The Matrix, one of the best action movies, changed filmmaking forever, along with the bodies of the people who made it. Nearly three decades later, Laurence Fishburne is still talking about the brutal training that went into becoming Morpheus. And, if you thought those gravity-defying fights looked intense, the reality behind them was even tougher.

Fishburne spoke at the Marrakech Film Festival (via Variety) about the experience. What started as an ambitious sci-fi action movie experiment quickly turned into a crash course in Hong Kong martial arts filmmaking, and the Matrix cast had no idea what was coming. Here’s how Fishburne described it:

If you’ve ever wondered why the fight sequences in The Matrix still hold up — why they feel so controlled, so sharp, almost balletic — this is why. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne were put through months of non-stop conditioning, flexibility work, choreography drill, and wire training. It wasn’t movie-star “fit.” It was “your body will never forget this” fit. Fishburne added:

You can feel the mix of pride and pain in that memory. And, in the larger conversation, the Contagion actor explained that he has always been drawn to roles that challenge him — not just physically, but creatively. The man who helped redefine cyber-punk action also gave us Furious Styles in Boyz N the Hood and the chaotic brilliance of Jimmy Jump in King of New York. So reinvention is kind of his thing.

It makes sense, then, that the Wachowskis' 1999 action flick left such a mark on the cast. Reeves, famous for tackling much of his own stunt work, and Fishburne, whose steady calm helped turn Morpheus into an instant icon, both threw themselves into the choreography and conditioning, even when it meant going home sore every single night.

And while The Man of Steel alum didn’t appear in 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections, he hasn’t closed the door on coming back — as long as the story makes sense. With a fifth Matrix film officially on the way (albeit without the Wachowskis at the helm), that possibility suddenly feels a lot more real.

So, yes, The Matrix absolutely put Laurence Fishburne through the wringer. And, yes, he was, by his own admission, in near-constant pain. However, the end product is one of the most enduring action performances in movie history. If anything, the way he speaks about the training now makes it clear: Morpheus isn’t just a character he played. He’s someone Fishburne still carries, not just in his memory, but in his muscles.

It won’t be long at all now before those with a Netflix subscription who are fantasy fans will be able to see The Witcher Season 4 as the series officially enters a new era. The fourth set of episodes are the first with new Geralt lead Liam Hemsworth in the role, and expectations are pretty high after the actor took over for previous star Henry Cavill. Let’s not forget that the show’s other stars had to adjust to the change, as well, and the cast was very candid about the switch.

What Some Of The Witcher Cast Said About Liam Hemsworth Taking Over For Henry Cavill In Season 4

The 2025 TV schedule is about to feature way more sword fighting, as we are now mere hours away from Liam Hemsworth’s first season of The Witcher. That cast shakeup (which saw former lead Henry Cavill announce both his departure and successor in a move that seriously pissed off fans) has led to a lot of not-so-great feelings from fans as the show proceeds, but how does the cast feel?

With stars like Freya Allan defending Hemsworth, it appeared that his co-stars were more willing to give him a shot than many of the fans (who seemed to abandon the show even in Cavill’s last season). When speaking to CinemaBlend’s Riley Utley recently, Jaskier actor Joey Batey was asked what it was like to see Hemsworth walk on set in full Geralt mode for the first time, and he said:

After word about The Hunger Games star’s new gig came out, we were able to get a look at some of the behind-the-scenes work he was doing to fill out his predecessor’s made-for-a-ripped-body armor. As Batey noted, he also voiced his character in The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep opposite Witcher video game actor Doug Cockle as Geralt, so having someone else portray the character wasn’t too much of a shock to his system.

Laurence Fishburne is also in his first season as a Witcher star this year, and his part as Regis will see him spending a lot of quality time with Geralt. He was asked about filming with Hemsworth and noted:

It seems that fans can count on Fishburne’s Regis being around for the fifth and final season of the action-packed fantasy, as well, seeing as how he mentioned that he basically worked with the Lonely Planet actor for two years (filming on Season 5 wrapped in September 2025). The Matrix star bonded with Hemsworth over their commitment to giving fans “something that the audience will embrace,” and he also opened up about how that desire impacted how he prepared for his part of Regis:

If this isn’t the best way to deal with filming under a bit of a cloud caused by an unhappy fandom, I don’t know what is. We can all see the result of their effort when The Witcher returns to Netflix on October 30.

When John Singleton’s Boyz N The Hood hit theaters in the summer of 1992, there was a huge amount of controversy surrounding the movie, which today can be streamed with a Netflix subscription. Looking back, it's clear there was some inherent racism in the moment, but there was actually some real violence that occurred at a handful of showings. The news took that and ran with it, ratcheting up the rhetoric around the dangers of rap music, especially gangsta rap, which was already scaring the shit out of suburban America.

For me, a 16-year-old suburban kid, that was all I needed to hear to want to see the movie badly. What I expected, and what the movie is, are two totally different things.

The Media Breathlessly Reported On Violence At Screenings

In the great Netflix documentary about Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, The Defiant Ones, Iovine talks at one point about how scared Interscope Records was making suburban white folks. Between Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and Nine Inch Nails’ The Downward Spiral, Interscope was hammering two sides of the musical spectrum that were upending norms. In the midst of that came Boyz N the Hood.

It was easy for the local and national news to issue urgent dispatches about the fear of gang violence at the movie’s screenings. Black directors and Black voices in Hollywood were hardly the norm; we basically had Spike Lee, Mario Van Peebles, and not many others at the time, until Singleton came along with this masterpiece. The media, never ones to shy away from fear-mongering, played up the scattered examples of violence at the theaters showing Boyz N The Hood, and America – specifically white America – recoiled. I was all in.

I Expected An N.W.A. Song On The Big Screen, But That Isn’t What I Got

For me, well, I loved Dre’s earlier work with Ice Cube and company in N.W.A. I would blast that as I drove my own suburban neighborhood, feeling, well, defiant. When I heard about Boyz N the Hood, starring Ice Cube himself, I knew I had to see it. All the talk of gang violence at the theater made me believe even more that I was going to see one of Cube’s rap songs come to life on film.

Anyone who has seen the movie, which I think is one of the best movies of the ‘90s, knows it is not an N.W.A. song come to life. It doesn’t glamorize drug dealing or gang life (not that N.W.A. lyrics really do, either, but in my naive ears, they did). It speaks bluntly and honestly about “what’s goin’ on in the hood,” as Cube’s character Doughboy explains in the final scene. It’s a powerful statement about life in South Central L.A. and neighborhoods like it around the country, as well as the importance of being a strong father in the face of adversity.

It is an incredible movie, with powerful performances from Laurence Fishburne, Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding, Jr., and the rest of the cast, that includes actors like Regina King, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, and Angela Bassett. It’s nothing like another movie about drug dealers of the era, New Jack City, which I also love. Boyz N the Hood has far more important things to say, even if the media ignored it in favor of more salacious news surrounding it.

Laurence Fishburne made waves when he expressed his interest in playing Professor X. He explained that he’s aware that the MCU’s first X-Men movie is in the works, and posed the question “What do you think about Laurence Fishburne as Professor X?” Well, I’m certainly interested in that idea, so when I interviewed the actor, I asked him why he’d like to play the iconic Marvel hero.

When Laurence Fishburne explained that he’d love to play Professor X at New York Comic Con, his comment went viral, and people started to wonder what it’d be like to see him in the iconic role. It’s pretty easy for me to picture him as the leader of the X-Men, and honestly, I’d love to see his take on the character. So, when I interviewed him for CinemaBlend about his latest project, The Witcher Season 4, I also brought up this viral statement he made. I asked why he loved the character so much, and in response, he told me during:

You hear that, Marvel? I think that’s some solid reasoning, and I think we should make it happen somehow. As he said, he’s the right age for the role, he’s got the passion and the look, and from my point of view, he has the perfect energy and gravitas to play Charles Xavier.

Now, I realize Laurence Fishburne has already appeared in the MCU (he played Goliath in Ant-Man and the Wasp, which you can stream with a Disney+ subscription). I also realize that Patrick Stewart is part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast, and we’ll get to see him as Charles Xavier when that upcoming Marvel project premieres next year. So, on the surface, this dream of Fishburne’s seems like it could be far-fetched.

However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. I mean, Chris Evans played Johnny Storm in 2005's Fantastic Four before he was Captain America, and then he reprised his role as the Human Torch in Deadpool and Wolverine, which is part of the MCU. Michelle Yeoh had roles as different characters in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, too, and the list does not end there. So, the idea of Fishburne playing another MCU character after he played a role in Ant-Man’s story isn’t out of the question.

On top of that, it’s unclear who will be cast in Jake Schreier’s X-Men movie. While many original X-Men actors are set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, it’s perfectly possible that a new ensemble of actors will be cast to play the heroes in a standalone film. What can I say? When you’re working with the multiverse, anything is possible.

I guess all there is to do now is hope that something comes from this manifestation Laurence Fishburne seems to be doing. He clearly has the passion for Marvel and this legendary role, and it feels like he’d be the perfect person to take over the mantle of Professor X. However, only time will tell, and while we wait to see if this dream becomes a reality, you can watch him in his newest project, The Witcher Season 4, with a Netflix subscription starting October 30.

Few behind-the-scenes stories live up to the intensity of The Matrix, which is why it's not only one of the best movies of the ‘90s, but the best sci-fi movies of all time. Laurence Fishburne just shared one BTS story that might top them all. During a recent convention panel, the Boyz N the Hood star got candid about the now-iconic dojo fight scene between Morpheus and Neo, revealing that the brutal sequence wasn’t just movie magic. It left both him and Keanu Reeves literally black and blue by the time they wrapped filming.

During a recent New York Comic Con panel (via People), Fishburne, in his conversation with former co-star Joe Pantoliano, reflected on how much physical preparation went into making the scene one of the most legendary moments in sci-fi cinema. He explained:

For Fishburne, the injuries were just proof of how deeply committed everyone was to making the groundbreaking action movie feel real. The Man of Steel alum continued:

Pantoliano, who played Cypher in the original film, likened the fight choreography to “a ballet,” explaining that the seamless flow and minimal cuts helped change the trajectory of action filmmaking. He added:

Released in 1999, The Matrix redefined what action and sci-fi could look like on screen, blending philosophy, tech noir, and Hong Kong-style martial arts in a way Hollywood hadn’t seen before. The dojo fight between Morpheus and Neo remains one of the franchise’s most celebrated moments — a perfectly choreographed dance between teacher and student that also symbolized Neo’s first steps toward believing in his own power.

It’s fitting, then, that the scene took such a physical toll on the men behind it. Reeves (known for doing much of his own stunt work) and Fishburne, whose calm authority gave Morpheus his mythic edge, both poured everything into it — even when it hurt.

While Laurence Fishburne didn’t appear in 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections, he hasn’t ruled out returning to the franchise, if the story is right, of course. And, he might get his chance because a Fifth Matrix film is happening, sadly, without the direction of the Wachowski sisters.

For now, though, fans can revisit his defining turn as Morpheus, and that punishing, unforgettable fight, by streaming The Matrix trilogy. And lucky for viewers, its streaming for free with a Tubi subscription.

We don’t really know what the future holds for the Marvel Cinematic Universe once Avengers: Secret Wars comes out in a couple of years, but one thing we do know is that the X-Men will be a significant concern. An X-Men movie is reportedly in development with Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier running the show, but the big questions surround the cast.

One can only imagine there are a lot of actors who would be interested in joining the MCU’s first X-Men movie, and one actor not afraid to say so is Laurence Fishburne. While Fishburne has already appeared in the MCU as Goliath in Ant-Man and the Wasp, he has his sights set on a bigger role. In an appearance at NYCC (via EW), Fishburne threw his name in the hat to lead the X-Men, saying…

What do I think? I think Marvel needs to sign Laurence Fishburne to a deal right the hell now. This would be fantastic casting. Laurence Fishburne is a phenomenal actor, and he would be an incredible Professor X. If he wasn’t already on Kevin Feige’s short list, he needs to be added.

While it's possible that fans might freak out over casting Fishburne as Professor X because the character is traditionally white, there’s no reason that needs to be the case. Fishburne (who happens to be currently sporting a bald head) is an accomplished actor, certainly one on par with Patrick Stewart, who originated the role on screen. Fishburne is also about the same age now that Stewart was when he appeared in the original X-Men movie.

Fishburne frequently brings a toughness to his characters that isn’t necessarily something we see with Professor X, but that’s part of what makes the potential casting so intriguing. If Marvel wants to bring in a cast that will have a unique identity compared to the previous franchise, this would certainly be one way to do it.

The only reason I can think of to not at least consider Laurence Fishburne as Professor X would be if the plan is to start the MCU X-Men with a younger cast. While it seems likely that we’ll get an X-Men cast that more closely resembles that of the first X-Men movie than X-Men: First Class, it’s possible that the MCU might want to start younger. This would likely require a younger actor to play Charles Xavier. There are reports that Marvel is planning on "younger talent" for the roles.

Of course, before we can figure out what the plan is for Marvel’s new X-Men, we need to wrap things up with the original big-screen team of mutants. Many members of the Fox movies, including original Professor X Patrick Stewart, are set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. The expectation is that events of the next two Avengers films will act as a reset of the MCU, leading to a universe where the X-Men exist, though the entire team is expected to be comprised of new actors.

Do you want to know a “joke” that I've never found funny? It's when somebody mentions Black dads, and the punchline is that they'll be back soon. They just stepped out to get some milk.

If you read between the lines, they're implying that we (yes, we, since I'm a Black dad) have a tendency to walk out on our children, which I find to be one of the uglier stereotypes facing the Black community. I feel this way because one, I think many of us are far better dads than other people out there, and two, it's ignoring the societal disadvantages that Black people have endured throughout the years that has created possible parenting issues in the first place.

And, this all makes me think of Jason “Furious” Styles (Laurence Fishburne) from the movie Boyz n The Hood. Not only is he a phenomenal dad, but he also brings up several points of why Black men are often in such dire straits in the first place. Styles almost seems like an anomaly, though, since we so rarely see “the good Black father” archetype in stories these days. So, here's why I wish we'd see more Black dads like Jason “Furious” Styles.

Movies Are Powerful, And Can Help Sway Public Perception

Here’s the thing about people who tell racist jokes. I’m almost certain that anybody who can demean an entire race doesn’t deal with that race on a daily basis. I see it all the time with my mostly Black and brown students (I’m a teacher outside of writing for this website). You can tell that they don’t normally interact with white people by the way they talk about them. It’s almost like they think they’re aliens or something.

But, that’s mostly because the inner city environment they live in has next to no white people living in it. In fact, in order for them to actually see white people, they’d need to go to the more affluent town over, or, go to the mall. So, the only white people they might see on a daily basis are some of their teachers, or, characters in movies and TV shows. And, that’s why I think movies and TV can be helpful, as they often provide the only examples of diversity that some people see regularly.

For example, even though there’s no proof that Obama was elected president after people warmed up to the idea from seeing a Black president on 24, there have definitely been people who have floated the idea in think pieces. And, that’s because, for good or for ill, entertainment is powerful, and it can sometimes sway public opinion.

Which is why somebody like “Furious” from Boyz n the Hood is such an important character. He impregnated his girlfriend back in high school, and even married her (which actually happens in real life, believe it or not, even in the Black community). Unfortunately, like many couples, they get divorced, and his wife takes responsibility for their child, Tre. But, when Tre starts acting up, his mother sends him to his father, as “Furious” is strict, but loving. And “Furious” raises Tre the best he can. Hell, he even gets him out of the hood by the end.

That’s why I wish more people got to see characters like “Furious” in movies. I know everybody likes to say “woke” this, and “DEI” that these days when they see Black characters in leadership roles. But, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t subconsciously hitting people once the movie or TV show is over. If there were more strong, Black fathers in entertainment like “Furious,” then perhaps the perception that Black dads are automatically “bad” fathers wouldn’t be so prevalent with so many people. Just a thought.

Black Kids Could Have Somebody To Look Up To When They Grow Older

I know that not everybody feels this way, but as a gay ally myself, I'm happy that there are great LGBTQ+ characters (played by LGBTQ+ actors) these days, because it means that kids who might be queer, or questioning whether they're queer, have characters who they can connect with.

No, I don't feel like Hollywood is “grooming” children. Nor do I think a TV show or movie can “make” somebody gay. What I do think though is that somebody who is gay might find something enriching or life affirming by seeing LGBTQ+ characters who speak to them as viewers. And, for viewers who aren’t queer, I think these characters make the stories more diverse, which I always feel is a net positive.

Well, in the same way that I think that young queer people could benefit from seeing LGBTQ+ characters, I feel the same way about young Black people having Black father figures in entertainment.

Because while it's cool that there are Black superheroes, how about characters that Black boys can actually aspire to be one day? Growing up, I had a multitude of good dads to look up to in Black sitcoms. I mean, it sucks (for many reasons) that Bill Cosby had such a dramatic fall from grace, as the legacy of The Cosby Show has now been tarnished, but Cosby was “America's Dad” at one point. So, even white, Hispanic, and Asian kids looked up to Cliff Huxtable's parenting. It wasn't just Black kids.

That said, even though there have been other Black dads in shows over the years, there hasn't really been a substitute for someone as beloved as Cliff Huxtable, and I wish there were. Characters like Cliff, or “Furious” could go a long way in teaching young Black boys that there can be different kinds of good Black fathers, which I think could help them when it comes to growing up and being good Black fathers themselves one day.

It Would Make Movies More Interesting Since We Don't Often See This Kind Of Character In Films

Remember when people got upset over Ariel from The Little Mermaid being Black? How about when people wondered why there were Black elves in Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?

Well, I'm the kind of guy who campaigns for a Black James Bond, so I might not be the best person to ask, but honestly, I'm all for more diversity in my movies.

The examples I mentioned are mostly fantasy characters. That's fine. But, I would love to see more good Black dad characters in films since we so rarely get them.

Yes, we see plenty of great dads in movies, like John Matrix in the greatest action movie of all time, Commando, or Bryan Mills in Taken. But, we don't often see great Black dads in movies. Yes, Denzel's character in John Q, Will Smith’s character in The Pursuit of Happyness, Idris Elba’s character in Daddy’s Little Girls, and of course, Laurence Fishburne from Boyz n the Hood are all great examples. But, there are so few other major ones that that I could probably count them all on two hands.

We should have so many more since I think they would make movies much more interesting since we so rarely see them.

Lastly, It Can Be A Model To Black Fathers

I'm fortunate to have a great father. He’s always been in my corner, and has always been supportive. Also, similar to Tre from Boyz n the Hood, my parents got divorced, and for a time, I lived with my mother, and then later, I lived with my father.

Now, as a parent myself, I have utilized a lot of what my own father taught me, but I've also pulled a great deal of parenting skills from movie and TV dads as well. For example, I'm not ashamed to admit that Bandit, from Bluey, has taught me a great deal.

I've also learned from other great dads as well, with “Furious” being a prime example of when I need to be tough with my son. This is why I think great Black dads in movies can be an example to us in the real world.

Because being a Black father is a little different - I would assume - from being a father from a different race. We have different conversations with our sons, similar to the ones “Furious” has with Tre, and we also have the stereotype that we’re not good enough to be dads in the first place.

Which is often hard to stomach. That’s why seeing a strong, Black father like “Furious” is reaffirming, and proof that we aren’t bad dads at all, and nobody should make us feel that we are.

But, what do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Some SPOILERS are ahead for all of the Mission: Impossible movies, now streaming with a Netflix subscription (except for The Final Reckoning, which is in theaters).

I’m still in shock over here. Are the Mission: Impossible movies really over and done with? Watching Tom Cruise hang off a biplane and try to recover a module in the depths of the ocean on the big screen really awakened something in me. And that something was going back over the Mission: Impossible movies now that they recently joined the 2025 Netflix releases.

And I have to say… I really forgot how many incredibly talented actors have shown up in the movies over the years! Of course, I had remembered Ving Rhames' Luther being there from the beginning, and it only made knowing his death in Final Reckoning hit harder. And, there’s no way I’m ever forgetting Philip Seymour Hoffman’s role as Owen Davian. But, there were quite a few appearances that genuinely shocked me. I’ll break them down below:

Jon Voight

Starting with the first Mission: Impossible movie, it pretty much felt like I was watching it for the first time when I kicked it on first. I’ll be honest, the last time I watched it before this, I found it boring in comparison to the newer installments, so I kind of have been sleeping on it, but I really enjoyed going back to basics with it this time around.

One of the reasons I actually decided to watch it was because Final Reckoning had a flashback to Jon Voight’s role as the leader of the IMF, Jim Phelps, and I had no memory of him in the movie. But, what a great role for the Oscar winner. He plays an excellent first villain for the M:I franchise.

Emilio Estevez

And, early in the Mission: Impossible, I did not have it on my bingo card to see The Breakfast Club’s Emilio Estevez! He plays an IMF agent who dies in an elevator shaft, but what a treat. It’s a fun little role for the actor because both Cruise and Estevez were in The Outsiders together over a decade earlier.

Kristen Scott Thomas

Another pleasant surprise in the first Mission: Impossible was Kristen Scott Thomas as another IMF agent. I’ve seen her in a ton of movies and TV shows over the years, but I just didn’t realize one of the first movies I likely saw her in was actually the first Mission: Impossible.

Jean Reno

And Jean Reno? I was literally going through my viewing of the 1996 first film, gasping left and right at the list of talent. Reno is an accomplished French actor first and foremost, but I’ve loved English-language movies like Léon: The Professional or The Pink Panther with Steve Martin. He’s so solid in Mission: Impossible as an ex-IMF agent who is the man who’s holding up Ethan during his iconic scene where he’s suspended by a wire.

Henry Czerny

The last one I want to bring up from the first movie is Henry Czerny. The character of Kittridge, the director of the IMF, is obviously in The Final Reckoning after being in Dead Reckoning as well, but I had sincerely forgotten that he was actually brought back from being in the original film. Rewatching the first movie after Final Reckoning is honestly so satisfying because they added so many callbacks from the first movie, that it’s even better because the last movie exists.

Brendan Gleeson

I moved on to Mission: Impossible 2 next, which I know is not a favorite among fans, but actually remained in my memory a lot more clearly than the first for some reason. I absolutely remembered Dougray Scott and Thandiwe Newton’s key roles in the John Woo film. But the first actor that caught me by surprise was seeing Irish actor Brendan Gleeson of the Harry Potter movies, The Banshees of Inisherin, and 28 Days Later. He plays a CEO who gets kidnapped in the 2000 sequel.

Anthony Hopkins

The other surprising actor in Mission: Impossible 2 was none other than Anthony Hopkins at the very end of the movie. I never would have guessed him showing up late in the action movie just to play Mission Commander Swanbeck for a little scene with Tom Cruise, but it definitely exists. I read that he was actually uncredited in the movie in order to give audiences at the time a shock when he made his appearance, and I find that fun.

Laurence Fishburne

Moving on to J.J. Abrams’ Mission: Impossible 3, I thought I had this one figured out, but yet again I was short-sighted by a few unexpected actors in the mix. This is a great rewatch because it has the first appearance of Simon Pegg’s Benji, and I loved seeing Ethan and him interact for the first time. But Laurence Fishburne being the IMF director? It’s literally perfect casting, and I had no memory of it.

Aaron Paul

Another fun one in Mission: Impossible 3 is Aaron Paul being in a key scene just a couple of years before he officially became Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad. He plays Ethan Hunt’s future brother-in-law, Rick, whom he calls during a pivotal scene where the agent is worried about the safety of his fiancée, Julia (played by Michelle Monaghan). Rick is completely clueless; he just aids the movie’s villain in capturing his sister, but Ethan ultimately saves her, so it all turns out OK.

Léa Seydoux

The last movie I watched is one of my favorites, Ghost Protocol. And, I’ve seen this one a lot. I had remembered that Lost’s Josh Holloway briefly shows up in the beginning and dies, because I was obsessed with that show at the time, and that Paula Patton and Jeremy Renner were part of Ethan’s team. Somehow, I forgot the insanely talented Léa Seydoux played an assassin named Sabine. This movie somehow almost came out fifteen years ago? Seeing Seydoux looking much younger made me realize that, but yeah, she’s still a perfect fit for M:I. I only wish she were in it more!

What a blast of a mission for me. The M:I movies really hold up. They continue to be exciting, unexpectedly funny, and full of great talent that have continued to do some great work after being in these movies.

“But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career.” That’s a line from the 2008 hit Taken, memorably performed by Liam Neeson while speaking on the phone to a man who has kidnapped his character’s daughter, and it arguably kicked off what has become a dominant subgenre in action films in the near-two decades since: the unassuming killer protagonist. In the case of Neeson’s Bryan Mills, his enemies and audiences were meant to underestimate him as an aging, loving father, but the basic premise has taken many different forms since then.

In 2025 alone, we’ve already seen two other examples of this. In February, Ke Huy Quan played the archetypal lead in Love Hurts (a lovable realtor with a dark past as a gangster), and Jack Quaid got his shot last month in Novocaine (likable assistant bank manager turns badass thanks to his inability to feel pain). Neither movie is great – the latter definitely better than the former – but what can at least be said is that both films had an interesting and unique hook to hang on. Director James Hawes’ The Amateur, on the other hand, has no hook to speak of, and the end result is that it is an absolute snore.

Academy Award-winner Rami Malek is the lead of this one, playing an introverted analyst who thirsts for revenge following the murder of his wife, and it’s a film that is lacking in both flavor and energy. It has 60 minutes of plot stuck in a 123 minute package, its action hanging on four mediocre set pieces (half of which have been heavily featured in the marketing), and it’s a persistent challenge to fend of the yawns as the protagonist slowly moves around Europe and you wait for anything interesting to happen. A great ensemble cast is wasted in a movie that has no idea what to do with any of them.

The movie based on the novel of the same name by Robert Littell, Malek plays Charlie Heller, a basement-dwelling decryption expert for the Central Intelligence Agency whose life is shattered when the woman he loves (Rachel Brosnahan) is killed by a cadre of terrorists (Michael Stuhlbarg, Barbara Probst, Marc Rissmann, Joseph Millson). Devastated and alone, he uses his resources and training to find the people responsible, but direct retaliation is ruled out by his superiors (Holt McCallany, Danny Sapani) due to larger scale operations.

Heller, determined and his life otherwise devoid of anything, opts to blackmail the CIA with evidence of a cover-up operation he conveniently discovers a couple days prior. His lone demand is permission for his vendetta and what ultimately amounts to a few hours of training with a veteran agent (Laurence Fishburne). While staying one step of his employers, who are looking for any opening to shut him down, he travels around the world hunting for vengeance.

The Amateur has nothing interesting to contribute to the underdog action thriller subgenre.

In an underdog action thriller, deception is an important ingredient. In Taken, Bryan Mills is a retired dad, but he is a consummate ass-kicker. In Love Hurts, Ke Huy Quan’s Marvin Gable is sweet and amiable, but he has a killer rage that he keeps bottled up. In Novocaine, Jack Quaid’s Nate has long lived a sheltered life because of his congenital condition, but not feeling pain means losing a key motivation to stop fighting. This important ingredient is absent in The Amateur. Charlie Heller understands and is repeatedly told that he has no killer instinct and no advanced physical skills, which render him a relatable protagonist, but there is also nothing special about him that makes him a compelling character.

It can’t be said that the guy isn’t intelligent or doesn’t have a knack for computers that allows him to access basically any information the plot requires – but that can also be said about the CIA informant with whom he connects and partners in the movie’s second act. His methods of tracking, interrogating and killing entirely lack dynamism or build, preventing the thriller from ever being effectively thrilling. A perfect example (that is heavily featured in the trailers): Heller confronts one of his wife’s killers as he swims in a rooftop pool bridging two buildings, but there is nothing clever about Heller’s plan and no tension generated with the antagonist’s fear in his precarious circumstances (neither in the script nor the cinematography); the guy denies being who Heller is looking for, a button is pressed, and the pool shatters and the guy plummets to his death.

I suppose one could say that Charlie Heller’s hook is that he is above being bloodthirsty… but that just doesn’t jibe with the entire premise of a revenge story, and it means that the movie actively avoids giving the audience what it is seeking from The Amateur.

Don’t make the same mistake I did: don’t expect The Amateur to be a spy thriller with twists.

Also helping absolutely nothing is how bizarrely linear the whole story is. Fair or unfair, there is an expectation that a movie about the world’s most famous spy agency would feature some big twists and turns that you never see coming, but that’s a spice that is left on the shelf. I kept waiting for some kind of reveal about the reason why Heller’s wife was killed and/or some extra nefarious detail about operations being run by the CIA that intersected with the plot, but those revelations never come. Everything is as it seems at all times, and the film becomes more and more underwhelming as you realize that.

The Amateur is the kind of movie that gets outfitted with pull quotes like “star-studded” and “a globetrotting adventure,” which aren’t so much positive marks as they are statements of fact. To be sure, there is a lot of talent on screen and the production did plenty of on-location shooting, but in would have been smarter to invest more of the effort in crafting an effective story. It’s neither smart nor exciting; it’s just boring.

The Matrix remains a groundbreaking movie, with CGI slo-mo action that lives and dodges bullets in our heads rent-free decades later. Not only was the action movie a standout for being one of the best films of the ‘90s, but it gave audiences one of Keanu Reeves’ best performances of that decade. If you can believe it, Will Smith was almost cast as Neo in The Matrix, and his recent anecdote explaining why he turned it down actually made his decision more understandable to me.

It’s hard to believe why anyone would turn down the chance to join The Matrix, at least with the hindsight of having seen it. Getting to take part in kickass fight scenes in a digital world of unlimited possibilities sounds too good to pass up. However, Will Smith ended up turning down The Matrix back in the ‘90s after the Wachowskis tried to pitch it to him, and he got real with Sway’s Universe with a logical motivation behind turning it down.

That hilarious explanation really does make a lot of sense. The Wachowskis probably felt that glorifying the special effects and stunts and preaching their unique vision would have sold their movie to a star who helped turn other sci-fi movies like Independence Day and Men in Black into mega-blockbusters. However, their attempts fell flat on Smith's ears.

Of course The Matrix does have a complicated plot of aliens inserting a realistic, digital world into the minds of unsuspecting humans, all while using them as an energy source. And that technically has nothing to do with the bullet-time cinematography. So maybe if there was fear of the plot going over the heads of prospective choices, the special effects could win them over. Keep in mind that in the ‘90s, CGI was still developing and not common to have a whole movie be so computer-generated heavy like today.

I can understand Wild Wild West being an easy choice for Will Smith to make compared to The Matrix. He’d be reuniting with his Men in Black director, Barry Sonnefeld, and not have to worry about CGI action sequences in a gun-slinging flick. However, the former sitcom actor’s honest take on the box office flop Western was choosing that flick in hopes of becoming “the biggest movie star” compared to believing in the project. Fortunately, the King Richard actor has plenty of excellent performances in his career that make any commercial failures insignificant.

It’s hard to visualize a special effects heavy movie without seeing the finished production. After Will Smith got the chance to see The Matrix, he admitted he finally understood The Wachowskis’ pitch from years ago:

Back in 2022, Will Smith said that if he were to time travel to his time in Wild Wild West, he’d tell his younger self he shouldn’t have turned down The Matrix. At the same time, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor also came to the realization that everything was meant to be the way it played out. As it was originally going to be him as Neo and Val Kilmer as Morpheus, Smith acknowledged that it would have been a different movie and that “it’s good the way it is.”

It looks like The Matrix was the big movie that got away from Will Smith. But with a mind-rattling pitch that makes it hard to picture yourself in the sci-fi flick, who could blame him? But, at least Smith would eventually star in I, Robot five years later, which was another unnerving movie about the future of A.I. So, everything really is meant to be.

In honor of Black History Month, I’ve got to say that Akeelah and the Bee is one of my favorite movies to watch during this time. Not only is it one of Keke Palmer’s best movies, but it delivers a powerful message way beyond simply winning a spelling bee. I need to talk about the Black-cast family movie’s important message about the community playing a huge role in Akeelah’s success.

I Love Seeing Akeelah's Neighborhood Come Together To Support Her

It’s easy to assume that winning a spelling bee is all about studying and memorizing hard words, their definitions, and their language of origin. But because Akeelah was representing her low-income neighborhood, the pressure was riding on her to win. While initially letting that get to her, she used the power of “50,000 coaches” to help her achieve victory.

