Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz had the kind of on-screen chemistry in The Mummy that rivaled the best romantic comedies, and it is why, even more than thirty years later, fans are ecstatic that Universal made a third sequel officially in the works. Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan worked because they were funny, stubborn and wildly capable in very different ways, with Evie refusing to be reduced to a damsel in distress. According to Fraser, it did not take long for Weisz to prove she understood Evelyn on a deeper level than the people in the room who were trying to cast her. In fact, there was one specific moment he knew ‘she was right’ for the role.

During a C2E2 panel (via Popverse) ahead of The Mummy 4, Fraser recalled doing a chemistry read with Weisz at Universal Studios and realizing she had already found the character’s spine. He explained:

The George of the Jungle star said the scene involved deciphering a treasure map. The real reveal came when the casting director gave the British actress a note about what Evie wanted. As the Whale performer tells it:

The scene did not ultimately did not make it into the finished 1999 movie, but it was pivotal for Weisz nabbing the role and Fraser understanding why she was perfect for it.

That is a fantastic little time-capsule moment because it explains why the character still works so well, even for new audiences, maybe just discovering it while streaming on their HBO Max subscription. She could have easily been written or played as the bookish love interest who gets swept into Rick O’Connell’s adventure, but instead, Weisz treated her as someone with her own hunger, her own ego and her own need to prove she belonged in rooms full of men who underestimated her.

I'm not sure how long it's been since you have rewatched 1999’s The Mummy, but if you'll recall, Evie is funny because she is brilliant and chaotic. She knocks things over, gets flustered, reads ancient texts, argues her case and occasionally unleashes ancient evil. The character always feels alive, usually one step away from either saving everyone or making the situation spectacularly worse. Undoubtedly, we owe that to the actress who brought her to the big screen.

Rachel Weisz’s Return Makes The New Mummy Movie More Interesting

Weisz is expected to return for the recently announced Mummy 4. Per reports, the untitled sequel is set to hit theaters on May 19, 2028. The franchise has tried to move forward without OG Evie in the role before, but the absence of The Lobster actress was hard to ignore in the much-maligned third flick, The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Honestly, I do feel her chemistry with Fraser helped define the original film and The Mummy Returns. To me, Rick and Evie worked because neither one felt like a passenger in the other’s story. He had the survival instincts, and she had the knowledge, drive and nerve to chase the impossible into a cursed city.

The Doom Patrol actor’s anecdote proves that the dynamic was present between the actors before cameras really started rolling, and that’s because Weisz wasn’t just trying to win the part, but was already defending Evie from being misunderstood. Man, I am so ready to see her back in this part in a fourth installment.

On a professional front, Brendan Fraser’s next big-screen outing is the 2026 movie calendar release Pressure. In the upcoming page-to-screen adaptation of the stage play, Fraser plays Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. The film hits theaters May 29, 2026.

As terrible as it was for Stephen Colbert and all others involved when CBS canceled The Late Show last year, that much-maligned decision has certainly led to some late night highlights and lowlights that might not have happened otherwise. One such positive outcome was the recent reunion for the former Strike Force Five quintet of Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, John Oliver and Jimmy Fallon. The podcast conversation was filled with fun stories and anecdotes from each host, but the bulk of the focus was on the outgoing Late Show frontman.

In the midst of all the jibber-jabber, Jimmy Kimmel asked Stephen Colbert if there was a ever a guest whose attractiveness was distinct enough to become a distraction, and the Strangers with Candy vet had an answer locked and loaded.

Of all the guests that have sat across from Colbert’s various desks over the past 21 years (including both The Late Show and The Colbert Report), Dawson’s Creek and Fabelmans star Michelle Williams is the Hollywood starlet who turned the normally loquacious wordsmith speechless. He continued:

This makes me think talking to her about Dying for Sex’s sex scenes would be his anti-Kryptonite, and learning from the source that her oral sex skills have been strengthened due to working with intimacy coordinators. (The first season is streaming via Hulu subscription.)

Williams may hold that top honor, but Colbert shared that he had even stronger reactions in the past over Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz. As he put it:

The entire Strike Force Five conversation is a hoot to watch (stream it on YouTube), and I can only hope that this group is able to get together more often after The Late Show is over. Not that the other four won't still have their own late night jobs, but still. Hopes don't have to be logical.

The final Late Show with Stephen Colbert episode will air on CBS on Thursday, May 21, with Jimmy Kimmel taking the night off out of respect.

Like many '90s kids, The Mummy with Brendan Fraser was a totally big deal. It’s basically my generation’s Indiana Jones. So when it was announced that he and Rachel Weisz are coming back for The Mummy 4 thanks to a reportedly “good script”, I got just as excited as one could get about a sequel and seeing Rick O’Connell back in action. But, then I remembered one thorn in my side about the original… its subpar Arab representation.

How The 1999 Movie Handled Its Arab Characters

Now, here’s the thing. Of all the things we know about The Mummy 4, we don’t know for sure where the story takes place, but per The Hollywood Reporter, it’s set to shoot in Morocco and London, which has me thinking it will take us back to the nostalgia of the original and perhaps be set in Egypt again. Another thing I want to bring up here, is the subject I’m talking about isn’t only a problem The Mummy has. A lot of Hollywood movies about the Middle East get it totally wrong. I’m just the one with an Arab-American dad who pointed it out my whole life, and who's raising my hand now that I have a platform to.

Looking back from a casting standpoint, not a single Arab actor is in 1999’s The Mummy, despite so many of the characters supposedly being native to Egypt. The leader of the Medjai warriors Ardeth Bay is played by Israeli actor Oded Fehr, the hilarious character of Beni Gabor is played by Kevin J. O'Connor (who is an American, apparently of Irish descent), Warden Gad Hassan is played by Persian actor Omid Djalili and so forth. I can go on, but to sum things up there’s not one to be found. Hey, maybe in the background?

But, it's not only that, the Egyptian characters of The Mummy are often used as a punchline or demoted to play stereotypes, too. It’s kind of frustrating given it was one of the few Hollywood movies I had growing up that actually was set in the Middle East, and could have taken the opportunity to cast the breadth of Arab actors who often don't get these kinds of opportunities.

What Needs To Change In The Mummy 4

If The Mummy 4 does end up being set in a Middle East country, I hope that over 25 years later Hollywood can show me (and the Arab-American dads and such of the world) that it’s actually grown when it comes to representing the people of the Middle East and does better by being set in this part of the world. How places are represented in movies really does make a more difference to culture and public perception than Hollywood producers probably think, and it’s harmful when the Middle East is minimized in the media.

And while the representation of minorities has clearly improved in recent years, there's been very little movement for actors hailing from the Middle East and North Africa. In a study done by UCLA last year for 2024 movie releases, there were literally zero Middle Eastern among the top theatrical movies, and I can honestly guess that 2025 and 2026 aren't much different.

So, while I’m very into The Mummy 4 and the movies bringing back more of the original actors like John Hannah, I’m also hoping it can become a platform to have more authentic representation of Arab characters within it as well. Right now the movie is expected to come out on May 19, 2028, so we’ll be getting plenty of updates as the production gets ready.

After years of desire and speculation around The Mummy 4, last month Universal made the sequel official, and with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz as its leads. While the return of Evelyn and Rick O’Connell is a big treat in itself, another big part of what makes the original movies so good has officially been added to the 2028 action horror movie. And thus, my excitement grows.!

The Mummy 4’s Latest Casting Update Just Made My Day

After I saw some rumors that John Hannah might be returning for The Mummy 4, The Hollywood Reporter just confirmed them to be true. The actor, of course, played Evie's brother, Jonathan Carnahan, across the past three Mummy movies, and this new movie honestly wouldn’t be the same without him. As you might recall, while Evelyn is all about the historical discoveries she can make as an Egyptologist, her brother is always scheming for fame and fortune.

He’s actually the character who starts the whole adventure of The Mummy when he presents his sister with an ancient map to the fictional and legendary cursed Egyptian city of Hamunaptra. The map leads them to Fraser’s Rick O’Connell and to uncover some spooky mummies.

Why I Think Jonathan Will Only Make The Mummy 4 Better

I don’t know how long it’s been since you rewatched 1999’s The Mummy, but if you have recently, you must know how pivotal John Hannah is to the film. Sure, Rick and Evie’s chemistry as blossoming lovers is just the best, but Hannah provides some really stellar comic relief to the original that really ties together the whole thing. I’ve always thought of The Mummy as having a perfect trio in Fraser, Weisz and Hannah’s performances, and whenever I’ve revisited the modern classic, I’m always laughing out loud over so many of Jonathan’s moments. It wouldn’t hit the same if he wasn't in the mix.

The Mummy 4 is being helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known as Radio Silence. They brought back the Scream movies with the recent sequels, along with the Ready or Not movies. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come just arrived in theaters last weekend, and it had us looking forward to how the filmmakers will handle a couple of specific things in The Mummy 4. Recently, the Radio Silence guys have said they knew they had to have a “good script” in order to entice Fraser and Weisz back, and clearly scriptwriter David Coggeshall met their expectations.

