figures just slowly move from scene to scene until the third act when all of the action figures can come together… and not really do much at all.

There are thrilling moments, including the introduction of the crazy locust swarm and a sequence where Claire has to hide in a bog from a hungry carnivore, but otherwise, all action and emotion is mutually exclusive. At one point in the first act, Ellie pets a baby triceratops and comments, “You never get used to it” – but Jurassic World Dominion sure does try its hardest to try and suck all of the awe and wonder out of the exercise with laser-guided dinosaurs and giant carnivore battles that continue to play out meaninglessly even after all of the human characters are long gone from the scene.

The blockbuster model for Jurassic World Dominion is very clearly Avengers: Endgame – a capstone project that is intended to reflect cohesiveness in the continuity – but it fails in so many ways where the Marvel film succeeds. Rather than constructing a story that effectively captures the full scope of the franchise and takes advantage of the principal characters’ beloved qualities, we instead get two high-concept ideas that are mashed together in a structure-less mess with bad pacing and boring action. The only silver lining is that it is all but guaranteed to be a massive hit, so perhaps one day we’ll actually get the movie about the global proliferation of dinosaurs that this feature was supposed to be.

The end of an era is about to dawn with Jurassic World: Dominion’s theatrical release. Uniting Jurassic World castmates of Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard with legacy trio Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, and Laura Dern, and it’s been promised as an Avengers: Endgame level event. Even movies that big wind up leaving some fabulous moments on the cutting room floor, and both Neill and Dern had moments they really wanted to see released to the public; some of them naturally including Goldblum’s habit of Jurassic World improvs.

The Best Jurassic World: Dominion Improvs From Jeff Goldblum You’ll (Probably) Never See

As a fan of the Jurassic franchise since day one, I had the absolute honor of interviewing the actors behind Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler themselves, on behalf of the upcoming movie’s release. The opportunity had us all talking about both the past and present of this dino-driven blockbuster, which was enhanced by all of the cast members being able to contribute to their characters through additions to the dialogue. 

Naturally, Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm is the right character to take full advantage of such nature. With Sam Neill recalling one such moment to CinemaBlend, the following story is something you won’t see in theaters, no matter how much you want to: 

Children, fascinating as they may be, have never been Dr. Alan Grant’s field of expertise. Yet somehow, he always winds up being the right person to save them, especially when someone like Dr. Ian Malcolm is doing something foolish that could gum up the works. Reading about that Jurassic World: Dominion outtake that was improvised on set reminds me of how in Jurassic Park, Alan is initially the one who looks to be saving the group from Roberta the T-Rex with a flare. It all goes south practically at the last possible moment, when Ian steps out with his own flare and risks his life. 

At least when Jeff Goldblum improvises, it leads to bringing down the house, and not a bathroom. This was only further proven during my discussion with Laura Dern, who highlighted the following moment as her favorite Goldblum-enhanced playground:

All of the improvisations and workshopping that the legacy cast of Jurassic World: Dominion engaged in were a part of the process. With all involved talking about how fiercely protective everyone behind the scenes was of these characters, letting Jeff Goldblum play his character with the same prowess he plays jazz was an easy fit. Especially when a recent trailer showed Jeff Goldblum’s trademark snark on full display.

How Laura Dern’s Favorite Deleted Jurassic World: Dominion Improvs With Sam Neill Influenced The Final Cut

However, it was an even better idea to let Sam Neill and Laura Dern engage in some of that magic themselves. This was another piece of Dern’s favorite moments that didn’t make it into Jurassic World: Dominion’s final cut. It’s not a total loss though, as she laid out how those pieces still live on in the film:

Seeing Alan and Ellie reunited in the trailers for Jurassic World: Dominion was a sight for sore franchise eyes. Having seen the film myself, the chemistry between both Sam Neill and Laura Dern hasn’t waned a bit. That fact is thrown into even sharper relief when the two are reunited with Jeff Goldblum, reassembling the iconic trio from Jurassic Park almost 30 years after they first made box office history.   

Of course not everything shot for this latest walk in the Jurassic Park could fit, despite Dominion holding the franchise record for runtime. If we’re lucky, maybe some of these alternate takes will end up on the deleted scenes section of the home video release, or even an awesome blooper reel. For now, if you’re excited about this new adventure 65 million years in the making, Jurassic World: Dominion will be open in early showings starting Thursday. 

We have officially arrived at the week where Jurassic World: Dominion stops being an upcoming movie, and starts playing at a theater near you. After early showings in international markets, the big Hollywood premiere of director Colin Trevorrow’s epic conclusion has brought us that much closer to the flick's theatrical release. With legacy stars colliding with the Jurassic World cast, some great photos have emerged from the event; and I’m super obsessed with one Chris Pratt and Laura Dern moment that came out of it. 

As the Dominion family took their places on the blue carpet at the TCL Chinese Theater, onlookers were treated to several members of the cast posing for the camera. Among those other wonderful shots that were taken at this big premiere event, a candid shot between Chris Pratt and original Jurassic Park star Laura Dern was one that really caught my eye. You can see why, as a camera at the premiere captured a really lovely moment, below. 

If the Jurassic World: Dominion cast meeting up in the trailers hadn’t sold you on the majesty of this massive crossover event, then that photo just might be the thing to do it. It practically looks like Laura Dern is sending Chris Pratt off to dino camp, as the two stand grasping each other's arms, Dern with a proud smile. That’s the look of two stars who have fought off dinosaurs, and lived to tell the tale. 