I loved seeing residents from all corners of her neighborhood come together to help this 11-year-old girl win the National Spelling Bee. It’s incredibly inspirational to see that just when you feel at your lowest, there are always helping hands when you take a closer look at your environment.

It was even delightful in the scene where Akeelah saw news footage of a child saying they felt inspired to try out for their school’s spelling bee because of her. Whether her coaches were personal friends, family, or even complete strangers from her neighborhood, they dedicated their time to helping her study and watched her in the televised Bee from their homes.

Dr. Larabee Is the Tough-But-Loyal Mentor We All Wish We Had

Laurence Fishburne’s Oscarworthy performance as Dr. Larabee was truly memorable. While he may have been hardened and stiff on the outside, this fictional teacher made a real impact on Akeelah. The English professor never sugarcoated anything to his spelling bee student, motivating her the way he would for his college students instead of a little girl.

If she was disrespectful, he showed tough love by declining to help. But if he noticed anything that was holding her back from unleashing her full potential, Dr. Larabee would step in and help, whether it was teaching her to jump rope to keep time or introducing her to powerful essays.

My favorite scene between Dr. Larabee and Akeelah was when she spoke to her mentor about the way she coped with her father’s passing so he could cope with his daughter’s. It was a moment that showed a student can become a teacher, too.

It Took All Kinds Of People To Help Akeelah Win

Like Akeelah admitted to Dr. Larabee at the end, “We did it.” After all, she didn’t win on her own; it took all kinds of people in her community practicing words with her and letting her know they had her back. Her father first got her into words, her mother, whose Oscar-worthy performance is given by Angela Bassett, introduced the concept of “50,000 coaches,” and her spelling bee opponent and friend, Xavier, taught her about the importance of Latin classes to study the origin of words.

Unlikely people in Akeelah’s life, like her brother’s shady friend Derrick T., and even her rival, Dylan Chu, provided their assistance either by helping her with hard words or teaching her the importance of a fair competition. It proves that it really does take a village to make it possible to get far in the spelling bee. Akeelah may have been the one on stage, but the heart of her community got her there.

Just When Akeelah Felt Like Falling, Her Peers Picked Her Back Up

There was a ton of pressure for Akeelah Anderson to succeed, because she was representing her community. Fortunately, the middle-schooler had plenty of people in her life to pick her up when she needed it. Though Akeelah reminded Dr. Larabee of his late daughter, he still managed to be the voice of reason to her when she felt it was impossible to beat her experienced rival, Dylan. It was a powerful scene that proved we all need a Dr. Larabee to pick us up no matter what.

Akeelah’s best friend, Georgia, was still a cheerleader for her despite being jealous of her new spelling bee friends. She also received help from her older sister, Kiana, who witnessed a contestant cheating during the contest, and her older brother, Devon, who reminded her to compete in memory of their father.

And we can’t forget Akeelah’s mother, who encouraged her to compete when she was ready to quit. Each person in her life made sure to pick her up when she was doubting herself and it’s through their encouragement she kept going.

The most memorable quality of Akeelah and the Bee was how the strength of community and love can help one person accomplish enormous feats. The whole family will love this movie, especially during Black History Month, as it beautifully celebrates the idea that the steadfast support of those who believe in us can make us do incredible things. The drama is available for rent on digital streaming platforms.

Some of the biggest and best actors have never won competitive acting Oscars. Some of those names might completely shock you as they have certainly put in the performances that make them worthy of winning the awards. There are a few on this list who have won honorary Oscars or won in other categories, like directing or acting, but none of these stars have been bestowed with the one they probably want the most. So here is our list of actors and actresses who have shockingly never won an Oscar for acting.

Glenn Close

At the top of the list of actors who have shockingly never won an Oscar has to be the great Glenn Close. For decades Close has been putting amazing performances on film, and yet that golden statue has eluded her. She has won multiple Tonys, Emmys, and Golden Globe awards, yet, despite an amazing eight nominations for either Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress, she's yet to win one.

Tom Cruise

There is no bigger "movie star" on the planet than Tom Cruise. While no one would realistically expect Cruise to be nominated for his action roles like in the Mission: Impossible movies (though, his stunt work in those movies should really be acknowledged), the Top Gun star has put in the work with Oscar-worthy performances in films like Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, Born on the Fourth of July, and Magnolia. He has been nominated four times, but he's yet to take home the prize.

Angela Bassett

In 1994 Angela Bassett lost out on the Best Actress Oscar for her incredible, transformative performance as Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It. Not to take anything away from the winner, Holly Hunter for The Piano, but it's frankly astonishing Bassett didn't win. Sadly, though she was honored in 2024 by the Academy, she still has yet to win a competitive Oscar.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp has gotten a lot of bad press in recent years and that may hurt his future chances to win an Academy Award, but frankly, it's amazing he hasn't already won multiple Oscars, and yet he's never won even one. Despite three nominations and many other amazing performances, the Pirates Of The Caribbean star is still Oscar-less.

Sigourney Weaver

It's hard to believe that Sigourney Weaver hasn't even been nominated for an Oscar since the 1980s, when she was nominated thrice. In spite of wonderful performances in huge hits like Avatar and Aliens, she's still searching for that golden statue.

Bradley Cooper

Honestly, you can almost smell the desperation on Bradley Cooper to win an Oscar and that's completely understandable. Cooper is one of the best actors of his generation and has been nominated five times in an acting category (and another seven times in other categories), but hasn't won...yet. He'll surely get one.

Annette Bening

Five nominations and no wins. That's Annette Bening's resume at the Oscars and that is shocking. For decades she's been crushing it on screen and despite those nominations, most recently in 2023 for her incredible performance in Nyad, a win has eluded her.

Jim Carrey

Jim Carrey may have burst on the scene in wild comedies like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and The Mask - and we can argue that amazing comedic performances don't get nearly enough love from the Academy - but his more serious roles, like in Man on the Moon and even The Truman Show are certainly worthy of Oscars. Despite multiple Golden Globe nominations and wins, the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind actor has never even been nominated for an Oscar.

Amy Adams

When Amy Adams was first nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for her breakthrough performance in Junebug, a betting person would have bet everything that she would win an Oscar in her career. Yet here we are more than 20 years later and despite five more nominations, Adams is still Oscar-less.

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson has played every kind of character and starred in every kind of movie. From mega-franchises like Star Wars and the MCU, to more indie films like Pulp Fiction and Do The Right Thing, Jackson has done it all in Hollywood, except win a competitive Oscar and he's shockingly only been nominated once. He was honored by the Academy in 2021 for his body of work.

Scarlett Johansson

In 2020 Scarlett Johansson was nominated in both the Bet Actress category for Marriage Story and Best Supporting Actress for Jojo Rabbit. She lost out in both that year and despite an incredible career, they remain her only nominations.

Laurence Fishburne

Literally, since his breakout movie role when he was only 16 in Apocalypse Now, Laurence Fishburne has been putting in award-worthy performances. One of the most astonishing facts on this list, Fishbourne has only been nominated once, for What's Love Got to Do with It in 1994. Despite roles like Furious Styles in Boyz n The Hood, Professor Phipps in Higher Learning, and countless others, he still hasn't won.

Hugh Jackman

While he's best known for his work as Wolverine these days, the multi-talented Hugh Jackman has a ton of performances that have deserved more attention from the Academy. He's won every other award on the planet, including three of the "EGOT" awards, but he's still missing the "O."

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams has been nominated for an Academy Award five times, starting with her breakout role in 2005's Brokeback Mountain. She has yet to break through with a win though. Certainly, she will at some point, right?

Saoirse Ronan

Saoirse Ronan was just 13 years old when she landed her first Oscar nomination for her performance in Atonement. The Lady Bird star has been nominated three subsequent times but hasn't been able to nail down an award yet. A win for Ronan at some point seems inevitable, given how she crushes every role she's in.

Matt Damon

Another one of the biggest movie stars in the world who has yet to win an acting Oscar is Matt Damon. His most recent of three acting nominations was for 2015's The Martian, and while he has won an Oscar for Best Screenplay for Good Will Hunting, an acting award has eluded him.

Salma Hayek

Despite her transcending performance in Frida, the great Salma Hayek wasn't able to win an Oscar in a stacked category in 2003 (Nicole Kidman won for The Hours). Despite numerous great performances, that remains Hayak's only nomination. For shame.

Willem Dafoe

Despite being one of the most reliable actors in Hollywood for more than four decades, somehow Willem Dafoe has yet to win an Oscar. It seems like every single role he takes on is award-worthy, and yet, despite four nominations, starting with Platoon, he still has yet to take home an Academy Award.

Carey Mulligan

2009's An Education garnered Carey Mulligan her first Oscar nom, and she's since nominated another couple of times, for Promising Young Woman in 2021 and Maestro in 2024. She's run into some stiff competition, but surely at least one of those performances was Oscar-worthy.

Mark Ruffalo

Mark Ruffalo has been acting his butt off for decades. For that hard work, he's received four Best Supporting Actor nominations, and shockingly, not for his work in Dark Waters, which might be his best performance of all. It's confounding.

Michelle Pfeiffer

The great Michelle Pfeiffer landed her first Oscar nomination in 1988 for Dangerous Liaisons and picked up two more for The Fabulous Baker Boys in 1989 and Love Field in 1992. Since then? Nothing. Zip. She has not even received a nomination as one of the best actresses of her generation. That has to be remedied, as it makes no sense.

Ralph Fiennes

Between 1996 when he was nominated for The English Patient and 2025 when he was nominated for Conclave, the great Ralph Fiennes wasn't even nominated for an Oscar despite countless award-worthy performances.

Naomi Watts

With two nominations and zero wins, Naomi Watts finds herself on this list. She was first nominated in 2004 for 21 Grams and again in 2013 for The Impossible, but she hasn't lucked out with a win yet. Surely one is in her future though, she's too much of a force not to win one.

Ryan Gosling

Year after year Ryan Gosling has put up fantastic performances, so his inclusion on this list is among the most surprising. He seems like a shoo-in to have won at least one Oscar, right? In not for Barbie or Half Nelson, both of which he was nominated for, then certainly for La La Land. Alas, he's yet to take home a trophy.

Alfre Woodard

When Alfre Woodard was nominated for her first (and to-date only) Oscar nomination way back in 1983 for Cross Creek, you'd be crazy to predict she would not get another one for what is now more than 40 years. Despite amazing performances in films like 12 Years A Slave and many others, she has been shut out.

Warren Beatty

There was no bigger movie star than Warren Beatty in the late '70s and '80s and despite a slew of hits, Beatty has never won an Oscar. Beatty has been nominated four times for Best Actor, yet his only Academy Award win came for Best Director for Reds in 1982. He didn't even win for Dick Tracy! He wasn't actually nominated for that iconic role though, which is understandable.

Laura Linney

Over her long, impressive career, Laura Linney has been nominated for many awards. She's won multiple Emmys and multiple Golden Globes, but she's never taken home a golden statue from the Academy. Linney has been nominated three times, for 2000's You Can Count on Me, 2004's Kinsey, and 2007's The Savages, but lost out each time. Linney has never been in a movie that has won Best Picture, either.

Ed Harris

Ed Harris is one of the best character actors of the last 50 years and yet he's never won an Oscar. He's been nominated three times for Best Supporting Actor, for Apollo 13, The Truman Show, and The Hours, plus picking a nomination for Best Actor for Pollock, but alas, he's never won. Weirdly, he's also 0-3 on Emmy nominations too. He has picked up two Golden Globes though.

Joan Allen

Joan Allen is an actress flies a little under the radar despite putting in amazing performances in everything she is in. It might because she's been incredibly unlucky at winning awards, despite multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG nominations. That luck includes her Oscar nominations, of which she has three, for Nixon, The Crucible, and The Contender, but sadly no wins.

Richard Gere

Despite being box office gold since the early 1980s, Richard Gere has shockingly never been even nominated for an Oscar. He's been in beloved movies that have stood the test of time like Pretty Woman, An Officer And A Gentleman, Primal Fear, Runaway Bride and so many more, but no nominations. Crazy.

Isabelle Huppert

It might not be a huge surprise that a French actress like Isabelle Huppert hasn't won an Oscar, as obviously the winners are almost always from English-language films. Still, Huppert is one of the most decorated actresses of all time in her native France, having been nominated 16 times (and winning twice) for the César Award (France's version of the Academy Awards). She was nominated for an Oscar in 2016 for Elle but lost to Emma Stone (for La La Land).

Paul Dano

It almost seems pre-ordained that at some point Paul Dano will win an Oscar. In performance after performance, he just crushes it. From There Will Be Blood to Love & Mercy, the list of his amazing performances just keeps growing. Like others on this list, the fact that he hasn't even been nominated for an Oscar is mindboggling.

Some of the most famous memes on the internet come from some of the oddest places. Often you may recognize the star, or the movie or TV show, the memes come from, but the original context is completely lost on you. With this list we are going to help explain what the original context was for these famous memes.

John Travolta In Pulp Fiction

This is one of the more obvious ones. The meme is John Travolta looking around confused. It comes, of course, from Pulp Fiction, when he walks into the Wallace's house to pick up Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) for their date. When he first walks in, Mia is nowhere to be seen, but she can be heard over what seems like an intercom system or sound system. He is confused about where Mia is.

Charlie Day In It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

The "Pepe Silvia Conspriracy is what gives us the great meme of Charlie Day on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia standing wide-eyed in front of a bulletin board with a red string drawn across "evidence" that he's co-worker Pepe Silvia isn't real. it comes from the Season 4 episode, "Sweet Dee Has a Heart Attack."

Nicolas Cage In Vampire's Kiss

There is no better actor from which to get great memes than Nicolas Cage, especially in those scenes where Cage goes completely bananas. In Vampire's Kiss, we get such a scene when Cage is just starting to lose it after he hooks up with a vampire who bites his neck.

Gene Wilder In Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory

The "tell me more" meme, known officially as "Condescending Wonka" features Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka comes from a scene when Wonka isn't being condescending at all. He's just excited to show the kids the Ever-Lasting Gobstopper.

Patrick Stewart In Star Trek: The Next Generation

There is no question that the Patrick Stewart/Jean-Luc Picard facepalm from Star Trek: The Next Generation is one of the most widely used memes in the history of the entire internet. Curious, it comes from a very brief moment on the show. It's seriously like half a second when he does it. it comes from the Season 3 episode titled "Deja Q" and unsurprisingly, he's stunned by Q.

Leonardo DiCaprio In The Great Gatsby

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the actors people most love to use in a meme and one of his most famous is from the first party scene in The Great Gatsby as he's finally introducing himself as the great Gatsby. Of course, it's matched with great fanfare in the movie, which is sadly missing from the meme (obviously).

Steve Carell In The Office

Steve Carell has had some classic memes made from his expressions on The Office but none more used than the classic shot of him yelling "NO!" It will be no surprise to fans of that Carell's character Micheal is reacting to the return of his nemesis in the office, Toby Flenderson (Paul Lieberstein).

Sean Bean In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

At the Council of Elrond in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Sean Bean's character Boromir declares that "One does not simply walk into Mordor." So a meme was born as the look on Bean's face is perfect for describing anything that isn't easy.

Homer In The Simpsons

The scene of Homer Simpson disappearing into the bushes, used for all kinds of memes to show embarrassment, is, incredibly, over 30 years now. The scene comes from a Season 5 episode called "Homer Loves Flanders." The scene is specifically parodying the Terminator in Terminator 2 and his shape-shifting as Homer chases after Flanders.

Spider-Man In Spider-Man

The famous Spider-Man pointing at Spider-Man meme comes from way back in the 1960s and the Spider-Man cartoon that aired for one season in 1967. In the episode, the villain disguises himself as Spider-Man and they confront each other outside the police station.

Robert Redford In Jeremiah Johnson

Jeremiah Johnson is not one of Robert Redford's most remembered movies. In fact, there is a decent chance it would be forgotten completely if not for the famous meme of Redford with his bushy beard looking back over his shoulder seemingly approving something, as the meme makes it out to be. In the movie, he's nodding approval after having trapped a beaver.

Joaquin Phoenix In The Joker

One of the most recent memes to really take off is the scene from The Joker of Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character dances on some stairs as he embraces the villain he has become. The stairs themselves have become a popular tourist spot and famous filming location in The Bronx.

Ice Cube In Friday

It's a statement that has come to mean so much more than the fleeting scene it was originally in Friday. Felicia is the annoying neighbor who is always looking to get over on someone but isn't very good at it. After begging the main characters for a whole bunch of stuff, finally, Craig (Ice Cube) says curtly, "Bye Felicia" and a meme was born,

Willem Dafoe In Spider-Man 3

Willem Dafoe In Spider-Man 3 is really great, especially as Norman Osborn, the alter-ego of The Green Goblin. Famously he tells Peter that he is "something of a scientist himself" and that moment is one that has lived on as one of the most popular memes on the web, used to tell people that "someone is quite the something."

Keanu Reeves In Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

Long before the internet was part of everyday life, people were celebrating Keanu Reeves for his famous "Whoa!" in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. In the years since, that celebration has only grown and now it's one of the most widely circulated memes in the world, usually used to signify the same thing it is in the movie, pure surprise. In the scene, it's when they discover all both Bills and Teds are thinking of the same number.

Laurence Fishburne In The Matrix

What if I told you that the line "What if I told you" doesn't actually appear in The Matrix? Would that blow your mind? The reason most people think it does is because of the famous meme of Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus. Morpheus is explaining what the matrix is in the scene, but he never says those words.

James Van Der Beek On Dawson's Creek

The famous "Dawson" crying meme comes from a moment on Dawsom's Creek so brief if you blink at the wrong time, you'll miss it. It comes from a scene in the Season 3 finale when Dawson (James Van Der Beek) and Joey (Katie Holmes) break up. the meme has had a far longer impact on popular culture than the show, it turns out.

Tim Robinson On I Think You Should Leave

Tim Robinson's saying "You sure about that" has quickly become one of the most used memes around, especially on YouTube. It comes from a Season 2 episode of one of the best Netflix original shows, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson where Robinson is playing a stereotypical pitchman on an infomercial.

Jeff Goldblum In Jurassic Park

Ah yes, we've finally come to the "Jeff Goldblum shirtless in Jurassic Park" meme. The scene is after Goldblum's character Dr. Ian Malcolm is injured in the T-Rex attack and he is resting and trying to recover while criticizing what's happening around him.

Woody And Buzz In Toy Story 2

The famous meme of Woody And Buzz from Toy Story 2 has been used for every kind of meme imaginable when trying to explain something to someone. In the movie, it doesn't really have anything to do with that. The scene is when Woody has lost his hat right before leaving with Andy for summer camp and they are desperately looking for it as Buzz seems unconcerned about it all.

Wayne Knight In Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park really is a meme-able movie and one of the most famous ones is Wayne Knight of Seinfeld fame laughing and pointing away from another character. In the scene, he is mocking Dobson (the man in the shades and the hat) for thinking anyone in the beach bar cares what they are doing there. In Meme form, it's used to mock anyone, really.

Bruno Ganz In Downfall

Bruno Ganz in the amazing movie Downfall is a different kind of meme as people rewrite the subtitles of the epic scene in the German movie to fit whatever they are angry about, from sports to casting decisions in the MCU. In the movie, of course, Ganz plays the evil man with a tiny mustache as he is freaking out towards the end of World War II and it's clear he and the Germans have lost.

Ray Liotta In GoodFellas

This famous meme comes from a very famous scene in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. In the scene, Ray Liotta's character Henry Hill is reacting to a funny story told by Tommy (Joe Pesci). It's used for just about everything as a meme, but in the movie, Tommy is very angry at Henry for not explaining how Tommy's funny. Funny how? Funny like a clown? The meme is, that's for sure.

Leonardo DiCaprio In Django Unchained

The very famous meme of Leonardo DiCaprio laughing in Django Unchained is from a shot so brief it's amazing anyone picked up on it to even make it a meme. It's obviously from the dinner party and DiCaprio's character is laughing at his own joke, which makes the meme even better.

Jordan Peele In Key And Peele

Jordan Peele has become better known for his direction of amazing horror movies these days than as half of the brilliant comedy duo Key And Peele, but his most famous comes from the latter. In the sketch, his wife is asking him about his browser history, and the crazier and crazier the searches get the more he starts to sweat until it's pouring like a faucet out of his head.

Wagner Moura In Narcos

"Sad Pablo" has become very popular since Wagner Moura's amazing performance as Pablo Escobar in Narcos. The various memes on him looking sad or contemplative are taken from many moments on the show, but very rarely from when he is actually sad, Mostly they are fleeting moments of the drug kingpin thinking about his next move.

Christine Taylor In A Very Brady Sequel

"Sure Jan" is a pure classic. Obviously, it's Marsha Brady and she is indeed talking down to her sister Jan in the scene in A Very Brady Sequel, which is a pretty underrated comedy based on the original show from the 1960s. In the scene, Jan is making up a story about her imaginary boyfriend, George Glass and while everyone else in the family believes her, Marsha certainly does not.

Arnold Schwarzenegger And Carl Weathers In Predator

In the meme, all we get is two very muscular arms gripping hands in a very masculine handshake. One arm belongs to Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other to Carl Weathers. It comes from a scene in the first Predator movie. When the two characters, who are old friends, first see each other before the mission to seek and destroy the titular enemy.

It’s a Trap! In Return Of The Jedi

This is probably the most famous meme of them all, or at least the one that most people are going to know where it comes from. The origin story here of Admiral Akbar in Return Of The Jedi after the fleet has jumped in the battle above Endor. His famous line is, of course, "It's a trap!"

Bill Skarsgård In It

In what has to be the creepiest popular meme around, Pennywise, as played by Bill Skarsgård in It, is looking up out of a storm drain. It occurs after one of the kids chases his paper boat as it floats down the gutter and into the sewer.

Leonardo DiCaprio In Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Proving that everyone loves a great Leonardo DiCaprio meme, one of the more popular ones lately is of the actor from Once Upon A Time In Hollywood as he points at the TV because he's about to be on. Not seen in the photo is Brad Pitt, who is also in the scene watching with DiCaprio.

Nicolas Cage In Wicker Man

"NOT THE BEES!" is one of Nicolas Cage's most unhinged lines from a totally unhinged movie, The Wicker Man. It's a movie that seemingly only exists for the memes. There are a lot of options in the movie, that's for sure.

There is nothing more iconic than a good looking leather jacket on a movie star. There are as many styles of jacket as there are stars, which makes looking good easy. From Marlon Brando to Keanu Reeves, leather jackets have been a part of some of the most incredible looking costumes ever. So, here is our list of some of the most iconic leather coats and jackets in Hollywood history.

Marlon Brando In The Wild One

This list wouldn't be complete without including the O.G. leather look on Marlon Brando in The Wild One. The 1953 film about a biker gang was not only a big hit in theaters, but it was a huge influence on society. From the outlaw biker gangs who took inspiration from the look to regular folks who saw the leather jackets as the coolest of cool.

Wesley Snipes In Blade

Wesley Snipes is the coolest-looking superhero in Blade with his iconic look in leather and sunglasses. Everything about the costume and the character oozes cool and defines Blade's renegade nature.

Arnold Schwarzenegger In The Terminator Movies

Leather jackets definitely provide a look for someone to say "Don't mess with me," and nowhere is this more true in Hollywood than when Arnold Schwarzenegger wears one in the Terminator movies. Starting with the first movie, he's usually seen in one and you definitely don't want to mess with him.

Rooney Mara In The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Leather jackets have always been a symbol of rebelliousness in Hollywood. In The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, it's the perfect look for Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) to portray both her anti-social nature and her tough exterior. You can't imagine wearing anything else.

John Travolta In Saturday Night Fever

In the 1970s, no one was cooler than John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. The strut, the hair, the dancing, and the leather jacket all made that possible. The look is so iconic that people are still imitating it today, five decades later.

Carrie-Anne Moss In The Matrix Movies

It's safe to say that The Matrix movies would not be the same if the characters were dressed in anything but the coolest and toughest-looking leather jackets and coats. From Neo to Morpheus to, of course, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in her amazing looking long leather coat. It's just such an amazing bit of costume.

Brad Pitt In Fight Club

Not every leather jacket has to be black to look completely awesome. Tyler Durden's reddish-brown jacket in Fight Club has become one of the most famous looks in Hollywood. Of course, it's easy for Brad Pitt to pull off almost any look, but he might just look his coolest in Fight Club.

Hugh Jackman In The X-Men Films

Leather jackets have been used a lot over the years to depict both heroes and anti-heroes. Nowhere is this more clear than on Logan aka Wolverine, as depicted by Hugh Jackman in the X-Men and now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Logan is anti-social to an extreme and his leather jacket definitely indicates that you don't want to pick a fight with him.

Olivia Newton-John In Grease

The costumes in Grease are amazing. Of course, the T-Birds' jackets are fantastic, but it's the leather jacket that Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) dons in the last act that looks the most amazing. She completely changes her look and the jacket is what inspires the whole thing.

Keanu Reaves In The John Wick Movies

Keanu Reaves loves to wear leather in his movies, but the brown leather jacket in the first John Wick movie is probably the coolest. It's great because it's cool as heck, but it's not too over the top for the retired assassin. It makes John Wick seem normal, yet completely cool and ready for anything.

Eddie Murphy In Raw

In his standup movie Raw, Eddie Murphy takes the cool leather look to the next level. Not only does he have an amazing purple leather jacket, he compliments it with matching leather pants. It wasn't the first time he wore a leather outfit on stage, he wore a similar red one in his first standup movie, Delirious, but the purple one in Raw tops the red one in every way.

Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds

Dangerous Minds isn't the best movie in Michelle Pfeiffer's filmography, despite having an amazing soundtrack, but for an actress who had a whole bunch of iconic looks in the '80s and '90s, her jeans and leather jacket look in the movie is one of the most memorable. It's a costume that tells you so much about the character without saying a word.

Steve McQueen In The Great Escape

It's hard to argue that Steve McQueen isn't one of the coolest stars in Hollywood history. Of course, you can earn that kind of praise without at least one leather jacket. In The Great Escape, McQueen's brown leather bomber jacket is the epitome of cool. Even when he is covered in dirt, he looks great, but it's when he's wearing the jacket that he looks his best.

Tom Cruise In Top Gun

In the '80s, there was no movie cooler than Top Gun and there was no cooler character than Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise. The leather bomber jacket Cruise wore in the movie became so iconic and such a key characteristic of the role that when Top Gun: Maverick released its first teaser, the jacket was a big part of it.

Harrison Ford In Raiders Of The Lost Ark

There is something about a distressed leather jacket that brings authenticity to a character that few other costume pieces can. Nowhere in film history is this more true than with Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in all of the Indiana Jones movies. The jacket, along with the hat and the whip, completely define the character in every way. Is there any other kind of jacket you could ever see Indy wearing? Of course not.

Uma Thurman In Kill Bill

There are a lot things that make Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill cool, but Uma Thurman's yellow leather motorcycle jacket tops the list. It's become an iconic costume over the years, and while not everyone could pull off the look, Thurman certainly does and everyone loves it.

Mel Gibson In The Mad Max Movies

As distressed leather jackets go, Mel Gibson's in the Mad Max movies is among the best looking. Looking into a dystopian future, it makes complete sense that leather jackets would still be part of the fashion. They are almost indestructible and have that classic look that almost no other piece of clothing has.

Joey Lauren Adams In Chasing Amy

This one flies a little bit under the radar, but it's an amazing look and deserves to be on this list. Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) in Chasing Amy has a lot of "rock and roll" to her style and nothing says rock star like leather.

Samuel L. Jackson In The MCU

As Deadpool asks in the post-credits scene in the original Deadpool movie, "Did you expect Samuel L. Jackson in a saucy leather number?" Well, yes, frankly we might have, since Jackson, playing the cooler-than-cool Nick Fury often shows up in a fantastic-looking leather jacket in the MCU. It is something we expect (even if Deadpool wasn't in the MCU at the time).

Tom Hardy In The Dark Knight Rises

Great Villains are often in leather. In The Dark Knight Rises Bane wears one of the greatest leather coats ever. The fur-lined brown leather number is perfect for his character and it's a look that not every villain could pull off, but Bane (Tom Hardy) certainly does.

Halle Berry In Die Another Day

Halle Berry has a few iconic outfits in the Pierce Brosnan-led James Bond film Die Another Day and while her bikini may be the most famous, the red leather jacket she wears for a lot of the movie is one heck of a look too. Sure, the movie isn't the best Brosnan-era Bond film, but you can't deny how great Berry looks in her costumes.

James Dean In Rebel Without A Cause

Seven decades after his death in 1955, James Dean is still the epitome of cool. Though he only starred in three movies, his impact on pop culture is immense. His red leather jacket in Rebel Without A Cause is one reason why. Because Dean's career was so brief, we don't have a lot of "looks" from him, making the jacket that much more iconic.

Kurt Russell In Escape From New York

If you want to look cool and look like you just don't care about anything, a distressed leather jacket can tell a lot of people just how you feel without saying a word. Take the look of Snake Pilsson (Kurt Russell) in Escape From New York. Has anyone ever looked tougher, cooler, and more aloof in an action film? No, not really.

Sigourney Weaver In Aliens

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is one of the most amazing characters in action movie history. Of course, that means she must look cool as heck in leather, and she does in Aliens. It's not her most iconic look, but come on, you can't deny how awesome it is.

Tom Cruise In Mission: Impossible

Let's be honest, Tom Cruise always looks good in a nice leather jacket, but if you're ranking his costumes by how good looking they are, the jacket he wears in the first Mission: Impossible is at the top. When he is doing his sleight of hand with the disc with the NOC list on it while wearing the jacket is one of the best non-action scenes in the whole series.

Peter Fonda And Dennis Hopper In Easy Rider

If you wanted to be a rebellious hippie in the late 1960s, a leather jacket was a good place to start with your look. Especially if you were on a motorcycle like Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in Easy Rider. Fonda has a more traditional biker look with his black leather jacket, but Hopper's character goes for a sweet suede jacket with some awesome fringe. Both look amazing.

Anne Hathaway In Get Smart

Get Smart might not be the best movie that Anne Hathaway has ever been in, but her white leather coat looks fantastic in it. It's not the only time Hathaway has shown up in an iconic leather look, who could ever forget her look in The Dark Knight Rises, it is a unique look that you don't see in a lot of movies. Of course, she completely pulls it off.

Matt Dillon In The Outsiders

The greasers in The Outsiders are mostly known for their jean jackets, but one greaser, Dally (Matt Dillion) wears a leather jacket and he looks exactly the part in it. It's not the cleanest jacket in the world, we wouldn't expect it to be, but man it looks so cool!

Laurence Fishburne In The Matrix

Like many of the characters in The Matrix, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) looks totally iconic in his leather duster. Sure it's not a "jacket," but there was no way we could leave it off of this list!

Jon Voight In Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy is a little bit of a forgotten movie these days, but it was a massive hit when it was released. Those who know, know. Jon Voight's suede jacket with the long fringe isn't a look everyone can pull off, and even in the movie it's not always the best look, but looking back, it's safe to say it belongs on this list as one of the best in Hollywood history.

Jason Momoa In Fast X

It's not hard for Jason Momoa to look cool, I think we can all agree. Still, in Fast X, that black and white snakeskin-looking leather jacket is simply amazing. It's not a look that anyone can pull off, in fact, many would look ridiculous in it, but not Momoa, not by a longshot.

Emma Stone In La La Land

Red leather is a fantastic look, though not everyone looks good in it. Emma Stone in La La Land isn't just anyone though. Stone just looks fantastic in the jacket and it, along with all the others on this list, has become iconic.

A little over a decade ago, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel soared into theaters, marking the beginning of the DC Extended Universe. The reaction to Snyder’s 2013 take on Superman was ultimately polarizing, though the film has amassed quite a following in the years since its release. Joining former Supes actor Henry Cavill were talented actors like Amy Adams and Michael Shannon. Laurence Fishburne was also a part of that ensemble, playing Daily Planet chief Perry White. Now, years later, Fishburne is taking some time to reflect on his role in the comic book movie.

What Did Laurence Fishburne Say About His Work On Man Of Steel?