The Mummy 4 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 19, 2028. While we wait, there’s a completely different kind of Mummy movie among the upcoming horror movies set to be released on April 17. It’s apparently going to be a “really, really terrifying one” if you’re into that sort of thing. I gotta say, my interest in this action comedy has eclipsed any other Mummy iterations, and I cannot wait for more updates on the movie. The Mummy 4 reportedly set to film in London and Morocco this fall!

There are plenty of sexually explicit movies to stream on Netflix, and with the release of Vladimir starring Rachel Weisz and Leon Woodall, you may have another title to add to your list. The book-to-screen adaptation centers around an unnamed, fourth wall-breaking college professor whose already-complicated marriage and career are thrown off-kilter when she becomes obsessed with a new colleague. Critics are “cringing for dear life” over the series, described in equal parts “cheeky,” “repellent” and brimming with “unhinged lust,” so let’s dive into their reviews.

‘Disgusting And Alluring In Equal Measure’

Kelly Lawler of USA TODAY gives the series — which premiered on the 2026 TV schedule on March 5 — 3 out of 4 stars, saying Rachel Weisz delivers “the good kind of cringe.” She warns that anyone with the tendency to dive behind the couch from second-hand embarrassment might struggle, but it’s worth it to experience its “gripping” and “addictive” commentary. Lawler continues:

Vladimir also makes use of the fourth wall-breaking device perfected by Phoebe Waller-Bridge on Fleabag, and critics had thoughts about that.

‘Will Have You Cringing For Dear Life’

Belen Edwards of Mashable says that in some aspects, the series is “too cheeky for its own good,” and while Rachel Weisz makes a strong attempt to bring something new to the direct-to-camera addresses, she doesn’t quite pull it off. More from the Vladimir review:

Vladimir also stars John Slattery as the protagonist’s husband and Ellen Robertson as their daughter Sid, as the following critic says the series satirizes Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z equally.

‘More Silly Than Sexy — And That’s Not A Bad Thing’

Taylor Gates of Collider gives the new Netflix series 8 out of 10, admitting it’s not perfect — it has some bite, Gates writes, but stops short of drawing blood. However, the writing is sharp, the dialogue witty, and it celebrates the female gaze. It’s a hell of a lot of fun, the critic says, writing:

Rachel Weisz’s comedic performance is drawing praise in pretty much all of the reviews I’ve seen, including this one:

‘Weisz Is Reliably Magnetic’

When it comes to slapstick comedy, Alison Herman of Variety says the leading actress nails the art of playing “hot and bothered in an inappropriate setting,” but the series overall stops short of being wholly satisfying. Herman explains:

Critics just can’t stop talking about Rachel Weisz performance and how seeing events through her perspective colors the entire series.

‘Blunts Nearly Ever Emotion But Unhinged Lust’

Angie Han of THR calls Vladimir “boldly prickly” and “fascinatingly slippery,” writing that if we dig into our deepest desires, we may discover that it’s more relatable than we’re comfortable admitting. Han continues:

It sounds like there is a lot going on in the eight 30-minute episodes that make up Vladimir — which is to be expected after that ridiculously provocative poster — and while the critics pointed out several flaws, it sounds like most of them recommend it as your next Netflix binge.

All eight episodes of Vladimir are streaming now with a Netflix subscription.

A new chapter of The Mummy is in development, distinct from Lee Cronin's upcoming film, which is set to release on the 2026 movie schedule in April. This project is a follow-up to the beloved ‘90s movie that launched a trilogy. After nearly 30 years, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are officially reprising their roles as the O’Connells in The Mummy 4. That's right, the iconic duo from the original 1999 movie is returning to the big screen. However, before committing to the project, they had one specific requirement.

Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known collectively as Radio Silence, recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly and discussed how they brought Fraser and Weisz back together for The Mummy 4 after all these years. Bettinelli-Olpin hinted at the script, saying:

There you have it. Two major Hollywood A-listers don’t sign on to a project unless they genuinely believe in the screenplay. And, if you’re skeptical about that, allow me to present Exhibit A: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

The franchise’s third installment remains notoriously polarizing among fans. By most accounts, the script simply didn’t measure up. In fact, that’s reportedly one of the key reasons Rachel Weisz chose not to return, leaving Maria Bello with the unenviable task of stepping in as Evelyn. Bello is a fantastic actress, but let’s be honest: filling Evie’s black knee-high riding boots was always going to be a near-impossible assignment.

Interestingly, in this same interview, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett gave an intriguing answer when asked if Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was canon in their minds. Bettinelli-Olpin answered, “Well, Rachel is in this one,” and Gillett followed up with, “That should answer the question for you.” Well, it would seem Radio Silence has the same head canon as much of the fandom.

It’s no secret that The Mummy franchise isn’t just one of the best action movie series out there but, for a lot of us ‘90s kids, it was a gateway movie. Sure, it leans more swashbuckling adventure than straight-up horror, but it was my first real introduction to the Universal Monsters. From there, it was a straight line back to the black-and-white classics of the 1930s and a lifelong obsession with those iconic characters.

As for The Mummy 4, or whatever title they end up going with since the third film is clearly not canon, there’s still no official word on who else might join the cast or whether longtime favorites will return alongside any new faces.

That said, it’s hard to imagine the creative team skipping over John Hannah’s Jonathan Carnahan. As Evelyn’s brother and Rick’s perpetually exasperated brother-in-law, Jonathan, delivered some of the franchise’s funniest moments. The same goes for Oded Fehr, who played Ardeth Bay in the first two films. When CinemaBlend’s Mick Joest spoke with Fehr in January 2026, the actor revealed he hadn’t been contacted about a return but made it clear he’d happily sign up for another adventure.

Let's hope the script for the next Mummy movie manages to impressive other franchise alums like it did Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. The film is scheduled to land in theaters on May 19, 2028 and, in the meantime, use a Hulu subscription to stream the original three installments.

How is it March already? Somehow, the first two months of the year are already gone, though they’ve given us some great new streaming movies and TV to enjoy along the way. March is certainly following suit, as, if you’re looking for something new to watch, there’s plenty to enjoy this week, from the long-awaited second season of a hit comedy to the newest look at one of the great classic characters of fiction.

Young Sherlock - March 4 (Prime Video)

Sherlock Holmes has been adapted for the screen as much as any character in fiction. Rarely, however, has it turned back the clock so far as to see Holmes before he became the world’s first consulting detective. Young Sherlock is produced by Guy Ritchie, who previously brought us two solid Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr.. Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars as Holmes, who is a student at Oxford when he makes friends with James Moriarty.

The Hunt - March 4 (Apple TV)

The Hunt is interesting because its road to streaming was an odd one. It was originally set to debut back in December for those with an Apple TV subscription, before the show was pulled following accusations of plagiarism. The series, which follows a battle of wills between two groups of men who come across each other while hunting in the woods, appears to have remained intact... though the credits have now been altered as they state the series is based on a book by Douglas Fairbairn.

Ted, Season 2 - March 5 (Peacock)

Seth MacFarlane’s Ted was something of a surprise hit when the first film debuted back in 2012. It did so well that a sequel film was quickly put in development. Those movies then spawned a series you can watch with a Peacock subscription. The first season came out over two years ago, so fans have been waiting a while for the continuation of this prequel story. But one has to imagine the laughs will continue.

Vladimir - March 5 (Netflix)

Vladimir is a new Netflix series based on the book of the same name and stars the once and future Mummy star Rachel Weisz as a woman who becomes obsessed with a co-worker. Do I know this show will be great? No, but I have to admit I’m more than a little curious after the show released one of the most suggestive poster images in recent memory. I’ll be using my Netflix subscription to see just what this one has to offer.

The Dinosaurs - March 6 (Netflix)

Steven Spielberg and dinosaurs? Yes please. Every generation needs a top tier documentary about the history of dinosaurs, and the newest comes in the part of a four part Netflix series that’s produced by Spielberg, and is narrated by Morgan Freeman. One can expect cutting edge animation and the most accurate scientific information we have about these magnificent creatures.

War Machine - March 6 (Netflix)

My Prime Video subscription has been waiting for the newest season of Reacher, as I’ve had a distinct lack of Alan Ritchson beating the crap out of people on my TV. The good news, however, is that over on Netflix this week, we get War Machine, a movie that dares to ask the question, what if Jack Reacher fought an alien mech? I can’t wait to find out the answer.

There’s plenty more where this came from with the rest of March getting ready to bring us Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again and One Piece as well as the follow-up to Jury Duty and more.

When it comes to '90s action-adventure movies, few have become as iconic over the years as 1999's The Mummy starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. While it's been dormant for nearly 20 years, that's about to change thanks to some great news from Universal that has me jumping for joy.