Even more excitement was present in a fuller photo call, with cast members like BD Wong and Dewanda Wise, as well as director/co-writer Colin Trevorrow and co-writer Emily Carmichael present. One big Jurassic family was present for this next awesome moment at last night's unveiling: 

For a movie that is aiming to honor the Jurassic Park legacy, Jurassic World: Dominion's premiere images seemingly prove that'll be a success. Though that depends on which side of the critical divide you land on, as Dominion’s first reactions are rather mixed. Still, it felt good to see Laura Dern and Chris Pratt alongside Bryce Dallas Howard and Jeff Goldblum, and mixing it up at this huge debut. Especially when a particularly eager and rather prehistoric gate crasher also made an appearance at last night’s studio premiere: 

Good luck telling a Tyrannosaurus they can’t attend a showing of Jurassic World: Dominion. Though it could have been worse: the Giganotosaurus, aka “The Joker of Dinosaurs,” according to director Colin Trevorrow, could have showed up. If nature documentaries, as well as the five Jurassic movies before this, have taught me anything, it’s that two apex predators in one setting usually leads to a rumble. Though it is worth noting that I'm surprised that Chris Pratt didn't repeat his previous T-Rex-based antics, which is kind of a slight bummer as the first time was rather hilarious. 

At least in the world of reality, the balance between legacy and current Jurassic World stars has been struck. Seeing Laura Dern’s moment with Chris Pratt does really give off a proud mentor/mentee vibe, and it’s a lovely thing to see. Let’s hope that sort of excitement is what Jurassic Park fans are filled with when they’re walking out of Dominion this weekend. 

If you’re looking to go where the dinosaurs roam, Jurassic World: Dominion opens domestically, and in several new international territories, with early showings this Thursday. Friday marks the official wide release, so make your plans accordingly, and don’t forget to buy some extra popcorn. You never know what sort of beasts will show up to this latest creature feature.

Cinema has introduced audiences to a number of memorable pairs of the years, and Jurassic Park’s Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler are definitely one of them. The two scientists (and lovers) were a fun pair, who more than matched each other on an intellectual level. They also proved to be somewhat unexpected heroes during the dangerous events of 1993’s epic dinosaur movie. Of course, one thing viewers are more than likely aware of is the significant age gap between the actors who play them, Sam Neill and Laura Dern. And years later, the two are getting honest about that gap and Hollywood standards. (All things considered, it’s probably best that the two characters split by the third movie.) 

Age gaps between leading men and ladies have been discussed for some time now, though the conversation has only truly picked up momentum over the past decade or so. Interestingly, a number of viewers don’t even give it a second thought while they’re taking in a film or TV show. The same can be true for the stars themselves at times, believe it or not. While reflecting on Jurassic Park, Sam Neill explained that the 20-year gap between himself and Laura Dern didn’t really hit him until a write-up caught his eye:

Well, if that’s not a wake-up call, then I don’t know what is. His co-star was far more gentle on that front, though. While the two spoke with The Sunday Times, Laura Dern reflected fondly on their faux relationship, though she can see why it could certainly be viewed as problematic in some light: 

Jurassic Park fans surely remember that when the two characters were first introduced in the original movie, they were mulling over whether they wanted to have kids. Ultimately, Grant seemed to warm up to the idea by the end of the movie but, by 2001’s third installment, the two broke up, with Ellie having married and had two kids of her own. While it may have been a heartbreaking development for franchise devotees, it probably makes sense – both on and off screen. Alan didn’t seem ready to settle down but, also, the age gap between the two stars themselves could’ve become more evident as time moved on, making things somewhat awkward.

All of that aside, it’s going to be great to see Laura Dern and Sam Neill’s characters return for Jurassic World: Dominion. Not much is known about their exact roles in the film, though Neill has teased their story, which involves them reuniting after not having seen each other for years. During the early days of filming, Dern also expressed excitement about getting to team up with Neill once more. Of course, they’ll also be joined by fellow franchise OG Jeff Goldblum, who’s spoken about the “unbelievable” experience of working with his old co-stars again. 

One can only hope that Ellie Sattler and Alan Grant’s reunion lives up to the hype. I’m not sure if moviegoers will be focusing so much on the age gap while watching, given everything else that’ll be happening in the jam-packed film. Still, conversations regarding these kinds of Hollywood standards are worth having in general.

Jurassic World: Dominion, one of 2022’s biggest upcoming movies, hits theaters on June 10. While you wait, catch up on the franchise by streaming the other Jurassic films.

The cancellation of long-running comedy Mom surprised a number of people, including series star Allison Janney. When Janney reacted to CBS' decision, she also expressed her gratitude, though she never explicitly revealed why the network pulled the plug. Despite this, the beloved actress has moved on to other movie and TV gigs. Now, a year after her CBS sitcom ended its run, the Emmy and Oscar winner has landed her first big TV role.

The Mom vet will star in the upcoming Apple TV+ comedy Mrs. American Pie, according to TVLine, and she'll be teaming up with some major talent in the process. The show will see her join Laura Dern and Kristen Wiig, who were confirmed to be starring in the project earlier this year. The upcoming series will focus on South Florida’s wealthy elites, and Janney will reportedly play Palm Beach high-society member Evelyn. Needless to say, this character very far removed from Bonnie Plunkett.

The show is based on Juliet McDaniel’s best-selling novel Mr. and Mrs. American Pie. Set in the early 1970s, the Apple TV+ comedy will focus on Kristen Wiig's Maxine Simmons, as she attempts to climb the social ladder to obtain a seat in Palm Beach’s closed-off upper society. Based on the description alone, this project seems set to tell a story of the haves and the have nots. The creators have the tricky job of balancing humor and social commentary but, if they can nail it, this could be something special.

Details regarding Laura Dern's exact role are still being kept under wraps. The Jurassic World: Dominion actress developed the TV adaptation alongside her producing partner, Jayme Lemons, and both will serve as executive producers alongside Dead to Me creator Abe Sylvia. Sylvia will also write the comedy and serve as the showrunner. Tate Taylor, John Norris, and Katie O’Connell Marsh round out the list of executive producers for the streaming series.

With this new project, Allison Janney adds to her already-full plate. On the film side, she's been incredibly busy with upcoming movies that are set to release this year, like The People We Hate at the Wedding (another adaptation of a novel). She's also set to star in the sci-fi film True Love, which is currently in production.