It goes without saying that the School Daze star is one of cinema’s most prolific actors. However, it’s also fair to say that he probably wasn’t the first actor that came to mind when it came to Perry White, given that the character had historically been depicted as being Caucasian. Nevertheless, Zack Snyder saw fit to cast the African American actor as the grouchy, yet lovable, newsman. While promoting his 2024 movie release, Slingshot, Laurence Fishburne spoke with THR and reflected on MoS. His sentiments suggest that he has nothing but fondness for his time playing Perry:

His performance as Perry White was mostly well received by fans, and he later reprised the role in 2016’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which was defended from critics by the Perry portrayer Ultimately, the A-lister’s tenure as White would end there as, in 2018, he clarified his DCEU future, saying that he didn’t believe he was “still on call.” From there, the Apocalypse Now alum went on to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Dr. Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp and appearing as Foster again via the animated show What If…?

While Laurence Fishburne’s tenure as Perry may have ended somewhat unceremoniously, his work certainly isn’t forgotten. I’m also pleased to see that the 63-year-old actor still takes such pride in having been at the forefront of nontraditional casting in superhero media. Needless to say, his performance as Mr. White was followed by plenty of other creative casting choices.

Other Notable Stars Have Since Played Altered Versions Of Famous Comic Book Characters

Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry and more appeared in race-bent roles years before Man of Steel introduced a Black Perry White. Still, one could argue that Laurence Fishburne’s casting ushered in a new era in which producers seemed more willing to cast stars of different ethnicities in traditionally white roles.

On the DC side of this, in 2014 The CW’s The Flash debuted Candice Patton as the titular hero’s love interest, Iris West. Zack Snyder would go in a similar route when tapping Kiersey Clemons to play Iris in Justice League, and she reprised the role in 2023’s The Flash. Of course, Snyder also hired Jason Momoa, who's of Pacific Islander descent to play Aquaman. More recently, Batman: Caped Crusader introduced an Asian Harley Quinn, and Jamie Chung in the role.

As for Marvel, Michael B. Jordan was cast to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch in 2015’s Fantastic Four, while fellow 20th Century Fox production Deadpool 2 featured Zazie Beetz in the role of Domino. One particularly major milestone was the hiring of Zendaya to play Michelle Jones or “MJ” in Marvel Studios and Sony’s Spider-Man trilogy. The actress may not have played Mary Jane proper, but the fact that she still served as a variant of the iconic heroine was still very notable.

To bring all of this full circle, James Gunn’s Superman will also feature a Black iteration of Perry White. Veteran actor Wendell Pierce has been cast in the key role and, thus far, most of the responses to his casting have been positive. So, keeping everything in mind, Laurence Fishburne should be proud for (in some ways) helping to set the tone in this acting arena. Here’s hoping that the beloved star continues to thrive not just in general but within the superhero genre, too.

Man of Steel is available to stream with a Max subscription and, using that same membership, you can stream the DC movies in order. Also, be aware that Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11 as part of the 2025 movie schedule.

Sometimes, all it takes is one joint appearance in a movie or television show for two popular actors to become known as an acting duo, and sometimes they prove to work so well together that they go on to star in even more projects together. We’ve come up with a list of 32 acting duos who have worked together multiple times, so you can see if you’ve watched all of the times these talented stars have been on screen with each other.

Tina Fey And Amy Poehler

Obviously, this funny duo began their most famed time together while starring on Saturday Night Live, but Tina Fey and Amy Poehler didn’t let the good times end there. The women were both in Mean Girls, starred in the movies Baby Mama and Sisters, and used their talents to great effect when co-hosting the Golden Globe Awards for several years.

Robert De Niro And Al Pacino

Two legendary actors make for a legendary acting duo, and while Robert De Niro and Al Pacino are frequently mentioned in the same breath, they’ve only been featured in four films together. Two of those movies, however, are absolutely the reason people often talk about them together as they count The Godfather Part II, Heat, Righteous Kill and The Irishman as their joint efforts.

Julia Roberts And George Clooney

Now, these two actually have made quite a few movies with one another, and largely with both in on-screen roles. Of course, it’s hard to forget that George Clooney and Julia Roberts are in all three of the Ocean’s Eleven films, but they’ve also starred in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (which Clooney also directed), Money Monster and the 2022 rom-com Ticket to Paradise. The erstwhile Danny Ocean also produced August: Osage County, while Roberts starred.

Jane Fonda And Lily Tomlin

Frequently we see an acting duo together multiple times because they really are buddies in real life, and that’s true for Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. After first starring together in the 1980 hit 9 to 5 (with Dolly Parton, of course) they eventually re-teamed for the Netflix series Grace and Frankie (which ran for seven seasons), as well as the dark comedy Moving On and 80 for Brady.

Emma Stone And Ryan Gosling

This duo has produced some well-known and beloved comedies and dramas over the years, as Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling first starred together in Crazy, Stupid, Love in 2011, moving on to Gangster Squad in 2013 and the Oscar-winning musical La La Land in 2016. Stone even once said she couldn’t “imagine” her life without Gosling, so these two will probably be friends forever.

Salma Hayek And Antonio Banderas

Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas sharing the screen in Desperado caused considerable heat, along with igniting a very real friendship, so it’s no surprise that they’ve now worked together a number of times. They’ve also been in the casts of Four Rooms, Frida, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Spy Kids 3: Game Over, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard and both Puss in Boots animated movies. That’s a lot!

Dwayne Johnson And Kevin Hart

We’ve already born witness to a rather lengthy history of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart ripping on each other during their (apparently) laugh and roast-filled friendship, and the two megastars have, indeed, brought that chemistry to the big screen multiple times. The duo counts Central Intelligence, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its sequel, Hobbs & Shaw and DC League of Super-Pets as the titles they’ve appeared in together.

Matt Damon And Ben Affleck

If this isn’t a classic acting duo by now, there are none. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been “bizarrely close” friends since childhood, and they first joined forces to great effect by penning and starring in Good Will Hunting (after having both appeared in School Ties), which won them the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. They also worked on Dogma in the 1990s, then, after nearly 25 years, they joined forces again to write and star in The Last Duel, and since then have also worked together on Air and the upcoming RIP for Netflix.

Denzel Washington And Don Cheadle

If only these two powerhouse stars had already been in more movies together…Denzel Washington and Don Cheadle’s first pairing was as P.I. Easy Rawlins and his loyal but unpredictable friend, Mouse, in 1995’s Devil in a Blue Dress. While their work in the film garnered critical acclaim, it would be over 15 years before they teamed again for Flight.

Sanaa Lathan And Taye Diggs

We should never underestimate the power of a franchise when it comes to popular on-screen pairings. Sanaa Lathan and Taye Diggs appeared in The Wood together in 1999 and then went on to star in The Best Man, its sequel and the Peacock mini-series, The Best Man: The Final Chapters. The duo also played the lead couple in the rom-com, Brown Sugar in 2002.

Scarlett Johansson And Chris Evans

Co-starring in a franchise with the same people will take an acting duo far, but Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans have surpassed even the typical standard where that’s concerned. Thanks to their joint time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they’ve appeared in a whopping seven movies together (including their mid-end credits cameo in Captain Marvel), and prior to their time as blockbuster movie-making superheroes they starred in The Perfect Score and The Nanny Diaries, bringing their current total to nine.

Anthony Mackie And Chris Evans

If you did enjoy many of those MCU movies, then you know that Chris Evans rubbed elbows with Anthony Mackie quite a bit there. But, did you also know that the two have been in XX non-Marvel movies together? Playing It Cool, What’s Your Number, and Ghosted also star/feature both actors and if you add in all their shared time in tights on screen, their total is also at nine.

Emily Blunt And Dwayne Johnson

The first time was a hit, so why not join forces again, right? Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson famously delivered winning chemistry in Jungle Cruise, and are coming back together for the upcoming drama The Smashing Machine. The two are also said to be willing to return for Jungle Cruise 2, whenever that can finally get off the ground.

Chris Pine And Ben Foster

The third time has been the charm so far for Chris Pine and Ben Foster. The duo famously portrayed bank-robbing brothers in Hell or High Water, joined up for The Finest Hours, and made it a three-peat in 2022 for The Contractor.

Margot Robbie And Will Smith

If it seemed that there could have been a little something extra going on between Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Will Smith’s Deadshot when you watched 2016’s Suicide Squad, then it might have been because you picked up on the chemistry the duo first built in Focus from the year before.

Margot Robbie And Brad Pitt

This big screen coupling made quite a showing for themselves across less than a decade, as Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt have starred in The Big Short, Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood and Babylon. 

Margot Robbie And Leonardo DiCaprio

Just imagine, had it not been for this pairing, we might not have the megastar who is Barbie actor/producer Margot Robbie right now. Her role in Wolf of Wall Street as the second wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s corrupt fraudster propelled her career, and by the time they starred in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood together Robbie was a major star.

Halle Berry And Hugh Jackman

We, again, have a superhero franchise to thank for bringing two great talents together, as Oscar winner Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman both have four of the X-Men movies among their credits. The duo also starred in Swordfish and Movie 43.

Awkwafina And Michelle Yeoh

This duo counts two megahits in their joint credits, with Awkwafina and Everything Everywhere All At Once Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh both having starred in Crazy Rich Asians (and we’re still waiting for that rom-com sequel) and the MCU entry Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Michelle Yeoh And Jackie Chan

Michelle Yeoh has been a star for several decades, and part of that reason is because of her breakout role in the 1992’s Supercop, which also starred Jackie Chan. But, they’ve made a number of other films with each other, including Supercop 2, and Hong Kong action films Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars, Project S, and both voiced characters in Kung Fu Panda 2, along with having starred in a 1984 watch commercial together.

Angela Bassett And Laurence Fishburne

While Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne were famously nominated for Oscars for their lead roles as Tina Turner and Ike Turner in 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do with It?, the duo was actually first together on screen for Boyz n the Hood in ‘91. They then later teamed up for Akeela and the Bee in 2006.

Julia Roberts And Richard Gere

If this isn’t a famous acting duo, then none are, despite their only making two movies with each other. Of course, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere starred in the mega-hit classic rom-com Pretty Woman and teamed up again for Runaway Bride in 1999.

Jennifer Aniston And Jason Bateman

For a while there, Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman, who are friends in real life, were kinda on a roll. Their first joint film was The Break-Up in 2006, and since then they’ve filmed four additional movies with one another: The Switch, Horrible Bosses and its sequel, and 2016’s Office Christmas Party.

Kate Hudson And Matthew McConaughey

Who can forget the glorious chemistry created by Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey in How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days? No one, that’s who! This is why they made a second rom-com, Fool’s Gold, just five years later.

Kirsten Dunst And Jesse Plemons

It’s not unusual for an acting duo to become friends in real life, but Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons took that a few steps further after working on the TV series Fargo together. Not only have they since starred in the film The Power of the Dog (which netted each their first Oscar nomination) and the A24 drama Civil War, but they married in 2022 and have two sons.

Meg Ryan And Tom Hanks

We could hardly leave Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks off of this list, as the famed actors have co-starred in two of the biggest romantic comedies of all time. Everyone knows them for making Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail hits, but before all of that, they led one of the weirder rom-coms made with Joe Versus the Volcano, and reunited for the 2016 drama Ithaca, which Ryan directed.

Drew Barrymore And Adam Sandler

People often mention Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler as an acting duo they want to see more of and with good reason. The two have made magic in the classics The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates and Blended.

Adam Sandler And Chris Rock

This pairing goes back decades, to the time when Adam Sandler and Chris Rock starred on Saturday Night Live together in the ‘90s. Since then, the real-life buddies have appeared in seven movies together, with The Longest Yard, Grown Ups and its sequel, The Week Of and Top Five counted among that number.

George Clooney And Brad Pitt

Of course, George Clooney and Brad Pitt helped to make the Ocean’s Eleven franchise a hit, but the friends additionally teamed up for the live TV movie 8, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (which Clooney directed), Burn After Reading and the 2024 films If and Wolfs.

Keegan-Michael Key And Jordan Peele

The duo of Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who first became recognizable during their time on MadTV, eventually went on to their own acclaimed sketch comedy series, Key and Peele. But, while making names for themselves on other series and in a number of movies, they continue to work with one another on projects like Keanu, Toy Story 4 and Wendell & Wild.

Awkwafina And Simu Liu

It was the MCU that first brought Awkwafina and Simu Liu together in the hit film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and while we’re still waiting to see when that franchise will bring them back together, 2024 saw them team up again for the action comedy, Jackpot!.

Jane Fonda And Robert Redford

Dedicated film fans probably know that legends Jane Fonda and Robert Redford starred together in Barefoot in the Park and The Electric Horseman, but their joint movie appearances do go beyond that. They also starred in The Chase in ‘66 and reunited for Our Souls at Night in 2017, and both had their film debuts in 1960’s Tall Story.

As you can see, film history is packed with acting duos who’ve worked together more than once, and that will probably always be the case.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scarlett Johansson Is Heading Up An Already Impressive Cast

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

Scarlett Johansson (Character TBA)

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

Diane Lane (Character TBA)

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

Jacobi Jupe (Character TBA)

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

Chiwetel Ejiofor (Character TBA)

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

Laurence Fishburne (Character TBA)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A New Production Start Is Now Set In Stone

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

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

Of all the mysteries of life, one that continues to confound us is what, exactly, lies beyond our planet. After thousands of years of peering into outer space as far as we could, we began to look for those answers in a very concrete way by sending people to the stars, and our movies have reflected our desire to know more, meaning that a number of humanity’s biggest and brightest stars have played space-faring individuals on screen. Here for you now are 32 famous actors who’ve played astronauts.

Sandra Bullock (Gravity)

Let’s start with one of the more harrowing views of space travel, Gravity, which garnered a number of Academy Award wins after its 2013 release. Sandra Bullock stars as Dr. Ryan Stone, who’s on her first space mission in order to help upgrade a telescope. But, things very quickly go wrong when she’s doing a spacewalk, and debris from a recently deactivated satellite hits the shuttle and leaves her stranded with many of her crew dead, Ryan floating through space, and desperate to find a way back to earth all on her own.

Brad Pitt (Ad Astra)

A space trip that doesn’t go too much better involves Brad Pitt’s Roy McBride in 2019’s Ad Astra. When Roy is tasked with traveling to Mars to see if the crew of a mission that was searching for other intelligent life, which was led 29 years earlier by his father, is still alive, he’s unwittingly thrust into a situation that’s far more dangerous than even standard space travel is known to be.

Ryan Reynolds (Life)

Noted comedic actor and big-screen superhero talent Ryan Reynolds has also donned a space suit for the very much not comedic Life, a 2017 ode to terror in space. After a probe returns to the International Space Station with soil samples from Mars, what is at first a dormant cell quickly turns into, well, life, and begins to cause a lot of horrific trouble for Reynolds’ engineer and the rest of the crew.

Halle Berry (Moonfall)

If you’re starting to sense a theme here, that outer space is dangerous, congratulations, because you really are paying attention. In the sci-fi disaster epic, Moonfall, Halle Berry’s NASA deputy director has to investigate when the moon begins to leave its orbit and come closer to Earth, threatening all of civilization. When she digs deeper into the mystery, however, she finds a government cover-up that goes back many decades and is forced to head back into space with a small crew to take care of the growing problem herself.

Michael Peña (A Million Miles Away)

Considering the incredible number of films we have where those who head into space are prominent characters, there are actually relatively few based on the lives of real people. A Million Miles Away stars Michael Peña as José M. Hernández, a Mexican-American engineer who served as a migrant worker when he was a child and went on to become an astronaut who worked aboard the International Space Station.

Viola Davis (Solaris)

There are many sci-fi films of the mind-trip variety and Solaris is no different. Viola Davis portrays one of the last surviving members of a space station crew orbiting the titular alien world, who must then try to help George Clooney’s visiting psychologist understand the truly strange phenomena that led to the death or disappearance of most of the crew. If you enjoy a twisty ending that leaves you with lots of questions, you’ll enjoy this one.

Mark Wahlberg (Planet Of The Apes)

You know this story; you love this story. Planet of the Apes saw Mark Wahlberg take over the role of an astronaut who crashes on a foreign planet, only to find that apes are now the dominant species, while humans are mostly without speech and used as slave labor. 

Chris Evans (Sunshine)

And here we have yet another space movie where a mission does not quite go as planned. Sunshine features stars like Cillian Murphy, Michelle Yeoh and a pre-Captain America Chris Evans as the crew of a ship that’s been tasked with traveling to our dying sun to deliver a bomb in the hopes of reigniting it so that our planet can avoid another catastrophic ice age.

Adam Driver (65)

Ever wonder what Earth was like about 65 million years ago when dinosaurs still ruled the land? Well, that’s what alien astronaut Mills (Adam Driver) accidentally finds out when his ship is struck by a large field of asteroids and crashes on our planet, leading him to have to protect the only other survivor as they flee many dangerous beasts in an attempt to get to a faraway escape pod so they can return home.

Sigourney Weaver (Alien)

It’s possible we’d have far fewer of these “if it can go wrong on a space mission it will” science fiction films without what many consider one of the best horror movies of all time, Alien. The classic stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of a seven-person crew who unknowingly stumble upon the ultra-dangerous xenomorphs that would go on to become legendary in sci-fi horror, which quickly leads to pretty much nothing but increasingly bad times on their doomed mission.

Tom Hanks (Apollo 13)

We’ve hit upon another story based on some real-life adventures! In Apollo 13, Tom Hanks stars as Commander Jim Lovell who, along with Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert (Kevin Bacon) and Lunar Module Pilot Fred Haise (Bill Paxton), board their 1970 mission to the moon in order to become the third American crew to land there. However, trouble starts almost immediately.

Natalie Portman (Lucy In The Sky)

While not completely a true life story, 2019’s Lucy in the Sky is billed as being “loosely inspired” by the life of NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak. The plot concerns Natalie Portman’s Lucy, who has just returned from her first space mission, which had such a huge impact on her that she no longer feels connected to her family or life here. As she pushes herself to return on the next mission, she undergoes a mental breakdown that sends her life into a tailspin.

Glen Powell (Hidden Figures)

While the amazing biopic, Hidden Figures, focuses on three Black women (Katherine Goble Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe) who worked as NASA mathematicians during the height of the Space Race in the 1960s, we do still get an astronaut in this film. Twisters star Glen Powell plays John Glenn, who became the first American in orbit in 1962.

Robert Pattinson (High Life)

You’d think a movie called High Life would finally focus on some good times in space, but…nahhhhh. Robert Pattinson is a member of a crew of convicts on death row who’ve been sent to retrieve energy from a black hole, with the experiments of their commander leading to a child being born on board while crew members spiral out of control.

Tom Cruise (Oblivion)

Tom Cruise’s 2013 film, Oblivion, features him in a twisty plot that involves a post-apocalyptic Earth, evil A.I., even more evil aliens, and his character trying to figure out exactly what’s going on with his assigned mission. This is a good one that people hardly ever talk about.

Jodie Foster (Contact)

Based on the 1985 novel by Carl Sagan, Contact stars Academy Award winner Jodie Foster as a scientist who specializes in the search for extraterrestrial life, and finds a big clue toward that goal when she locates a radio signal that appears to be sent from a distant star, and is eventually chosen as the person to make first contact with the alien race behind the signal. Contact is an amazing film that is a must-see for sci-fi and space movie lovers.

Colin Farrell (Voyagers)

This movie is a real (space) trip. Voyagers stars Colin Farrell as the leader of a crew of very young adults who were bred away from humanity and had some of their hormones and emotions suppressed in the hope of keeping them manageable. But, when two of the crew realize what’s been done to them and convince everyone to stop taking the chemical, well, the proceedings get extremely emotional and tension doesn't let up for quite some time.

Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar)

By now, it’s probably pretty clear that our idea of space travel and exploration is mainly one of danger, especially from the unknown, and Christopher Nolan’s wildly successful Interstellar is certainly another addition to the film canon that shows us that. In it, Matthew McConaughey plays a former NASA test pilot who’s chosen to lead a mission through a wormhole that is hoped to lead to at least one habitable planet for humanity, which is dealing with a global famine that’s threatening an extinction event. 

Idris Elba (Prometheus)

Those Alien xenomorphs just won’t leave us alone, will they? In Prometheus, we get their origin story as a crew following an ancient star map searches for the beginnings of humanity, but instead finds…you know, a secret plot and lots of terror. Idris Elba portrays Janek, the heroic captain of the doomed spaceship.

Adam Sandler (Spaceman)

If you’ve ever gotten the sense that space travel can be kind of lonely, Adam Sandler’s Spaceman turns that idea up to 11. His astronaut is six months into a solo mission that sees him missing his wife and the unborn child he left behind, when he realizes he has a stowaway: an alien creature who can communicate telepathically with him, and seeks to understand humans while helping alleviate the astronaut’s loneliness.

Ryan Gosling (First Man)

This biographical drama sees Ryan Gosling play Neil Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the moon in 1969. The story follows Armstrong, his wife Janet (Claire Foy), and other astronauts and NASA figures as they prepare for the famed Apollo 11 mission that led to Armstrong making history.

Angela Bassett (Supernova)

Even two-time Oscar nominee Angela Bassett has taken a turn at playing a space explorer whose time there does not go as planned. When she and her crew answer a distress call from thousands of light years away during their deep space mission, things go from bad to worse at, well, the speed of light.

Matt Damon (The Martian)

Matt Damon famously starred in one of the best sci-fi movies of all time, playing astronaut Mark Watney, who’s forced to survive on Mars alone after being accidentally left behind when he’s presumed dead by the rest of his crew as they’re forced to evacuate. 

Bruce Willis (Armageddon)

Possibly the best non-traditional astronaut movie ever made, Armageddon stars good guy Bruce Willis as an oil driller recruited to go into space with a team of his mean so that they drill into a massive asteroid, implant a nuke in it and blow it up in the hope of stopping it from destroying the planet and human civilization as we know it. I got excited just writing that!

Laurence Fishburne (Event Horizon)

In space, no one can hear you scream. Unless you’re on a spaceship with other people that’s destined to run into loads of trouble, then, you know, all of those people will probably be able to hear you. There’s lots of screaming in 1997’s Event Horizon, which stars Laurence Fishburne as the captain of a rescue ship that goes to answer a distress call sent by a ship that disappeared several years prior. There’s a vivisection in this one. I’m starting to think we should just leave space alone.

Robert Duvall (Deep Impact)

You must remember Deep Impact, as it was released about two months before the more popular Armageddon, but featured a comet being on a collision course with our precious homeworld. Robert Duvall plays the pilot for the crew that’s dispatched to (you guessed it) drill into the comet and nuke it to smithereens. The mission does not go off without a hitch, and that’s why they call this a disaster movie.

Ethan Hawke (Gattaca)

In a society where most babies are created with genetic altering to make sure they have only the best traits of each parent, a man (Ethan Hawke) who was born without that practice poses as a man who was altered so that he can reach his dream of becoming an astronaut without all of the discrimination that people like him suffer in a society where people are expected to be “perfect” to have the best opportunities in life.

Sam Rockwell (Moon)

Ok, so maybe being in space, in general, isn’t always terrible. But it definitely seems like being alone in space for an extended period could be a bad sign for your future. Such is the case with Moon, where Sam Rockwell plays the lone human operating a mining facility on the titular celestial body, who comes to a startling revelation as he nears the end of his three-year work term.

Clint Eastwood (Space Cowboys)

Clint Eastwood has portrayed a number of (basically) good guys, so it makes complete sense that he would have stepped into the shoes of an Air Force pilot who retired long ago, but ends up leading a mission of other retired pilots to fix an old Soviet communications satellite that’s in danger of crashing to Earth.

Liv Tyler (Space Station 76)

As you’ve likely noticed, there are not a lot of comedies among this bunch, but Space Station 76 is definitely one of them. This “retro-futuristic” parody stars Liv Tyler as the newly arrived station’s co-pilot, who soon comes to realize that the apparently utopian lives of those on board are hiding some very real problems.

Alan Rickman (Galaxy Quest)

Here is another comedy that’s been a cult hit pretty much since its release in 1999. Galaxy Quest focuses on the cast of a fictional Star Trek-like series who are pulled into a hilariously real war between alien races, when the kind, gentle aliens have seen their show and believe it’s a documentary.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (The Cloverfield Paradox)

The Cloverfield franchise grew with this 2018 entry, which stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw as an engineer aboard an orbiting space station where the plan is to test a particle accelerator in the hope of using it to provide the planet with infinite energy. You know what happens, right? Things don’t go as planned.

Many of our finest actors have pretended to travel in space for our entertainment, and this list gives you a number of amazing options should you decide to launch an astronaut movie binge session.

The top actors in Hollywood make a lot of money, but anyone will tell you that the real money is in production. That means that many of the biggest stars in the world have formed their own companies to produce both their own films and other projects that interest them. 

Often, these company names and logos appear at the beginning of the movies, along with larger, more recognizable studios like Paramount and Disney. Here is a list of many of the actors with their own production companies, along with the name of the company to look out for. 

Jordan Peele - Monkeypaw Productions

Jordan Peele has become one of the most exciting and interesting directors and producers in recent years. His Monkeypaw Productions has produced or co-produced his own movies, like Get Out, Us, and Nope, as well as other films like Spike Lee's BlacKkKlansman, and Adamma Ebo's Honk For Jesus, Save Your Soul.

Tom Hanks - Playtone

Tom Hanks' Playtone has been wildly successful on the big and small screens. With movies starring Hanks like Cast Away, Charlie Wilson's Way, The Polar Express, and Greyhound, as well as films not starring him, like Mamma Mia and its sequel, the company keeps winning. It has also hit it big on TV with shows like Band of Brothers, The Pacific, and John Adams on HBO, and the CNN series about each decade of the last 60 years. 

Elizabeth Banks - Brownstone Productions

Elizabeth Banks has been on a hot streak with her company Brownstone Productions. It's most notable for the Pitch Perfect franchise, but the company has also co-produced movies like 2019's Charlie's Angels, and that surprise 2023 hit about a bear that gets into something it should not have in the woods, with scary (and hilarious) results. 

Reese Witherspoon - Pacific Standard

When Reese Witherspoon started Pacific Standard in 2012, she did so with the express purpose of highlighting and producing projects with strong female leads, crews, and topics. So far, it's been a huge success with films like Gone Girl and Wild, as well as TV shows like The Morning Show, and Big Little Lies. 

Adam Sandler - Happy Madison Productions

Adam Sandler movies are not for everyone, but wow, do they make him a lot of money through his company, Happy Madison. Though the two films it's named after Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison were not his productions, almost everything he's been in since 2000 is, and it continues to make a ton of money for the actor. The company has even dabbled in TV, most notably with The Goldbergs.

Drew Barrymore - Flower Films

Drew Barrymore's company, Flower Films, has produced or co-produced a ton of movies since she founded it in 1999. With movies like Donnie Darko, 50 First Dates, Fever Pitch, and the Charlie's Angels franchise, it is safe to assume Barrymore has made a pretty penny. Of course, it also produces her daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show. 

Queen Latifah - Flavor Unit Entertainment

Queen Latifah's Flavor Unit Entertainment started out producing movies with moderate budgets that she starred in, like The Cookout and Beauty Shop, but these days, it's been successful on TV with her show, The Equalizer.

George Clooney - Smokehouse Pictures

Smokehouse Pictures is the second company founded by George Clooney after he shut down Section Eight Productions in 2006. Most movies he's starred in or directed since 2008 have been produced under the Smokehouse banner, including Leatherheads, Monuments Men, and The Boys In The Boat, plus other projects like Ocean's 8 and Argo.

Sandra Bullock - Fortus Films

Sandra Bullock may not be acting as much these days, but her production company, Fortus Films, is still humming along. Through the company, Bullock has produced movies like Miss Congeniality and its sequel, Two Weeks Notice, and The Lost City.

Courteney Cox - Coquette Productions

Friends star Courteney Cox and her ex-husband David Arquette started Coquette Productions together in 2004. The business relationship continued after the couple split six years later, though they haven't actually produced much in recent years. 

Brad Pitt - Plan B Entertainment

Plan B Entertainment was started by Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, and producer Brad Grey in 2001. In 2004, Pitt and Grey bought Aniston out in the midst of her split from Pitt. Since then, the company has gone on to major success, with three of its movies, The Departed, 12 Years a Slave and Moonlight all winning Best Picture Oscars, with seven others receiving nominations for the award. 

Sterling K. Brown - Indian Meadows Productions

This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown named his production Indian Meadows Productions after the name of the neighborhood he grew up in outside St. Louis. Though it's just getting started, there are some interesting things on the way as Brown's star continues to shine brightly. 

Margot Robbie - LuckyChap Productions

Margot Robbie may have gotten snubbed at the 2024 Oscars for Barbie, but you can be sure she wasn't snubbed out of money as one of the producers of the hit movie. Robbie's company, LuckyChap Productions, has also produced movies Robbie starred in like I, Tonya and Birds of Prey as well as other projects she didn't star in like Saltburn and Promising Young Woman.

Leonardo DiCaprio - Appian Way Productions

Leonardo DiCaprio's Appian Way Productions produced two Oscar-winners with The Aviator (which won five) and The Revenant (which won three, including Best Actor for DiCaprio). Through the company, DiCaprio not only produced feature films, but documentaries, as well. 

Nicole Kidman - Blossom Films

While Nicole Kidman's Blossom Films has dabbled in movies, most notably the 2011 rom-com Monte Carlo with Selena Gomez, it has found its biggest successes on the small screen. With shows like Big Little Lies, The Undoing, Nine Perfect Strangers, and 2024's Expats. 

Michael Douglas

Further Films, founded by Michael Douglas, doesn't have the portfolio that others may have on this list, as they seem to have found a niche in thrillers and suspense films like Swimfan, Don't Say a Word, 2017's Flatliners, and the streaming show Ratched.

Natalie Portman - Handsomecharlie Films

Natalie Portman named her company, Handsomecharlie Films, after her beloved dog, and she's put together a nice run of movies. She's produced many of her own projects, like No Strings Attached and Jane Got a Gun, as well as a surprise that she didn't star in, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. 

Eddie Murphy - Eddie Murphy Productions

Eddie Murphy started betting on himself early in his career through Eddie Murphy Productions and it has paid off, big time. Starting with Raw in 1987, the company has produced some huge movies for the legendary comedian, including Coming To America, Harlem Nights, Boomarang, The Nutty Professor, and Norbit. 

Barbra Streisand - Barwood Films

Barbra Streisand has produced many of her own projects through her company, Barwood Films. 1976's A Star Is Born, The Prince Of Tides, and Yentl are a few of the examples of her biggest successes. Barwood has also dabbled in TV movies, like the groundbreaking What Makes a Family in 2001, about a lesbian couple having a child together. 

Alec Baldwin - El Dorado Pictures

Alec Baldwin's El Dorado Pictures has been in the news a lot in recent years due to its connection to Rust and the tragic events that occurred on set. Baldwin has produced quite a few of his own projects through the company over the years and even got into the TV game show space with the revival of Match Game, which he also hosted. 

Tina Fey - Little Stranger

Tina Fey has one of the sharpest wits in Hollywood, so it's no surprise she would use those same brains to produce. From critically acclaimed movies like 2024's Mean Girls to wildly successful TV shows including 30 Rock and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Fey, and her company Little Stranger, continue to crush it. 

Laurence Fishburne - Cinema Gypsy Productions

The biggest success Laurence Fishburne and his company Cinema Gypsy Productions has seen thus far is the sitcom black-ish, but he's also produced some great movies of his own that have flown under the radar, but are worth checking out, in Five Fingers and Akeelah and the Bee.

Jodie Foster - Egg Pictures

It's no surprise that an actor and director like Jodie Foster, who has been in show business for basically all of her life, would be a producer as well. Through her Egg Pictures production company, she produced many of her own projects, starting with Nell in 1994 and Home for the Holidays in 1995. She closed the company in 2002 when she decided that producing wasn't for her. 

Clint Eastwood - Malpaso Films

Without question, one of the most successful companies on this list is Malpaso Films, founded by Clint Eastwood. It has served as the production company for almost all of the films Eastwood has directed and its history stretches back to the mid-1960s. Many of his classic films, including Unforgiven, The Bridges of Madison County, The Outlaw Josey Wales, Dirty Harry, Escape from Alcatraz, Million Dollar Baby, Sully, and many more have all been produced or co-produced by Malpaso. 