Back in November we had heard rumblings about Brendan Fraser returning to The Mummy franchise for a fourth movie, but now things are official. Universal Pictures has confirmed it's in the works with Fraser and Weisz, and there's even a release date set for May 19, 2028, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The Mummy movie is set to be directed by Ready or Not and Scream filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known collectively as Radio Silence. The screenplay was written by David Coggeshall, who previously penned The Family Plan movies and Netflix's The Deliverance.

While we currently have zero details about the plot of The Mummy 4, as someone who grew up loving the original movies, I'm so happy we'll get to catch up with Fraser's Rick and Weisz's Evelyn after all these years. Their comedic and romantic chemistry was positively electric, and I'm eager to see what kind of adventure will bring them back together two decades later.

A few months back Brendan Fraser commented on his return to embody Rick O'Connell following the franchise previously ending with 2008's Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. In his words:

In recent years, Brendan Fraser has made a Hollywood comeback, most notably through his Oscar-winning performance in The Whale in 2022. We imagine The Mummy will be first action movie in quite a while, though it's perhaps too soon to call it an action movie when for as little as we know, it could take a different turn.

While we wait for more news on The Mummy 4, Blumhouse Productions/New Line Cinema have their own iteration on The Mummy among upcoming horror movies coming out this April. That version will be distinctly different than the adventure comedy tone of the movies starring Brendan Fraser.

Considering The Mummy 4's release date, it won't be too long before the movie goes into production. Knowing that in two summers we'll be seeing Rick and Evelyn back in action completely made my day, and I can't wait to follow its development closely here on CinemaBlend.

It’s no secret that there are always dozens of new viewing options available to those with a Netflix subscription, and the still-early days of the 2026 TV schedule aren’t letting folks down. Sexy romance fans will soon have Bridgerton Season 4 to enjoy, but a poster just dropped for a 2026 Netflix release starring Rachel Weisz that is, apparently, so horny that it’s got fans seriously rattled.

What’s Rachel Weisz’s New Netflix Show And Why Does The Horny Poster Have Fans Rattled?

As noted, we are firmly in the Bridgerton era, which really woke people up to accepting the horniness of the olden days, and we also have shows like Outlander (which has the most-watched sex scenes on Netflix) and, now, Heated Rivalry (which is doing LGBTQ+ smut right) to help viewers who like spicy shows plant their naughty flags.

It seems that a new series could be added to that list soon, as Rachel Weisz is starring in an upcoming release called Vladimir, which sees her play a married college professor who develops an “all-consuming obsession with her younger colleague,” the titular Vladimir (played by One Day star Leo Woodall). The poster for the show was recently released, and, well…I’ll just let you look at it and then we can see what everyone’s saying about it. Observe:

What can I say? I don’t know if anyone has ever enjoyed a book quite this much, at least not so publicly. My guess is that all of you gentle folks who just looked at Vladimir’s poster know exactly what kind of adult business is being referenced, and that’s also the case for a gaggle of people on X, who simply cannot get over how clearly horny the image is, but also have major questions about the show:

• This is the horniest poster I’ve ever seen
• this show better be gay cause what is that poster?
• the lesbianbaiting with the poster omg
• I'm sorry, but giving a poster like that to a straight romance should be forbidden
• why did y’all use this poster for a heterosexual plot ?

Alright, if you haven’t guessed by now, the poster, while definitely way down in horn-town, also implies that there will be some sweet lady-on-lady action happening (and probably a lot) in the potential Mummy 4 star’s upcoming show. But, as several comments note, Weisz’s character will apparently become obsessed with her male colleague, so…what gives?

Obviously, the many secrets of this eight-episode series won’t be fully unfurled until it hits the small screen on March 5, but it is worth noting that young Vlad doesn’t join the faculty at this college by himself. Oh, no, friends. He’s joined by his “enigmatic wife,” Cynthia (portrayed by Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery star Jessica Henwick). Right now, something tells me that the protagonist’s “fixation” on everything Vlad could include his equally hot wife, but only time will tell.

When it comes to action/adventure franchises of the late ‘90s/early 2000s, very few generate as much nostalgia as The Mummy. That iteration of Universal’s classic monster-based IP was fronted by Brendan Fraser as well as Rachel Weisz, who starred in the first two films. In the years since the series went dormant, fans have wondered if there was a chance it might rise again (sorry, I couldn’t resist that joke). Well, it seems another installment is in the works, with Fraser and Weisz reportedly returning alongside some talented horror directors.

It’s been reported that Universal Pictures is officially moving forward with what could probably be referred to right now as The Mummy 4. Per Deadline, Fraser and Weisz are only in talks to return at this point and, should the A-listers sign on, it’s likely they’ll reprise their roles as husband-and-wife team Rick O'Connell and Evelyn Carnahan, respectively. For right now, it remains unclear whether other franchise alums, like John Hannah (Jonathan Carnahan) or Luke Ford (Alex O’Connell), will return for the film.

What’s also exciting about this news is the reported involvement of filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett a.k.a. Radio Silence. Gillett and Bettinelli-Olpin are reportedly set to direct the legacy sequel, for which David Coggeshall is writing the script. The two directors have proven themselves to be exciting filmmakers, thanks to their work on Ready or Not, Scream, Scream VI and Abigail. Given their horror expertise, they could inject some true scares into this new movie alongside the more adventurous elements.

The Brendan Fraser-led Mummy franchise began in 1999, with a first installment helmed and written by Stephen Sommers. A beloved blockbuster, it sees Rick, Evelyn (or “Evie”) and her brother, Jonathan, joining forces with a group of Medjai protectors and others to stop a resurrected Egyptian high priest known as Imhotep. The film became a box office hit and spawned two sequels – 2001’s The Mummy Returns and 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the latter of which saw Maria Bello play Evie.

In the late 2010s, Universal attempted to reboot the franchise as part of its failed Dark Universe franchise. Tom Cruise ultimately headlined 2017’s The Mummy, which was met with negative reviews and little fanfare at the box office. Earlier this year, Fraser commented on that film’s performance, acknowledging Cruise and co.’s efforts but noting that it lacked “fun” like the OG films (except The Dragon Emperor).

Over the years, both Fraser and Weisz have discussed their experiences making the supernatural action movies. That includes the physical struggles Fraser faced as well as how he, Weisz and the cast dealt with the challenges of filming in hot environments. Despite any challenges they faced amid production, in recent years, both stars, at the very least, seemed open to reprising their roles should the right opportunity arise.

What should be pointed out here is that this project isn’t connected to Warner Bros.’ Mummy reboot that’s set to debut amid the 2026 movie schedule. That film is directed by horror savant Lee Cronin and stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, Verónica Falcón and May Calamawy. Plot details on that film are still being kept under wraps (sorry) and, as a result, fans still have questions about it.

It’s definitely not uncommon for multiple iterations of the same IP to be produced around the same time. (Just look at how DC Studios is currently managing two versions of Batman.) So it’s not far-fetched that Universal would want to move ahead with The Mummy 4 and essentially keep the “Brenaissance” going. I’ll certainly be keeping an eye on how this project develops under Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett’s leadership.

The upcoming Marvel movie Thunderbolts* is in many ways a direct follow-up to 2021’s Black Widow. Three of the movie’s major characters, Yelena, Red Guardian and Taskmaster, debuted in that film, and this is the first time we’ve seen the latter two since then. It is, of course, not surprising that Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha doesn’t appear, but considering the rest of Black Widow’s “family” is here, it makes one wonder what happened to Melina.

Rachael Weisz joined the Black Widow cast as Melina, a Red Room operative who also played the role of mother to Natasha and Yelena during their days undercover. At the end of Black Widow, the family comes together, but Melina is nowhere to be found in Thunderbolts*. Speaking with THR, David Harbour is surprisingly open that he doesn’t know where Melina is, but he absolutely wants to see her back, and has even been talking to Marvel about making that happen. He said…

While Harbour's Alexei and Weisz’s Melina were only playing an undercover husband and wife in Black Widow, the movie reveals that there was real affection between the pair, and there’s even a Black Widow deleted scene (viewable with a Disney+ subscription) where the two kiss at the end of the movie. But Red Guardian is very clearly a bachelor during Thunderbolts*.

While Yelena and Red Guardian are not particularly close in Thunderbolts*, they have remained in touch. It’s unclear if the same is true with Melina. It could be that she is simply elsewhere during the events of the film, or there could be something else going on.

The fact that Melina isn’t anywhere in Thunderbolts* could be an indication that her story is simply seen as over, and the MCU will move on without her, as it has with so many other characters over the years. However, David Harbour thinks there’s a real chance we could see Melina again, and he thinks it would certainly make for some real drama for his character. He continued…

We know that David Harbour and the rest of the Thunderbolts* cast will be joining the cast of Avengers: Doomsday, and as long as Red Guardian and Yelena are a significant part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the door is likely open for a return for Melina. Florence Pugh was in the same interview with Harbour, and it seems clear that both of them would love to see Rachel Weisz return. Maybe it really could happen.