The character of Bonnie Plunkett allowed Allison Janney to shed The West Wing’s C.J. Gregg, and there's a chance that this new role of Evelyn will allow the star to branch off from her stint as the lovable mother and former addict. Still, if the star's sweet fan message, which she sent out after the Mom series finale, is any indication, she'll continue to hold the character close even as she embarks on this new journey in Mrs. American Pie.

It remains to be seen as to when the comedy series will be available to stream. In the meantime, you can check out all the great shows on Apple TV that are currently available. You can also learn about the other TV shows that are coming by looking over CinemaBlend's 2022 TV schedule.

Almost 30 years ago, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park opened its gates to moviegoers worldwide. The legendary hit paved the way for five sequels, with Jurassic World Dominion being the latest entry of dinosaur mayhem. Combining legacy actors Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum with Jurassic World stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, all involved feel very strongly that this upcoming movie properly honors that first trip to the park.

With the wait for Jurassic World Dominion is down to just a few months, the promotional wheels are spinning even faster. This has led to fun stories about things like Jeff Goldblum’s charming on set ad-libs, or how co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow is promising a dinosaur reminiscent of the Joker. In the latest video released by Universal, entitled “Legacy Featurette,” both Trevorrow and his cast members reflect purely on what Jurassic Park means to them, and why Jurassic World Dominion is a fitting conclusion to two trilogies of story.

Jurassic World Dominion’s intrepid “custodian” said as much during his segments in this new video. As Colin Trevorrow reflected on his return to the franchise he helped revive in 2015’s Jurassic World, he described this next chapter as follows: 

To some, the disconnect between Jurassic Park’s vision and the execution of its many sequels is a bit of a sticking point when discussing the franchise as a whole. Thanks to the adaptation of Michael Crichton’s bestselling novel crushing at the box office through awe-inspiring thrills, that was always going to be a problem. Jurassic World trilogy star Bryce Dallas Howard understands this quite well, as she shared her reaction to that first movie, along with how she feels this latest sequel serves both trilogies: 

What’s even better about Jurassic World: Dominion’s approach to unifying the two halves of franchise history is that legacy characters aren’t just being used as cameos. While Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm had a role of that stature in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Colin Trevorrow has already promised equal screen time between Jurassic Park and Jurassic World characters.

Which brings us to what Laura Dern had to say on the matter. Encapsulating the magic of making Jurassic Park while signing off on Jurassic World: Dominion’s approach, one of the original franchise stars has hammered home why this latest film is a fantastic idea:

From the sounds of everyone above, Jurassic World Dominion looks to be something that everyone can enjoy, no matter how they rank the entire Jurassic franchise. If you want to hear these remarks and more, as well as catch a glimpse of some new and interesting footage, take a look at the video included below:

The clock is ticking towards Jurassic World Dominion’s huge debut, which is slated to take place on June 10th. Only a year and a day removed from the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park, there’s plenty of time to take a fond look back at the series so far. Or, if you’re so inclined, you can pick on the Jurassic merchandise like Sam Neill did. 

When it comes to the '90s, there are so many iconic movies that I’m sure every single one of you has seen reading this article. But with these iconic movies comes iconic film roles, and these actresses were some of the best in the business. Here are several actresses with some truly iconic film roles in '90s movies. 

Kate Winslet (Titanic)

Considering Titanic was once the biggest film in the world, it’s not surprising the first pick here is Kate Winslet, who played Rose DeWitt Bukater. It’s certainly one of Winslet’s best films so far, and put her on the fast track to become the famous actor she is today.  

Gwyneth Paltrow (Se7en)

While Gwyneth Paltrow known amazingly well now from her variety of film performances, her role of Tracy Mills in Se7en is certainly an iconic one, with her character playing an essential role throughout the story. It wasn’t that long after she would star in Shakespeare in Love and win an Academy Award for her acting. 

Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct)

Yes, this is Sharon Stone from that controversial scene in Basic Instinct. But no one can deny that her performance in this film was great, and she acted her butt off in this erotic thriller. Every single scene she was in, she stole the show.

Jodie Foster (The Silence Of The Lambs)

The '90s were filled to the brim with iconic horror films like The Silence of the Lambs, and was only the third film in history to win the Big Five at the Academy Awards - Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actress and Best Actor. Best Actress went to Jodie Foster for her amazing portrayal of Clarice Starling. 

Sandra Bullock (Speed)

While Sandra Bullock is currently busy in 2022 with her film, The Lost City, one of her first big roles ever was starring alongside Keanu Reeves in the action film, Speed, portraying Annie Porter, the main love interest of the film and a total badass. 

Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands)

This is definitely one of Winona Ryder’s best movies. Playing Kim Boggs in Edward Scissorhands, Ryder perfectly captured what true kindness is meant to look like, and her love story with Edward is one for the history books that anyone would adore to witness.  

Rachel Leigh Cook (She’s All That)

While the reboot, He’s All That, made plenty of references to the original film, She’s All That just can’t be beaten, and that includes Rachel Leigh Cook’s iconic performance as Laney Boggs. I mean, who could forget that memorable “Kiss Me” scene? It’s the epitome of teen movie makeovers. You have to love it. 

Meryl Streep (The Bridges Of Madison County)

Meryl Streep has been around for many years in the movie industry and has some amazing films under her belt. And while she did plenty of movies in the '90s, my personal favorite performance of hers was in The Bridges of Madison County, where she played Francesca Johnson, a married mother who has a steamy four-day love affair with a photojournalist. Her chemistry with Clint Eastwood is second to none. 

Meg Ryan (Sleepless In Seattle, You’ve Got Mail)

A legendary queen of romantic comedies, you could not stop Meg Ryan in the '90s. Not only was she in two iconic roles in romantic comedies, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail, both of those films were alongside Tom Hanks and showed just how amazing their chemistry is. 

Demi Moore (Ghost)

That damn pottery scene has been recreated by so many people - I mean, even Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart recreated it! - but no one can quite beat Demi Moore's performance. She shined in her leading role of Molly Jensen alongside Patrick Swayze. I think all of us have wished at least once we were in her shoes. 