Halle Berry - 606 Films

Halle Berry's 606 Films has an interesting origin story. Though it was formed as part of her deal to star in Extant, the name has an important meaning. She named it after CA Senate Bill 606, a law intended to protect celebrities' children from the paparazzi.

It was an important issue for Berry, and when the company was formed, her partner, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, said, "606 Films is named for the anti-paparazzi bill, Senate Bill 606, which Halle fought so hard for and won, when no one believed it could be achieved. It truly informs the spirit of our company — making dreams possible, one bill at a time."

Mel Gibson - Icon Productions

Mel Gibson is not the most universally loved man in Hollywood, to be sure, but he's often bet on himself with his Icon Films, and more times than not, it's worked. Since 1989, he's financed many of his own projects completely through Icon, making movies like Hacksaw Ridge, The Passion of the Christ, and We Were Soldiers, plus co-producing maybe his most iconic movie, Braveheart. 

Salma Hayek - Ventanarosa Productions

Ventanarosa Productions, founded by Salma Hayek in 1999 has most often focused on Latin-centric projects, including Hayek's own Frida and the hit TV show, Ugly Betty. Ventanarosa also works throughout Latin America, producing Spanish-language films and TV. 

Will Smith - Overbrook Entertainment

Will Smith grew up in the West Philly neighborhood of Overbrook, which he took for the name of his production company as well, Overbrook Entertainment. Through it, Smith has produced many of his own projects, starting with Ali in 2001. King Richard, for which he infamously won the Oscar for Best Actor in 2022, was also produced by Overbrook. On the small screen, the Netflix hit Cobra Kai is an Overbrook production, as well. 

Amy Poehler - Paper Kite Productions

Amy Poehler's Paper Kite Production has dabbled in movies, but most of its success has been on TV and streaming. With shows like Russian Doll, and Broad City, you can see that Poehler likes sticking with what she knows, comedy. You might be surprised, though, that the company has also found success with reality TV and even feature length documentaries.

Danny DeVito - Jersey Films

Danny DeVito is obviously proud of his New Jersey roots, naming his production company Jersey Films. He also has to be proud of the output from the company with films like Pulp Fiction and Get Shorty. He's found a lot of success on TV too, with Reno 911! Another of Jersey's films, Erin Brockovich, was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards in 2001.

Charlize Theron - Denver And Delilah Productions

Denver and Delilah Productions' first film was Monster, starring the company's founder, Charlize Theron. That seems to have inspired a bit of a theme, as the company has produced other serial killer-related projects, like Netflix's show Mindhunters, and the HBO docuseries Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York. There are also a few non-serial killer films, like Bombshell, Atomic Blonde, and Murder Mystery.

Will Ferrell - Gary Sanchez Productions

Before Adam McKay and Will Ferrell had their falling out in 2019 and dissolved Gary Sanchez Productions, the company had been wildly successful, releasing some of the funniest movies and shows over the last couple of decades. Step Brothers, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Daddy's Home, Eastbound & Down, and Drunk History are just a few examples. Add to that a little HBO show called Succession, which has won just a few Emmys, and wow, what a success story. 

As this list shows, success as an actor often leads to success in production as well, so actors will continue to open up their own shops, and will continue to crush it, for sure. 

Thunderbolts is one of the many entries that remains on the slate of upcoming Marvel movies, and is arguably one of its most intriguing titles. Though specific plot details are limited, the ensemble is made up of a number of Marvel Cinematic Universe alums. That includes the likes of Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan, who return as Yelena Belova and Bucky Barnes, respectively. As rumors continue to swirl around the production, a new report suggests that two more familiar MCU faces will enter the fray. And I honestly love the notion of seeing these two franchise veterans again. 

The roster of stars for this MCU team-up flick is already very impressive, so any additional stars would simply be icing on the cake. So it’s incredibly exciting that Production Weekly reports that Rachel Weisz and Laurence Fishburne will be reprising their roles as Melina Vostokoff and Bill Foster, respectively. At this point, this information should be taken with a massive grain of salt, as their supposed involvement has not been confirmed by Marvel Studios, as of this writing. However, it would totally make sense for both of them to show up. 

Bill Foster first appeared in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp and was introduced as a former colleague of Michael Douglas’ Hank Pym. It was also revealed that he was the caretaker of Ava Starr/Ghost (played by Hannah John-Kamen). Considering that John-Kaman’s Ava is part of the Thunderbolts cast, Foster’s involvement would track. As for Melina Vostokoff, she debuted in 2021’s Black Widow alongside Yelena and David Harbour’s Alexei Shostakov a.k.a. Red Guardian. With the latter two characters taking center stage in the proceedings, an appearance from Melina would be reasonable. 

Laurence Fishburne and Rachel Weisz both recently appeared in their respective roles during Season 2 of the animated series What If…? (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription). However, neither has played their role in a live-action production since their franchise debuts. Both are solid characters, and I’d be eager to see what’s been going on with them since they were last seen. MCU team-up movies have a tendency to incorporate supporting players from different franchises (like Pepper Potts and Erik Selvig in The Avengers). And I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing that tradition continue.

The cast of Thunderbolts – which is set to be directed by Jake Schreier – is shaping up quite nicely. In addition to the aforementioned stars, Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), Olga Kurylenko (Taskmaster), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), Harrison Ford (Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross) and Ayo Edibiri are also in the mix. Steven Yeun was also tapped to allegedly play the Sentry, though he was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. It’s now rumored that Yeun will be replaced by Lewis Pullman of Top Gun: Maverick fame.

Like so many other high-profile productions, the superhero movie was delayed due to the Hollywood strikes in 2023. Now, production is finally set to kick off around this coming March. Sebastian Stan spoke about finally getting to work and expressed his excitement over once again playing the man formerly known as the Winter Soldier. 

I’m hopeful that the stars align so that Rachel Weisz and Laurence Fishburne are indeed among the actors who are on the set when filming gets started. Their characters likely won’t get much screen time should they actually show up. But any time we would get to spend with them would be much appreciated. 

Thunderbolts is currently set to open in theaters on July 25, 2025. While you wait for that, know that past MCU films can be streamed on Disney+. And know that the next entry in the sprawling fictional universe, Deadpool 3, opens on July 24 as part of the 2024 movie schedule.

Some movie teachers genuinely change not only the characters' lives but our lives as well. Today, we'll be talking about a specific kind of movie character – the teachers from movies that have made a real impact. Here are thirty-two fictional teachers who left their mark, whether on the character or the world. 

John Keating (Dead Poets Society)

When I think of the best fictional teachers out there, there is no one better to bring up than John Keating from Dead Poets Society. In one of his best roles, Robin Williams delivered the performance of a lifetime as John Keating and made us all want to have a teacher like him who taught us lessons and inspired us to do more in our lives. To go after what we believed in. 

Ms. Frizzle (The Magic School Bus)

As someone who grew up watching The Magic School Bus, there were many days when I wished that Ms. Frizzle was my science teacher or that science was nearly as cool as she made it out to be. With her school bus that seemed to morph into anything for her lessons, Ms. Frizzle was the teacher we all wanted, making teaching look like the adventure of a lifetime. 

Ms. Rain (Precious)

Precious is an Academy Award-winning movie about a young woman from a troubled background hoping to reroute her life, and the first person who helps Precious is Ms. Rain. Played by the incredible Paul Patton, Ms. Rain teaches Precious the essentials she needs to know. She has been an encouraging source from day one and helps her through everything. She was sweet, kind, and all Precious needed when it felt like the world had given up on her. 

Professor Stromwell (Legally Blonde)

As someone who could spend years watching the best Reese Witherspoon movies, Legally Blonde is most certainly one of them. And the best teacher in that was, hands down, Professor Stromwell. While strict at first, Elle comes to care for Professor Stromwell, as the teacher pushes her to her limits so she can be at her best. 

Mr. George Feeny (Boy Meets World)

Out of everyone, we all know Mr. George Feeney in Boy Meets World. While Feeny was a strict man, he had a heart of gold underneath his grumpy exterior and became one of the best mentors. Everyone still tears up when he says in the finale, "I love you all. Class dismissed." Jeez, I'm still getting emotional. 

Mr. Miyagi (The Karate Kid)

While not the kind of teacher you would meet in a school, Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid franchise is as much of a teacher as anyone else here. Because of his patience, diligence, and skill, he taught Daniel LaRusso the art of karate and truly made him into the man we know all these years later in Cobra Kai. His teachings live on, even if the actor who played him, Pat Morita, passed on in 2005. 

Pete Dixon (Room 222)

Room 222 was an ABC series about the life of students and teachers at a Los Angeles high school and focused on Pete Dixon's history class most of the time. Lloyd Hanes played Pete Dixon, the kind, innovative, and educational teacher who always seemed to have the best lessons for his students and viewers, especially on relevant topics at the time. The series lasted five seasons, and Pete Dixon cemented his name in history. 

Gabe Kotter (Welcome Back, Kotter)

Sitcoms were some of the biggest television shows in the 1970s and Welcome Back, Kotter was one of them, telling the story of Gabe Kotter (played by Gabe Kaplan). He's a teacher who returns to his alma mater to teach a remedial class of troubled students, but his attitude and teaching methods win him favor with the students. In the end, many of these kids end up doing so well because of him. 

Erin Gruwell (Freedom Writers)

I recall watching Freedom Writers as a kid and respecting Erin Gruwell, played by Hilary Swank. As someone who has had a lot of trouble with patience and perseverance, I admired Gruwell's persistence and tenacity to never give up on her students despite them hating her initially and making her feel unwelcome. Ultimately, because of her diligence, everyone was given the chance to graduate and live successful lives. 

Mr. Hand (Fast Times At Ridgemont High)

There's something about history and English teachers in movies and T.V. because Mr. Hand, the history teacher from Fast Times at Ridgemont High, is one of the most memorable. While he usually had a frown on his face, he was a softer person underneath that gruff exterior. He will do anything to help his students succeed, even spending time after school to help his kids understand lessons, which I'm sure they appreciate. 

Severus Snape (Harry Potter)

As someone who loves the Harry Potter franchise, I couldn't make this list without including Severus Snape, played by Alan Rickman in one of his best roles. While Snape was a bit of a jerk to everyone, there's no denying that underneath that, he was an older man with a lot of trauma and someone who did everything in his power to protect the students and those he cared about. Even in the end, he could give Harry his tears to show him that he always loved Lily, Harry's mother. 

Dr. Frank Bryant (Educating Rita)

Michael Caine has delivered some incredible performances over his time in Hollywood, and personally, Dr. Frank Bryant in Educating Rita, is one of my favorites. The story is about a woman going back to university years later, and the movie shows that sometimes, all a teacher needs to rekindle their love for their subject is that one student, and watching how both Bryant leaves his impact on Rita (Susan) and vice versa is lovely to see. 

Mr. Collins (The Wonder Years)

The Wonder Years is one of the most iconic sitcoms of the '80s and '90s, and of course, I must mention Mr. Collins. Steven Gilborn played the teacher and worked with the main character, Kevin Arnold, to push him to be the best he could be, never quitting for a single moment. Gilborn was a professor before becoming an actor, making this role more special. 

Minerva McGonagall (Harry Potter)

Minerva McGonagall was one of the most impactful teachers in Harry Potter's life in the Harry Potter movies. I mean, not only did she teach him several lessons in magic, but it was because of her that he could do so many things – join the Quidditch team, get him a broomstick, etc. Plus, she did everything she could to protect the students of Hogwarts during the war, consistently putting her life on the line as one of the best witches there. 

Coach Fredericks (Freaks And Geeks)

Are there teachers in Freaks and Geeks? Of course, there are, but I have to give this spot to Coach Fredericks, played by Tom Wilson. He starts as a pretty stereotypical bad guy P.E. teacher, but throughout the show's one season, we get to know the teacher and understand who he is as a person. 

Mark Thackeray (To Sir, With Love)

Starring Sidney Poitier, To Sir, With Love is a British drama film about Mark Thackeray, an immigrant who takes a teaching position despite never teaching before, to find some income where he is told to teach delinquents who have been rejected from other schools. And through his teaching ability, he wins over the class, treating them more like adults than children, trying to reach them on a different level. 

Miss Honey (Matilda)

Whether you watch the 1990s version of Matilda or you check out the underrated Netflix musical version, Miss Honey in both is the kind of teacher that we hear about in fairytales. Not only is she sweet as honey and teaches her children so many things, but she takes it upon herself to raise Matilda at the end of both films because she cares that much about the girl, giving her the life she always wanted. 

Lydia Grant (Fame)

I'm one of the biggest fans of the best dance movies, but watching dance on television is also a great pastime, and Fame gave me that and more. In Fame, a show about high school students at a performing arts school in NYC, we meet Lydia Grant, a dance teacher. Indeed, her moves and teaching style are memorable, keeping her kids in a tight line and making sure they were the best they could be. 

LouAnne Johnson (Dangerous Minds)

Michelle Pfeiffer is LouAnne Johnson in Dangerous Minds, the story of a former marine who takes on a teaching position where she must handle a classroom of low-income, challenging teenagers involved in gangs and drugs. I think what makes Johnson such a great teacher is that she goes out of her way to teach with unconventional methods, such as giving everyone an A that they must maintain or using the lyrics of Bob Marley to get into poetry. That's what makes her extraordinary. 

Mr Chips (Goodbye, Mr. Chips)

Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a movie from the classic period of Hollywood and stars Robert Donat as Mr. Chips, an aging teacher who reflects on his life through the decades. There's too much here to say how Mr. Chips was a great teacher, as he impacted not only one student's life but many over several years. 

Remus Lupin (Harry Potter)

Harry Potter had some great teachers, and one that most certainly comes to mind is Remus Lupin, one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers in the series. While his time as the teacher only lasted for a year (as is tradition with most teachers there), Lupin left his mark on Harry as the kindest DADA teacher he had and taught him one of the most valuable charms there is – the Patronus charm. 

Jaime Escalante (Stand And Deliver)

Starring Edward James Olmos, Stand and Deliver is all about Jaime Escalante, who becomes the math teacher at a high school in East Los Angeles and has a class full of Latino students. Through his teaching methods, he can make them achieve great things in calculus and stand up for them when no one else will. 

Joe Clark (Lean On Me)

Joe Clark in Lean On Me, played by Morgan Freeman, is a teacher who does not mess around with his students. The movie is based on a true story about a teacher named Joe Clark, who becomes the principal and uses his past and much more to bring his school up to standards. While radical at first, the students grow to care for him in all that he does, both in the school and outside. 

Ms. Norbury (Mean Girls)

Mean Girls is more of a comedy than anything else, but Ms. Norbury, played by Tina Fey, is a great teacher. She's one of the few who stands up for Cady, and in the end, she still stands by her side despite what Cady wrote about her in the Burn Book, leading to Norbury being investigated as a drug dealer. 

Mr. Medina (Gilmore Girls)

Gilmore Girls had plenty of grown-up characters, but Mr. Medina, played by Scott Cohen, was one of the most prominent. He was Rory's beloved English teacher, who taught her many valuable lessons and ended up getting romantically involved with Lorelai. 

Dr. Larabee (Akeelah And The Bee)

Akeelah and the Bee stars Keke Palmer and Laurence Fishburne, and this film focuses on the relationship between Akeelah and her mentor, Dr. Joshua Larabee. And while their partnership at first is tenuous, they grow because of each other and truly leave an impact. 

Manish Kulkarni (Never Have I Ever)

Never Have I Ever is a hilarious Netflix teen romance series; Devi's English teacher is a great part of that. He is the definition of an excellent and honest teacher who sugarcoats nothing – and what's even better is that he winds up dating Devi's cousin later anyway. 

Dewey Finn (School Of Rock)

While he initially faked his way into the role, having no teaching experience, Dewey Finn left his impact on his students in School of Rock, so much so that a new program was created for students for music. It's undoubtedly one of Jack Black's best films. 

Annalise Keating (How To Get Away With Murder)

Played by the talented Viola Davis, How To Get Away With Murder introduced audiences to Annalise Keating, a law professor and criminal defense attorney, who not only leaves her mark on her students but works with them to solve a murder case together. And through it all, she aims to keep them safe and sound despite everything turning upside down. 

Sister Mary Clarence (Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit)

Sister Act 2 saw Whoopi Goldberg return as Sister Mary Clarence, now serving as a choir teacher who takes a group of students from a failing school and turns them into a choir that could knock the socks off of anyone out there. 

Miss Bliss (Good Morning, Miss Bliss)

Many people know Saved By The Bell, which was a spinoff of Good Morning, Miss Bliss. The one-season Disney Channel series is all about Miss Bliss, a junior high teacher who is a great educator and a source of calmness and delight to her students, who often turn to her for the problems they face. 

Glenn Holland (Mr. Holland's Opus)

Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Mr. Holland's Opus is the definition of a movie teacher that left an impact. The movie follows a high school music teacher who makes his music, but throughout the film, we see how much his dedication to his craft has impacted his students. Guaranteed, you will cry. 

We could talk about many excellent teachers in movies and on TV, but these truly stand out as some of the best. Now, I need a movie and a T.V. marathon to appreciate them again—time to grab a box of tissues. 

Soap Operas are not usually the first thing we think of when we think of “Prestige Television” but they have been popular since the dawn of TV and without them, some of our favorite stars might not have ever gotten their big break. In honor of that, we’ve compiled quite a list of famous actors who started out in soap operas. 

Brad Pitt (Another World)

There aren’t many bigger stars in the world than Brad Pitt. While he famously made his first mark in pop culture in Thelma & Louise, his first professional, credited acting role came on the soap Another World. The Ocean’s Eleven star played a character named Chris on two episodes in 1987. Little did anyone know just how famous he would soon be. 

Leonardo DiCaprio (Santa Barbara)

Pitt’s co-star in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio, is also one of the biggest stars in the world. Like Pitt, DiCaprio also can point to a turn on a soap opera early in his career as a launching pad. DiCaprio had a smattering of bit parts before starring in Santa Barbara, but it was five episodes on the soap that really got his career moving. 

Demi Moore (General Hospital)

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Demi Moore was box office gold with films like St. Elmo’s Fire, A Few Good Men, and Ghost. Moore earned a then-unprecedented $12.5 million with her role in Striptease, but she got her start much more modestly as reporter Jackie Templeton in 85 episodes of General Hospital from 1982 until 1984. 

Marisa Tomei (As The World Turns)

Marisa Tomei’s career went into the stratosphere with her Academy Award-winning turn in My Cousin Vinny in 1992. She’s since been nominated for two more Oscars in her lauded career that all started with the role of Marcy Thompson, as a series regular on As The World Turns for three seasons. 

Alec Baldwin (The Doctors)

The Doctors debuted on NBC in April of 1963, on the very same day as General Hospital premiered on ABC. Unlike GH, which is still on the air, The Doctors lasted only a mere 20 years, but like GH, it helped launch a lot of careers. Alec Baldwin was one of those actors who appeared on the soap, as the character Billy Aldrich for a few years in the early 1980s, years before his big breaks would come in Beetlejuice and The Hunt For Red October. 

Kathy Bates (The Doctors)

Another actor who got her start on the oft-forgotten The Doctors is the great Kathy Bates. Bates worked hard while scratching out a living as an actor in New York City. After scoring just one bit part in the movie Taking Off in 1971, it was another 6 years before she would land a big role, this time on The Doctors.

Laurence Fishburne (One Life To Live)

Laurence Fishburne famously made waves as a teenager starring (as Larry Fishburne) in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece Apocalypse Now. While the role made him famous, his career started years earlier as Josh Hall in One Life To Live. Fishburne was only 11 years old when he debuted on the show.

Jordana Brewster (As The World Turns)

Jordana Brewster is a star in one of the biggest film franchises in history as Mia Toretto in the Fast & Furious movies. She got her start in one of the biggest soap operas in history as well. After a quick one-off on All My Children in 1995, Brewster landed a regular role on As The World Turns later that same year. She remained on the show for 118 episodes over the next six years. 

Shemar Moore (The Young and the Restless)

For over a decade, Shemar Moore starred as Derek Morgan on the beloved Criminal Minds and then on S.W.A.T for six years. Neither was his first long-time role on television, however, as Moore got his start on eight seasons of The Young and the Restless as Malcolm Winters, a role he’s returned to a number of times, most recently in 2023. 

Tom Selleck (The Young And The Restless)

Another actor who got his start on The Young and the Restless is the legendary TV star Tom Selleck. After bouncing around in bit parts for most of the ‘70s. The Blue Bloods star found a semi-regular role on the soap in 1974. He would later own TV in the ‘80s as Thomas Magnum on one of the greatest TV shows of all time, Magnum PI.

Meg Ryan (As The World Turns)

Meg Ryan was America’s sweetheart in the 1980s and '90s. Before she starred in numerous rom-coms, from When Harry Met Sally To You’ve Got Mail, she was Steve Andropoulos’ sweetheart Betsy on As The World Turns. She would play the role for three years, before snagging a role in a little movie called Top Gun, and off she went to stardom. 

Lauryn Hill (As The World Turns)

It’s not just actors who got their start on soap operas. Singer and rapper Ms. Lauryn Hill is famous for her amazing neo-soul album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998, but seven years before that, and before The Fugees, she starred as Kira Johnson on As The World Turns.

Taye Diggs (Guiding Light)

This one is a bit of a stretch because Taye Diggs had already put together a great career on Broadway, starring in the original cast of Rent and other shows. He did, however, get his regular screen time on Guiding Light in 1997, after a couple of smaller parts on TV. 

Julianne Moore (As The World Turns)

Julianne Moore has won a slew of awards in her career. The Boogie Nights star can boast five Oscar nominations and one win, she has an Emmy, multiple Golden Globe and SAG awards, and even one Daytime Emmy, which she won for Best Actress on the soap As The World Turns in 1988.

David Hasselhoff (The Young And The Restless)

Baywatch might have been a soap opera on the beach, but it wasn’t the first time David Hasselhoff starred in one. The Hoff played Snapper Foster (yes, that’s the name of the character) for seven years in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s on The Young and the Restless, before scoring his gig on Knight Rider. While starring on Knight Rider, The Hoff also appeared on one episode of Santa Barbara.

Mark Hamill (General Hospital)

Stars Wars has often been described as a “space opera” so it only makes sense that Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, got his start on a soap opera. The future superstar started smaller, with a role as Kent Murray on General Hospital for a couple of years right before Star Wars became the biggest thing, well, ever. 

Josh Duhamel (All My Children)

Transformers star Josh Duhamel has starred in 39 movies and had roles on 18 TV shows, including Las Vegas and Jupiter Rising, and it all started with a breakout role on ABC’s All My Children in 1999. He starred on the soap opera for a few years, before moving on, but did return briefly in 2011 to reprise his role as Leo du Pres. He even won a Daytime Emmy in 2002 for his performance. 

Kelly Ripa (All My Children)

Kelly Ripa has been everyone’s favorite morning talk show host for years now and over 30 years ago, she was a dancer on Dance Party USA. Her first serious acting gig came in 1990 as Hayley Vaughan on All My Children, a role she would play for more than a decade. Not only did it jumpstart her career, but the soap played an even more important role in her life, as that’s how she met her husband, Mark Consuelos.

Mark Consuelos (All My Children)

That’s right, Mark Consuelos also began his career on All My Children, playing Mateo Santos on the show for six years. The Riverdale star was a huge hit on the show, and like Ripa, returned in 2010 to help celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary. Consuelos and Ripa married in 1996 while starring on the show together and now almost 30 years later are still working together as co-hosts on Live.

Ryan Phillippe (One Life To Live)

From I Know What You Last Summer to Cruel Intentions, Ryan Phillippe played some iconic parts in the 1990s. It was One Life To Live where he landed his first one, though, in 1992. In the ‘00s, he got more serious, with major roles in Gosford Park and Crash, but none of it might have happened with the soap opera casting him as a teenager. 

Amber Tamblyn (General Hospital)

Amber Tamblyn wasn’t even a teen when she landed her first on-screen role on General Hospital in 1995. The 127 Hours star played Emily Quatermaine for six seasons on the soap.

John Stamos (General Hospital)

Before playing Uncle Jesse on Full House, and before playing bongos for The Beach Boys, John Stamos was breaking hearts as Blackie Parrish on General Hospital for three seasons in the early ‘80s. Stamos even earned a nomination for a Daytime Emmy for the role in 1983.

Mario Van Peebles (One Life To Live)

Mario Van Peebles made his permanent mark on film with his direction of the 1991 classic New Jack City. The cult classic was huge at the time, and Van Peebles has been acting and directing in TV and film ever since, but his career really got going a decade prior to New Jack City when he appeared as Doc Gilmore in One Life To Live in 1982 and 1983. 

Hayden Panettiere (One Life To Live)

“Save the cheerleader, save the world” is a now-legendary catchphrase from the TV series Heroes and the cheerleader was, of course, the great Hayden Panettiere. Panettiere had already scored numerous credits before Heroes, including her first role as a five-year-old One Life To Live for 26 episodes in the mid-'90s. She followed that up as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light for four seasons.

Justin Hartley (Passions)

Justin Harley was part of the cast that made more TV viewers cry than any other as a part of the brilliant ensemble on This Is Us. Hartley got his start probably making daytime TV fans emotional on the short-lived (by soap opera standards) Passions. After becoming a series regular on Smallville, he returned to daytime TV on The Young and the Restless before landing his award-winning gig on This Is Us. 

Robin Wright (Santa Barbara)

In 1987 Robin Wright became part of cinema history with her role as Buttercup in the much-beloved The Princess Bride. It took a few years of starring on the soap Santa Barbara before she would get that breakout role, but she’s been on top ever since, with iconic roles on the Netflix series House of Cards and in movies like Wonder Woman 1984, which is pretty fitting, as that was the year she started on Santa Barbara.

Lindsay Lohan (Guiding Light and Another World)

Lindsay Lohan’s first movie role was actually two roles in 1998’s The Parent Trap. She immediately endeared herself to audiences, and that love only grew with Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. She’s had an up-and-down career since, but like so many others, that career started as a kid on a soap. Two soaps, actually. First, a brief one-off on Guiding Light, with a reoccurring role on Another World for two seasons. 

Kevin Kline (Search For Tomorrow)

Search for Tomorrow is one of those soaps that despite running for more than 35 years, it’s completely forgotten about today. It was canceled in 1986, but it was around long enough for Kevin Kline to make his first on-screen appearance. The classically trained Kline returned to the stage after leaving the show, but in 1982 he found himself in a role in Sophie’s Choice alongside Meryl Streep, and he’s never looked back. 

Tommy Lee Jones (One Life To Live)

Harvard grad Tommy Lee Jones actually got his first role in the classic Love Story but it was a minor “blink and you’ll miss it” type of role. It was probably his 21 episodes on One Life To Live in the early 1970s that really jumpstarted his now-legendary career. 

Tom Berenger (One Life To Live)

Speaking of One Life to Live in the ‘70s, Platoon star Tom Berenger overlapped with Jones for one season on the long-running soap. Berenger played Tim Siegel for 66 episodes from 1975 until his character’s death just after getting married in the 1976 season. Classic soap opera plot!  

While budgets of soap operas might not be that of prime-time TV, there is undoubtedly plenty of talent on these shows, and has been for many years, as this amazing of list famous actors who started out in soap operas proves. 

Some of the biggest stars in Hollywood are also some of the most often snubbed by the Oscars when it comes to Best Actor and Actress Academy Awards. Legends like Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and many others have somehow had some of the most successful careers in film, but have only been nominated for one Academy Award in the acting categories. 

Harrison Ford - Nominated For Best Actor (Witness)

Harrison Ford is a national treasure, most everyone will agree. Everyone, it seems, except The Academy, as he has only ever nominated once, for 1985’s Witness. This actor has been in two of the biggest franchises in history, plus the two Jack Ryan movies and so much more. He should’ve been nominated for The Fugitive at least. 

Eddie Murphy - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Dreamgirls)

Another icon of the late 20th Century and early 21st Century is Eddie Murphy, who has only been nominated once, for Dreamgirls in 2007. This is probably more testament to the Academy's apparent lack of appreciation for some of his best comedic performances because I dare you to find better ones in history than Murphy in Beverly Hills Cop or Coming To America. 

Gwyneth Paltrow - Nominated For Best Actress (Shakespeare In Love)

Gwyneth Paltrow will likely be a polarizing name on this list because the actor herself tends to be, but she’s had a number of wonderful performances over the years. Roles in The Talented Mr. Ripley, Emma, and The Royal Tenenbaums are all worthy of more consideration than she’s received over the years. She's earned just one nomination for Shakespeare in Love, for which she also won. 

Taraji P. Henson - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button)

Taraji P. Henson has been nominated for more than thirty acting awards across her sterling career. Somehow, only one of those was for an Academy Award. Her lone Oscar nomination was for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in 2008, and it’s frankly astounding that’s the only one. At a minimum, she should have been nominated for Hidden Figures alongside her cast-mate Octavia Spencer. Hopefully, this changes with her role in the upcoming remake of The Color Purple. 

Hugh Jackman - Nominated For Best Actor (Les Misérables)

Hugh Jackman is one award away from achieving EGOT status. The “O” is missing and shockingly he’s only been nominated once for an Oscar, for his performance in Les Misérables. The multi-talented Jackman has won so many awards, but is shut out yearly at the Academy Awards. The Oscars may not show much respect to comic book films, but everyone else does, and saying he should have been nominated for Logan isn’t a stretch, nor is saying it about his performance in The Greatest Showman.

Jamie Lee Curtis - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (Everything Everywhere All At Once)

Jamie Lee Curtis is one of the most versatile actors of her generation. Horror, comedy, drama, she does it all. And yet, she has little to show for it in terms of Oscar nominations. She finally was nominated (and won) for Everything Everywhere All At Once but where were the nominations for My Girl and A Fish Called Wanda?

Salma Hayek - Nominated For Best Actress (Frida)

It’s been more than two decades since Salma Hayek was first nominated for an Oscar, for 2001’s Frida and she’s not been nominated since. Hayek is an icon and one of the most beloved actors today, yet never seems to get the attention of the Academy. This is likely in part due to the discounting of action films, which have become Hayek’s bread and butter, but that doesn’t mean her performances in movies like Traffic and Beatriz at Dinner weren't worthy of attention.

Matthew McConaughey - Nominated For Best Actor (Dallas Buyers Club)

When Matthew McConaughey won the Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club after being nominated for the first and only time, he led his speech with his trademark “Alright, alright, alright” and while his role in Dazed and Confused is a classic, he certainly deserved nominations for other roles, like how about a nod for his supporting role in The Wolf Of Wall Street or his performance in the vastly underrated Mud?

Samuel L. Jackson - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Pulp Fiction)

If there is anyone on the list that should be a perennial nominee, it’s Samuel L. Jackson. His lone nomination came from his unforgettable and meme-able turn in Pulp Fiction, but he’s an actor who steals every scene he's in, in a good way. Just his roles in Quentin Tarantino films alone, like Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight, are worthy of nominations, but it hasn’t happened, sadly. Thankfully for all of us, Jackson was given an honorary Oscar in 2021 for his contributions to film, which is some consolation. 

Uma Thurman - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (Pulp Fiction)

Speaking of Pulp Fiction, the Tarantino classic also led to Uma Thurman’s one and only Academy Award nomination. Despite being one of the biggest stars on the planet, Thurman seems to have no luck getting the attention of the Academy. One role that really stands out is in the under-appreciated Prime. 

Benedict Cumberbatch - Nominated For Best Actor (The Imitation Game)

One has to believe that more nominations will be coming for Benedict Cumberbatch. Thus far, his only acknowledgment from the Oscars was for his wonderful performance as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game. There are plenty of other roles he could have been nominated for, especially as William Bulger in Black Mass and Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate and that’s just the roles in which he’s played real people! 

Mark Wahlberg - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (The Departed)

In 1990, no one would have expected “Marky” Mark Wahlberg to appear on any kind of list like that, but almost 35 years later, it’s astounding his only Oscar nomination has been for The Departed (one of our picks for the 100 best movies of the 2000s). You have to question why he was ignored for Boogie Nights, for sure. The Fighter is another clear snub, though he was technically nominated for Best Picture as a producer of the film. 