Did anyone else have “The 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy returning to theaters” on their 2024 movie schedule bingo card? I certainly didn’t, but considering this year was the 25th anniversary of Stephen Sommers’ horror/adventure/rom-com starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, it was the perfect time for that throwback. 

What’s better is that thanks to another fun blast from the past, Weisz’s recollections of the intensely hot experience of making that first Mummy movie have resurfaced from the depths of entertainment journalism. Fellow fans of this beautiful “adventure romp” should take a moment to rejoice with me, as ET Online released a rare reel of interview footage from The Mummy’s 1998 on-location shoot. 

With those clips came stories of how the production was quite taxing, including Rachel Weisz’s story about the heat of the moment: 

I’m kind of feeling the heat after reading Rachel’s description of getting through The Mummy experience, which is totally valid as the film did hit up the Moroccan desserts to capture its tale of the cursed afterlife. Or, to piggyback off of how Brendan Fraser put it in this very same clip, a guy who wakes up and misses his girlfriend, but decides to throw a tantrum of Biblical proportions to get her back. Even supernatural beings like Arnold Vosloo's Imothep don't want to hang around the desert for longer than they have to.

Looking back at this vintage Mummy coverage also shows a bit of Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser’s uncertainty that the 1999 blockbuster would perform even half as well as it did. However, that skepticism understandably came from a history of development hell that saw this project move through around a decade of changing hands, as well as story treatments. 

With that in mind, going through all of that heated history to make a potential box office dud would have been painful. However, it does sound like Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and even John Hannah did have a lot of fun during that experience. So maybe they'd still have told these stories fondly if The Mummy Returns wasn't guaranteed to happen.

As some would tell you in their analysis of the late ‘90s, a cultural shift was happening at the box office that didn’t know what audiences wanted. I believe we’re in the middle of another sort of shift of that order right now, as reports of Furiosa’s complicated opening weekend seem to have indicated that the film had missed its money mark. With that in mind, I'm kind of further convinced that maybe it’s time for The Mummy’s potential resurrection after all.

Surely this year's theatrical rollout made enough money to show the enduring power of this property, right? Should we be lucky enough to see that come to pass, let’s hope that there’s a proper mix of practical shooting locations and select backlot shoots. If only so the magic touch that made those movies so perfect to behold can be maintained while keeping Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser in a comfortable level of danger and heat. 

Mummy fans, don’t fret. While there’s no official news of any sort of continuation of the adventures of Rick and Evelyn, we still have those first two films to treasure and enjoy. And if you’ve got a Peacock subscription, you can do just that, as that platform is the current home to The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, at the time of this publication. 

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.

It is not unusual for an actor just starting out in the business to film scenes for a movie that, ultimately, never see the light of the day. In fact, it's not out of the ordinary for that same thing to happen to an established A-lister either. See for yourself by taking a look at some of the biggest stars you did not realize were almost in some of your favorite film, if not for the magic of editing.

Ana De Armas (Yesterday)

Yesterday is a universe-altering movie that takes place in a reality in which the Beatles never existed. Coincidentally, there exists an alternate cut of the film featuring Ana de Armas as a Late Late Show guest Himesh Patel’s Jack Malik romantically sings “Something” to. Per writer, Richard Curtis explained that the character was cut to avoid making Jack’s relationship with Ellie (Lily James) any more complicated. Though De Armas did appear in the trailer, and fans pursued legal action against Universal over the marketing.

Kevin Costner (The Big Chill) 

In one of the best movies of the ‘80s, The Big Chill, a group of friends reunite for the funeral of their friend, Alex, who was supposed to be played by the future Oscar-winning star and director of Dances with Wolves (pictured), Kevin Costner. Star Jeff Goldblum told Yahoo! that the Yellowstone cast member was “wonderful” in a flashback scene that was ultimately cut from the 1983 ensemble dramedy, in which his character finds himself reluctant to carve a Thanksgiving turkey and ruin its perfection.

Christopher Lee (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King)

One of the most important characters from the Lord of the Rings movies, Saruman, is not in the third installment, The Return of the King. Per Ain’t It Cool News, Peter Jackson felt his scene — which was originally shot for The Two Towers — served as more of a wrap-up to the previous film than a suitable beginning for this one. While appearing at University College Dublin, Saruman actor Christopher Lee shared how shocked he was to learn his scene from the Best Picture Oscar winner — in which he stands off against the Fellowship — was cut before recommending the crowd “buy the extended DVDs.”

Harrison Ford (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)

Steven Spielberg told EW that, as a favor to him and writer Melissa Mathison (also his then-girlfriend), Harrison Ford shot a scene for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as Elliot’s (Henry Thomas) school principal that can be found on YouTube today. It never made the final cut of the 1982 box office smash, but know that had it been included, the star of the Indiana Jones movies (pictured) still would have gone mostly unseen as the camera never shows his face.

Andy García (Dangerous Minds)

Andy García told BlogTalkRadio (via Express) that when he was approached to star in 1995’s Dangerous Minds as a love interest for Michelle Pfeiffer’s inner city teacher, Louanne Johnson, he openly expressed that he found the role unnecessary. Still, the star of Father of the Bride (pictured) shot the scenes that were written for him (but not included in the initial script). But they were indeed removed from the final cut.

James Gandolfini (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close)

The late James Gandolfini shot scenes for 2011’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close as a man Sandra Bullock’s widowed character meets at a 9/11 victims support group meeting. The Sopranos cast member (pictured) was even credited on the Oscar-nominated drama’s poster. According to the LA Times — his role was removed following a poor test audience reception.

Eric Stoltz (Back to the Future)

One of the most infamous examples of an actor cut from a movie — save one frame — is Eric Stoltz, who led the Back to the Future cast for about a month before director Robert Zemeckis and others realized his “intense” approach to the role was not working. As Collider recalls, Zemeckis got approval to reshoot most of the movie and replace Stoltz with their initial choice, Michael J. Fox, whose performance in the time travel movie classic as Marty McFly is iconic.

Ashley Judd (Natural Born Killers)

In a sequence cut from Natural Born Killers (which can be found on YouTube), Ashley Judd plays Grace Mulberry — the sole survivor of Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox’s (Juliette Lewis) mass teenager murder. She appears in court to be personally cross-examined by Mickey, who then stabs her to death with a pencil on the stand. In an interview for Metrograph, director Oliver Stone recalls removing it for its “length, and violence,” but now believes the “touching” scene belongs in the controversial 1994 satire.

Tobey Maguire (Life Of Pi)

In 2012’s adaptation of the novel, Life of Pi, the title character (portrayed as an older man by Irrfan Khan) recalls his unbelievable story of survival to a writer, played by English actor, Rafe Spall. However, according to USA Today, the role was originally played by Tobey Maguire until director Ang Lee decided the sSpider-Man star (pictured) was too distractingly recognizable and opted for reshoots. 

Chris Cooper (The Ring)

Anyone who ever wondered who Naomi Watts’ Rachel passes the curse tape along to at the end of The Ring should know it was Chris Cooper. The Oscar-winning star of Adaptation. (pictured) told Sci-Fi Wire (via MovieHole) that he shot bookend scenes for the 2002 horror movie classic. One establishes his character as a serial killer and the other shows him receiving the tape. Both were cut for disrupting the flow.

Shailene Woodley (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

The Amazing Spider-Man franchise was meant to introduce of Shailene Woodley as Mary-Jane Watson to Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker. Per MovieWeb, the Divergent star did shoot a cameo for TASM 2, which was later cut so she could officially debut in the next film — a plan ruined when the franchise was cancelled completely.

Robert Pattinson (Vanity Fair)

Before Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson played lovers in Water for Elephants, they played mother and son in the 2004 period drama, Vanity Fair. But the then-teenage actor — who went on to hit it big in Twilight (pictured) — was cut from the move, which he discovered while attending the premiere, according to his 2017 W Magazine interview.

Skeet Ulrich (Cursed)

The 2005 werewolf movie, Cursed, marked a reunion for director Wes Craven, writer Kevin Williamson, and original Scream cast member Skeet Ulrich that audiences never saw. According to MovieHole (via Killer Movies), Ulrich — also known for Riverdale (pictured) — was removed in lieu of studio-optioned rewrites and reshoots. But in 2022, the Scream fan site, Hello Sidney, revealed his role via stills from an unreleased director's cut.

Michael Biehn (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Despite Kyle Reese' death in 1984’s The Terminator, Michael Biehn reprised the role in the 1991 sequel, which is now regarded one of the greatest action movies of all time. However, according to ScreenRant, the sequence — in which he comes to Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) in a dream — was cut from Terminator 2: Judgment Day to maintain a tighter pace, but was later restored for an extended special edition. 

Angela Bassett (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)

Technically, Angela Bassett is in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but her part as Brad Pitt’s boss was originally meant to be more than an uncredited voice role. On YouTube, you can find deleted scenes from Doug Liman’s 2004 romantic action-comedy with the two-time Oscar nominee appearing in person alongside Keith David as Father.