Sarah Michelle Gellar (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

While plenty of folks know Sarah Michelle Gellar for her portrayal of Buffy in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gellar starred in another horror hit that same year portraying Helen Shivers in I Know What You Did Last Summer, giving a masterclass in chase scenes in horror movies. 

Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, Ghost)

Whoopi Goldberg is certainly an iconic name that I am sure you’ve heard of plenty of times before, and she had not one but two iconic roles in the '90s. To me, my favorite is her lead role in Sister Act, starring as Deloris Van Cartier and bringing some soul into religion, but I can’t not mention her Academy Award-nominated performance as Oda Mae Brown in Ghost. 

Julia Roberts (Pretty Woman)

It’s one of Julia Roberts' best movies. Pretty Woman has some pretty iconic scenes, but none of them could have been accomplished if not for the charming performance that Roberts delivered as Vivian. I’m pretty sure every time I’ve watched that movie, all I want is to be in that bathtub. That looks so damn nice.

Drew Barrymore (Scream) 

Drew Barrymore was only in the first twelve minutes of the first Scream movie, and yet her scene has become iconic in every sense of the word. You go up to a horror movie fan and ask “do you like scary movies?” and they’ll know exactly what film its from as well as what scene - and Drew Barrymore is the star of it. 

Neve Campbell (Scream)

Even if Drew Barrymore was the star of the first twelve minutes, it was Neve Campbell that became the star of the Scream franchise, reprising her role in every single new film since, showing just how badass she is as the ultimate final girl. 

Reese Witherspoon (Cruel Intentions)

Witherspoon has been in many movies and some great TV shows, but back in the '90s, she was still just starting out, and Cruel Intentions was a breakthrough role for her. She played Annette Hargrove, a young woman who was the target of the two main characters of the film. In this '90s movie, she showed just how talented she is at acting. 

Alicia Silverstone (Clueless)

Ugh, as if! Alicia Silverstone truly stole the screen when she played Cher in Clueless, a story about a teenage girl who ends up befriending a new student and decides to give her a makeover. I mean, those outfits alone are definitely iconic enough for her to be on this list.  

Laura Dern (Jurassic Park)

Raise your hand if you’re excited to see Laura Dern back in Jurassic World: Dominion. *Raises hand* Regardless, Laura Dern in the original Jurassic Park was freaking amazing, and Dr. Ellie Sattler was a badass that I looked up to, and I can’t wait to see what she’s been up to after all these years. 

Julia Stiles (10 Things I Hate About You)

Ugh, 10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorites, and it’s legit because of the chemistry that Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger have in this film. They are my all-time favorite romantic couple and Julia Stiles rocks it as Kat. 

Halle Berry (Jungle Fever)

While Halle Berry has been in plenty of badass roles over the last two decades, there was a time where she was just getting started in Hollywood. One of the first films that she had a supporting role in was Spike Lee’s Jungle Fever, where she played Vivian. While she's gone on to play more prominent roles since then, it was one of the movies that broke her out onto the scene and paved the way for bigger things down the line, like X-Men and Monster’s Ball. 

Natalie Portman (Star Wars: The Phantom Menace)

Padme Amidala, known as the Queen/Senator of Naboo and Anakin Skywalker's lover (later wife) was a Star Wars character that made her debut in 1999, and was a badass in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Natalie Portman portrayed the legendary Star Wars character for the prequel trilogy, and inspired young girls everywhere - but we don’t need to talk about how her character ends in Revenge of the Sith. 

Uma Thurman (Pulp Fiction)

While my personal all-time favorite Uma Thurman performance is her role in Kill Bill, one of her biggest roles prior to this was portraying Mia Wallace in Pulp Fiction, earning her a nomination at the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. I mean, she was the literal character featured on the poster for this film, and honestly, I can see why. She has such star appeal. She has plenty of great performances but this is one of her best. 

Mena Suvari (American Beauty)

This 1999 film, American Beauty, told a captivating story about a man having a midlife crisis, but the main star to me of this was Mena Suvari as Angela Hayes, the object of affection for the main character, Lester Burnham. Even if the film didn’t age too well, I think we call agree Suvari was phenomenal in it. 

Robin Wright (Forrest Gump)

If you’re not saying “Jenny” by the end of Forrest Gump in a Southern drawl, I don’t think we were watching the same film. This Academy Award-winning film starring Tom Hanks told the story of Forrest Gump and his legendary life, often times where he would think of his young love, Jenny, played by Robin Wright. Their love story is a tumultuous one, but a memorable one as well. 

Kirsten Dunst (Interview With The Vampire)

Kirsten Dunst in Interview with the Vampire is iconic for many reasons, showing how amazingly talented she was as an actress at the tender age of eleven. She later went on to star in films like Bring it On and Spider-Man, but no one can quite forget her character, Claudia.

Salma Hayek (Desperado)

Salma Hayek has been in many different kinds of films, such as being a part of the Grown Ups cast or starring in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, but Desperado was one of the early films that made her the star she is today. Starring alongside Antonio Banderas as Carolina, Hayek was badass and her character was just as amazing. It’s definitely one of her best movies, and I would watch another film with both her and Banderas.  

Angela Bassett (What’s Love Got To Do With It, Waiting To Exhale) 

Angela Bassett is a master-class actress, and has shown just how amazingly talented she is in any role. I mean, there are so many movie parts that she should have been nominated for an Oscar, However, one of her most iconic roles from the '90s did indeed earn her nominations - her portrayal of Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do with It. And another great role for Bassett in the '90s was Bernadine Harris in Waiting to Exhale. Both of these movies were great showcases of her acting prowess. 

Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard)

“And I will always love you.” 

You know the song, I know you do. It’s one of the most iconic songs of all time and has been performed by so many people. Even though it was originally written by Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston sang this iconic song for the soundtrack for The Bodyguard, where she played Rachel Marron, a famous singer who falls for the bodyguard tasked with protecting her. 

Michelle Yeoh (Tomorrow Never Dies)

Last but not least, we have Michelle Yeoh in Tomorrow Never Dies. While she’s been in plenty of amazing movies such as Crazy Rich Asians and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, one of my personal favorites of hers is her role as Wai Lin, a Chinese spy and an ally to James Bond. 