Halle Berry - Nominated For Beat Actress (Monster's Ball)

When Halle Berry earned her one Oscar nomination for 2001’s Monster’s Ball, she was the odds-on favorite to win. She had become one of the biggest stars of the 1990s and now was her time to shine. She won, of course, but sadly, it would be the last time Berry would be nominated, so far, at least. It’s a shame because there are plenty of roles she’d be deserving of a nomination, like Frankie & Alice, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe.

Laurence Fishburne - Nominated For Best Actor (What's Love Got To Do With It)

This could be the most shocking on the list. At first thought, you might guess Laurence Fishburne was nominated for his amazing work as Furious Styles in Boyz n the Hood or Professor Phipps in John Singleton’s other masterpiece, Higher Learning. Alas, the Matrix star has only one nomination, for playing Ike Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, and he didn’t win. 

Josh Brolin  - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (Milk)

Josh Brolin has been a favorite since he was a teenager in The Goonies. He’s also starred in some powerhouse movies, like Sicario and, most of all, No Country For Old Men. No Country won a slew of Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for Javier Barden, and yet Brolin wasn’t even nominated. It frankly doesn’t make sense. Brolin’s lone nomination came from his wonderful performance in Milk, but that was the year that the late Heath Ledger won for The Dark Knight.

Sharon Stone - Nominated For Best Actress (Casino)

You could argue that while Sharon Stone was brilliant in Casino, it wasn’t even her best performance, though it’s the only time she’s been nominated. She wasn’t nominated for Basic Instinct, despite winning the Golden Globe for the role, nor for the underrated The Muse in 2000. At least we have Casino. 

Tilda Swinton - Nominated For For Best Supporting Actress (Michael Clayton)

2007's Michael Clayton was awash in acting nominations, including George Clooney for Best Actor and Tom Wilkinson for Best Supporting Actor. The only winner of the night, though, was Tilda Swinton for Best Supporting Actress. Over her incredible career, Swinton has been honored for other roles, like her parts in The Deep End, We Need to Talk About Kevin, and even Snowpiercer, but this remains her only Oscar nod. 

Liam Neeson - Nominated For Best Actor (Schindler’s List)

Long before Liam Neeson re-invented himself as an action star in summer blockbusters, he was a character actor carving out a nice career in film. Then came the epic Schindler's List. He was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor in a movie, though he lost out to Tom Hanks for Philadelphia. In the 30 years since, Neeson has not been nominated, not even for fantastic turns in The Gangs of New York, Michael Collins, or Rob Roy. For shame.  

Lupita Nyong'o - Nominated For Best Actress (12 Years A Slave)

Lupita Nyong'o burst onto the Hollywood scene with her heartbreakingly beautiful performance in 12 Years A Slave. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress and has since been racking up the accolades everywhere... except the Oscars. Despite well-received turns in Us and Queen of Katwe, not to mention her roles in the Black Panther films, she hasn't again been nominated. 

Sean Connery - Nominated For Best Supporting Actors (The Untouchables)

Sean Connery was one of the biggest movie stars in the world, and yet he was virtually ignored by the Academy for his whole career. Setting aside his brilliance as James Bond, Connery should’ve earned nods for The Hunt For Red October, and The Name Of The Rose, at least. Instead, his only nomination came for The Untouchables, which, thankfully, he won. 

Alec Baldwin - Nominated For Best Supporting Actor (The Cooler)

Another fantastic performance in The Hunt for Red October that didn’t get recognition is Alec Baldwin’s as Jack Ryan. Baldwin could’ve been nominated for either of his two on-screen performances in 1992, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Prelude To A Kiss, but again he was snubbed. His only nomination came for his role in The Cooler.

Diane Lane - Nominated For Best Actress (Unfaithful)

Diane Lane found her footing in film in the late 1990s with outstanding performances in movies like A Walk on the Moon and The Perfect Storm, either of which could've been award-winning. Instead, it wasn't until 2002's Unfaithful that she got the recognition she deserved when she was nominated for Best Actress. 

Bill Murray - Nominated For Best Actor (Lost in Translation)

The Academy has missed out on great performances by one of the best comedic actors the world has ever seen in Bill Murray. Stripes, Ghostbusters, What About Bob?, and Groundhog's Day are some of the most beloved comedies of all time, and Murray was never recognized. Nor was he for his brilliant turns in Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums. Murray's sole nomination came, deservingly, for 2003's Lost In Translation. 

Jennifer Connelly - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (A Beautiful Mind)

Jennifer Connelly has been wowing audiences for decades, including in 2022's massive hit Top Gun: Maverick. It appears though, that she has not been wowing the Academy, as she's only ever been nominated for one Oscar, which she won, for her role in 2001's A Beautiful Mind. Other roles have earned her other awards, like her parts in Requiem For A Dream and The House of Sand and Fog, but to date, nothing from the Academy Awards. 

Kathleen Turner - Nominated For Best Actress (Peggy Sue Got Married)

Despite massive hits like Body Heat, Serial Mom, and of course, Romancing The Stone, Kathleen Turner has only earned one Oscar nomination, for the vastly underrated Francis Ford Coppola film from 1986, Peggy Sue Got Married. Surely this icon of the screen deserves more. 

Robert Redford - Nominated For Best Actor (The Sting)

It’s astounding that the great Robert Redford has only one acting nomination in his whole career, for The Sting. Though he defined what a movie star is, Redford never received Oscar attention for roles in All The President’s Men, All Is Lost, Out Of Africa, and Three Days of the Condor, among many others. The list is endless here. He has been nominated twice for Best Director, for Ordinary People and Quiz Show, and won for the former. Redford also received an Honorary Oscar in 2002.

Catherine Zeta-Jones - Nominated For Best Actress (Chicago)

At the 75th Academy Awards, Chicago was the biggest winner of the night, garnering 13 nominations and winning six of them, including Catherine Zeta-Jones for Best Actress. Alas, this, so far, is the only time the Welsh actress has even been nominated, despite powerhouse roles in Traffic and Entrapment. At least she shares this dubious distinction with her husband Michael Douglas. 

Micheal Douglas - Nominated For Best Actor (Wall Street)

Gordon Gekko in Wall Street is one of the all-time great cinema villains and Michael Douglas richly deserved the Academy Award he won for playing the part in 1988. An actor with a slew of amazing performances from Falling Down, to Traffic, to Fatal Attraction and more, with only one acting nomination. He was also nominated/won for Best Picture in 1976 as the producer of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. 

Lauren Bacall - Nominated For Best Supporting Actress (The Mirror Has Two Faces)

Lauren Bacall was one of the true icons of the Golden Age of Hollywood, starring in such films as The Big Sleep, Key Largo, and many, many more over her career. Shockingly, it took until 1997 for the Academy to recognize her work when she was finally nominated for a Best Supporting Actress role for The Mirror Has Two Faces. She did finally receive a well-deserved honorary Oscar in 2000. 

Kevin Costner - Nominated For Best Actor (Dances With Wolves)

Dances With Wolves was the darling of the Oscars in 1991. It was nominated for 12 awards, winning seven, including Best Director for Kevin Costner and Best Picture, which Costner won as a producer. It was also the one and only time Costner has been nominated for an acting Academy Award. There are so many other iconic parts he should’ve gotten more credit for, like JFK, Bull Durham, The Untouchables, and Hidden Figures, just to name a few. 

It just goes to show that even being a huge box office draw, and a megastar doesn't mean you'll get recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Oscars are incredibly hard to win and even being nominated is an honor, they say. Still, for everyone on the list, you'd think they'd have more than one.  

Although there hasn’t been a lack of animated Transformers adventures on TV over the years, movie-wise, it’s all been live-action offerings since the main Transformers film series kicked off in 2007. That will soon change though, as there’s an animated movie on the way that will explore the origins of the Autobots and Decepticons on the planet Cybertron. As of today, not only do we know what this upcoming movie is officially called, its main cast has been revealed too, with Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson among the actors who are ready to roll out.

This news comes straight from Paramount Pictures’ presentation at CinemaCon, with the first big reveal being that this movie will be called Transformers One. Hemsworth will voice Optimus Prime in the prequel, and Johansson will voice Elita. Their castmates include Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee, Jon Hamm as Sentinel Prime and Laurence Fishburne as Alpha Trion. Ramsey Naito, president of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation, had this to say about the project in an official statement:

While this will actually be the second animated Transformers movie to be released in theaters since there was 1986’s The Transformers: The Movie, Transformers One is directly tied to the cinematic Transformers continuity that’s been going for more than a decade and a half now. Transformers One marks Chris Hemsworth and Scarlett Johansson’s first time working together outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where they respectively played Thor and Black Widow. All these actors have prior voice acting experience, including Keegan-Michael Key being most recently heard as Toad in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Now we’ll get to hear these six actors’ takes on some of the popular robots in disguise.

Behind the scenes, Toy Story 4’s Josh Cooley is directing Transformers One off a script written by Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari. The title and casting news comes just hours after the next Transformers movie, Rise of the Beasts, dropped a new trailer. While there are other movies in development for the franchise, this animated flick will allow moviegoers to venture further into the past then ever before and see what life on Cybertron was like before war broke out and its robotic denizens came to Earth, be it to simply find a new home or conquer humanity.

Transformers One arrives in theaters on July 19, 2024. While we wait for more updates about what to expect from it, keep track of this year’s theatrical entertainment with our guide of 2023 new movie releases. You can also stream the last Transformers movie, Bumblebee, with a Paramount+ subscription.

"John Wick: Chapter 4" stars Keanu Reeves (John Wick), Laurence Fishburne (Bowery King), Lance Reddick (Charon), Ian McShane (Winston), Hiroyuki Sanada (Shimazu), Shamier Anderson (Tracker) and director Chad Stahelski discuss the latest "John Wick" film in this interview with CinemaBlend's Asst. Managing Editor Eric Eisenberg. Topics include the most intense "John Wick 4" stunts, Ana De Armas in the upcoming "John Wick" spinoff “Ballerina,” and even how Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt would stand up against John Wick. Plus, we tried to get something about "Constantine 2" out of Keanu Reeves.

Video Chapters

00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski Discuss The Wild Stair Sequence
01:30 - Ian McShane/Lance Reddick Hilariously Imagine Their Character’s Lives Outside The Continental
02:20 - Bowery King’s Backstory According to Laurence Fishburne
03:25 - Tracker And Shimazu’s Backstories According To Shamier Anderson And Hiroyuki Sanada
05:15 - The John Wick Movies Have a Special Way of Celebrating Stuntmen Who Get ‘Killed’ by Keanu Reeves
06:05 - Why Keanu Reeves Loves Training For ‘John Wick’
07:05 - John Wick vs. Ethan Hunt: Keanu Reeves Has The Most Keanu Reeves Response (And Gushes About Tom Cruise)
08:20 - Lance Reddick/Ian Mcshane on Working with Ana De Armas in ‘Ballerina’
09:05 - Chad Stahelski Dishes on the ‘John Wick’ Spinoff, ‘Ballerina’
10:15 - Laurence Fishburne On Potentially Returning For ‘Ballerina’
11:15 - Hiroyuki Sanada on Working with Fellow Kung-Fu Legend Donnie Yen
12:00 - Did Winston Try to Kill John Wick In 'Chapter 3?' Ian McShane/Lance Reddick Respond
13:00 - Keanu Reeves on Potentially Going Blond for 'Constantine 2'

It’s been nearly four years since audiences have seen Keanu Reeves as the assassin John Wick, but when John Wick: Chapter 4 hits theaters on March 24, the story will pick up right where the third installment of one of the best action movie franchises left off. The hitman is determined to take down the High Table, the crime organization that has a huge bounty on his head, and the trailer promises a large body count and all the bad-assery that fans have come to expect from this franchise. First reactions were very promising, with people calling the fourth installment “epic,” and the praise continues now that reviews are out. 

Keanu Reeves is again joined by Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick, and the John Wick: Chapter 4 cast also adds some notable characters in Caine (Donnie Yen) and the Marquis de Gramont (Bill Skarsgård), who have left their mark on the critics. Let’s get to it then, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of John Wick: Chapter 4. Eric Eisenberg rates the film 4.5 stars out of 5, saying it earns every minute of its nearly three-hour runtime and is likely the best of the sequels. He continues: 

Hoai-Tran Bui of Inverse agrees the three hours breezes by, saying the movie is a “bone-crunching showcase” of what director Chad Stahelski has honed and perfected over the course of four John Wick movies. The critic says: 

Tom Jorgensen of IGN rates the movie a perfect 10 out of 10, calling John Wick: Chapter 4 a “Masterpiece” whose incredibly staged action scenes, engaging ensemble and stylish production design coalesce into a modern action masterclass. From the review: 

Leah Greenblatt of EW grades the movie a B+, calling the movie both “patently ridiculous” and “gloriously illogical,” but also says it’s mostly very fun. The review states: 

Frank Scheck of THR says this fourth John Wick movie outperforms its predecessors in almost every respect, calling it “bigger, badder, bolder, longer.” The critic agrees with those above in saying not many in the audience will complain about the runtime. He continues: 

Thanks to Keanu Reeves, Chad Stahelski and many others involved, John Wick has become one of the best action franchises, boasting some pretty memorable scenes. If you’ve been waiting for this next chapter, your time is almost here, as John Wick: Chapter 4 is set to hit theaters Friday, March 24. Be sure to check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what else is headed to theaters soon. 

It’s been nearly four years since John Wick fans have seen the Keanu Reeves' most popular hitman character kicking ass on our screens, but the wait is nearly up. After multiple delays, John Wick: Chapter 4 is finally set to hit theaters at the end of the month, and while Chad Stahelski is returning to direct, co-writers Shay Hatten and Michael Finch will bring new energy to John Wick’s fight against the villainous High Table. The fourth installment of one of the best action movie franchises has screened, and audiences are hitting up social media with their first reactions.

The trailer for John Wick: Chapter 4 promises a high body count, as the titular character looks for a way to destroy the High Table for good. Indie singer Rina Sawayama is among the new John Wick 4 cast members in the role of Akira, with Bill Skarsgård also making his franchise debut. Laurence Fishburne, Ian McShane and Lance Reddick reprise their roles from previous installments. Let’s see what people are saying about the movie, starting with CinemaBlend’s Eric Eisenberg, who tweets that the longest John Wick movie yet earns its runtime: 

Critic John Nguyen also mentions Donnie Yen, as he notes that this fourth installment ups the ante on the action: 

Keanu Reeves has said this movie is the “hardest film I’ve ever made,” in terms of the action, and Insider correspondent Kirsten Acuna’s reaction gives us an idea of why. She says the action sequences have a video game feel, and there’s one she kept thinking about long after the movie ended. This one is sure to be a fan favorite, she says: 

Not all who were able to screen the movie are fans of the nearly three-hour runtime, but Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence seems willing to allow it based on the third act alone, tweeting: 

The Nerds of Color call John Wick 4 the most “gorgeous” installment of the franchise, and while it suffers from pacing issues, according to this account, the new cast additions are stellar, and it features some of the best gun fights in the series: 

Critic Courtney Howard promises this is the wildest time you’ll have at the theater this year and also provides another shout-out for the supporting cast in follow-up Tweets: 

Erick Weber not only calls this movie the best of the franchise, he proclaims John Wick: Chapter 4 one of the greatest action movies ever made: 

Hunter Bolding echoes the thoughts of all of the above. One of the top action movies ever? Check. Best in the franchise? Check. Donnie Yen is a show-stealer? Check. He tweets:

With reactions like this to the fourth movie, it’s easy to see why John Wick 5 is already in the works, as well as an equally stunt-crazy spinoff, Ballerina. It may have been a long wait, but it sounds like time has been good to the action franchise. We’ll know even more when critics’ reviews are released next week, ahead of the movie's arrival to theaters on Friday, March 24. Be sure to come back to CinemaBlend for more John Wick: Chapter 4 coverage, and in the meantime, check out our 2023 Movie Release Schedule to see what other films are headed our way soon. 

Laurence Fishburne is regarded as one of Hollywood’s best actors, taking on various roles over his five decades in the business. His resume is littered with memorable performances, including Ike Turner and Morpheus. But like any actor, the The Matrix alum has turned down some prolific roles in his time. One of those roles was hitman Jules Winnfield in the cult classic Pulp Fiction, which served as Samuel L. Jackson’s breakthrough role. Two decades after the film became a pop-culture phenomenon, Fishburne explained why he doesn’t regret turning down Jackson’s role.

The Oscar-nominated actor got asked about the iconic role while being interviewed on the Jemele Hill is Unbothered podcast. When Quentin Tarantino wrote the foul-mouth gunman, he pictured Fishburne. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out with both men giving different reasons as to why the actor didn’t appear in the indie classic. Despite the film’s tremendous success, the Contagion star expressed no regret in passing up the chance to play Jules.

What a mature perspective on the iconic role. At the time, Jackson was still bubbling in Hollywood while Fishburne already had a track record in Hollywood with films like Apocalypse Now, Boyz n the Hood, and What’s Love Got to Do with It. Things worked out as Jackson scored his first and only Oscar nomination, which he ended up losing to the late Jack Palance for City Slickers. Fishburne ended up receiving acclaim for his roles in Higher Learning and Othello in 1995. So, things ended up working out for both actors in the long run.

After Jules changed the Nick Fury actor’s career, Hill commented Fishburne should constantly remind Jackson about turning down the beloved role. The John Wick star remained humble as he revealed the two actors never bring up the subject.

Both men have appeared in countless films with memorable roles since the Oscar-nominated film premiered in 1994. The thespian went on to explain why he turned down the cult classic. He said there were certain elements in the script that he didn’t agree with. Fishburne did give Tarantino credit for crafting some fun scenes in the off-kilter drama.

Fishburne’s career hasn’t been too shabby since turning down the acclaimed role. Along with the Matrix and John Wick film series, he has appeared in other notable films, including Akeelah and the Bee and Mystic River. 2022 has been no different as the Oscar-nominated actor popped up in All the Old Knives and The School for Good and Evil (available through Amazon Prime Video and Netflix subscriptions respectively). He will play The Bowery King again in John Wick: Chapter 4, which will hit theaters on March 24, 2023. In the meantime, check out his best TV and movie roles as well as his most Oscar-worthy performances.

John Wick has been through a lot over his three film appearances so far, from losing his wife to a terminal illness and being hunted down by assassins all over the world, to having his finger chopped off and falling off the rooftop of The Continental in the John Wick: Chapter 3 ending. Yet John is still kicking after all this, mean we can look forward to him returning in John Wick: Chapter 4. Had things gone according to the original plan, Chapter 4, the longest John Wick movie yet, would have been released in May 2021, but after being pushed back a year, it’s now on track to be among the 2023 movie releases.

John Wick: Chapter 4 will see the title protagonist waging war on The High Table (as shown in the first trailer), which will include him traveling the globe and facing off against a powerful new enemy who has powerful alliances that will lead to old friends becoming foes. Additionally, we have been learning how the action movie’s cast will look. Let’s go over the actors who have been announced for Chapter 4 so far, starting with the man who brings the Baba Yaga to life on the big screen, Keanu Reeves. 

Keanu Reeves

When we last left off with Keanu Reeves’ John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, he’d been seemingly betrayed by his old friend Winston, but luckily, he wasn’t left for dead. The Tick Tock Man retrieved John and delivered him to Laurence Fishburne’s Bowery King, who’d also suffered at the hands of the High Table and questioned if John was “pissed off” at the council of crime lords too. While it’s unclear how much time will pass between the events of Parabellum and Chapter 4, it’s reasonable to assume that John Wick will indeed seek vengeance for everything that the High Table has done to him. However, there’s also an opportunity that comes his way that could lead to him getting out of this conflict alive.

Rina Sawayama

If the name Rina Sawayama rings a bell, you’re likely familiar with her musical career, as she’s the singer behind singles like “STFU!,” “XS,” “Bad Friend” and “Lucid.” But Sawayama also has some acting experience under her belt, having played Layla Valentine in the short-lived, Idris Elba-led Netflix series Turn Up Charlie. Now she’s making her film debut in John Wick: Chapter 4 as someone named Akira, although it hasn’t been revealed yet whether her character will aid John or try to eliminate him. 

Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen has showcased his martial arts skills in a lot of movies, from Hong Kong offerings like the Ip Man film series to American blockbusters like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Disney’s live-action Mulan remake. So with so much fighting experience under his belt, he’s a perfect fit for the John Wick franchise, where people are being punched and kicked left and right. Yen’s John Wick: Chapter 4 character is named Caine, he’ll reportedly be an old friend of John’s who “shares his same history and many of the same enemies.” While you’d think that means John can count on Caine to help him out, the latest Chapter 4 trailer showed John and Caine fighting each other, so something will lead to a divide coming between them.

Shamier Anderson

Over in the TV world Shamier Anderson is best known for playing Xavier Dolls in the first three seasons of the Syfy series Wynonna Earp, and he’s also appeared in shows like The Next Step, Shots Fired and Goliath. Anderson’s film credits include Destroyer, City of Lies and Stowaway, and now he gets to take part in the craziness that is John Wick: Chapter 4. Anderson is appearing in Chapter 4 as Tracker, with Chad Stahelski telling Collider that he’s a “self-motived character” (at least initially) who’s operating in the “gray area” between “the Wick world, and the real world.”

Bill Skarsgård

Along with his time scaring audiences and the citizen of Derry, Maine as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in the IT movies, Bill Skarsgård has also participated in the action-heavy movies Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2. Now he’s joined the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4 as someone named The Marquis de Gramont. In the second Chapter 4 trailer, The Marquis is presented as someone whom if John can defeat in single combat, The High Table will let him go free. In the aforementioned Collider article, Chad Stahelski said that The Marquis isn’t really “the antagonist, but he's the one in charge of cleaning up all the messes from the first three movies.”

Laurence Fishburne

Now we come to another familiar face who’s returning to the John Wick franchise! Having already played the Morpheus to Keanu Reeves’ Neo in the first three Matrix movies, Laurence Fishburne has since re-teamed with Reeves by playing The Bowery King, who helped John Wick out in Chapter 2 and was punished for this in Chapter 3 - Parabellum. At the end of Chapter 3, the badly injured John was delivered to Bowery King in his new underground hideout, and like John, he was angry at what the High Table had done to them. So now the stage is set for John and Bowery King to exact vengeance on this council of crime lords, and Fishburne has claimed that Chapter 4 is “the best one” of the franchise.

Scott Adkins

Scott Adkins knows his way around action, from fighting Hugh Jackman’s James Howlett/Logan as Weapon XI in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, to working for Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Jean Vilain in The Expendables 2. So bringing Adkins into John Wick: Chapter 4 makes all the sense in the world, and if he’s playing a villain, Keanu Reeves’ John will need to keep his guard up against the martial arts skills Adkins’ character, who's named Killa, will surely break out. It remains to be seen if Adkins share any screen time with Donnie Yen, who he co-starred alongside in Ip Man 4: The Finale.

Lance Reddick

Fans of the John Wick franchise can take comfort knowing we’ll reunite with Winston’s righthand man in Chapter 4. Bosch’s Lance Reddick will be back as Charon, the concierge of The Continental’s New York branch who spent the first two movies in the hotel’s lobby, but finally got to jump into the action in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Now we wait to see if he’ll gun down bad guys again in Chapter 4 or if he’ll be back to chiefly focusing on his concierge duties.

Marko Zaror

If Marko Zaror looks familiar to you, then you’ve likely seen him in movies like Machete Kills and Alita: Battle Angel, or maybe you caught his recurring role as Zolo in From Dusk till Dawn: The Series. Regardless, John Wick: Chapter 4 looks like it’ll be Zaror’s biggest platform to shine yet, as he’s cast as one of John’s “main pursuers.” In other words, it’ll be this guy’s job to make Keanu Reeves’ character’s life hell… you know, even more than it already is.

Ian McShane

Like Charon, Ian McShane’s Winston has been part of the John Wick franchise since the beginning, as he has the integral role of running the New York branch of the Continental hotel. While Winston provided invaluable assistance to Keanu Reeves’ John in the first three movies, the characters didn’t part on good terms at the end of Chapter 3 - Parabellum. After coming to a truce with The High Table and having the Continental re-consecrated, Winston repeatedly shot John until he fell off the roof to show his fealty to the High Table. Most fans logically assume there was more to Winston doing that than meets the eye, and judging by the Chapter 4 trailers, it looks like he’s back to once again helping John directly. Following Chapter 4, McShane will reprise Winston for a “pivotal” role in Ballerina, and Keanu Reeves will also reportedly be involved in the Ana de Armas-led spinoff.

Clancy Brown

Whether you know him from live-action roles like The Kurgan in Highlander or Byron Hadley in The Shawshank Redemption, or have heard him voice animated characters like Mr. Krabs in Spongebob Squarepants or Lex Luthor in the DC Animated Universe, most, if not all of you reading this are familiar with Clancy Brown in some way. Well, soon he’ll be lending his talents to the John Wick universe as a character known only as Harbinger. As explained by Chad Stahelski, Harbinger is "everything that word stands for," essentially serving as The High Table’s “referee.”

Hiroyuki Sanada

As far as his American work goes, Hiroyuki Sanada is recognizable from the likes of The Wolverine, Avengers: Endgame, Army of the Dead, Bullet Train and Westworld, among other projects. During development of John Wick: Chapter 3, it was reported that Sanada was being eyed to play the villain, and while that obviously didn’t happen, he went on to be looped into the Chapter 4 proceedings. So now Sanada and Reeves get to reunite following their time together on 47 Ronin, and Sanada teased that his character, Shimazu, and John Wick also have history with one another.

Natalia Tena

Fans of the Harry Potter movies will know Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks, but if the Wizarding World isn’t your thing, maybe you recognize her from Game of Thrones as Osha, or for leading other shows like Wisdom of the Crowd and Origin. Regardless, it’s been confirmed that we’ll see Tena in John Wick: Chapter 4, and while her character not been identified yet, evidently her time with John Wick will involve him burning his arm for some reason.

Written by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, John Wick: Chapter 4 is slated for March 24, 2023. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more updates on its progress, including other actors, both new and familiar, who are added to the lineup. 

If you’re a fan of the John Wick franchise, you probably don’t need to be hyped up about John Wick: Chapter 4 all that much. The three previous installments have upped the action game each time, giving John Wick some of the most incredible fight sequences of any modern franchise. Still, it’s hard to not get excited to hear Laurence Fishburne call the next entry in the Keanu Reeves-led movies the “best one.” 

Speaking with Variety, Fishburne says that when he read the script he felt the fourth John Wick was the best movie in the series so far. Specifically, he calls out some early set pieces in the story that apparently blew him away, as well as some brand new characters that John Wick: Chapter 4 will introduce. Fishburne explains…  

As far as incredible set pieces go, that’s exactly what the John Wick movies are known for, so fans will certainly expect some incredible action. At the same time, reading about what is supposed to happen during these action sequences is one thing, actually bringing them to life will be something else. Still, with action movie expert Chad Stahelski returning to direct the new movie, there is no reason not to expect that the action in the next film won’t live up to expectations.

As far as which new character, or characters, Laurence Fishburne is talking about here, it could be almost anybody. Beyond himself and Keanu Reeves, we know that Ian McShane and Lance Reddick will both be back for the next movie. Every other actor in the John Wick: Chapter 4 cast we’re aware of is brand new, so Fishburne could be talking about Clancy Brown, Bill Skarsgård, Scott Adkins, or anybody else. 

Fishburne was introduced in John Wick: Chapter 2 as The Bowery King. In Chapter 3, the Bowery King appears to be killed by the Adjudicator, but at the end of the film we learn that he survived his wounds, and he saves a nearly lifeless John Wick, which based on the John Wick Chapter 4 trailer,  is where it appears the next film will pick up.  

Hearing Laurence Fishburne say that John Wick: Chapter 4 is the best one yet, based solely on the script, is actually really good news because the next entry will be the first in the series that has a script not written Derek Kolstad. As such, there was the possibility that the next movie could be a drastic departure from what came before, but it certainly sounds like fans can rest easy. 

Whether he’s in a Matrix project or not, Laurence Fishburne will always be Morpheus to multiple generations of the franchise's fans. Not seeing him as the strong leader in The Matrix Resurrections was disarming for some fans. But Fishburne wasn’t sweating not being in the Matrix Reloaded sequel. The Morpheus actor hadn’t been asked about the film until recently. The Matrix alum finally offered his honest review of the Matrix sequel.

Before Resurrections even premiered, the School for Good and Evil star embraced questions about whether or not he was returning to the franchise. Of course, he was already honest about not playing Neo’s mentor in the third sequel. Months after The Matrix Resurrections’ release (currently available through an HBO Max subscription), Fishburne was finally asked if he saw the film while on the red carpet for the Netflix fantasy adaptation. The All the Old Knives actor didn’t hold back by saying to Variety:  

Fishburne was still supportive of Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves despite his feelings about the movie. He seemed indifferent toward the film. His expectations were already low before watching it, so he didn’t leave the experience disappointed. His reaction to the third Matrix sequel came off as a typical movie viewer rather than someone who was an integral part of the sci-fi franchise.

If you think his review was frank, his response about not being in the sequel might crush Matrix fans’ hearts. Of course, fans were outraged when they found out Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was playing Morpheus in Resurrections rather than Fishburne. When asked if he missed not playing Morpheus, he responded quickly with “not really.” His response spoke volumes after his honest take on the sequel.

Fishburne’s opinion wasn’t an outlier as critics and audiences called out the film for not living up to the Matrix legacy. Much like the Oscar-nominated actor, critics enjoyed the teaming of Reeves and Moss but were indifferent to the overall story, especially the meta-angle. Fans echoed the same sentiment about the film’s stars but were divided on whether the first half or second half didn’t live up to their expectations. The division over the Matrix sequel showed up in its box office returns as it didn’t make back its budget after it bombed in China.

Laurence Fishburne hasn’t let not playing Morpheus sideline him as his 2022 was busy with the release of The School for Good and Evil and All the Old Knives. Next year isn’t too shabby either as he will appear in one of 2023’s biggest movies John Wick: Chapter 4. The sequel will arrive in theaters on March 24, 2023.

You can revisit Fishburne’s time as Morpheus by watching the first three Matrix films on HBO Max.

Over the years, Netflix has become an exciting place for YA fans to see some inspired adaptations of their favorite books and novel series, with shows like Shadow and Bone, Fear Street, To All The Boys I Loved Before and 13 Reasons Why. That tradition continues with a movie adapting author Soman Chainani’s fantasy series, The School For Good And Evil.

Directed by Bridesmaid’s Paul Feig, the new Netflix original movie follows friends Sophie and Agatha, who attend the School of Good and Evil as classmates and learn about their mysterious pasts and destinies. It also features an exciting, star-studded cast that we will shine the spotlight on now for you. Here is a breakdown of who is playing who in Netflix’s The School for Good and Evil cast.

Sofia Wylie

Playing one of the film’s main protagonists, Agatha, is Sofia Wylie, who has played a Marvel character before – namely Riri “Ironheart” Williams on Disney XD’s Spider-Man series and in a few animated shorts. Her first taste of fame was as a dancer on America’s Got Talent in 2015 and, two years later, being cast on Nickelodeon’s Nicky, RIcky, Dicky & Dawn and Disney Channel’s Andi Mack. Two years after that, was cast as the lead of a short-lived Disney show about dancing called Shook, and as a main character of Disney+’s hit series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. 

Sophia Anne Caruso

As Agatha’s best friend, Sophie (who is placed in the School of Evil), we have Sophia Anne Caruso, who is best known for originating the role of Lydia Deetz for Broadway’s take on Beetlejuice. She had earlier experience with screen acting from appearing in 2008’s Eagle Eye and 2011’s I Am Number Four from director D.J. Caruso (no relation), and she also played Brigitta in NBC’s The Sound of Music Live! in 2013, but The School For Good And Evil marks her first lead role in a film.

Laurence Fishburne

Another cast member with Marvel titles under his belt (2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer and 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp) in addition to DC movies (he played Perry White in the DECU) is Laurence Fishburne, whose earlier work includes playing Cowboy Curtis on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, as well as starring in grounded, thought-provoking dramas like Boyz n the Hood. However, the Oscar nominee (for What’s Love Got to Do with It) is best known as Morpheus, whom he did not reprise in the fourth installment of the Matrix movies. However, he did reunite with Keanu Reeves for the last few John Wick movies and will reprise his role as the Bowery King for that franchise’s upcoming fourth installment.