Adrien Brody (The Thin Red Line)

Several major actors had their roles were either severely trimmed or completely removed from Terrence Malick’s 1998 war epic, The Thin Red Line, like including Mickey Rourke and George Clooney, as ScreenRant recalls. However, Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody’s character, Cpl. Fife, was the central lead of James Jones' original novel and had even done press for the film when he discovered right before the premiere that he was barely in it, per The Independent (via Eskimo).

Mick Jagger (Fitzcarraldo)

Mick Jagger’s underrated acting skills were praised by Werner Herzog (per Playboy, via The Local), who cast the rock star in his 1982 adventure film, Fitzcarraldo. Unfortunately, according to Far Out, multiple problems facing the production — including star Jason Robards’ dysyntery, as the New York Times reported — caused a delay that interfered with The Rolling Stone's touring schedule. Thus, Herzog was forced to recast Robards’ title role with Klaus Kinski and write Jagger’s character out entirely.

Matt Damon (Ocean's 8)

Ocean’s 8 had some fun cameos from members of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven cast — namely Elliott Gould’s Rueben and Shaobo Qin as Yen — but we almost saw more. In addition to the late Carl Reiner telling Vanity Fair he filmed a scene with Sandra Bullock, THR reports that Matt Damon's cameo as Linus Caldwell from the 2001 heist favorite (pictured) was taken out due to “editorial and storytelling reasons,” as director Gary Ross claimed. The article does, however, mention a petition to remove Damon following comments he made about the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Michelle Monaghan (Constantine, Syriana)

When Michelle Monaghan spoke to MovieHole to promote Mission: Impossible III, it was mentioned that she was removed from two different movies released in 2005: Constantine and Syriana. The fantasy comic book movie did preserve one of her scenes, but she's nowhere to be found in Steven Soderbergh’s Oscar-winning political drama, which already had many storylines to juggle, as Monaghan herself mentioned.

Tim Roth (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood)

Tim Roth is in many of Quentin Tarantino’s best movies — including Pulp Fiction (pictured) — and came very close to joining 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But Tarantino was orced to remove Roth's part to avoid a five-hour runtime. Roth did share in an interview with Uproxx that he appreciated, at least, being mentioned in the credits as “cut.”

Ellen Pompeo (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) 

As a video essay by Film Radar demonstrates, if Ellen Pompeo role’s in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind had not been removed, we would have seen Michel Gondry’s trippy romantic sci-fi dramedy in a whole different light. In deleted scenes, the Grey’s Anatomy star plays Naomi — the woman Jim Carrey’s Joel left for Clementine (Kate Winslet) and whom he reconciles with after his memory wipe. Though he leaves her again when he meets Clementine on the train, unaware he has done this before.

Paul Rudd (Bridesmaids)

The Bridesmaids cast included plenty of funny people, but did you know Paul Rudd was also part of it for a moment? Director Paul Feig told EW he “felt bad” cutting the Ant-Man actor’s darkly funny cameo as Annie’s (co-writer Kristen Wiig) deranged blind date, but did so to shave down the runtime and avoid distracting from Annie’s love triangle with Ted (Jon Hamm) and Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd).

Katherine Langford (Avengers: Endgame)

In a deleted scene from Avengers: Endgame, immediately after Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) “snaps” Thanos (Josh Brolin) away, he is given the chance to say one final goodbye to an older version of his daughter, Morgan (Katherine Langford), in the Soulworld. At least the sequence’s omission gives Langford a chance to play a different Marvel character at some point, hopefully.

Uma Thurman (Savages) 

The 2012 crime drama Savages could have been touted as a reunion between John Travolta and Uma Thurman, who first worked together on Pulp Fiction (pictured), had the latter’s role as Ophelia’s (Blake Lively) mother not been removed. Director Oliver Stone revealed to Huff Post that Paqu was actually one of several character from Don Winslow’s novel did not make it into the movie due to time constraints.

Amy Poehler (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy)

When mentioning her axed cameo as a bank teller in 2004’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy with Vulture, Amy Poehler admits she correctly predicted the movie was already too long to keep her scene, which also featured fellow SNL star Maya Rudolph as a gang leader. Thankfully, the Parks and Rec cast member did appear in the 2013 sequel alongside her buddy, Tina Fey.

Rachel Weisz (To The Wonder)

In 2012, Rachel Weisz spoke to La Stampa (via EW) about how she had the pleasure of working with Terrence Malick on To the Wonder, but would “not have the pleasure of seeing [her] work.” For unknown reasons, the Oscar-winning star of The Constant Gardener (pictured) was removed from the romantic drama starring Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko. And she wasn't alone, as IndieWire later reported that Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen and Amanda Peet were also missing from the final cut.

Viggo Mortenson (The Purple Rose Of Cairo)

One of the first movies Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortenson worked on was Woody Allen’s 1985 fantasy rom-com, The Purple Rose of Cairo. The star of the Lord of the Rings movies (pictured) spoke to ABC News' Peter Travers about how his frustrating experience shooting the film turned out to be meaningless since he was edited out the movie after it was released.

Matthew Fox (World War Z)

The 2013 adaptation of Max Brooks’ World War Z was plagued by rewrites and reshoots that resulted in an entirely new third act from what was intended. As a result, Lost cast member Matthew Fox’s role as a paratrooper was scaled down to just one line of dialogue, which may have been disappointing for the self-proclaimed fan of the OG book, per Huff Post.

Jack Whitehall (Frozen)

In a clip shared to Jack Whitehall’s official YouTube channel, the British comedian shares with an audience how his one-line role as a troll in Disney’s Oscar-winning animated film, Frozen, was reduced to a non-speaking part. The Jungle Cruise cast member and star of Clifford the Big Red Dog (pictured) goes on to say that, after discovering his line was removed when he first saw the movie, a friend of his found a photo of him at a Frozen press junket and meme-ified it. 

James Van Der Beek (Storytelling)

Tom Solondz’s 2002 anthology dramedy, Storytelling, consists of two segments dealing with various challenging topics, but there were original three. As EW reported, the omitted third chapter starred James Van Der Beek — known for being part of the Dawson’s Creek cast and Varsity Blues (pictured) — as a high school football player discovering he's gay.

Sienna Miller (Black Mass)

Before the 2015 crime thriller released, it was already confirmed tha Sienna Miller had been cut from Black Mass. She was cast as Catherine Greig, who had a relationship infamous gangster, Whitey Bulger (played by Johnny Depp in the film). Director Scott Cooper admitted to The Boston Globe that it was a difficult decision to remove the English actor -- then best known for American Sniper (pictured) -- but it ultimately “came down to narrative choices.”

Jena Malone (Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

Following previous rumors that she would play Robin, Jena Malone’s comic book movie debut in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice actually never made it to the big screen. Luckily, her role as head S.T.A.R. Labs scientist Jenet Klyburn — first revealed in leaked footage —  would be included in the 2016 DC movie’s three-hour “Ultimate Cut."

So if your friends ever quiz you about has or hasn't starred in major movies, this list should provide you with some interesting loopholes.

Notoriety for any actor typically comes from the iconic roles that they play throughout their careers. For Daniel Craig, the James Bond movies have seen the star recognized as the longtime face of 007 himself. That notoriety comes with perks, as noted by Academy Award winning actor Rachel Weisz, who has seen her husband noticed for his work first-hand. Strangely enough, she also feels her own notable role as adventurer and librarian Evelyn in The Mummy never reached that level of contemporary recognition. With that, she mentioned an interesting circumstance that contributed to the scenario.

The ‘Tremendous Privilege’ Of Daniel Craig’s James Bond Recognition

While promoting her new Prime Video series adaptation of Dead Ringers, Rachel Weisz spoke with The Guardian about the advantages that come with being married to the 007 icon. While Weisz doesn’t speak much about her marriage, she did offer this peek behind the curtain into her home life:

Though Daniel Craig’s run of James Bond films ended with 2021’s No Time To Die, the 007 legacy has shown us that every actor to have stepped into that tuxedo tends to carry the brand throughout the rest of their life. From the sound of things, that fact doesn’t seem like it’s going to bother Rachel Weisz anytime soon. Of course, if history had panned out a bit differently, she would have had a lot of first-hand experience with this phenomenon, thanks to the massive hits that were The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. And the lack of such fanfare, in her opinion, may have come from a very specific occupational hazard. 

Why Rachel Weisz Feels Her Role In The Mummy Wasn’t Recognized In Its Time

While appearing as a guest on Geist on Today, the Oscar winner was asked about the effect the 1999 Universal blockbuster had on her recognition in the world. She co-starred with Brendan Frazer and, though she had her own apprehension regarding how the world would react to The Mummy, it’s now been acknowledged as Weisz’s breakout role. That sort of prospect usually carries a lot of cred but, in her own view, that recognition was stymied by the following recurring dilemma: 

Time eventually corrected that error, as the world recognizes Rachel Weisz as one of the many players that made those first two movies in the franchise so special. So perhaps people should start asking if she shares Brendan Fraser’s excitement about a potential Mummy legacy-quel, as a revival of this franchise wouldn’t be nearly as exciting without her presence. The proof to that claim is evident when looking back at the worldwide reaction to Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, in which the role of Evie was recast as Maria Bello. Let's hope she gets to reprise that role one day and gets the same kind of flowers that husband Daniel Craig receives.