Yeoh is a bloody badass. This James Bond alum truly defined the term “kick ass and take names” because she was one of the best Bond girls ever, in my opinion. I would gladly see her return to the franchise alongside Pierce Brosnan, but I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon, so I’ll just re-watch this movie over and over. 

There are truly so many other iconic roles, but these are some of the best that you should check out again next time you want to watch a great movie. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to re-watch Jurassic Park again before the latest sequel.  

Steven Spielberg’s original Jurassic Park movie changed the film world forever, debuting cutting-edge visual effects which have been recreated in countless future projects. Generations of fans were delighted when the franchise returned to theaters with the Jurassic World movies. The upcoming threequel Dominion will feature legacy characters and the newer additions, and now Bryce Dallas Howard has shared a fun reunion photo with the cast. That includes the OG trio of heroes in Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill.

While the Jurassic World movies have featured a new starring cast, Dominion will bring the trio of original stars into the action. They’re expected to have meaty roles in the blockbuster, as teased in the first trailer. With the movie’s arrival in theaters coming in just a few months, the full ensemble has reunited to start the press tour. And Bryce Dallas Howard shared a fun group photo on social media, as you can see blow,

I mean, how cute is that? Jurassic stars old and new are uniting for Dominion, and the gang’s all back together for what is sure to be a long and grueling press tour. While they had challenges filming the movie in the midst of the pandemic, that might have bonded Bryce Dallas Howard and the rest of the cast. We’ll just have to see what insane dino-action is going to come once the movie finally hits theaters this summer.

The above image comes to us from Bryce Dallas Howard’s personal Instagram account, and seems like it’s sure to make its way around the internet. She’s super active on social media, and would often share glimpses of the Jurassic World: Dominion set during the extended filming process. Now the actor-director will dive into a different aspect of the process: promoting the highly anticipated new sequel. And smart money says there will be more delightful posts from Howard as the press tour goes on.

In the photo shared by Bryce Dallas Howard, we see a ton of familiar faces. In the front row are those 3 OG’s: Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and Sam Neill. While they’ve been involved in the Jurassic franchise occasionally since the original movie was released, this marks the first time they’ll be reunited in the same project. Director Colin Trevorrow guaranteed that their parts are big in the movie, and they got plenty of screen time in the trailer that’s shown above.

Also featured in the photo is Chris Pratt, who is the male lead of the Jurassic World franchise. We also see newcomer DeWanda Wise who is playing a character named Kayla in Dominion. It’s unclear how she’ll factor into the story, but she’s seemingly an ally of Pratt’s character Owen.

Jurassic World: Dominion is currently expected to arrive in theaters on June 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Nostalgia has been a powerful force in the entertainment industry for years now, leading to the release of various “re-quels.” Jurassic World is in that category, and the upcoming threequel Dominion will feature the return of the original trio of Jurassic Park stars. Now Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern, and Sam Sam Neill recently reunited again, and it feels so good.

While the first two Jurassic World movies were super popular, there’s even more anticipation for Dominion thanks to the return of those legendary original stars. They’re expected to have major roles in the blockbuster, which was seemingly confirmed by the first trailer. Jeff Goldblum recently shared a photo with Dern and Neill, and it’s as delightful as one would assume. Check it out below,

I’m not crying, you’re crying. Clearly this trio of living legends are thrilled to be spending more time together thanks to their roles in Jurassic World: Dominion. First they got to collaborate on set, and now they’ll once again be working together to promote Colin Trevorrow’s upcoming blockbuster. Smart money says there’s going to be plenty of funny interviews coming.

The above images come to us from the personal Instagram of Jeff Goldblum. The always delightful actor is known for his sparkling personality, and that’s definitely highlighted in the photos alongside Laura Dern and Sam Neill. Clearly the three actors have a ton of chemistry, both on camera and off.

The upcoming release of Jurassic World: Dominion will mark the first time that the trio of actors will be reprising their roles together since the original Jurassic Park movie. While they each appeared in various sequels, they never coincided. That includes the most recent movie Fallen Kingdom, which featured a brief role by Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcolm.

Considering the ending of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, it makes a great deal of sense that the trio of original heroes would factor into Dominion’s story. Maisie Lockwood released the dinosaurs into the mainland in the final act, and now humans have been forced to live alongside the dangerous creatures they unnaturally resurrected. With chaos ruling, Ian Malcolm, Ellie Sattler, and Alan Grant are uniquely qualified to help the situation.

While information about the contents of Jurassic World: Dominion is limited, the above trailer teased that Colin Trevorrow’s threequel is going to be a wild ride. Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, and Laura Dern are heavily featured in the footage, with the latter actress even rocking Ellie Sattler’s signature original costume. Talk about iconic.

After being delayed a year, Jurassic World: Dominion will arrive in theaters on June 10th. In the meantime, check out the 2022 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience. 

Ready for a big dino summer? Jurassic World Dominion looks like it's coming in hot this June, and the franchise is bringing back some old friends in the form of Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm, Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant and Laura Dern’s Dr. Ellie Sattler. The trio are, of course, the first characters we adventured with in the original Jurassic Park. Now that the Dominion trailer debuted the three back into the mix, I want to talk about the moments I have on my wishlist for their return. 

As we already know, the original Jurassic Park trio will be “such big characters” in Jurassic World Dominion. Director Colin Trevorrow told us this last summer, and the trailer seriously suggested this as well. Now that I anticipate a sizable reunion with dinosaurs running rampant around the world, here’s what I want to see: 

A Quippy, Yet Emotional Reunion Between The Trio

Jurassic World bringing back its original characters comes following a lot of other franchises doing so. Star Wars and Spider-Man are great examples (in my opinion) of fan service colliding with great storytelling, and I hope Dominion does so when it brings back Malcolm, Grant and Sattler. We’ll always remember the moment when Han Solo and Chewbacca wandered in the Millennium Falcon, or when Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire wandered in those portals in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Both moments go to show that movies have the ability to catch us off guard and truly awe us with these reunions (even when we know they’re going to happen). 