Michelle Yeoh

Reportedly playing Professor Emma Anemone from the School of Good, is Michelle Yeoh – who is also best-known for playing heroic badasses like Jessica Yang in Supercop, Wai Lin in Tomorrow Never Dies, Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, or Evelyn Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once, more recently. Of course, those are only some of Yeoh's best movies, which also include a couple of MCU films (as a different character in each), some rom-coms (such as when she was in the Crazy Rich Asians cast) and last worked with Paul Feig on Last Christmas), and her recent voice over work in the Paws of Fury cast and in Minions: The Rise of Gru.

Jamie Flatters

The School for Good and Evil will be many American audiences’ first introduction to Jamie Flatters before he appears in Avatar: The Way of Water later in 2022, unless they already caught his last Netflix original movie — the European World War II-set drama, The Forgotten War, from 2020. The English actor debuted on the BBC’s coming-of-age dramedy, So Awkward, in 2015 before landing recurring roles on a more mature British drama called Liar and another dark miniseries from the U.K. called Close to Me.

Kit Young

The School for Good and Evil is only the latest Netflix original title based on a series of YA fantasy novels to star Kit Young, following his breakout role in the Shadow and Bone cast as Jesper Fahey. He made his acting debut alongside The Handmaid’s Tale cast member O-T Fagbenle in the 2008 made-for-TV military biopic, Walter’s War, and has appeared in stage productions of classic Shakespeare plays that were filmed and distributed by National Theatre Live — namely Julius Caesar in 2018 and A Midsummer Night’s Dream the following year.

Peter Serafinowicz

Peter Serafinowicz has a lot in common with his fellow cast members. He has starred in comic book adaptations (Guardians of the Galaxy and Amazon Prime’s live-action reboot of The Tick, for instance), Simon Pegg movies and TV shows (most notably Shaun of the Dead and Spaced), John Wick: Chapter 2, and a number of Paul Feig movies (including Spy and the aforementioned Last Christmas). However, none of his co-stars can claim to be the first actor to voice Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace.

Rob Delaney

Yet another comic book movie veteran (Deadpool 2) in The School for Good and Evil cast is Rob Delaney, who is also part of the Fast and Furious movies universe (he was in the Hobbs and Shaw spin-off), worked with Charlize Theron in the Bombshell cast, worked with Paul Feig on Last Christmas, and was in Netflix’s The Bubble cast with Peter Serafinowicz. The creator and star of Amazon’s Catastrophe also had an especially busy year in 2021 with the live-action Tom & Jerry movie, Guy Ritchie’s Wrath of Man, the futuristic animated feature Ron’s Gone Wrong, and Disney+’s Home Sweet Home Alone.

Mark Heap

The School of Evil counterpart to Michelle Yeoh’s character, Professor Bilious Manley, is played by Mark Heap, who is no stranger to fantasy, having starred in 2007’s Stardust, and who is also known for movies like 2002’s About a Boy. However, he is best known for his scene-stealing main role on Spaced and would reunite with the hit British sitcom's star/co-creator (Simon Pegg) and director (Edgar Wright) for the apocalyptic comedy The World’s End in 2012. 

Patti LuPone

Another The School for Good and Evil cast member with a theater background and a role in a Paul Feig Movie (Last Christmas) is the legendary Patti LuPone. Her first major role in a feature film was in Steven Spielberg’s 1941, which she would follow up with more acclaimed hits like Witness in 1985 and 1989’s Driving Miss Daisy, for instance. Also in 2022, she returned to the American Horror Story cast for Season 11, which is only her latest time working with producer Ryan Murphy after her recurring role on Pose and in the Netflix miniseries, Hollywood.

Rachel Bloom 

Rachel Bloom’s connections to the rest of the School for Good and Evil cast include a comic book adaptation (she leant her voice to Batgirl in 2019’s Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and starring in a recent Disney+ movie (Chip ’n Dale: Rescue Rangers from 2022). The Emmy-winning star and co-creator of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend can also be seen playing a Hulu-employed comedy writer in the platform’s Reboot cast and, years earlier, had a brief role on How I Met Your Mother in Season 7.

Kerry Washington

As the Dean of the School for Good, Professor Clarissa Dovey, we have Kerry Washington, who was part of The Prom cast for her last Netflix movie and has been in Marvel films – namely two Fantastic Four movies as Ben Grimm’s girlfriend, Alicia. She became a household name, however, when she was cast in her Emmy-nominated role as Olivia Pope in Shonda Rhimes’ Scandal in 2012 – the same year she reunited with her Ray co-star, Jamie Foxx, in Django Unchained. In 2020, Washington won an Emmy for executive producing Live in Front of a Studio Audience: “All in the Family” and “Good Times” and was also nominated that year for her performance in Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere.   

Charlize Theron

As the Dean of the School for Evil, Lady Lesso, we have Charlize Theron, who is -- like Michelle Yeoh -- usually known best for playing heroic badasses like Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road, Lorraine Broughton in Atomic Blonde, or Andy in her last Netflix movie, The Old Guard. However, she has gone bad to play serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (for which she won an Oscar), the royally evil Ravenna in Snow White and the Huntsman and its sequel, and Cipher in the Fast and Furious movies. The South African native – who broke out in Tom Hanks’ That Thing You Do! cast  – also received Academy attention for 2006’s North Country and 2019’s Bombshell, and recently joined the MCU as Doctor Strange’s love interest, Clea.  

With a director as versatile as Paul Feig at the helm and a star-studded ensemble like this, we could be looking at the next Harry Potter — in terms of being a successful franchise based on a series of YA fantasy books. Stream The School for Good and Evil on Netflix, if you have not already, to see for yourself.

Book adaptations of big-time novels always seem to go over well with audiences, and have for plenty of years, with movie sagas such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings taking over the box office. But, a newcomer is arriving on the movie scene, one which should have been adapted almost as soon as it came out, if you ask me.

The School for Good and Evil, an amazing addition to the fantasy genre, is finally getting its own adaptation into the film world – but not in theaters. However, it will be appearing as a Netflix movie, on the popular streaming website. However, what else do we know about this upcoming film? What is it going to be about? Who is going to be in it? There are plenty of things that you might not know, but we do. Here are some quick things we know about the upcoming Netflix film.

The School For Good And Evil Release Date Is Set For October 21

Mark your calendars, fantasy lovers, as The School for Good and Evil is going to be coming out as part of the 2022 movie release schedule! Announced with the official poster from the Netflix Twitter page, it was confirmed that The School for Good and Evil would release on the popular streaming platform in Fall 2022, specifically on October 21. 

Talk about a great addition to all the fun Halloween movies we’ll be watching during that time of year - I can always use a little good and evil in my life. 

The School For Good And Evil Has A Star-Studded Cast

With an adaptation like The School for Good and Evil, we all knew that the cast needed to be amazing. And, luckily, there’s no shortage of amazing additions to this Netflix movie. First, let’s take a look at the two leads characters of the film, Sophie and Agatha, where the story begins. These two roles will be played by Sophia Anna Caruso, known for her role in the Broadway musical Beetlejuice, and Sofia Wylie, who stars on a Disney+  show you really should watch, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

Wylie is especially excited for her role in The School for Good and Evil. In an interview with MTV, she talked about her part as Agatha and how she’s excited to “bring some realness” to the character that hadn’t been seen before. She described Agatha’s struggles with internal and external beauty through her own experience, saying that it’s something she can relate to and that it’s an important message to teach.

Adding on to this cast, Deadline reported that two megastars, Charlize Theron and Kerry Washington, signed on for two of the main roles in the upcoming film. Theron is set to play Lady Lesso, and Washington will portray a teacher at the school, Professor Dovey.

In addition to these two, in another article, Deadline reported that Laurence Fishburne, known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy and many other films, as well as action star Michelle Yeoh, from movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and her TV role in Star Trek: Discovery, have stepped up to be in The School for Good and Evil. Fishburne will play the Schoolmaster – a role that sounds quite fitting for someone of his talents, and Yeoh will portray another teacher, Professor Anemone.

Also for the film, Demi Isaac Oviawe, Kaitlyn Akinpelumi, and Freya Theodora Parks will play Anadil, Dot and Hester, three young women who are a part of The Coven in The School for Good and Evil, as confirmed by a behind-the-scenes look with the author of the original novel, Soman Chainani on YouTube.

Already, this film is shaping up to be filled to the brim with some of the Hollywood elite. I, for one, can’t wait to see what they do with the material they are given, because it’s about to get magical.

The School For Good And Evil Will Follow The Bestselling Book Series

For those who don’t know, The School for Good and Evil is composed of several novels in a series. Netflix confirmed that this new movie will be based on the series by Soman Chainani, and from the premise of the film, it’s looking to be exactly like the first novel.

As confirmed by the description from the trailer for the new movie on YouTube, The School for Good and Evil is going to follow two best friends, Sophia and Agatha, who are swept into a world of trying to balance both good and evil when they are given different roles, but this in turn causes their lives to turn upside down. 

I’m already on board for a story like this. Two opposing personalities who end up being trained in styles that they thought they weren’t aligned with? Thrown into unlikely situations? Fantasy elements? My god, I can almost feel the franchise coming. Netflix has a great addition with this one.

Bridesmaids Director Paul Feig Is Directing The School For Good And Evil

I don’t think there could have been another perfect choice for the director for The School for Good and Evil than Paul Feig. The legendary director has produced some of the biggest comedic hits in the last ten years. For example, Feig directed the smash-hit Bridesmaids back in 2011, the 2016 remake of Ghostbusters, the Emilia Clarke Christmas comedy Last Christmas, the comedy thriller, A Simple Favor, and so many others.

Besides movies, Paul Feig has also directed multiple episodes of several incredible sitcoms, such as The Office, Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and 30 Rock. The School for Good and Evil novels have an amazing comedic element to them, and I can only imagine what a comedic director like Paul Feig will bring to the table in this new film.

Finding Neverland Screenwriter David Magee Wrote The Screenplay For The School For Good And Evil

When it comes to an adapted screenplay, you always have to make sure that you find the right person to do it, because with novels, there are so many details that need to somehow make it into the movie. The School for Good and Evil found its screenwriter in David Magee.

Magee is a perfect choice, because not only has he been around the business for some time, he’s had plenty of experience in writing fantasy, working on films such as the Academy-Award winning Life of Pi, the Disney sequel Mary Poppins Returns, and wrote the screenplay for Finding Neverland, the story of the author who created the legendary character, Peter Pan. Truly, he has great experience up his sleeves, and I’m eager to see what he’ll do with the fantastic story that is The School for Good and Evil.

The School For Good And Evil Has Finished Filming 

As you can expect for a film that already has a trailer, The School for Good and Evil finished production for their film not too long ago. From a tweet on Twitter from Netflix Geeked, it was confirmed back in July of 2021 that filming had wrapped on the film and was entering into the post-production phases. 

Watch The Trailer For The School For Good And Evil 

If you haven’t yet seen the trailer for The School for Good and Evil, be sure to watch it now, as you won’t want to miss out on the magic. 

With an amazing cast, awesome story, and some really cool looking set pieces featured in the trailer, The School for Good and Evil is looking to be an amazing addition to Netflix's original film line-up. I can’t wait for this movie to pop up as part of the 2022 Netflix movie schedule. I’m practically counting down the days. 

Throughout Hollywood’s history, there’s been a bias toward white audiences that has bled into the industry today. While there is a concerted effort for movies and television to better reflect the experiences of more people than ever before these days, there’s much more progress to be made. In spirit of being perceptive to the need for continued representation, let us celebrate how the most iconic Black voices in film broke through into the Hollywood mainstream. 

From Whoopi Goldberg’s start in the ‘80s to Michael B. Jordan just under a decade ago, let’s talk about some of the unforgettable film performances by Black actors that helped really catapult them into super fame. 

Whoopi Goldberg In The Color Purple (1985) 

Whoopi Goldberg is currently a seasoned performer who co-hosts The View following becoming one of the few entertainers in history to receive an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony wins). The actress got her start on the stage where The Graduate director Mike Nichols discovered her and assisted in a transition to Broadway which led Steven Spielberg to learn of her and cast Goldberg in The Color Purple. 

At the age of 30, Whoopi Goldberg found her breakthrough with Spielberg’s book adaptation that became commercially and critically successful and earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination. Since then, Goldberg has been continually successful, also finding many memorable roles in Ghost, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Sister Act. 

Denzel Washington In Cry Freedom (1987) 

Denzel Washington is among the most respected and beloved actors in movie history today. The actor got his start in theater as well after studying acting classically. Shortly after graduating, he nabbed a role in the comedy Carbon Copy alongside George Segal before becoming part of the medical drama St. Elsewhere. In terms of the actor’s breakthrough into the decorated actor he is now, it all started with his role in Richard Attenborough’s Cry Freedom alongside Kevin Kline. 

The 1987 film based on a true story saw Denzel Washington playing Steve Biko, a South African anti-apartheid activist. The movie that opened up a discussion about discrimination and political corruption led to Washington’s first Oscar nomination and a career packed full of challenging and important roles like Glory, Malcolm X, Training Day and many more. 

Laurence Fishburne In Boyz n the Hood (1991)

Laurence Fishburne is another all-time great Black actor who continues to star in incredible movies and TV shows today including his role in the forthcoming John Wick movie. Fishburne got started in Hollywood at the age of 11, finding roles in ABC soaps before being part of Apocalypse Now as a teen. Throughout the ‘80s he found roles here and there, including a minor role in The Color Purple with Whoopi Goldberg. He starred in Spike Lee’s second film, the under-the-radar School Daze, but 1991’s Boyz n the Hood really brought the actor to the forefront. 

John Singleton’s now modern classic Boyz n the Hood starred Cuba Gooding Jr, Ice Cube, Nia Long, Regina King and Angela Bassett in a crime drama that kickstarted all their careers. At the time Fishburne was recognizable for his nearly 20 year career, but Boyz n the Hood was the first mainstream successful movie that showcased Fishburne’s talent when he played the father figure, Furious Styles (one of many performances he should have received an Oscar for).  Following that performance he started receiving acclaim for a number of roles and of course became Morpheus in The Matrix. 

Angela Bassett In What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993) 

Angela Bassett is an icon, full stop. Before the actress assumed that title, she graduated from Yale University with a degree in African-American studies and went back to study acting for her MFA. She then moved to Los Angeles and found early key roles in Boyz n the Hood and Malcolm X. She received attention for playing Malcolm X’s wife in the film, but it was 1993’s What’s Love Got To Do With It that allowed her to breakthrough and become the star she is today. 

Bassett portrayed Tina Turner in the biopic, which became a well-loved film and led Bassett to receive major award attention, along with becoming the first Black woman to win the Golden Globe for Best Actress. She went on to star in other major films including Strange Days, Waiting To Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back and tell Rosa Parks’ story in Ride To Freedom. 

Don Cheadle In Devil In A Blue Dress (1995) 

Don Cheadle is one of the coolest and most interesting actors of our day along with him being notably part of the Marvel family as James Rhodes/War Machine as well. After graduating with a BFA in theater in 1986, he got his start in small roles in Hollywood. He found early roles in movies like Colors and an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alongside Will Smith. Things started really heating up for the actor when he starred in Devil in a Blue Dress with Denzel Washington. 

The 1995 neo-noir movie based on the Walter Mosley novel instantly got people talking about how Cheadle stole the show in the role of Mouse. The role led Cheadle to level up in Hollywood, leading to roles in Boogie Nights, Out Of Sight and the Ocean’s films leading to a continually illustrious career. 

Gabrielle Union In Bring It On (2000) 

The breakthrough performances we’ve talked about thus far are mainly dramatic performances, making Gabrielle Union’s big moment notable to shed light on. The actress started on TV, finding roles in series such as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sister, Sister, 7th Heaven and Friends before finding small roles in teen movies She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You. Union became a big name when she starred as Isis in 2000’s Bring It On alongside Kirsten Dunst. 

The cult classic about rival cheerleading teams caught the attention of Hollywood and led the actress to be cast in CBS medical drama City of Angels and find more leading roles, such as in 2003’s Deliver Us From Eva and Bad Boys II. Over twenty years later, she remains a prominent name who is never short of a new role. 

Viola Davis In Far From Heaven (2002) 

Viola Davis is a prolific actress with a number of great performances we love. How did she get here? Davis was a graduate of Juilliard and got her start on the stage, finding her first Broadway role at 31 for an August Wilson play, which has continued to be a notable part of her career. Her early roles were brief in big movies like Ocean’s Eleven, Kate & Leopold and Antwone Fisher. Her breakthrough role was in 2002’s Far From Heaven as Sybil, the housekeeper and confidant to Julianne Moore’s lead character. 

A few years later, Davis’ prominence grew with her role in Doubt and other movies like The Help and Suicide Squad. Nowadays, when a Viola Davis movie comes out, we sit up and pay attention. 

Jamie Foxx In Collateral (2004)

Jamie Foxx got his start telling jokes at a comedy club’s open mic night in 1989 thanks to a girlfriend’s dare. Later, he became part of the cast of In Living Color before nabbing a sitcom of his own called The Jamie Foxx Show. As we know in the '90s, TV and movies were a different game. Foxx broke out into the movie business in 1999 with Any Given Sunday but the movie that really cemented his continued popularity is 2001’s Collateral. 

He starred alongside Tom Cruise in an action thriller that earned him his first Oscar nomination. Just a few months later, his portrayal of Ray Charles led the actor to also nab a Best Actor nomination in the same year and win. 

Taraji P. Henson In Hustle & Flow (2005)

Taraji P. Henson studied drama at Howard University before starting off as a background performer in the early '90s. After finding a first movie role in 1991’s Baby Boy, her breakthrough role was in 2005’s Hustle & Flow, alongside Terrence Howard, Anthony Anderson and Ludacris. The independent film about a hustler and pimp who becomes a rapper was a huge success at the time, putting Henson on the map. 

Henson then received buzz for starring in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button along with starring in big movies including I Can Do Bad All By Myself and The Karate Kid remake. She later reunited with her Hustle & Flow star for the Fox hit series, Empire alongside a vast career in Hollywood. 

Michael B. Jordan in Fruitvale Station (2013) 

One more recent performance by a Black actor that has turned an actor into a big star is Michael B. Jordan’s in Fruitvale Station. The Ryan Coogler film premiered at Sundance in 2013 to high acclaim before making a mark on Hollywood in other ways. Thanks to the movie’s big splash, Coogler and Jordan partnered up again to make Creed alongside Sylvester Stallone and then for 2018’s Black Panther. 

There’s a lot more incredible breakthrough performances we certainly missed, but it’s interesting to see how some of Hollywood’s biggest Black stars got their start. Here’s to celebrating more great actors in the years to come. You never know where the next major star will pop up first in upcoming movies. 

Oscar nominee Laurence Fishburne has been feeding the moviegoing public nothing but standout performances since he was a teenager. Fishburne’s film resume represents his impressive range from the Matrix and John Wick film series to gritty drama Deep Cover and HBCU pastiche School Daze. Whether he is the lead or a supporting player, the thespian has managed to keep viewers’ attention for more than five decades.

With such a long resume and endless scene-stealing performances, you would think Laurence Fishburne would have at least one or two Oscars by now. Unfortunately, the John Wick star has scored only one Oscar nomination for playing the infamous Ike Turner in the 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It. But one nomination doesn’t mean Fishburne’s other performances aren’t Oscar-worthy. So, here are just some of Laurence Fishburne movies worthy of an Academy Award.

Apocalypse Now (1979)

Before his turn as Ike Turner in What’s Love Got to Do It, Laurence Fishburne’s performance in Apocalypse Now was the first role he gained public notoriety and acclaim. The Matrix vet played teenage Vietnam soldier Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller in one of the best war movies ever made.

The renowned thespian was still green to Hollywood but managed to hide that by channeling Mr. Clean’s irreverence and cockiness. As viewers have seen throughout his career, Laurence Fishburne managed to disappear into his character. As a teenager playing a teenager in the grips of war, the actor captured the chaos many young Vietnam vets experienced. Like the perils of real war, Fishburne became a vehicle for Miller’s change in perspective through his natural emotions and sensibilities.

Doing all that allowed the King of New York star to hold his own against acting titans Robert Duvall and Martin Sheen. In fostering those on-screen relationships, Fishburne became the catalyst to Sheen finishing off-screen legend Marlon Brando’s Walter Kurtz in the film’s gruesome finale.

Despite being surrounded by Hollywood royalty, his star-making turn didn’t yield the Best Supporting Actor nom he truly deserved despite Duvall being nominated in the category. Outside of Duvall, the war film scored a litany of Oscar nominations and wins. Without Laurence Fishburne’s contribution, Apocalypse Now wouldn’t be regarded as one of cinema’s greatest masterpieces.

Boyz N the Hood (1991)

Unlike many Hollywood stars, Laurence Fishburne was allowed to mature through his roles. The Black-ish star’s turn as single father Jason “Furious” Styles in the cult classic Boyz N the Hood showcased that transition.

Despite only being a few years older, the Oscar nominee was able to play Cuba Gooding Jr.’s father with ease and authority. In being a real father, Laurence Fishburne raised his son with tough love but cushioned it with wisdom and understanding. This allowed Gooding Jr. to facilitate his transition to manhood by counteracting the “absentee/bad Black father” narrative often seen in films. Their chemistry and dynamic read like a real father-son relationship.

Fishburne wasn’t just Tre’s father but served as the father figure for his South Central neighborhood. He was able to check Ice Cube and Morris Chesnutt at certain times when their mother couldn’t. Those moments were indicative of his dynamics with the women in his life. Laurence Fishburne was a great scene partner to Angela Bassett and Tyra Ferrell. Each relationship operated differently – Styles was flirtatious with Ferrell’s Brenda Baker and straightforward yet loving with Bassett’s Reva Devereaux.

The coming-of-age film scored two Oscar nominations, including Best Director for John Singleton. Unfortunately, serving as the film’s moral center didn’t translate into a Best Supporting Actor nom for Fishburne. Even though he didn’t get any awards recognition, Furious Styles is still one of Laurence Fishburne’s most impactful and well-known performances.

Higher Learning (1995)

Over the years, audiences have witnessed Fishburne transition to more authoritarian roles in films. Playing political science professor Maurice Phipps in Higher Learning placed him on that trajectory.

Laurence Fishburne channeled the tough love of Boyz N the Hood into this role as he became a contrarian voice to his idealistic students. This dynamic was emphasized by Phipps’ conservative ideology counteracting Columbus University’s liberal environment. Fishburne allowed himself to be the foil as the young cast experienced college life. Leaning into that archetype made him a consistent reality check for his young pupils.

Playing the foil culminated in the Oscar nominee becoming his students’ moral compass. The combative dynamic was exemplified in the scenes shared with Omar Epps’ Malik Williams. Phipps and Williams often clashed over their ideologies but eventually evolve as the two characters came to a mutual understanding. While the young cast was filled with the likes of Epps, Ice Cube and Regina King, Laurence Fishburne managed to capture audiences’ attention in every scene.

For his performance in Higher Learning, Laurence Fishburne scored an NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor. Unfortunately, that didn’t translate into an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Fishburne’s performance stabilized the film’s multiple storylines and heavy themes.

Akeelah And The Bee (2006)

Being a pseudo-father figure to young rising stars has become a pattern in the Ice Road star’s decades-long career. So, taking on renowned English professor and mentor Dr. Joshua Larabee in Akeelah and the Bee fell right in line with his acting resume.

Much like his recurring co-star Angela Basset, the Matrix vet was a big name for the indie drama. But his true purpose was to serve as a strong supporting player for the film’s lead Keke Palmer. Dr. Larabee and Palmer’s Akeelah’s relationship started off rough as they experienced a push-and-pull dynamic. His resistance to help Palmer made him an obstacle in Akeelah’s journey. Eventually, Laurence Fishburne came around to become a much-needed father figure and champion for the character’s goal. Through mentorship, he was subtle and quiet but authoritarian and a moral compass to the young spelling savant. His performance heightened Palmer’s as she delved into multiple emotions and feelings throughout the film.

As mentioned before, the coming-of-age drama saw him reteam with his What’s Love Got to Do It co-star Angela Bassett. Even though their energy at first is adversarial, the two recurring co-stars proved that genuine chemistry never dies. Just like their previous pairings, the Oscar nominees displayed their trademark chemistry and dynamic.

While Hustler’s Keke Palmer received acclaim and Oscar buzz while obtaining stardom, the actor deserved a trip to the Oscars with a Best Supporting Actor nom. Playing off all those dynamics allowed Laurence Fishburne to bring one of his best film performances.

Contagion (2011)

The medical thriller has experienced a renaissance over the COVID-19 pandemic due to the similarities. But what was rediscovered were the stellar performances in Contagion, especially Fishburne as CDC director and renowned virologist Dr. Ellis Cheever.

Overseeing a worldwide pandemic can be a huge undertaking for anyone, but Fishburne managed to show the complexities of being America’s top medical authority. Throughout the film, Dr. Cheever served as the voice of reason among the chaos. Serving in this capacity allowed the John Wick star to maintain a delicate balance between assertiveness and empathy. Playing the steadfast authority didn’t shield him from feeling the effects of the health crisis. Unlike most male authority figures, the doctor showed his complexities as he was emotional, intelligent and competent without sacrificing his humanity.

But what made Laurence Fishburne stand out was seeing a Black man take the lead in an unbelievable crisis. Given his complexities, his performance didn’t feed into Black male stereotypes and tropes. While Fishburne showed layers, his storyline played around with the government conspiracy narrative surrounding infections and vaccinations. The doctor eventually leaned into government coverups to help push an agenda. While the film is a decade old, his portrayal echoed today’s skepticism surrounding government and authority figures.

Despite the A-lister ensemble receiving some recognition, Laurence Fishburne’s performance didn’t lead to a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nom. With the film’s complex narrative and serious themes, it was Fishburne’s Dr. Cheever who tied everything together, and for that he deserved something.

The above performances showcased what a force Laurence Fishburne is to the craft of acting. Never getting to take the Academy Award podium hasn’t stopped the thespian steadily working throughout his career especially with 2021 movies. The Under the Stadium Lights star has multiple upcoming 2022 movies lined up, including John Wick: Chapter 4 and The School for Good and Evil. Maybe someday Fishburne will get say a thought-provoking speech on the Oscar stage.

In the making of Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix Resurrections, Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Jonathan Groff were given some pretty damn huge shoes to fill. Respectively playing new versions of Morpheus and Smith, they were given the opportunity to be a part of one of modern pop culture’s standout franchises, but the parts came with the knowledge that fans would undoubtedly compare their performances to Laurence Fishburne’s and Hugo Weaving’s from the original trilogy.

Naturally, this built-in challenge had an influence on their individual approach to the roles, and what results in the finished film is the actors both working to match expectations and create something new.

As captured in the video above, I had the pleasure of interviewing Yahya Abdul Mateen II and Jonathan Groff earlier this month during the virtual press day for The Matrix Resurrections, and my first question was in regard to how they referenced the work of Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving in the previous movies. Answering first, Mateen II said that there wasn’t any kind of specific mannerism or physicality he tried to recreate in his own performance, but he did note that there was a certain familiar energy that was demanded for certain scenes in the film. Said the actor,

What’s key to acknowledge -- and minor spoilers -- however, is that the version of Morpheus in The Matrix Resurrections isn’t the same one as Laurence Fishburne’s in the Matrix trilogy – hence the recasting of the role. We get to see this incarnation’s “origins” start at the very beginning of the movie, and that fact created a special opportunity for Yahya Abdul Mateen II to make the character his own.

Continuing, he added that there are scenes in the sequel that are emotionally miles away from any scene with the character in The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded or The Matrix Revolutions, and he leaned into that aspect of the performance when he could:

Making The Matrix Resurrections was a similar experience for Jonathan Groff. Obviously there is a great deal of history with Smith, as the character is one of the most memorable villains in sci-fi history, and the actor found his moments when he could specifically play that side of the role. Said Groff,

For his performance, Jonathan Groff says that he used the original Matrix trilogy as important reference material, and then worked with Lana Wachowski to further evolve the role. He explained,

The Matrix Resurrections marks a new era for the beloved sci-fi franchise, and it is now widely available for your consumption. In addition to playing on the big screen around the world, the blockbuster is also available to stream at home with an HBO Max subscription.

I always found it funny how MacGruber - a Saturday Night Live character favorite played by Will Forte - got his own theatrically released movie in 2010 and the character he parodies, MacGyver (played by Richard Dean Anderson on the original series and Lucas Till on the CBS reboot), only had a few spin-off TV specials to his name. 

Now, the bumbling special operative is also getting a TV series of his own - premiering exclusively on Peacock, on Thursday, December 16, 2021. In addition to some familiar faces, there are a surprising amount of Hollywood heavies joining the MacGruber cast, but let’s start with our returning lead.

Will Forte (MacGruber)

The character of MacGruber is the brainchild of The Lonely Island’s Jorma Taccone, but was brought to life on SNL by Will Forte. The comedian would leave the sketch comedy series after eight years, in 2010, and create and star on his own post-apocalyptic sitcom, The Last Man on Earth, starting in 2015. 

He has also leant his talents to movies, like the 2013 Oscar nominated drama Nebraska and the coming-of age comedy Booksmart in 2019, and leant his voice to movies like Scoob! (as Shaggy) or Netflix’s America: The Motion Picture cast as Abraham Lincoln. After the MacGruber series, Forte will share the screen with Grammy-winning rock band Foo Fighters in Studio 666 - a horror-comedy coming out February 2022.

Kristen Wiig (Vicki St. Elmo)

As MacGruber’s long-time friend and partner, Vicki St. Elmo (who also originated on SNL and was reprised in the 2010 movie), is Kristen Wiig. She would quickly evolve into one of the biggest names in comedy, especially after leading the Bridesmaids cast and writing its Oscar-nominated screenplay with her Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar co-star, Annie Mumolo. 

Of course, after making her superhero movies debut in 2020 as Cheetah - one of the main villains of Wonder Woman 1984 - I think we can safely call her one of the biggest names in any genre these days. Wiig also has done a few voice acting roles recently, (including leading Fox’s Bless the Harts cast) and starred in Netflix’s epic holiday fantasy A Boy Called Christmas in 2021.

Ryan Phillippe (Lt. Dixon Piper)

Reprising his role from the MacGruber movie as Lt. Dixon Piper is one-time SNL host Ryan Phillippe. After debuting on One Life to Live, movies like teen slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer and the teen drama, Cruel Intentions, made him a movie star in the late 1990s. 

After starring in more acclaimed hits in the 2000s, like the Best Picture Oscar winner Crash or Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers, he would redefine himself as TV star once more by assuming Mark Wahlberg’s role in USA’s series remake of Shooter and landing a recurring role on ABC’s hit crime drama, Big Sky. However, Phillippe still appears in films, such as the 2021 military thriller, One Shot, most recently.

Billy Zane (Enos Queeth)

As MacGruber’s arch nemesis, Enos Queeth, we have Billy Zane. This actor is no stranger to villainy, with his debut role in the Back to the Future cast as one of Biff’s goons, and playing Cal Hockley in the 1998 Best Picture Oscar winner, Titanic, just to name a few.

He also has a few comic book adaptations under his belt, as the lead of the 1996 film, The Phantom, and as himself in a fun cameo with The Boys cast for Amazon Prime. He will soon share the screen with several iconic horror movie actors in the thriller, Hellblazers, and is producing a Marlon Brando biopic called Waltzing with Brando in which he will play the iconic actor.

Sam Elliott (Perry)

An old MacGruber sketch starring Richard Dean Anderson revealed that MacGyver was MacGruber’s father. However, that has apparently been retconned for the new show, with Sam Elliott as his estranged old man, Perry. 

In addition to a couple of Marvel movies (Hulk in 2003 and 2007’s Ghost Rider) the Academy Award nominee (for 2018’s A Star is Born) is known for starring in countless westerns - including 1993’s Tombstone and the FX series Justified - but, arguably, his best-known cowboy hat-clad character is The Stranger from The Big Lebowski in 1998. He recently put on another cowboy hat when joining the 1883 cast as Shea Brennan for the 19th century Yellowstone prequel.

Laurence Fishburne (General Barrett Fasoose)

Another MacGruber cast member with a powerful voice and an Oscar nomination (for What’s Love Got to Do with It) is Gen. Barrett Fasoose actor Laurence Fishburne. Like Sam Elliott, he has done his fair share of superhero movies (he played Perry White in the DCEU) and has played a cowboy (Cowboy Curtis on Pee-wee’s Playhouse) to great acclaim. 