A blockbuster star in her own right, Rachel Weisz continues to wow audiences through films like Black Widow, and will continue to do so with her new take on David Cronenberg’s Dead Ringers. The series will be available to anyone with a Prime Video subscription starting April 21st, with the original source film currently streamable with an HBO Max subscription. 

Now and forever, mention of Brendan Fraser will come with the “Oscar winner” moniker following the actor accepting a golden trophy last month for his performance in The Whale. His The Mummy co-star Rachel Weisz was among those rooting him on during the recent awards season, as she recently shared. 

Weisz memorably played Evie Carnahan, a brilliant and rather awkward librarian who wins the heart of Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’Connell in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. When the actress was asked about her thoughts on seeing Fraser being among the distinguished 2023 Oscar winners, she said this to Extra: 

Fraser won the Best Actor Oscar on March 12 for his leading role in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale, beating out Austin Butler’s Elvis performance, along with Colin Farrell, Paul Mescal and Bill Nighy. The Whale had Fraser playing an overweight and solitary English teacher who attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Check out his emotional acceptance speech: 

Although his Oscar win will most certainly go down in history, it's safe to say The Mummy is considered among the best action movies audiences have ever seen. The 1999 Universal film is a modern classic that beautifully blends elements like comedy, romance and horror into one heck of a good time at the movies. It was among the highest grossing movies of the year and went on to spawn a trilogy of films and The Scorpion King spinoffs. 

Fraser spoke a lot about his experiences on The Mummy during his award season campaign, including recalling how he and Weisz had no idea how audiences would react to the movie when they were on set. His The Mummy Returns co-star Dwayne Johnson, whom he didn’t actually share scenes with on set, also made a point to share his excitement for the “Brenaissance” as fans have coined it as well. 

While Fraser never really left Hollywood, The Whale marks the actor skyrocketing back to major prominence after taking on smaller-scale roles. Aside from the award season pick, he also notably played Cliff Steele in DC’s Doom Patrol series and was going to play a major role in the Batgirl movie before it was scrapped. He’s set to star in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming movie alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Killers of the Flower Moon, which comes this fall.

If you’re wondering whether Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz could return to their roles for another Mummy movie, right now there are no plans for a reunion. Fraser previously said he’s be interested in playing Rick O’Connell again, but there’s been no word of a script in development at Universal. Weisz’s next project is an Amazon Prime series called Dead Ringers, premiering on April 21. 

The public eye is something that celebrities have a hard time avoiding, no matter what their careers may entail. But when you’re the wife of the man who happens to be the face of the James Bond movies, that scrutiny tends to be a bit more intense. Actor Rachel Weisz knows this first hand, as she spoke during a recent interview about how she doesn’t like talking about her marriage with outgoing 007 Daniel Craig; and her rationale is quite sound.

Sitting down for a chat with More magazine (via E! Online), the actress addressed the subject of discussing her relationship with the No Time To Die star. While summing up her reasons for keeping their home life under lock and key, Rachel Weisz also shared why she’s more than happy to do so, as you can see in her comments below: 

Admittedly, not every celebrity couple is on the level of outgoing that Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox happen to be. While that pair loves to show smiling, butt-inclusive vacation photos, that’s not everybody’s bag. Knowing the attitudes of both Craig and Weisz when it comes to the standard celebrity press cycle, it’s no surprise that they don’t engage in that sort of tell-all behavior. 

One could probably imagine that Daniel Craig feels the same way when people ask him about being married to Rachel Weisz. It’s a feeling that’s probably intensified over the past couple of years, thanks to Weisz’s recent role in the Marvel movie Black Widow. If you thought asking James Bond’s wife about that particular franchise posed certain perils, imagine asking the husband of Melina Vostokoff why she’s absent from the all-star cast of Thunderbolts.

Naturally, this reticence isn’t a sign that Rachel Weisz isn’t friendly with reporters. If anyone had a doubt about that, the fact that she explained why she doesn’t dish those sorts of details is all you need. Rather, as Weisz laid out above, she’s of the mind that keeping things locked down helps preserve the relationship she and her husband enjoy.

So you can imagine that both she and Daniel Craig will still be hit with questions about projects like Marvel, James Bond, or otherwise. Just don’t expect Craig to talk about who steals the covers or Weisz to answer whether or not she could see anyone other than her husband play 007. However, one would like to think that any and all questions about Weisz's Mummy franchise are valid, especially after that sweet story Brendan Fraser told about their time on the first film.

You can revisit the comic book antics of Black Widow, and almost all of the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe catalog, using a Disney+ subscription. Or if you’re looking beyond that most recent role and are interested in the best Rachel Weisz movies to watch, we have just the list to help you narrow that search down.

Remaking a Universal Monsters classic like The Mummy isn’t exactly a sure thing. Just ask anyone who was a part of the failed Tom Cruise reboot that flopped as one of the new movie releases back in 2017. Those fears were also present when the studio embarked on its 1999 blockbuster with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, and recently Fraser recalled a moment where his co-star shared those doubts.

As he broke down his most iconic roles for a video with GQ, Rick O’Connell himself laid out a story in which The Mummy’s prospects as a movie were gravely discussed. Through Brendan Fraser’s recollection, here’s why the now well-regarded adventure was such an unknown quantity: 

It might be hard to believe now, but back when Universal was trying to remake The Mummy, it was a pretty rough ride. Everyone from George Romero and Clive Barker to Daniel Day Lewis was intended to play parts in various incarnations in development, with the history dating back to the ‘80s.

So arriving at a concept that mashes several genres together, and doesn’t exactly adhere to the totally horrific content of the Boris Karloff classic, does leave some room to be scared. This was especially the case when director Steven Sommers was delivering this film into the same summer that'd see The Matrix, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace helping keep audiences in theater seats.

Whatever doubts were in mind before 1999’s The Mummy were soon dispelled, as that film and its 2001 sequel The Mummy Returns would go on to become massive moneymakers. If there were any doubts after Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz first took to movie screens as Rick and Evelyn, they were soon pushed aside. Though The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor would eventually end that winning streak, and the planned fourth installment with Antonio Banderas was cancelled.

Time, and a healthy comeback known as “the Brenaissance,” have both made the possibility of returning to The Mummy with a proper legacyquel not so scary to the public. Not to mention that Brendan Fraser has shared positive thoughts about potentially returning to Rick O’Connell after almost 20 years after he hung up the holster. One would think that now the fans have spoken, Rachel Weisz would be as confident to commit to such a film as well. 

Sadly, we don’t know if anyone at Universal is trying to make the dreams of Brendan Fraser and various Mummy fans come true. The actor is  currently doing the rounds promoting The Whale, a film where he’s being hotly tipped as a 2023 Best Actor winner. Though if you’d like to see another one of Fraser’s more recent works, you can check out the latest season of Doom Patrol and the film No Sudden Move, both of which are at home with those possessing an HBO Max subscription.

When it comes to relationships, these celebrity couples met on the sets of some of their most famous movies. From romantic films such as The Notebook to action movies like Daredevil, through the power of film, many of these couples were brought together. Here are 25 couples who met on the set of a movie but ended up dating in real life. 

Ryan Gosling And Rachel McAdams (The Notebook)

While you may know The Notebook as one of the best romance films out there, the two leading stars actually met on the set of the film, Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. In an interview with GQ in 2007, Gosling confirmed he was thankful for the movie, as he met her through it despite the fact that their relationship ended.

While they did eventually break up in 2007, no one can quite forget this romance, both on and off screen.  

Emma Stone And Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man Series)

When Andrew Garfield was Spider-Man in The Amazing Spider-Man series, he and his on-screen Gwen Stacy, played by Emma Stone, ended up dating for four years after meeting on the set of the first movie. While they split back in 2015, Garfield recently said that he’s still her biggest fan during an interview with Vanity Fair’s “Little Gold Men” podcast:

Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt (Mr. And Mrs. Smith) 

On the set of the spy-movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (which is getting a reboot), Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt met. In an interview with Vogue (via People) in 2006, Jolie confirmed that they developed feelings for each other while filming, but didn’t start thinking of getting together instantly. 

Jolie and Pitt married in 2014, but later filed for divorce.  

Robert Pattinson And Kristen Stewart (The Twilight Series)

The Twilight series was a huge hit for Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, who played Edward and Bella in the adaptation of the popular vampire series, and they began dating after the first Twilight film released in 2008, according to an interview Stewart did with The New Yorker. They did eventually break up. 