From the Dominion trailer, it looks like Malcolm, Grant and Sattler catch wind of the world’s big dino problem and get in contact with one another before coming together with Chris Pratt's Owen and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire to save our collective skins. Here's hoping that the moment when all three of the OG actors come together again is written in a way that has catching butterflies and chills down our spines all at once. 

The Trio Reminiscing On Their Jurassic Park Misadventures With New Cast

In addition to Dominion needing to have a solid reunion moment, I’d also like to see a few clever callbacks to the first time these three were together in Jurassic Park. Obviously this one is going to happen somehow in some way, but hopefully it happens in a way that ties in seamlessly with how they’ll work together with the new cast in the Jurassic World movie. I’d love to see one of the trio pulling one of the moves they did in the original movie on these dinos as they take over the world. 

Jurassic World Dominion is set to be the last movie in the main Jurassic franchise, so having a full circle moment where one or all the first Jurassic Park actors does something key to saving the planet would really warm my heart. This is especially since 1993’s Jurassic Park is not only a classic, but for many people, one of their favorite movies of all time. 

Dr. Alan Grant Back In On The Dino Action 

Look, I know Chris Pratt is the big action star on the block in the Jurassic World movies, but I will need more from Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant than what we saw in the trailer. There’s an interesting moment in the first look where both Alan and Owen both say “Don’t move” at the same time, and while it’s funny, I’m also hoping we get a legitimate arc from Grant in Dominion. 

Jumping off the previous point, I don’t want the original cast to simply play the role of “jurassic consultants.” I want them to be a major part in the action, and since Grant was specifically was the first hero of the Jurassic movies, he deserves a big role in this Jurassic World installment. 

Dr. Ian Malcolm Reclaiming His Sex Symbol Status

Like many, I was disappointed to see the minor and rather boring role Jeff Goldblum was given in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Thankfully, the character will return in Dominion, and the actor better go full Goldblum with the same kind of sex appeal his younger self offered us up in 1993 when flashed his pecks our way. In late 2020 (while filming), the actor recreated the infamous scene to entice his fans to vote during the presidential election, but it has yet to be seen what Dr. Ian Malcolm is like these days. 

Jeff Goldblum remains a sex symbol in our hearts, but Jurassic World Dominion is the perfect place for the actor to reclaim his status on film with what’s to come with his character. Hopefully Malcolm truly goes for it as a silver fox because it’s a major part of the charm in 1993’s Jurassic Park. 

Alan And Ellie Falling Back In Love Obviously

Finally, it’s time to see Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler back again as an item! In the first movie, their chemistry is incredibly palpable, but in Jurassic Park III, it seemed their love grew apart as Ellie started a relationship with Mark Degler, with the two of them eventually marrying and having two kids. Still, Alan and Ellie remained close friends as she started a family. 

In the Dominion trailer, Grant specifically calls his former colleague as “Dr. Ellie Sattler,” perhaps signaling that Ellie is no longer with Mark and perhaps single just in time to fight off some dinos with an old flame. Even in the short few moments from the trailer we caught glimpses of, all I could think about is how perfect they are together and how they need to be back together immediately. Wouldn’t it be the perfect ending to see Alan and Ellie riding off into the sunset? It absolutely needs to happen or I will riot at dawn!

All that being said, I do believe we’re in good hands with Colin Trevorrow as he wraps up his Jurassic World film series with Dominion on June 10. The upcoming 2022 movie surely has a lot up its sleeves. Check out our biggest Jurassic World questions after seeing the trailer and check back here on CinemaBlend for more updates as the film approaches theaters.   

It’s amazing what one trailer can do for a movie like Jurassic World Dominion. Though teases have been given here and there, the full weight of the story is finally starting to come into view. As the first trailer for director Colin Trevorrow’s threequel has now been allowed to roam in the wild, we now have a bunch of fantastic glimpses into the reality of this new world. Conversely, we also have eight big questions that are kickstarting the next round of anticipation. 

Before we get too deep into the woods teeming with genetically-reconstructed creatures of prehistory, you should probably watch the trailer yourself. Whether you’ve had it on a loop throughout the day or haven’t seen it at all, we present to you the first trailer for Jurassic World Dominion. 

Take a moment to relax and compose yourself, because that is a lot of dinosaur magic and reunions of fan favorites to take in. With that in mind, let’s start to ask the hard questions about "the conclusion to the Jurassic era."

How Do Jurassic World Dominion’s Dinosaurs Reproduce?

Right out of the gate, we need a lesson in the dino birds and bees in this brave new world. Showing the public a brand new baby raptor tagging along with proud mama Blue is absolutely aww-inducing, and it gives our dino protagonist a new facet to explore. But without another raptor in the wild (that we know of), gender-flipping DNA goes only so far in explaining how this new baby exists. 

What Happened To Ellie's Family From Jurassic Park III?

While we’re on the subject of family, it was fantastic to see Laura Dern’s Dr. Ellie Sattler and Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant reunited, presumably in the Montana dig site we first met them at in Jurassic Park. But only raises another huge question, and it’s something that the Jurassic World movies have kind of skirted around: sequel continuity. In terms of Jurassic Park III, we have to ask what happened to Ellie’s family, and why they aren’t shown in this trailer? 

Why Are There Jacked Up Raptors (And More) In Europe?

At the end of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, we did see some dinosaurs being auctioned off the highest bidders. Some of those parties had their goodies shipped throughout the world, so seeing dinosaurs loose in Europe is not terribly surprising. Where the situation starts to get hazy is where those new jacked-up raptors we’ve seen chasing Chris Pratt came from. Could this tie back to wild dino breeding, or are we finally seeing “open source” dinosaurs roaming free?

Is That A New Hybrid That’s Worrying Dr. Wu?