In addition to grounded, powerful dramas like Boyz n the Hood and various TV shows (he plays Pops on Black-ish, for instance), his most notable claim to fame is playing Morpheus in the original Matrix movies. While Yahya Abdul-Mateen II took over that role for The Matrix Resurrections, Fishburne will soon reunite with Keanu Reeves when he reprises the Bowery King in John Wick: Chapter 4. 

Timothy V. Murray (Constantine Bach)

Reprising his role from the MacGruber movie as Constantine Bach is Timothy V. Murray, who typically appears in titles that the MacGruber series pokes fun at, like 24, Criminal Minds, Sons of Anarchy, or True Detective. He once played one of Ed Harris’ henchmen in 2007’s National Treasure: Book of Secrets before reuniting with the actor for the western Appaloosa in 2008, and then working with Disney again for its remake of The Lone Ranger in 2013. He, more recently, had recurring roles on the hit dramas Snowpiercer and S.W.A.T.

Joseph Lee Anderson (Major Harold Kernst)

As Major Harold Kernst, we have Joseph Lee Anderson, who is also known for a recurring role on S.W.A.T., among plenty of other crime procedurals. A good chunk of his career is historical dramas, such as American Soul (based on the life of Soul Train creator Don Cornelius), Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here (on which he appeared as Muhammed Ali), and the Oscar nominated Harriet (in which he played Harriet Tubman’s brother, Robert Ross). However, his biggest claim to fame in the category of playing real-life people is his role as Dwayne Johnson’s father, Rocky, on the NBC series, Young Rock.

Previously, Sin City cast member and Oscar nominee Mickey Rourke was cast as Billy Zane's villainous character. As cool as it is to see the Titanic star play a bad guy again, I would have been very curious to see Rourke in such a role. We shall see how Zane and the rest of the MacGruber cast handle their characters when the series premieres on Peacock.

After a year of delayed movies, studios are back in the habit of releasing major blockbusters. And for fans of sci-fi there are few upcoming titles more exciting than The Matrix Resurrections. Moviegoers were thrilled to learn that Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss would be back, although there have been some casting changes. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is playing Morpheus, and recently opened up about taking on the mantle from Laurence Fishburne.

Laurence Fishburne starred as Morpheus in all three installments of the original Matrix trilogy. But as the 60 year-old actor revealed, he wasn’t asked to return for Resurrections. That honor goes to recent Emmy winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who opened up about continuing Fishburne’s legacy. As he put it,

Well, there you have it. It certainly seems like Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has a ton of respect for what Laurence Fishburne did with the role of Morpheus across three different movies. But Lana Wachowski seems to be telling a different story for The Matrix Resurrections. It remains to be seen how this recasting will play out on the big screen.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen’s comments to EW come in a new interview that’s all about his upcoming role in The Matrix Resurrections. He’s got some very big shoes to fill, and fans can’t wait to see the Aquaman and Watchmen star join another beloved franchise. Abdul-Mateen certainly is pulling off Morpheus’ signature sunglasses in the first mysterious trailer for the sequel.

Indeed, the majority of the cast of The Matrix Resurrections is made up of newcomers to Lana Wachowski’s iconic franchise. But while most are seemingly playing new characters, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has the distinction of stepping into an established character. In that same interview he explained his continued reverence for the franchise’s past, saying:

Given how much The Matrix has influenced the film world, it’s almost impossible not to appreciate the history of the sci-if property. Countless movies have emulated the franchise’s signature cinematography, and it should be interesting to see what new concepts Lana Wachowski introduces in The Matrix Resurrections. 

The first trailer for The Matrix Resurrections basically broke the internet, and certainly piqued interest about the franchise’s return to the big screen. And while some trailers are known for giving too much away, the plot is still a complete mystery after this first footage. Although one thing is clear: there’s a new Morpheus in town.

The Matrix Resurrections will arrive in theaters and HBO Max on December 22nd, 2021. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Ever since it was revealed that Mission: Impossible 7 is bringing back Henry Czerny’s Eugene Kittridge, the Tom Cruise-led franchise seems to be hinting that Ethan Hunt’s past will further define his future. With such an exercise supposedly taking form over the course of the next two installments of Paramount’s blockbuster franchise, it leaves the door open for several other returns that we’d love to see for various actors who’ve helped make Mission: Impossible a compelling and fun espionage franchise. And who better to kick off this wishlist of returning IMF agents and all folks adjacent than the sadly not returning Angela Bassett.

Angela Bassett (CIA Director Erika Sloane)

After the death of IMF secretary Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin), the mantle of IMF Secretary felt primed to be handed over to Angela Bassett’s CIA Director Erika Sloane. Her addition to the cast in Mission: Impossible - Fallout was supposed to carry over to Mission: Impossible 7, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bassett’s return was sadly not possible this time out. Much as Angela Bassett herself hopes to be able to rejoin the team in Mission: Impossible 8, we too hope that she can accept the next mission since she’s already chosen to do so.

Jeremy Renner (William Brandt)

There was once at time that Jeremy Renner’s William Brandt was being eyed as the new lead of the franchise after his arrival in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. While that never happened, Renner’s character was retained for the following sequel, Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, and was presumed to be a part of the team going forward. That was, until Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame came into the picture, prohibiting Jeremy Renner from returning in Fallout. Maybe, just maybe, depending on what his Hawkeye schedule looks like in the future, Renner will be humming the Mission: Impossible theme tune in celebration of his potential return.

Thandiwe Newton (Nyah Nordoff Hall)

An accomplice to Ethan Hunt’s IMF Team in Mission: Impossible 2, Thandiwe Newton’s Nyah Nordoff-Hall was an accomplished jewel thief who literally put her life on the line for the survival of the planet. And after those heroic deeds, there was never an offer for Westworld star to return in Mission: Impossible III. While the experience was intense, to say the least, after Ms. Newton’s new calling card arrived in the form of her huge action sequence in this summer’s Reminiscence, the thought of Nyah returning as an IMF agent with her own mythic legacy is the stuff that sequels are made of.

Anthony Hopkins (Mission Commander Swanbeck)

If you’re playing an IMF commander that gives Ethan Hunt his Mission: Impossible orders, chances are you’re either cannon fodder without a proper name (like Tom Wilkinson in Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol) or you just don’t reappear, like Mission: Impossible 2’s Mission Commander Swanbeck. Played by Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins, this elusive figure bookends the film’s plot, but has never been heard from since meeting with Ethan and Nyah in Sydney. If Henry Czerny is coming back after intensely locking horns with Tom Cruise’s IMF super agent, then maybe it’s time to bring back the most paternal IMF superior Ethan has ever served under.

Maggie Q (Zhen Lei)

While Rebecca Ferguson’s IMF ally Ilsa Faust is an absolute breath of fresh air when it comes to keeping Mission: Impossible alive and well, her casting came from two members of the team that sadly couldn’t return. One such figure was Zhen Lei, Maggie Q’s Mission: Impossible III operative, who sadly found herself sidelined twice due to contractual obligations. But the door is still open, and Maggie Q’s only upped her action game since working alongside the rest of Tom Cruise’s team of agents. Perhaps some day, Zhen can make her big Mission: Impossible return by dropping into a room from the end of a fire hose, delivering a witty one-liner to stop the room in its tracks.

Paula Patton (Jane Carter)

The other Mission: Impossible actor that sort of paved the way for Rebecca Ferguson to join up is none other than Paula Patton from Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. With Maggie Q’s Zhen Lei unavailable for service, the vengeful Jane Carter was introduced, with Patton playing the part. And, as is often the case in this series, when Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation came calling, Paula Patton sadly had to pass. Though Jane may have gotten her revenge on her lover’s murderer, that probably doesn’t quench her passion for action in the name of peace.

Laurence Fishburne (IMF Director Theodore Brassel)

Again, if you’re a superior at the IMF, your odds of returning in another Mission: Impossible caper do tend to diminish. But if there’s one example we have to single out in terms of authority figures we’d love to see back in Mission: Impossible 8, besides Angela Bassett’s Erika Sloane, of course, it’s Laurence Fishburne’s IMF Director Theodore Brassel. A mixture of the paternal nature of Commander Swanbeck, as well as the adversarial “by the book” nature of Kittridge before him, Director Brassel was one of the most fun superiors to see Ethan Hunt play cat and mouse with. The Matrix may not have him right now, but the Mission: Impossible series should try and grab Mr. Fishburne for a dramatic return as soon as humanly possible.

The past history of the Mission: Impossible franchise has left tons of opportunities for people to return to this massive pop culture touchstone. Just as Tom Cruise will keep upping the ante with his stunt work, at least for the foreseeable future, the plot of the IMF’s international legacy will always have the chance to raise the stakes. Which is only a better case for drawing as many of these talented stars back into the game.

Of course, Mission: Impossible 7 is the current priority, with its newly locked release date of September 30, 2022. Meanwhile, Mission: Impossible 8 is currently set for release, blimp or no blimp, on July 7, 2023; but naturally that could change as well. What shouldn’t change too much is the 2021 release schedule, except, of course, for a couple minor shifts here and there. Though you should probably head over there soon, as this feature may or may not self-destruct in five seconds.

One of the most memorable parts of The Matrix series is its ensemble of characters. Neo, Trinity, Agent Smith and of course, Morpheus are as inextricably linked to the franchise’s popularity as its jaw-dropping action sequences and mind-melting storyline. So as you'd expect, fans are hoping to see as many familiar faces as possible when the fourth installment of The Matrix hits theaters -- and they’re not shy about asking the series’ stars, like the legendary Laurence Fishburne, if we can expect to see them again.

Unfortunately, if you’re awaiting the return of Morpheus, you are in for some disappointment. Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus won’t be making an appearance in Matrix 4. While he was already priming fans back in summer of 2020, he still seems to be open to discussing the film even if he isn’t in it. In a recent interview, though, when asked whether it gets old being asked if he’s in the next Matrix movie, he had a gracious response (via Collider):

It’s admittedly difficult to imagine a Matrix film that doesn’t feature Morpheus in some way, but that seems to be the reality we will have to get used to. It’s at least nice to know that Laurence Fishburne understands’ our enthusiasm for his character. While it’s unlikely that Lana Wachowski would actually answer our questions as to why Fishburne won’t be in Matrix 4, we can only assume that it will all make sense once we’ve seen the film.

While we don’t have too many details yet about what the storyline will entail, we do know that she will be introducing several new characters. The film is also bringing back some iconic Matrix players, including Keanu Reeves’ Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity.

This doesn’t have to mean we’ve said goodbye to Morpheus forever, either. There’s always a chance that more Matrix films will be greenlit and, if it fits the story, the beloved Zion operative could still make a comeback. Even if that doesn’t happen, though, we can still see him on screen with Keanu Reeves in another franchise. The actor has confirmed that he’s reprising his role as The Bowery King in John Wick: Chapter 4, which is slated to hit theaters in May 2022.

As for The Matrix 4, even though it feels like we’ve been waiting forever to see it, the premiere date is finally drawing closer. Whether it’s called The Matrix Resurrections or not, it is slated to hit theaters and HBO Max on December 22, 2021.

Given the power of nostalgia in the entertainment industry, seemingly any brand could return for a sequel or reboot. Lana Wachowski’s The Matrix 4 is one of these projects, with fans eager to jack back into the beloved science fiction franchise. Keanu Reeves will be returning alongside Carrie-Anne Moss and a few other familiar faces, but there’s one beloved character that seemingly won’t appear: Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus. And now the Emmy and Tony winning actor has offered an honest answer for fans questioning Morpheus’ possible return.

Not much is known about The Matrix 4, but Lana Wachowski assembled a killer cast of returning actors and newcomers. But while Neo and Trinity will somehow return thanks to Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, the holy Matrix trilogy won’t be completed with Morpheus. Laurence Fishburne was recently asked about his possible return to The Matrix, saying:

Well, there you have it. While some Matrix fans will hold out hope that Laurence Fishburne might appear sometime in the mysterious runtime of the fourth movie, the actor himself maintains he’s not involved. And when asked why Morpheus wasn’t included, he encouraged folks to ask Lana Wachowski herself about her creative process.

Laurence Fishburne’s comments come from a recent interview the 59 year-old had with ReelBlend co-host Jake Hamilton. While speaking about his new movie The Ice Road, eventually the conversation shifted to his role in The Matrix 4, or lack thereof. Unfortunately for fans of the beloved property, it seems like Fishburne truly isn’t going to show up in the mysterious new blockbuster.

It’s hard to imagine The Matrix without Laurence Fisburne’s signature character Morpheus along for the ride. And as Jake Hamilton pointed out in his interview with the legend, this is all the more curious since Morpheus actually survived the events of The Matrix Revolutions. Neo and Trinity both perished, yet they’re set to appear in the mysterious fourth movie.

Production on The Matrix 4 was underway when sets around the world were shut down due to the pandemic. Lana Wachowski’s mysterious vision included some wild car stunts and massive explosions while filming in San Francisco. Ultimately the set was moved abroad to complete the blockbuster in time for its intended release.

While Laurence Fisburne is seemingly not involved, there are a number of returning faces appearing in The Matrix 4. Aside from Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, the upcoming movie will also include Jada Pinkett Smith, Lambert Wilson, and Daniel Bernhardt reprising their roles from the original Matrix trilogy. Lana Wachowski found some stellar actors to help flesh out the cast including Neil Patrick Harris, Hamilton’s Jonathan Groff, Cristina Ricci, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Priyanka Chopra. Plus a number of cast members from Sense8 will appear as well.

The Matrix 4 is currently set to arrive in theaters on December 22nd, so a trailer should be coming shortly. In the meantime, check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

2021 didn’t end up being the year that we saw John Wick: Chapter 4, but the next installment of the Keanu Reeves-led action franchise is currently filming so it’ll be ready for 2022. So far, aside Reeves obviously returning, all the cast members who’ve been announced for Chapter 4 have been newcomers. However, today brings word that at least one familiar face is retuning alongside Reeves’ Mr. Wick, as Laurence Fishburne confirmed he’s reprising The Bowery King.

Laurence Fishburne recently mentioned he’ll be going to Berlin “within another couple months” to shoot John Wick: Chapter 4. While he wasn’t willing to divulge any Chapter 4 plot details, Fishburne, who previously worked with Keanu Reeves on the first three Matrix movies, did praise the script, which was was penned by Michael Finch and Shay Hatten. The actor stated to Collider:

Laurence Fishburne joined the John Wick franchise in 2017’s Chapter 2, when John requested The Bowery King’s help with laying low from the assassins targeting him in the hopes of collecting the $7 million contract Santino D’Antonio put on his head. Despite John having nearly killed Bowery King years earlier, the leader of New York's Bowery criminal network agreed to help John in his efforts to take down D’Antonio, though all he offered the main protagonist was D'Antonio's location and a gun containing seven bullets.

Then John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum rolled around, and as punishment for helping John, The High Table decreed that The Bowery King resign from his leadership position. He refused, leading to him being slashed seven times by by High Table assassin Zero, but that didn’t take him out of the game permanently. At the end of Parabellum, the injured John was delivered to Bowery King in his new underground base, and he asked John if, like him, he was angry at the High Table, and Keanu Reeves’ character answered in the affirmative.

So now the stage is set for John Wick and The Bowery King to join forces and bring The High Table down. These two are arguably at their lowest points, so it’ll be difficult finding the allies and resources to fulfill their mission of vengeance. Still, it’ll be nice to have at least one other established character participating in John Wick: Chapter 4, though it’s a good bet we’ll also reunite with Ian McShane’s Winston, who appeared in the first three John Wick movies and needs to answer for what he did to John before Parabellum concluded.

As a side note, Laurence Fishburne’s mention of a Mr. Watanabe might logically lead you to think that Inception’s Ken Watanabe has joined the John Wick: Chapter 4 cast. However, Collider has heard from its sources that Watanabe is actually the name of one of the characters rather than an actor. There’s no word yet on who’s playing this character, but along with Fishburne and Keanu Reeves, Chapter 4’s cast includes Rina Sawayama, Donnie Yen, Shamier Anderson and Bill Skarsgård.

John Wick: Chapter 4 arrives on May 27, 2022, but if you’re curious about movies coming out a little sooner, browse through our 2021 release schedule.

During his time on SNL and beyond, Will Forte evolved his MacGruber character from a one-note MacGyver parody into a spinoff machine that somehow hasn't ever overstayed its welcome. The true test is coming via the in-development TV adaptation for NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service, and the producers just boosted the new series' credibility by casting a stellar trio of actors, with MCU and Sin City vet Mickey Rourke tapped to play MacGruber's new arch nemesis.

Let's break down each of these MacGruber casting additions and see what fans can expect from the new stars joining the previously revealed Will Forte, Kristen Wiig and Ryan Phillippe.

Mickey Rourke - Brigadier Commander Enos Queeth

One of 2020's strangest TV moments involved Mickey Rourke's voluntary Masked Singer unmasking, and I can almost already guarantee that he'll be at the center of more baffling small screen moments on MacGruber. In the action comedy romp, Rourke will take on the role of Enos Queeth, one of MacGruber's most notorious enemies. Though Queeth was long believed to be dead, he reemerged in the world with a deadly plot to bring the Earth to its knees, all while declaring revenge on MacGruber himself.

The foibles of Iron Man 2 aside, Mickey Rourke has long proven himself to be an intimidating presence on screen, and he's usually best either when playing things completely straight, as it went with The Wrestler, or when he's in full self-aware mode, as it went with The Expendables. Can't wait to see what kind of madness he brings to the role of Enos Queeth.

Sam Elliott - Perry

Having cemented his streaming TV star power on Netflix's Grace and Frankie and The Ranch, the legendary Sam Elliott is heading to a far zanier comedy by taking on a fatherly role in MacGruber. That's right, Will Forte's bumbling hero was somehow sired by Elliott's character Perry. Though the two characters are no longer as close as they once were, Perry is a guiding beacon in MacGruber's life, and it sounds like he'll serve as a pillar of inspirational advice as his son attempts to save the world. No pressure, no pressure.

I love the idea of giving the manic MacGruber a classic westernly parental figure in Sam Elliott. His Southern drawl is instantly recognizable, from truck commercials to The Big Lebowski to Family Guy, so I'm guessing everyone will be hanging onto every word he says in the TV show.

Laurence Fishburne - General Barrett Fasoose

This excellent casting update is rounded out by the addition of black-ish star Laurence Fishburne, who will bring his comedy-friendly professional demeanor to MacGruber in a big way. Not only is Fishburne's Barrett Fasoose a highly decorated general who has earned the respect of the entire U.S. military, but he's also the current husband of MacGruber's ex-wife Vicki St. Elmo, as played by Kristen Wiig. Expect some ludicrous sparks to fly between Fasoose and MacGruber over just about everything.

Laurence Fishburne has played the upper-patriarch on the ABC comedy black-ish for seven seasons now, and with Season 8 having already been announced as the show's final one, it's awesome that the actor has already landed a follow-up comedy to dive into in the meantime. (We're also still pumped to hear him in the upcoming Marvel series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.)

The eight-episode initial season of MacGruber will debut on Peacock at some point later in 2021 or in early 2022, depending on how complicated the filming gets. While waiting to hear more updates, be sure to keep up with everything coming to TV soon with our 2021 Summer TV schedule.

Stephen King is on a mission in 2021: to catch up with classic movies from the last 60 years that he's never seen. As I've written about previously, the famed author made a cinema-focused New Year's Resolution back in January, and it has led to him to watch a fantastic collection of films including Robert Altman's MASH, David Lynch's Eraserhead, Paul Brickman's Risky Business, and John Waters' Hairspray. The most recently revealed crop of features, from the years between 1989 and 1991, is remarkably eclectic, and of them the one that seems to have stuck out to King most is John Singleton's Boyz N The Hood.

Maintaining an order to things, Stephen King has been (mostly) watching movies chronologically and revealing them in groups, and for the end of the 1980s and the start of the 1990s he went with a modern classic from Walt Disney Animation, a reedited version of one of the most controversial sequels of all time, and one of cinema's greatest coming of age stories:

Stephen King's youngest child, Owen King, was 12 when The Little Mermaid first hit theaters, which explains why he missed it when it was first released, and Francis Ford Coppola's new version of The Godfather, Part III, retitled The Godfather, Coda: The Death Of Michael Corleone, only came out last year, so that makes some sense. Boyz N The Hood, however, is definitely a standout in the list. Why? Because the movie actually contains multiple references to Rob Reiner's Stand By Me, which was, of course, an adaptation of King's novella "The Body." In 2017, John Singleton did an interview with Vice and spoke to the inspiration that he took directly from the author, saying,

You may have noticed that it's hard to glean from that initial Tweet what Stephen King actually thought of Boyz N The Hood... but fortunately he followed that first post with a follow-up, and it's amazing. Referencing the character played by Laurence Fishburne in the film, King wrote,

It's a fair question, but it's definitely a great thing that the situation has now been resolved and Stephen King can marvel at the incredible performance like the rest of us. In Boyz N The Hood, Laurence Fishburne's Furious Styles is the father of the film's protagonist, Cuba Gooding Jr.'s Tre Styles, and serves as the moral center of the movie, doing everything in his power to make sure that his son stays on the right path and that his community can stay strong despite extreme forces trying to tear it apart. It's a stunning turn from the actor – one of the best of his career – and while the movie did get some recognition from the Academy Awards (including nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director), to this day it feels like an outrage that Fishburne didn't compete in the Best Supporting Actor category (the award was won by Jack Palance for City Slickers).

What will Stephen King watch next as he continues his march through the years? We'll just have to wait and find out – but for those of you who are now in the mood to watch Boyz N The Hood the movie isn't available to stream anywhere, but you can rent/purchase digital copies, or find it on 4K, Blu-ray and DVD.

There was a time when you could watch Steven Soderbergh’s 2011 thriller Contagion and say to yourself: “Something like that would never happen, and if it did, it wouldn’t be like that.” But, here we are 10 years later living in a completely different world from the one we knew a decade ago, one that is eerily similar the one crafted by Scott Z. Burns. And, even before the pandemic made the movie a little too familiar, the Contagion cast, which was anchored by the likes of Kate Winslet, Matt Damon, and Jude Law, among others, had been around quite a bit before appearing in this anxiety-inducing drama.

So, what has the large ensemble of the Contagion cast been up to recently, and what have they worked on since the worst public health crisis in our lifetime started more than a year ago? Let's break down where they've been, where they are, and where they're going.

Kate Winslet (Dr. Erin Mears)

Besides telling her friends why they should never watch Contagion now that the stuff of fiction has become everyday life for all of us, Kate Winslet is keeping rather busy with a slew of upcoming projects, including the HBO limited series Mare of Easttown, which is slated to premiere in April 2021. The Divergent actress is also set to return to the worlds of fantasy/sci-fi with James Cameron’s Avatar sequels, starting with Avatar 2 in December 2022. And, much like her character, Dr. Erin Mears, Winslet has spent much of the past year advocating for COVID-19 awareness and best practices alongside other members of the cast, including Matt Damon.

Matt Damon (Mitch Emhoff)

In Contagion, Matt Damon’s character, Mitch Emhoff, and his on-screen daughter are both immune to the effects of the MEV-1 virus, but in May 2020, the accomplished actor/producer/writer revealed that his real daughter had contracted COVID-19. Luckily, his daughter (and her college roommates) recovered.

When not dealing with the issues (both personally and professionally) caused by the ongoing health crisis, Matt Damon has remained just as busy as ever with a number of upcoming film and television projects both in front and behind the camera. This includes Ridley Scott’s The Last Due,l which he wrote alongside his longtime friend and creative partner Ben Affleck, who also stars alongside him.

Jude Law (Alan Krumwiede)

Will Jude Law ever get to play James Bond once Daniel Craig puts down the martini glass and his standard PPK? Who knows, but the Contagion star (Was there anyone worse than Alan Krumwiede?) has been quite busy and his schedule will be just as full (if not more so) in the years to come with everything he has going on. With the third Fantastic Beasts film in production, the world will soon see the younger and conflicted Albus Dumbledore once more, after being introduced to the soon-to-be Hogwarts headmaster.

While we probably won’t see Jude Law’s Yon-Rogg in the Captain Marvel sequel, he'll take on the role of another antagonist from under the Disney umbrella when he portrays Captain Hook in the upcoming Peter Pan & Wendy.

Marion Cotillard (Dr. Leonora Orantes)

Much like her character, Dr. Leonora Orantes in Contagion, Marion Cotillard is not one to let people suffer just because they were given the short end of the stick. Throughout her career, the Academy Award-winning actress (La Vie en Rose) has used her platform to be a voice for the voiceless, doing everything from locking herself in a cage at the Louvre museum to protest Russia’s jailing of Greenpeace activists in 2013, to making a push for sustainability on the red carpet in 2020.

On the acting side of things, Marion Cotillard has shown up in everything from 2015’s Macbeth, where to she played Lady Macbeth alongside Michael Fassbender, to Dolittle, where she provided the voice of Tutu, a French fox. She will next appear in the musical Annette.

Laurence Fishburne (Dr. Ellis Cheever)

Since the release of Contagion, in which he portrayed the CDC’s Dr. Ellis Cheever, Laurence Fishburne’s career has continued to be as fruitful as it was in the years leading up to his 2011 performance. With multiple awards, including a Primetime Emmy in 2020 for his turn on FreeRayshawn and the Gregory Peck Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2019 San Diego International Film Festival, the former Matrix star has had a lot to celebrate.

Looking ahead, Laurence Fishburne will appear in the animated television series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (which he helped get off the ground) as well as a few film projects, including The Ice Road and All the Old Knives, though his John Wick 4 status remains unclear.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Beth Emhoff)

Since her portrayal of Beth Emhoff, aka the woman who brings the virus to America, in Contagion, Gwyneth Paltrow has let her acting career (at least in film) take a backseat to other projects like her Goop brand. Now, this doesn’t mean she hasn’t been in anything, as Paltrow has appeared in five entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the 2011 thriller, as well as a number of television projects, including The Politician and her Netflix original The Goop Lab.

Bryan Cranston (Lyle Haggerty)

Bryan Cranston isn’t in Contagion all that much, but whenever his character, Rear Admiral Lyle Haggerty, is on screen, the award-winning actor makes the most of every second. The same can be said for Cranston’s career in general since then. With celebrated performances in biographical dramas like Trumbo and All The Way, not to mention the conclusion of Breaking Bad and the start of the Showtime original Your Honor, the former Malcolm in the Middle star has been on an absolute tear, and he doesn’t look to be stopping anytime soon.

Jennifer Ehle (Dr. Ally Hextall)

Jennifer Ehle has made a career out of playing strong, confident characters who take control of any situation to the best of their ability, and she did the same with Dr. Ally Hextrall, the dedicated CDC research scientist in Contagion. With appearances in Zero Dark Thirty, the Fifty Shades franchise, and a number of other film projects, Ehle has continued to show why she’s one of the best actresses out there.

Then there is Jennifer Ehle’s television work, which includes two brief appearances on the consistent fan-favorite The Blacklist, as well as two political limited series, The Looming Tower and The Comey Rule.

Elliott Gould (Dr. Ian Sussman)

Since taking on the role of Dr. Ian Sussman, the University of California research scientist whose work helps develop a vaccine in Contagion, Elliott Gould has continued to be one of the most prolific actors in all of Hollywood. With film credits that include Ruby Sparks, Dangerous Lies, and Ocean’s 8, in which he reprised his character, Reuben Tishkoff, as well as television productions, including Mulaney, Doubt, Ray Donovan, and even Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the cool and suave actor has just kept going.

Chin Han (Sun Feng)

Chin Han’s portrayal of Sun Feng, the government official with quite a secret in Contagion, might not be as recognizable as some of the other stars of the 2011 pandemic movie but the Singaporean actor has been in a few of the biggest movies and television shows of the 21st Century with everything from The Dark Knight to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and The Blacklist to Arrow under his belt. We’ll next see Han in the April 2021 release of the bloody Mortal Kombat reboot, in which he will play the evil and powerful Shang Tsung.

John Hawkes (Roger)

John Hawkes isn’t in Contagion for very long, but his character, Roger, is a part of one of the most heartwarming scenes in the movie when Ellis Cheever gives the custodian’s son a dose of the vaccine. Hawkes, an incredible character actor, has gone on to show up in movies like Lincoln, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Peanut Butter Falcon, but his biggest success in the past 10 years was in the 2012 drama The Sessions, which netted him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. Hawkes also returned for Deadwood: The Movie, reprising his role of Sol Star from the original HBO series.

Sanaa Lathan (Aubrey Cheever)

Sanaa Lathan briefly appears in Contagion as Ellis Cheever’s finacée Aubrey, a role which she followed up with performances in movies like American Assassin, The Best Man Holiday, and Native Son. In addition to her film roles. Lathan has done quite a bit of voice work throughout her career, most notably Family Guy and Harley Quinn.

Demetri Martin (Dr. David Eisenberg)

Demetri Martin is another actor who appears in a smaller role in Contagion, in which he takes on the character of researcher Dr. David Eisenberg. Since the release of the 2011 drama, Martin has released two comedy albums, appeared in various commercials for Lunchables, and provided his voice for the 2019 revival of Crank Yankers.

Enrico Colantoni (Dennis French)

Enrico Colantoni appears in Contagion as DHS official Dennis French, but he will always be known for his portrayals of Keith Mars in the teen mystery drama Veronica Mars, and Elliott DiMauro on the sitcom Just Shoot Me! Colantoni’s most recent appearances include A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Feel the Beat, and the third season of Westworld, in which he appeared in one episode in 2020.

Monique Gabriela Curnen (Lorraine Vasquez)

Monique Gabriela Curnen, who portrayed San Francisco Chronicle journalist Lorraine Vasquez and one of the people who fell for Alan Krumwiede’s games in Contagion, hasn’t been in a movie since the film’s release, but her television career is alive and well. In the past 10 years, Curnen has had major roles on shows like Power and the Netflix space drama Away, as well as smaller one-off appearances on shows like Taken, Elementary, and Person of Interest.

It is hard to believe that Contagion will be 10 years old later this year and it’s even harder to believe that the film is more relevant now than ever before. Judging by everything we’ve heard about the names on this list, the same can be said about the relevancy and staying power of its cast.

Looks like Disney+ isn’t the only channel getting Marvel/Disney content, since Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur will also be making an appearance on the Disney Channel in their own show. For those who don’t know, Moon Girl (but not Devil Dinosaur, though I’ll get to that later) was created in 2015 by writers Brandon Montlare and Amy Reeder (who has also worked on the comic, Batwoman) and artist, Natacha Bustos. Moon Girl is unique in that she doesn’t really have any super powers…unless you count a mental connection to a giant red dinosaur.

That’s right! Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur are pretty much a pair, and it will be interesting to see what this new cartoon, which is actually being co-produced by Laurence Fishburne of all people, will be like. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is an interesting comic book series, and there are quite a few things that you should know about it. Which is why I’m here, of course. Consider this a crash course in everything Lunella Lafayette!

Moon Girl Is 9 And Possibly The Smartest Character In The Entire Marvel Universe

Quick question, hot shot. Who’s the smartest character in the entire Marvel Universe? Tony Stark? He’s definitely up there, but nope. Bruce Banner? That’s a pretty good guess, but wrong again. Reed Richards from The Fantastic Four? Well, he’s a total brainiac to be sure, but that’s wrong, too. Give up? Well, the answer is Lunella Lafayette, of course, better known to fans as Moon Girl!

How do I know this? Well, because she’s the only person to EVER solve the Banner Brain Omnicompetence Examiner, which was a device Bruce Banner created to test intelligence that even he couldn’t solve! I mean, this is some deep comic lore stuff, y’all. Plus, Amadeus Cho, who’s quite the cerebral heavyweight himself, says she’s the smartest person in the world. So, yeah. You could say she knows a thing or two. Especially about the Kree, which she's an expert in.

Moon Girl Is Also An Inhuman (Remember them?)

Moon Girl is not a mutant. She’s an Inhuman. Sort of. You see, Lunella has an Inhuman gene, which she found within herself and is terrified of. She’s certain that the Inhuman gene will eventually transform her into a monster because of a Terrigen Mist that is encircling the planet. And, in an effort to stop the Inhuman gene from spreading within her, she accidentally opens up a portal to a Dinosaur World. Are you getting all this?