Freida Pinto And Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire)

The 2011 Academy Award-winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, brought together its two stars, Freida Pinto and Dev Patel, after they starred in the film together. In an interview with The Guardian in 2015, Patel talked about his past relationship with Pinto, and how close they were during their time together. 

The pair split in 2014. 

Michelle Williams And Heath Ledger (Brokeback Mountain)

While filming Brokeback Mountain, co-stars Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger starred as husband and wife, and that love ended up coming off screen when the two began to date. In an interview with GQ in 2012, Williams talked about meeting Ledger for the first time, and how she felt she was always meant to meet him.

The two had a child together, but later separated.

Blake Lively And Ryan Reynolds (The Green Lantern)

These two are couples goals. Ever since Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively met on the set of The Green Lantern in 2010, these two have been inseparable and eventually ended up getting married. In an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2021, Reynolds admits they were seeing different people at the time, but their friendship slowly turned into a relationship. 

They’ve been married for several years now, and have four children. 

Eva Mendes And Ryan Gosling (The Place Beyond The Pines)

In The Place Beyond the Pines, the stars of the film, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling ended up getting together. Rumors of them being together popped up originally when they were spotted going on a date to Disneyland (via Us Weekly) in 2011, and now more than a decade later, they’re still together and have two daughters. 

Gosling, in an interview with Harper's Bazaar in 2016, gushed about his family. 

Elizabeth Taylor And Richard Burton (Cleopatra)

Famed legendary actors Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had a whirlwind romance after filming Cleopatra, which released in 1963. Their love was highly publicized and even turned into a limited series, called Liz & Dick. It spanned thirteen years, eleven films together, as well as two marriages and two divorces, according to Vogue. 

Natalie Portman And Benjamin Millepied (Black Swan)

While filming her Academy Award-winning movie, Black Swan, Natalie Portman met Benjamin Millepied, who is a famous choreographer and co-starred with her. Two began dating and married not that long after in 2012. 

In an interview with People, Natalie gushed about her husband and how much she loved working with him again on a new film, called Vox Lux in 2018.

Matthew Broderick And Jennifer Grey (Ferris Bueller’s Day Off)

While they may have played siblings in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey were actually entangled in a relationship during their time on set. Jennifer Grey spoke about her relationship with the actor in her memoir, Out of the Corner, and how it was hard to keep it a secret from everyone else. 

Once filming ended, according to the memoir, they separated temporarily before getting back together, and dated in 1988. They were also briefly engaged but called it off not that long after. 

Johnny Depp And Winona Ryder (Edward Scissorhands)

While they originally met in the lobby of a New York theater in 1989, according to Rolling Stone (via Cheat Sheet), Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder’s relationship only grew more after co-starring in Edward Scissorhands in 1990, so much so that Depp proposed to Ryder only five months into dating. 

However, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 1993, Depp confirmed they had split up due to the privacy the media wouldn’t let them have. 

Claire Danes And Hugh Dancy (Evening)

Both Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy met on the set of Evening, according to an interview Dancy did with London Evening Standard in 2013, saying that marriage to the star, as well as fatherhood, is treating him “very well.”

Goldie Hawn And Kurt Russell (The One And Only, Genuine, Original Family Band)

This long-lasting partnership started way back when in 1966. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell originally met on the set of The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, but it wasn’t until Swing Shift in 1984 that they began dating. In an interview with People, Hawn admits that the two don’t see a point in marriage.  

The pair have been together for 40 years, and recently starred in The Christmas Chronicles 2 together in 2020.  

Taylor Swift And Taylor Lautner (Valentine’s Day)

The ultimate Taylor-ship, actor Taylor Lautner and singer Taylor Swift worked together on the romantic comedy Valentine's Day and were seen out together at sports games (via People). The two reportedly dated for a couple of months before breaking up in December of the same year. 

Channing Tatum And Jenna Dewan (Step Up)

One of Channing Tatum’s best movies led to him meeting Jenna Dewan, his co-star and later wife on the set of Step-Up, as confirmed by an interview Tatum did with Elle in 2013. Tatum admitted that he almost didn’t ask Dewan out because he had just gotten out of a relationship. 

While they share a daughter, the two divorced in 2019.  

Daniel Craig And Rachel Weisz (Dream House)

While the two had actually first met at university together, both Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz were brought back together while filming Dream House. Weisz spoke with The Evening Standard in 2018 on her relationship, and how she never thought she would get married, until she started dating Craig. 

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck (Gigli) 

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are back together, but their first run at a relationship was while filming Gigli, where the two became close friends, and later began to date after Lopez divorced from Chris Judd in 2003.

Vanessa Hudgens And Zac Efron (High School Musical Series)

The High School Musical series was a huge hit for the Disney Channel, and onscreen love interests, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, turned that love into a long relationship offscreen, according to Hudgens during an interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast (via People) in 2019.

The two were together for five years before breaking up. 

Jennifer Garner And Ben Affleck (Daredevil)

Both Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck first met while filming Pearl Harbor, but started to date after being co-stars in Daredevil, according to an interview with Playboy Magazine in 2017, saying that this set was where they fell in love.

They later married in 2005 and then divorced in 2018. 

Liam Hemsworth And Miley Cyrus (The Last Song)

While filming The Last Song together, Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus became very close, according to Seventeen (via MTV News) where Cyrus said he was her “best friend.” Their relationship was later confirmed after they walked the red carpet together. They were together for years, marrying, before divorcing in 2020. 

Tom Cruise And Nicole Kidman (Days Of Thunder)

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman met at her audition for Days of Thunder, according to an interview she did with Harper’s Bazaar in 2021. The two stars co-starred, fell in love, married in 1990, and then divorced in 2001. 

Zendaya And Tom Holland (Spider-Man Series)

Tom Holland and Zendaya met while filming Spider-Man: Homecoming together, but it wasn’t until closer to the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021 that speculation about a romantic relationship between the two seemed to be confirmed. 

Since then, the two have been very public about their relationship, especially when Tom Holland shared a post on Instagram on her birthday, saying that Zendaya was “his MJ.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar And Freddie Prinze Jr. (I Know What You Did Last Summer)

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. met originally on the set of I Know What You Did Last Summer, but didn’t begin to date until 2000, according to an interview Gellar did with People in 2002, saying they weren’t even originally supposed to go on a date - turned into one. 

They have been together for twenty years and have two children. 

Penelope Cruz And Javier Bardem (Jamón Jamón)

The two actually met for the first time as co-stars while filming Jamón Jamón, they wouldn’t get together until they reunited again filming Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a Woody Allen film, according to an interview Javier Bardem did with GQ in 2017, and started dating after filming was done. 

The two have been married since 2010, and have two children. 

There are so many celebrity couples out there - some that have stood the test of time and others that have not. And I’m sure over time, only more and more will start to pop up with even crazier romances. 

SPOILERS are ahead for the latest Disney film, Jungle Cruise and 1999’s The Mummy.

Ever get deja vu while watching a movie for the first time? It’s happened to all of us on some level as some storylines are reminiscent of or are purposefully influenced by others but, when it comes to watching Jungle Cruise, there are so many parallels that I’d suggest that can feel like a remake of 1999’s The Mummy. And I would know – I’ve watched the modern classic starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz so, so many times.

Though The Mummy is not without its influences, be that between its previous iterations dating back to the ‘30s or Indiana Jones, it has become an adventure classic in the years following its release. Heck, bumper stickers that say “honk if you’d rather be watching the 1999 cinematic masterpiece The Mummy” exist and are sold, and have become popular enough that Rachel Weisz even knows about it. So when a movie like Jungle Cruise emulates it, we need to give credit where credit is due. It’s going to be tough to unsee this.

Lily And MacGregor Are Clearly Evie And Jonathan

The most obvious comparison to draw here is the sibling dynamic at play throughout The Mummy and Jungle Cruise. In The Mummy, siblings Evie and Jonathan (played by Weisz and John Hannah) embark on a quest to find the ancient city of Hamunaptra together, and Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’Connell is the third piece they need to guide them there. In Jungle Cruise, Emily Blunt and Jack Whitehall’s Lily and MacGregor have virtually the same sibling energy as they do.

In The Mummy, Evie is the more strong-willed and clever of the two, and Jonathan is really just loyal and along for the ride to be there with his sister. He doesn’t take part in the action really, and MacGregor is really the same person as Jonathan. Jack Whitehall and John Hannah even look alike. The single difference is MacGregor hinting that he is gay to Dwayne Johnson’s Frank during Jungle Cruise.

The Apathetic Guide With A Golden Heart

Then we have our own Rick O’Connell in Jungle Cruise through the character of Frank the Skipper. Frank is a mysterious fellow who becomes the guy Lily must team up with to go across the river and find the “Tears of the Moon,” a mythical tree that grows petals that can cure illnesses, heal injuries and lift curses. Dwayne Johnson's character comes off as selfish and shady in the first half of the film, often pushing Lily’s buttons with the woes of the adventure ahead. As the movie unfolds, we learn that Frank’s interest in the Tears of the Moon runs much deeper. His careless front wears off, as we learn he needs to be part of the mission to break the curse of his 400-year-old friends and lay them to rest.