BD Wong’s Dr. Henry Wu returns in Jurassic World Dominion looking like a genius who’s either in captivity or exile after the events of previous two films. Whichever scenario is applicable, the trailer frames him as being worried about a DNA sequence that we’re briefly shown on screen, which seems to hint at another hybrid. Granted, it's possible these could be two unrelated scenes, and we were previously told that Jurassic World 3 would have no hybrids. Still, those rules may have been changed or broken somewhere along the line. This is a franchise that loves to wave smiling as it ignores laws of nature and genetics, after all. 

Is That A Secret Base Or A New Jurassic Theme Park?

Humanity does not learn in the world of the Jurassic saga, as we’ve seen with many theme parks and dinosaur projects recurring over almost thirty years of history. So this shadowy new spot of high tech appearance that Dr. Grant is flying off to looks like it could double as either a secret base for the as-of-yet unseen Lewis Dodgson, or it could be a new theme park just waiting to go online. Again, this could go either one of two ways, and we’d like to know whether to book tickets or practice invasion tactics to get in.

Did We See The Entire Jurassic World Dominion Gang On Isla Sorna?

Chris Pratt once teased Jurassic World Dominion as the Avengers: Endgame of the franchise, and the shot of the classic and modern casts together matches up to that description rather beautifully. Could there be a chance that this big team up is headed to The Lost World: Jurassic Park’s Isla Sorna? This setting looks vaguely similar to the worker's village in the first Jurassic sequel, and we already know there's going to be some globe-trotting in this new caper. If so, it would make total sense, as that was where the dinosaurs were bred and raised for the parks, and all the infrastructure was there for the taking in Jurassic Park III. 

Are Owen And Claire Trying To Hide Blue Or Maisie?

In the aftermath of the previous Jurassic World film, Owen and Claire promised that they would look after Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) no matter what. That responsibility is pretty taxing, considering she’s the only living human cloning experiment that exists on the Earth in this world. So when Owen starts talking about how “we have to protect her, that’s our job,” he could be referring to that particular oath; or he could be talking about Blue and her baby. Those scenarios are equally valid, but whichever one happens to be discussed at that moment seems key to what we see happen in this next adventure.  

Could Owen Grady Die In Jurassic World Dominion?

Claire Dearing and Owen Grady’s relationship has been blooming throughout this trilogy. So as the finality this chapter seems to be sold with feels like an indicator that all bets are off when it comes to character safety, it feels like the stage is set for a major death. Those fears didn’t get any easier to deal with when Chris Pratt’s character states “I always come back” when told by Bryce Dallas Howard to do just that. 

Killing off a major Jurassic Park character, or even Roberta the Tyrannosaurus from the original trilogy, feels a bit too much. But killing Owen might be the middle ground that shows that Jurassic World Dominion has serious stakes at risk in this final chapter. Could Owen have just signed his own death warrant, horror movie-style? 

All of these burning questions and more will be answered this summer in Jurassic World Dominion. Opening exclusively in theaters on June 10th, dinosaurs will rule the Earth once more, and it looks like quite the adventure is on the way. For all the other new movie releases in the 2022 calendar, head over to the full listing of what’s coming to a theater near you in the coming months. 

We’ve known for a while that Jurassic World: Dominion has been on its way, and director Colin Trevorrow’s franchise uniting sequel is getting closer each day. But this very moment you’re experiencing now is a pretty huge one, as the first trailer for the sixth film in the Jurassic saga has given us all what we’ve been waiting for. Now that we've seen our first look at Laura Dern and Sam Neill’s return to the franchise (as well as the return of Jeff Goldblum), it's time for some dino sized feelings. 

In the world that’s been shaped since Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’s massive finale, dinosaurs are both natural beauties and serious problems. We see as much in this big glimpse given by Universal, which is almost assuredly going to play a part during this week's Super Bowl ad blitz. It’s gotten to the point where even Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) has deemed John Hammond’s legacy an ecological disaster. Though from what we’ve seen hinted at in this trailer, natural dinosaur breeding is only the beginning, as it looks like another hybrid might be in play.

This is an adventure that evokes echoes of the past, while casting a terrifying shadow for the future. It all culminates in Dr. Ian Malcolm asking the right question at the right time: “Why do they always have to go bigger?” Cue the shot of our legacy characters together again, and looking rather concerned. 

“Bigger” is a word that definitely comes to mind with the scope of this latest dinosaur excursion. A lot of the stuff that was mentioned in last year’s CinemaCon reel seems to be on display here, with everything from a European dino chase to the return of the mighty Dilophosaurus in the mix. Also, the expanded cast roster is shown off to great effect, mixing classic and recent heroes together, as well as newcomers like a new character played by DeWanda Wise. 

Though Jurassic World: Dominion is indeed going bigger with scope in action, that also looks like it applies to the heart of the film as well. Protecting those you love, as well as leaving a legacy of spectacle and conservation behind, have always been Jurassic threads. Using voiceover from Sir Richard Attenborough’s John Hammond to hammer home that second factor is a quick shortcut to the hearts of franchise fans. With legacy villain Lewis Dodgson returning to threaten this vision all over again, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

While the term legacy-quel is thrown about quite often, we may have just seen the best definition of that word realized in this trailer. Though this movie is promising “the conclusion to the Jurassic era,” there’s still plans to keep the franchise going. Life always finds a way with this universe, and this massive next step looks to hold the keys to the future. 

Jurassic World: Dominion roams the earth, exclusively in theaters, on June 10th. That’s just one of the many upcoming movies to make this summer a gigantic event to look forward to. So be sure to look into what else is headed down the road, as there’s bound to be more movies like this teased during the Super Bowl.

Kristen Wiig is known for her comedic chops, while Laura Dern has cemented her status as an entertainment icon with award-winning turns in dramas like Marriage Story and Big Little Lies. The two celebrated actresses have never worked together before, but that’s all about to change. In a move that is sure to be recorded in the history books of Hollywood, the two stars are teaming up for a new streaming series on Apple TV +. 