As mentioned earlier, Lunella is super smart (She’s actually called Moon Girl by her classmates because they think she’s spacy), and when she found Devil Dinosaur in the Dinosaur World, she wasn’t really even scared of him. That’s because her Inhuman gene gave her a telepathic connection with the big red dino, ultimately making him her friend. Again, did you get all that? Good, because I don’t know how to make any of that any clearer to you.

Moon Girl Replaced A Character Named Moon-Boy To Become Devil Dinosaur's Best Friend

Okay, so Moon-Boy was actually a character who was created alongside Devil Dinosaur back in the '70s. He resembles a monkey and he used to be sort of a sidekick to Devil Dinosaur back in the day. He belonged to a group called The Small Folk, and often contended against a group called The Killer-Folk. Honestly, he’s super forgettable, and it’s okay if you don’t know who the heck I’m even talking about, because again, Devil Dinosaur was the main attraction, and Moon-Boy was more of a side character.

Not so with Moon Girl, though. Interestingly, when Moon Girl was created, the writers really liked the concept of Devil Dinosaur and decided to keep the Moon-Boy mythos. So, when Moon Girl ends up in Dinosaur World, which you can read about in the graphic novel, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Vol 1: BFF, it also includes Moon-Boy. He gets killed by The Killer-Folk, and The Killer-Folk in turn slip into our world. So, in that way, Moon Girl is replacing Moon-Boy. It’s not a bad switch, since Moon-Boy was pretty forgettable, and Moon Girl is anything but.

Moon Girl Was Created In 2015 While Devil Dinosaur Goes All The Way Back To 1978

I actually remember hearing about Devil Dinosaur, who was created by Jack Kirby, a while ago. It was a really strange curiosity, as it was a big red ferocious dinosaur with his own comic. I heard about him because he once fought Godzilla, and if anybody knows me, they know that I love me some Godzilla.

And, believe it or not, Devil Dinosaur was mostly only created to get back at DC for a character Kirby created for them named Kamandi. Kamandi was a sort of wild boy who existed in a post-Apocalyptic world and fought against intelligent savage animals. Marvel, not to be outdone, told Kirby to create a character similar to Kamandi (that would be Moon-Boy), but also to add a dinosaur since dinosaurs are always cool and popular, even back in 1978. Thus, a star was born. Never tell me I don’t teach you anything.

Moon Girl Is Pretty Fierce On Her Own Even Without Devil Dinosaur

Lastly, Moon Girl may be a weakling without her beloved big red dino, but she’s still no pushover. Since people always made fun of Lunella, after a while she decided to just embrace the “weird” side of herself. She’s extremely nearsighted, so she’s legally blind, but she’s also a skilled inventor, and even has a battle suit that kind of makes her like Inspector Gadget with her inventions.

She has a utility belt like Batman, super roller skates, and boxing gloves that spring out and can knock somebody out. Her secret lab is in her school’s basement, and she can handle her own if she ever gets into a tight spot. And, yeah, having a mental connection to a dinosaur doesn’t hurt, either.

So, that’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur in a nutshell. They’re a really cool duo and I’m looking forward to seeing them on the small screen. But what do you think? Are you a fan of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur? Sound off in the poll or the comments section down below.

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Hey, DC and Marvel fangirls and fanboys! Let me let you in on a little secret. Come closer. Closer still. Even closer. Okay, too close! We’re in the middle of a pandemic! What’s wrong with you? Okay, there’s good. Now, you know that little DC/Marvel fan war that’s been raging for the many moons now? Well, guess what! The studios producing the movies behind these brands don’t care! Case in point: Ben Affleck. He’s starred as major characters in both comic book imprints. Heck, these studios don’t even care if an actor has already appeared in several comic book movies, like Chris Evans, who has been in about seven different comic book franchises thus far.

The truth is, the studios just want the best actors for a given project, and comic labels don’t matter. I mean, think about this. Zack Snyder, who is pretty much Mr. DC (I still can’t believe that the Snyder Cut is actually happening) said that even he would direct a Marvel movie if one particular character became available again. That’s why this Marvel/DC flame war is silly. Because guess what? You can like both Marvel and DC! Have you ever thought of that? So, here are 10 different Hollywood actors who have played multiple comic book characters, and we’re all the better for it.

Chris Evans (Captain America - Avengers, Johnny Storm - The Fantastic Four)

Chris Evans is like the Renaissance Man of comic book movies. He’s most known for his tenure as Captain America, where he played “the first Avenger” several times, but he’s also been, ahem, Johnny Storm in The Fantastic Four movies, Lucas Lee from Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, the voice of Casey Jones in the 2007 TMNT movie, Jake Jensen in The Losers, and Curtis Everett in Snowpiercer.

But, I want to focus on Johnny Storm, since he’s one of the most famous characters in the Marvel Universe. Chris Evans was pretty much perfect as the cocky Human Torch, so it surprised me that he would take on somebody much more serious like Captain America. He played both rolls so well, though, that I gained a lot of respect for him as an actor, and have been following his career ever since.

Ben Affleck (Batman – Batman vs. Superman, Matt Murdock – Daredevil)

Ben Affleck has played both The Man Without Fear and the Dark Knight. And, while he’s probably not everybody’s favorite version of Daredevil, he still took a massive leap to play the blind lawyer who also fights crime as a vigilante.

I might get some heat for this, but Ben Affleck is actually my favorite Batman on the big screen. Michael Keaton is a close second. Because, when it comes to the Batman movies, I usually find that the villains tend to overshadow the Caped Crusader. I mean, the villains certainly overshadowed Christian Bale in the Christopher Nolan Batman flicks. And the other Batmen (Val Kilmer and George Clooney) were … not so great. Ben Affleck is like the perfect blend of pathos and rage that just really worked for me, despite the movies he was in. Here’s hoping that Robert Pattinson can become the new best Batman.

Halle Berry (Storm – X-Men, Selina Kyle – Catwoman)

Halle Berry is another performer who has moonlighted in both the Marvel and DC universes. She’s most famously known as Storm from X-Men, where her eyes would turn white and she would unleash the tempests upon some hapless fools. This happened most notably with a character named Toad, who got it the worst from her.

But, Halle Berry is also infamously known for being in one of the worst comic book movies of all time: Catwoman. At least she seemed to be in on the joke, as she accepted her Razzie award for her role in the movie in person. Now that’s gangster.

Laurence Fishburne (Perry White – Man of Steel, Bill Foster – Ant-Man and the Wasp)

Noticing a trend here? Laurence Fishburne is yet another actor who has played characters from both Marvel and DC. Case in point, famed editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, Perry White. Now, this is an interesting role, since Fishburne, who famously once kicked ass as Morpheus in The Matrix, isn’t really doing anything action-packed in movies like Man of Steel. Instead, here, he’s just playing an editor who wants the best for his paper.

He’s a little more of a sci-fi character, however, as Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp, who is also known in the comics as Goliath. As a former member of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fishburne plays both a villain and a good guy in the movie. I hope we see more of him in some capacity in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Dave Lizewski – Kick-Ass, Quicksilver – Avengers: Age of Ultron)

I feel like Kick-Ass couldn’t have existed as a movie without standing on the shoulders of 2007’s Superbad. I say that because the profane superhero movie features young people dropping F-bombs left and right, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who was 18 at the time, kind of in the center of it. With his green and yellow get-up and batons, you could also almost forget it’s him until he takes off his mask.

This is especially true because he looks SO much different as the white-haired speedster, Quicksilver, in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Is he the best version of the character? Well, it’s debatable, because Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kick-Ass costar, Evan Peters, ALSO played Quicksilver, but in the X-Men movies. Either way, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is just further proof that you can hop around comic book universes without any repercussions.

Vin Diesel (Groot – Guardians of the Galaxy, Ray Garrison – Bloodshot)

Okay, this one might be cheating a little since Vin Diesel really only says 3 lines with different inflections when he voices Groot. But, would the character be anywhere near as memorable if he didn’t have Vin Diesel’s gravely voice behind him? Pair him with Bradley Cooper’s Rocket, and it’s a match made in manic/husky heaven when they’re together.

That said, we get Vin Diesel in full force in the movie Bloodshot, where he plays mercenary Ray Garrison, who is brought back to life with power to spare. In the film, which is based off a Variant comic series, Vin Diesel hunts down people due to some false memories. So, whether it’s family friendly or brutal, one thing is certain. Vin Diesel lives for this shit!

Nicolas Cage (Johnny Blaze – Ghost Rider, Spider-Noir – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Big Daddy – Kick-Ass, Superman – Teen Titans)

Like Chris Evans, Nic Cage is another actor who you know is ready to be in a comic book movie at a moment’s notice. I mean, hell, he was once supposed to play Superman, and even named his son Kal-El, which is Superman’s real name. Plus, Nic Cage’s own last name “Cage” is taken from the hero Luke Cage, as his real last name is Coppola.

It’s no surprise that he happily took on the role of Johnny Blaze, aka, Ghost Rider. Nor is it surprising that he oh so casually voiced Spider-Noir in Into The Spider-Verse. Because, seriously, Nic Cage is like a living comic book character. So, let the man have his fun. This is his wheelhouse.

Ryan Reynolds (Hal Jordan – Green Lantern, Wade Wilson – Deadpool)

For a minute there, it looked like Ryan Reynolds' comic book character career was going to end before it even began, because Green Lantern was so hated. Was it the CG suit or the corny characters? It’s hard to say, really, but Green Lantern failed to set the world on fire when it initially released.

At least Ryan Reynolds seems to be in on the joke. And, besides, who’s laughing now? He currently gets to play the profane Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool, and fans can’t seem to get enough of it. Chimichangas for everyone!

Will Smith (Agent Jay – Men In Black, Deadshot – Suicide Squad)

Honestly, as big of a megastar as Will Smith is, I’m actually surprised that he hasn’t appeared in more comic book movies. His first major comic book role was from the little-known series, Men In Black, where he played one of Earth’s secret defenders against aliens, alongside Tommy Lee Jones.

Of course, the MIB series became a huge hit when Will Smith got involved, so he could have just ridden off into the sunset (which he kind of did with Wild, Wild West). Instead, he decided to come back to the world of comic books with his role as the assassin, Deadshot in Suicide Squad. He won’t be coming back for the sequel, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he took on another comic book character in the future.

Michelle Pfeiffer (Selina Kyle – Batman Returns, Janet Van Dyne, Ant-Man and the Wasp)

Last, but certainly not least, is Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman in the highly underrated Batman Returns. With her catlike movements and fantastic acting, she probably pulls off the anti-heroine better than any other actress who's played the role.

So, it was an absolute pleasure to see her return to the comic universe, but this time as Janet van Dyne, a.k.a., the first Wasp (Evangeline Lilly plays the second such hero). While we never really get to see her suit up, you can just feel the legacy throughout with her portrayal. A crucial character played by a crucial actress. More, please!

There are other actors I could have mentioned in this article (Idris Elba is in both the Thor series and Ghost Rider: Spirt of Vengeance), but I thought I’d stick with these 10 recognizable cases. Out of all of them, which one do you think plays the best comic book character? Sound off in the comments section or the poll below!

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Laurence Fishburne has had quite the storied career. Starting out young at the age of 14 in the movie Cornbread, Earl and Me and even lying about his age so he could star in 1979’s Apocalypse Now, Laurence Fishburne movies and TV shows have pretty much been around for almost 50 years now. And while he’s come a long way from 1982’s Death Wish II to The Matrix, he’s always had that cool, yet somewhat ferocious performance lurking underneath the calm.

I really love doing these kinds of lists where I highlight black actors and actresses like Forest Whitaker, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer. But I found this list particularly difficult because of just how many films and TV shows I’ve loved Laurence Fishburne in over the years. For example, I grew up watching him as Cowboy Curtis on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, and I even love him in bit parts like his role as Max Daniels in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. He even makes for a great Perry White in Man of Steel. But enough of the roles that didn’t make this list, and on with the ones that did! Oh, and minor spoilers up ahead.

12. Deep Cover (Russell Stevens Jr.)

You want to know a really cool movie? Deep Cover. Deep Cover is a really cool movie. Starring Laurence Fishburne (known back then as “Larry” Fishburne) as a police officer who fits the profile of a drug dealer so he pretends to be one, Deep Cover is a great follow-up performance to his role in 1991’s Boyz n the Hood.

Laurence Fishburne is so great in the role since he pulls off being a cop and a drug dealer so effectively. If this were a movie where he just had to play a cop, or one where he just had to play a drug dealer, it would still be convincing either way. Now that’s talent.

11. John Wick: Chapter 2 (The Bowery King)

Pairing The Matrix’s Keanu Reeves again with Laurence Fishburne was a match made in heaven. In this ultraviolent follow-up to the magnificent first film, Laurence Fishburne plays the Bowery King, a homeless man who actually rules the streets by keeping a close eye on what’s going on on the ground level. I mean, come on now, the role has Laurence Fishburne lovingly talking to pigeons. What more could you possibly want?

What I love about this role is that Fishburne takes the cockiness that he’s always exuding in all of his roles, and transposes it to a character in rags who looks like he would be the least important character in a movie, but ends up being one of the most important. It takes a lot to make a king out of a vagabond, but Laurence Fishburne manages to pull it off deftly.

10. Mission: Impossible 3 (Theodore Brassel)

I’m just going to put it out there—and don’t get mad—but J.J. Abrams Mission: Impossible 3 is the best movie in the franchise. I think some of that is in small part to Laurence Fishburne’s role as IMF director, Theodore Brassel, which effectively makes him Ethan Hunt’s boss.

And Laurence Fishburne plays a fantastic boss, as even the calmest reprimand from him still sounds utterly devastating. Also, because of the tangled web that this movie weaves, we spend a large portion of the film believing that Fishburne’s character is a mole. And -- SPOILER ALERT -- he walks the line so convincingly in the role that you come to believe that he could be working with the enemy, even though it turns out to not be true in the end.

9. Apocalypse Now (Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller)

Apocalypse Now is my favorite movie of all time, so I’m a bit biased. But nothing can take away from Laurence Fishburne’s performance as Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller, which was a part that he was only 14 at the time when shooting started, but ended up being 17 by the time the film was completed.

Tyrone is way too young to be in Vietnam, and you get a sense of dread throughout the movie since you like his character for having so much energy and youth. But when he dies on the boat and you hear his mother talking to him over a recording, it’s probably the hardest part of the movie to watch, which is saying a lot for a film that has a number of unsettling moments to sit through.

8. Event Horizon (Captain Miller)

You know, if a sentient space ship came back from the farthest reaches of space and I had to explore it, I would want Laurence Fishburne as my captain, too. That’s because Captain Miller will do anything for his crew—even sacrifice his own life—as long as it means some of his people get to see their families again.

Paul W. S. Anderson’s Event Horizon is a pretty scary film, and Laurence Fishburne is perfect as Captain Miller, as he plays calm in extreme situations better than anybody else. I mean, hell (Literally!), when Captain Miller sees the great beyond, he doesn’t give up. Instead, he picks up a metal beam and slams evil right in the face with it. Because that’s just the kind of leader Captain Miller is.

7. The Cotton Club (Bumpy Rhodes)

Laurence Fishburne plays a gangster in this period piece about the Jazz age. And while he doesn’t have much of a role in it, his performance is so distinct that it had to land high on this list.

In the racist 1930s, the black acts at The Cotton Club are constantly harassed by a bouncer who is always throwing them around and putting black people where he believes their place is. But in comes Laurence Fishburne as Bumpy Rhodes to deliver some retribution. I guess a face swirl in the toilet bowl could be a considered a drink for the lowest common denominator.

6. Mystic River (Detective Sergeant Whitey Powers)

Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River is a pitch black movie full of (morally) pitch black characters. But the one person who just looks to be seeking out the truth is Laurence Fishburne’s Detective Sergeant Whitey Powers, who is also Detective Sean Devine’s (played by Kevin Bacon) partner.

Laurence Fishburne is so effective because you can watch his facial expressions and see the thought process working behind his eyes. He suspects one of his partner’s childhood friends is a murderer, and he plays a super convincing role as a detective who thinks he has uncovered the truth and is on the hunt for the answers. And if you’ve seen Mystic River, then you know it’s the kind of movie that doesn’t hand out answers easily.

5. Othello (Othello)

Laurence Fishburne is no Orson Welles, and I mean that in a good way. I’m referring to the fact that Orson Welles once donned black face and played the moor who married Desdemona in the 1951 movie version of the famous Shakespearean play. Thankfully, Laurence Fishburne plays Othello in the 1995 version, and yes, I’ll admit it, Laurence Fishburne is downright sexy in the role.

And while Kenneth Branagh definitely steals the movie as Iago, Laurence Fishburne is one of the few actors I can honestly say made me fully understand Shakespeare. Because yes, I love Shakespeare and all, but sometimes, I just don’t understand it. And Laurence Fishburne made me understand it! That’s how good his performance is.

4. Black-Ish (Earl "Pops" Johnson)

Laurence Fishburne actually has several different standout performances on television, but one of his best is definitely as the recurring character Earl “Pops” Johnson, who plays Andre’s dad on the show, Black-ish. In the role, Fishburne plays the surly but lovable grandpa type who is always telling stories of his youth and why his son’s (and grandkids’) generations just don’t measure up.

I love this character because we don’t often get to see Laurence Fishburne be hilarious, and Black-ish gives him that outlet. He is often given some of the best lines and can usually be seen delivering them above an open newspaper. I’m looking forward to him having his own spin-off with Jenifer Lewis on the new spin-off, Old-ish.

3. Boyz n the Hood (Jason "Furious" Styles Jr.)

Do you know how old Laurence Fishburne was when he took on the iconic role of Jason “Furious” Styles Jr., who plays Cuba Gooding Jr.’s father in the movie, Boyz n the Hood? 28. And while there are plenty of 28-year-old fathers out there, Cuba Gooding Jr. was actually 23 at the time—a mere five years younger. Still, that didn’t prevent Fishburne from playing a convincing father, especially one who seems to have a great deal of knowledge of the world.

Boyz n the Hood is a pretty harrowing and eye-opening movie, and with all the gangster violence and depressing moments, Laurence Fishburne shows a stark reminder of the intelligence and selfhood that still exists in these neighborhoods. That is, if you’re actually willing to look.

2. Hannibal (Jack Crawford)

You know, I once wrote an article dreamcasting a Silence of the Lambs movie with a more diverse cast. And for the character of Jack Crawford, I picked Mahershala Ali. Because I think he would be a good Jack Crawford in a movie version. But Jack Crawford was already played by a black actor on the TV show, and the man who played him was Laurence Fishburne.

Fishburne actually won a Saturn Award for his performance as the character. And for those who are wondering, this is not the movie’s Crawford by any stretch of the imagination. This Crawford will get into a knife fight if he has to. But as the boss, a lot of things slip underneath his nose, and Fishburne is so convincing in the role that you almost allow yourself to see his way of thinking, even though it’s clear what’s going on. Plus, to take this iconic character and make it his own is no small feat. He would be my favorite Laurence Fishburne performance if not for…

1. The Matrix (Morpheus)

Come on, there could only be one (or Neo, which is an anagram for one). The man who launched a thousand memes with his red pill/blue pill scene, Morpheus will likely forever be Laurence Fishburne’s most iconic and best performance. As the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar and one of the first freed from the Matrix, Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus is likely the first character people think of when you mention the name, “Laurence Fishburne.”

And for good reason! Morpheus is the kind of character who can spout philosophical nuggets one second, and then kick butt the next. He’s also the kind of character who looks like a born leader, but one who can also get captured and have to be rescued. In other words, he’s a fully three-dimensional character and Laurence Fishburne plays him like a pro, which is why he will likely always be the actor’s greatest role and the one who will live on the longest.

Laurence Fishburne is still going strong, and the future is bright for the actor. It kind of sucks that he won’t be in the fourth Matrix movie, but whatever he shows up in, I’ll definitely be there to see it. Won’t you?

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It was just early last month that we heard that the -ish franchise was planning to get even bigger. The Johnson family has already brought us black-ish, grown-ish and mixed-ish, and now stars Jenifer Lewis and Laurence Fishburne will be stepping out on their own to head up old-ish. Ruby and Earl will be moving out and trying to fully rekindle their long-time off-again / on-again romance, and Lewis is already game to hype the "amazing" new spinoff with Fishburne.

Jenifer Lewis recently spoke with Entertainment Tonight about the animated election special episode of black-ish (which aired Sunday, and can already be streamed online if you missed it), and also took some time out to talk about what fans can expect from Ruby and Earl on old-ish, saying:

I mean, if this isn't at least some of what you were expecting to see when you heard that Ruby Johnson and Earl “Pops” Johnson would be getting their own series, I don't know what show you've been watching for the past six seasons, but it's certainly not black-ish. This Boomer generation duo is all about making sure they impart some hard truths to their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, and while some of those tidbits can be kinda wacky and very much rooted in the times they grew up in, much of what Ruby and Earl have to say is exactly what needs to be heard.

Of course, while Ruby and Earl do have some great wisdom to share for younger generations, I'm sure that old-ish isn't going to let us forget about that wackiness I mentioned, or the fact that these two have not had the best history when it comes to romance, especially with each other.

This is why it was such a surprise toward the end of Season 6 when Ruby told Earl that she wanted to try again, and he accepted. You guys? Ruby has shot Earl twice, once blew up his boat, blew up one of his cars back in the day and has also stabbed the man in the neck with a fork. Those aren't exactly typical signs of true love, but, whatever floats the pieces of your blown up boat, I guess. That's how the saying goes, right?

As Jenifer Lewis noted, old-ish will show us Ruby and Laurence Fishburne's Earl as they try life as a married couple (again), and move away from the Johnson family home to a quickly gentrifying community in Los Angeles and interact with their new neighbors, which include old and new faces in the neighborhood. You can be sure that each half of this newly reunited couple will have plenty of (mostly) unfiltered things to say about, well, everything and anything, so old-ish is sure to be a fun ride.

The new spinoff is still in the very early stage of development, so we don't when or if old-ish will hit ABC at some point soon-ish, so be sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest. In the meantime, you can watch Jenifer Lewis and Laurence Fishburne with the rest of the Johnson clan on black-ish, with Season 7 beginning in earnest on October 21 at 9:30 p.m. EST. For more on what the small screen holds for viewers in the coming weeks, check out our fall premiere guide!

For 15 seasons and well over 300 episodes, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation became one of the most popular shows in CBS's history, resulting in a TV franchise that continued to expand and evolve over the course of this ongoing millennium. The show wrapped up in 2015, providing an end to a long-standing era of crime television, but what has the cast done since the show came to a close? A few actors have remained as busy as ever while others aren't working quite as consistently. Nevertheless, here's what the cast of CSI is doing now.

William Petersen (Gil Grissom)

As Gil Grissom, a forensic entomologist and CSI Level III Supervisor for the Las Vegas Police Department, William Petersen played the lead role in CSI for its first nine seasons. The actor won a Screen Actors Guild award for his performance, and he received several Emmy nominations as a producer on the show. 

Prior to his role in CSI, Petersen was notably seen in Thief, To Live and Die in L.A., Manhunter, Young Guns II, Fear, Mulholland Falls, and Hard Promises, which he also produced. He also appeared in an episode of The Twilight Zone and the mini-series The Kennedys of Massachusetts. During his time in CSI, Petersen was also seen in The Contender, Detachment, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, and Without a Trace.

Following his CSI tenure, William Petersen starred in WGN America's Manhattan. He also appeared in an episode of Blue.

Marg Helgenberger (Catherine Willows)

Playing the part of Catherine Willows, a CSI crime scene investigator, Marg Helgenberger provided an Emmy-nominated performance in CSI. As an actress, Helgenberger first gained notice for her role in the soap opera Ryan's House. She was then seen in China Beach, for which she won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress. She also starred in Tootsie, Always, Bad Boys, Species I and II, Fire Down Below, and Erin Brockovich before she starred in this long-running drama series. During her time on CSI, Helgenberger also starred in In Good Company, Mr. Brooks, and Columbus Day.

When Marg Helgenberger left CSI, she became a series regular on Intelligence, which ran for 13 episodes. She was then a recurring character on Under the Dome. When CSI wrapped up in 2015, Helgenberger was seen in Almost Friends and A Dog's Journey. She currently plays a main character on All Rise.

Gary Dourdan (Warrick Brown)

In the role of Warrick Brown, an audiovisual specialist and crime scene investigator, Gary Dourdan played a main cast member for nine seasons on CSI. A musician as well as an actor, Dourdan has worked on both the stage and screen, notably in films like Weekend at Bernie's II, The Paper, and Alien: Resurrection, and TV shows like A Different World, Beggars and Choosers, Soul Food, and more.

Following his time in CSI, Dourdan appeared in Jumping the Broom, The Woods, The Last Letter, and Reversion. He also appeared in episodes of Kim Possible, Glee, Being Mary Jane, Power, Hawaii Five-0, and Mistresses. Most recently, Dourdan was seen in All She Wrote, Guns Guitars and a Badge, and this year's Influence. Up next, Dourdan can be seen in Righteous Villains and Redemption Day.

George Eads (Nick Stokes)

Playing Nick Stokes, a CSI Level II (then Level III), George Eads appeared in nearly every CSI episode. Prior to his role in this CBS series, Eads was seen in episodes of ER, Grapevine, and Savannah. During his time on CSI, Eads was also seen in an episode of Two and a Half Men and he was heard in Justice League Unlimited and Young Justice.

Following his role in CSI, George Eads took on a main role in CBS' MacGyver. The actor was also seen in Sex Ed and The Battle of Jangsari. He was also a star and executive producer in Gutshot Straight.

Paul Guilfoyle (Jim Brass)

In the role of Jim Bass, a CSI Shift Supervisor and Homicide Detective, Paul Guilfoyle was seen in all-but-one season of CSI. An actor of the stage and screen, Guilfoyle was a prominent stage performer in Boston and his resume includes film roles in Howard the Duck, Beverly Hills Cop II, Three Men and a Baby, Cadillac Man, Hoffa, Mrs. Doubtfire, Quiz Show, Wall Street, L.A. Confidential, Ransom, Primary Colors, Amistad, and Air Force One. He also had guest roles in shows like Miami Vice, Ally McBeal, and Law & Order.

During his time on CSI, Guilfoyle was also seen in Session 9, American Violet, and Company Man. Following CSI's conclusion, Guilfoyle appeared in Colony and The Good Fight. He was also seen in Spotlight, Pandemic, Turnover, and episodes of A Million Little Things, Blindspot, and The Morning Show. He'll next be seen in The Good House.

Eric Szmanda (Greg Sanders)

Playing Greg Sanders, a CSI technician, Eric Szmanda played a constant presence throughout CSI's long-standing run. Finding his start in the series The Net, Szmanda found his claim to fame through this extensive crime series. During his time on CSI, Szmanda was also seen in 100 Girls, Little Athens, True Vinyl, and The Rules of Attraction.

Following the series finale, Eric Szamanda was seen in 2018's Shangri-La: Near Extinction and Adverse, which was released earlier this year. He is also the executive producer of a new documentary, P.S. Burn This Letter Please. Additionally, in 2015, the actor appeared in a stage production of The Nerd.

Jorja Fox (Sara Sidle)

As Sara Sidle, a Crime Scene Investigator at the Las Vegas Crime Lab, Jorja Fox played a prominent role throughout the majority of CSI's run. The actress first came to prominence through her recurring role in ER. She followed up this success with a role in The West Wing. Beyond these parts in these three popular shows, Fox has also notably been seen in The Jerky Boys: The Movie, Velocity Trap, and Memento.

Following her time on CSI, Jorja Fox starred in last year's sci-fi film, 3022. She was also a producer on several documentaries, including Extinction Soup, Roll with Me, and most recently, The Animal People.

Robert David Hall (Al Robbins)

In the part of Al Robbins, a medical doctor involved with the CSI, Robert David Hall has been a prominent part of CSI since his introduction in Season 1. Prior to his time in this show, Hall was seen in episodes of The Littles, L.A. Law, Life Goes On, Beverly Hills 90210, Party of Five, The Practice, and The West Wing. He was also heard in G.I. Joe, Batman: The Animated Series, and Superman. He also had roles in Starship Troopers and The Negotiator.

Following his time on CSI, Robert David Hall starred in Rock Story. He's set to play a role in an episode of susaneLand and the sci-fi film Aaah! Roach!

Wallace Langham (David Hodges)

In the role of David Hodges, a lab technician for the Las Vegas Crime Lab, Wallace Langham became a reoccurring character in CSI's third season and eventually became a main character from Season 8 onward. Prior to his role in this popular CBS series, Langham was best known for his role in HBO's acclaimed The Larry Sanders Show. He also played roles in Weird Science, Michael, and The Invisible Kid. He was also a guest star on Murphy Brown, Sex and the City, Murder She Wrote, Medium, 21 Jump Street, and more. He also lent his voice to the series, Mission Hill.

During his time on CSI, Langham was also seen in Daddy Day Care, The Social Network, Hitchcock, and more. Following the show's conclusion, Langham has notably played roles in Taken 3, War Dogs, LBJ, Battle of the Sexes, The Darkest Minds, and Ford v. Ferrari.

Laurence Fishburne (Raymond Langston)

As Raymond Langston, the crime scene investigator who took over for Gil Grissom following his departure, Laurence Fishburne played the lead role in CSI from the midpoint of Season 9 through Season 11. An acclaimed actor of the stage and screen, Fishburne is often best known for his roles in The Matrix trilogy, Boyz in the Hood, Apocalypse Now, The Color Purple, School Daze, Event Horizon, Akeelah and the Bee, and What's Love Got To Do With It, for which he was Oscar-nominated. He's also Emmy-nominated for TriBeCa.

Following his time on CSI, Laurence Fishburne was notably seen in Contagion, Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, John Wick Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Last Flag Flying, Ant-Man and the Wasp, The Mule, and Where'd You Go, Bernadette? He also appeared in several episodes of Hannibal. He can currently be seen on black-ish.

David Berman (David Phillips)

Playing David Phillips, an assistant coroner to Chief Medical Examiner Al Robbins, David Berman was a recurring presence for nine seasons of CSI before he became a main character from Season 10 onward. In addition to his work in front of the camera, Berman also served a head researcher on the show. During his time with CSI, Berman was also seen in episodes of Vanished, Drop Dead Diva, and Desperate Housewives.

Following his work with CSI, David Berman has most notably been seen on The Blacklist. He also appeared in episodes of Proven Innocent, Daybreak, and Bones. He was also given parts in Midnight Sex Run and Rebel in the Rye.

Ted Danson (D.B. Russell)

In the role of D.B. Russell, the CSI Level III Supervisor who took over for Laurence Fishburne's Raymond Langston, Ted Danson starred in the final four seasons of CSI. He eventually reprised his role in CSI: Cyber's second and final season. Best known for his work on Cheers, its spin-off series, Becker, Three Men and a Baby, and its sequel, Three Men and a Little Lady, Danson is a veteran actor with a great deal of experience in film and television. He is also known for his work in Damages, Bored to Death, Fargo Season 2, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Made in America, and more.

Following his time in CSI, Ted Danson has most notably been seen in The Good Place, which finished its run earlier this year. He also starred in Hearts Beat Loud and episodes of The Orville. Next, he'll star in the sitcom Mr. Mayor.

Elisabeth Shue (Julie Finlay)

As Julie Finlay, a blood splatter specialist, Elisabeth Shue played a series regular for four seasons of CSI. Best known for her film roles in the '80s and '90s, including The Karate Kid, Back to the Future Part II and III, Leaving Las Vegas, Soapdish, Cocktail, and Adventures in Babysitting, Shue is an Oscar-nominated actress with a wealth of experience. She is also known for her work in Hollow Man, Molly, Tuck Everlasting, Mysterious Skin, Piranha 3D, and Hamlet 2.

Most notably, Elisabeth Shue played a prominent role in Amazon Prime's The Boys, and she was also recently seen in 2018's Death Wish and this year's Greyhound. Next, we're hoping she'll reprise her role as Ali Mills in Cobra Kai's third season. Shue's also slated to join the series On the Verge.

Who is your favorite CSI actor? Let us know in the comment section below!