The streamer has announced that Saturday Night Live’s Kristin Wiig is set to star as Maxine in the new series Mrs. American Pie. Laura Dern will serve as executive producer and is also reportedly playing a major on-screen role. Based on the book Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet Daniels, the comedy will consist of 10 episodes, which will explore the high society drama of Palm Beach. 

Described as a “story about gorgeously impossible people,” Mrs. American Pie will feature Maxine’s attempts to climb the social ladder during the 1970s. The original novel finds the divorcee participating in the Mrs. American Pie pageant, a competition to find the best wife and mother in America. The only problem? She doesn’t have a husband or children, meaning that she’ll have to get up to some hilarious hijinks to secure the crown. 

Apple TV+ has not revealed whether or not the series will adhere to the novel, but it would be difficult to imagine a show about a pageant that wouldn’t benefit from the zany genius of Kristen Wiig. Her tenure on Saturday Night Live proved that she’s particularly adept at satirizing absurd situations, and her appearances as Mindy Grayson, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Penelope would feel right at home in a high society comedy. 

As for Laura Dern, this project is definitely in the vicinity of her wheelhouse. She may be best known for her dramatic roles, but characters like Renata Klein on Big Little Lies have proved that she can be very, very funny. Even Marriage Story, which dealt with some pretty heavy content, had a few clever moments, thanks to Laura Dern’s quick wit. Given her history, we can probably expect her to play one of the socialites Kristen Wiig’s Maxine will try to impress. Either way, the combination of these legendary ladies on Mrs. American Pie is sure to be a highly anticipated addition to the streaming catalog. 

Mrs. American Pie doesn’t have an official release date yet, but keep your eyes peeled, you'll know when you can watch with your Apple TV+ subscription. While you wait for the surefire hit, you can keep busy with these exciting TV premieres coming to a screen near you in 2022. 

Jean-Marc Vallée, the Canadian filmmaker behind critically-acclaimed dramas such as Dallas Buyers Club, Wild, and Big Little Lies died this week at the age of 58. Vallée was found dead in his cabin on the river outside Quebec City, likely due to a heart attack. He was reportedly preparing to host guests there for the Christmas holiday. Following the tragic news, his close collaborators, including Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon are paying tribute to him. 

Nicole Kidman took to her Instagram to honor the late director, speaking about how she is “shattered” by Jean-Marc Vallée’s passing. You can check out her post below: 

Nicole Kidman worked closely with Vallée on the challenging role of Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies, which earned them both Primetime Emmys in 2017. The actress said the late filmmaker was responsible for “some of the most rewarding professional experiences” of her career. As Kidman grieves the loss, colleagues, including Naomi Watts and Rita Wilson took to the comment section to offer their sympathies. 

Reese Witherspoon also worked with Jean-Marc Vallée on Big Little Lies, along with their work on the 2014 film, Wild. Her tribute to the filmmaker included a number of on-set photos of the pair: 

Their mutual co-star, Laura Dern (also in Big Little Lies and Wild), shared a sweet photo with her and Jean-Marc Vallée laughing together. She called him one of “our great and purest artists and dreamers”: 

The filmmaker touched many of his collaborators in Hollywood, including Matthew McConaughey, who starred in his film, Dallas Buyers Club, in 2013 and would go on to win an Oscar for the role. The actor said that “love stories were everywhere in his eye” when speaking about Vallée's work. 

Alongside McConaughey on Dallas Buyers Club was Jared Leto, who also took some time to pay tribute to the filmmaker. Leto shared that Jean-Marc Vallée changed his life with the role of Rayon. The actor shared a photo of him on the night he won a Golden Globe for their movie.

Jean-Marc Vallée was a director, film editor, screenwriter, and producer. He was born in Montreal in 1963, and got his start making short films in his home of Canada. His early films were C.R.A.Z.Y. and The Young Victoria, before finding his most acclaimed film in Best Picture nominee, Dallas Buyers Club. In the years following, he made Wild and Demolition and worked closely with Reese Witherspoon’s production company to develop Big Little Lies for HBO, along with making the miniseries, Sharp Objects, with Blumhouse and Amy Adams. 

Vallée left behind an incredible body of work we’ll look to for generations to come. The Hollywood community and fans of his movies and TV projects will miss him. Here at CinemaBlend, we send our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues, and fans. 

And just like that, the Jurassic World trilogy is approaching a conclusion with Dominion just a handful of years after the franchise made a grand entrance with Colin Trevorrow’s movie. It feels like just yesterday, but life finds a way, you know? The upcoming blockbuster is unique because it will unite the new Jurassic World characters with the original Jurassic Park trio of Sam Neill’s Dr. Alan Grant, Jeff Goldblum’s Dr. Ian Malcolm and Laura Dern’s Dr. Ellie Sattler. The question that remains to be seen is how it will all go down. 

Jurassic World Dominion is not hitting theaters until next summer, so for the most part, we’re in the dark. That said, director Colin Trevorrow has shared a bit of information about how the OG trio will interact with Chris Pratt’s Owen and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire. In the director’s words: 

In a recent interview with Total Film Magazine, the filmmaker shared that the three leads from the original Jurassic Park film will be just as important to Dominion as many as the Jurassic World established characters are. It’s great news for fans, and it sounds like there’s a really interesting structure being played with here. 

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom left things off with the surviving dinosaurs from the theme park being let loose into civilization. The fallout has left Owen and Claire in a major predicament they likely cannot deal with on their own. Perhaps as they try their best to control the situation, Grant, Sattler and Malcolm come out of the woodwork and get back together to figure out how to help as well. I absolutely cannot wait to see that moment when they’re all back together again and how they’ll interact over twenty years later. 

Previously, CinemaBlend spoke with Colin Trevorrow about the upcoming movie, and he shared that they are in so much of Dominion, it will be difficult to market the movie without their presence included. As he shared with us: 

It’s definitely exciting to imagine the amount of time we’ll get with our favorite trio from the first Jurassic Park movie after all this time. Jurassic World Dominion is coming to theaters on June 10, 2022. While we wait, you can check out the movie’s prologue, which features first footage about where Dominion will pick up.