In terms of The Mummy, Brendan Fraser’s action hero goes through a similar character arc, even if he’s not a cursed being. He similarly has a shady introduction with Evie, as she and Jonathan must save him from a public beheading before he can help them. With Frank, he poses as Paul Giamatti’s Nilo and fakes a heroic Jaguar fight with his pet. Both heroes are action-oriented and nab their charm through seeming nonchalant but actually end up being huge romantics and stand-up guys when push comes to shove.

The Love/Hate Chemistry Between Its Stars

My favorite thing about The Mummy has to be the iconic love affair Rick and Evie fall into during their action-packed, Egyptian adventure. In between all the action, the movie does a beautiful job of building the tension between these two so much that we want them to be together at the end just as we would with any rom-com. The pair begin their relationship with spit-fire digs at each other, which ignites a spark that we’d follow them into a tomb for. Rick’s feelings for Evie seem to start to motivate his decisions more than fame and glory, and the movie ultimately ends with Rick and Evie riding off into the sunset on a camel.

And Jungle Cruise takes a note here, too. In the Disney film, Frank and Lily's differences irk and challenge one another but, once they spend time together, their natural chemistry brings them together in an unexpected way. The characters' back-and-forths are some of the best parts of the movie and, much like The Mummy, it’s their unexpected romance that pulls us in and ends up being the true heart of the film.

The Key They Both Hold To Unlock An Ancient Secret

And the plot of Jungle Cruise is also very Mummy-esque, even though the settings and quests in the two films differ. To refresh your memory on The Mummy, the whole thing kicks off thanks to Jonathan finding an artifact that ends up being the key to opening the Book of the Dead. Once they find an item on their adventure, Evie accidentally awakens the Mummy, and they must reverse the resulting curse that has descended upon Egypt.

In Jungle Cruise, Emily Blunt’s character also holds the "key" to the Tears of the Moon around her neck, which is incredibly valuable to unlocking access to the all-healing petals. Sure, these kinds of artifacts turn up in adventure films all the time, but this and so many other similarities? Come on!

The Ancient Curse The Villains Are Trying To Break

The real nail in the coffin here is how similar the villains are. In The Mummy, we learn the backstory of Imhotep, who was punished for having an affair in ancient Egypt by being buried alive as a mummy, with flesh-eating scarab beetles. When Evie awakens him, he unleashes his powers on the whole city and attempts to turn Evie into Anck-su-namun, the mistress he had to die for.

Jungle Cruise’s villain is Edgar Ramirez's Aguirre, who is a Conquistador who lost his daughter to an illness and became cursed to immortality (as a slithering snake man) after seeking the tree’s power. Frank makes it his mission to lift their curse so they can rest in peace, after Aguirre hunts for the tree’s powers as well.

It’s interesting to see how the two movies, which have a decades-long gap between them, compare with each other. Jungle Cruise definitely seems to have been influenced by the classic adventure movie, and it makes for a fun double feature. Since The Mummy was the one I grew up with, that’s still my top choice, but what do you think? The Mummy or Jungle Cruise? Vote in our poll below.

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Over the years, Rachel Weisz has taken audiences on intricate, mind-bending journeys, on epic explorations of ancient Egypt, and even to the latest chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Black Widow. These movies are all remarkable in their own way, and that's undoubtedly thanks to the talented and versatile actress’s outstanding abilities. There is just something about the Academy Award-winning actress that not only elevates a role but also the entire movie.

But, what are the best Rachel Weisz movies and how can we watch them? Well, funny you should ask, as we have put together a quick rundown of 12 of Weisz’s best movies, why they should be considered one of her best, and all the ways you can watch them whether it be online or on physical media like DVD and Blu-ray.

The Constant Gardener (2005)

The 2005 drama The Constant Gardener follows British diplomat Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes) as he attempts to solve the murder of his wife Tessa (Rachel Weisz), an Amnesty International activist whose slain body was found in the African wilderness. Bouncing back and forth between the present and flashbacks of the couple’s marriage, this political thriller is full of twists, turns, and disturbing revelations.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Well, The Constant Gardener netted Rachel Weisz her first and only (so far) Oscar when she was named the Best Supporting Actress at the 78th Academy Awards, in addition to multiple other accolades. Besides that, Weisz’s portrayal of a social justice worker in an unforgiving world is as inspirational as it is heartbreaking.

Stream The Constant Gardener on IMDb TV.

Rent/Buy The Constant Gardener on Amazon.

Buy The Constant Gardener on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Lobster (2015)

Set in a dystopian world with one strange way of handling loneliness, the 2015 surrealist black comedy The Lobster follows David (Colin Farrell) and Short Sighted Woman (Rachel Weisz) as they attempt to form a meaningful relationship in 45 days or be turned into an animal of their choice.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: At times humorous, and at others utterly disturbing, Yorgos Lantheimos’ unique love story is made all the better thanks to the commitment by its leads, with Rachel Weisz really knocking it out of the park. The movie also sees Weisz provide a monotone yet never boring narration.

Stream The Lobster on Showtime.

Stream The Lobster on Hoopla.

Rent/Buy The Lobster on Amazon.

Buy The Lobster on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Favourite (2018)

Set in early 18th Century England, Yorgos Lantheimos’ 2018 black comedy The Favourite tells the story of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) and the competition between her friend Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) and new servant Abigail Masham (Emma Stone) for her friendship, affection, and influence in matters affecting the country.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: All three actresses in this hilarious and offbeat period comedy were more than deserving of the praise and awards they received following the film’s release. Rachel Weisz, especially, is firing on all cylinders here and does a tremendous job of blending elements of humor, revenge, greed, pettiness, and love in this remarkable film.

Rent/Buy The Favourite on Amazon.

Buy The Favourite on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Black Widow (2021)

Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before the crossover event of the century Avengers: Infinity War, the Marvel Phase 4 movie Black Widow fills in the gaps for Natasha Romanoff’s (Scarlett Johansson) story and introduces us to her estranged “family” as she attempts to close a chapter on her past.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Florence Pugh is receiving a ton of praise for her MCU debut (and rightfully so), but one of the best parts of Black Widow is Rachel Weisz’ Melina Vostokoff, Natasha’s mother figure, who, despite helping come up with the Red Room’s diabolical technology, puts her love of “family” above everything else in the end. Plus, how great is it seeing Weisz in an action movie again?

Stream Black Widow on Disney+ with Premier Access.

About A Boy (2002)

One of the best movies on Amazon prime, the 2002 romantic comedy About a Boy centers on Will Freeman (Hugh Grant), a wealthy Londoner free of children and responsibility, who takes 12-year-old Marcus Brewer (Nicholas Hoult) under his wing and acts like he’s his son in order to impress a new lover, Rachel (Rachel Weisz). As is typically the case with this setup, Will’s plan stands to blow up in his face.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Everyone in About a Boy is absolutely perfect in their respective roles, especially Rachel Weisz. Throughout the movie, Weisz effortlessly pulls off the role of a confident and self-assured single mother who is willing to sacrifice everything in the name of love and new beginnings. But, don’t confuse her willingness to forgive as a sign of weakness, because the character, like the actress, is anything but a push-over.

Stream About a Boy on Amazon.

Rent/Buy About a Boy on Amazon.

Buy About a Boy on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Fountain (2006)

Told over the course of three intertwined narratives, Darren Aronofsky’s 2006 mind-bending romantic science-fiction epic The Fountain chronicles one man’s (Hugh Jackman) seemingly endless journey to save the woman he loves (Rachel Weisz) from death.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Although not the best Aronofksy film, The Fountain is a beautiful, and at times confusing, work of art with heartbreaking and enchanting performances from its two leads. Rachel Weisz is a tour de force in her two roles — Isabella I of Castille in 16th Century Spain, seeking a legendary tree that could free her people and herself from the Inquisition, and Izzi Creo, the modern-day author writing about the Spanish queen — and effortlessly pulls off the double-duty in tremendous fashion.

Stream The Fountain on Tubi.

Rent/Buy The Fountain on Amazon.

Buy The Fountain on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Youth (2015)

Two lifelong friends — composer Fred Ballinger (Michael Caine) and screenwriter Mick Boyle (Harvey Keitel) — go to the Swiss Alps for a vacation and escape from their personal and professional lives, only to have the outside world descend upon their peaceful retreat when Fred is asked to perform in front of the Queen of England and Mick attempts to finish his latest script.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: The two leads in Youth are the main attraction, but the supporting cast, which includes Rachel Weisz as Fred’s daughter and Mick’s daughter-in-law, and Paul Dano as a struggling actor, does a great job of tying everything together. This is especially true for Weisz, whose pained performance as a woman/daughter/wife in crisis steals the show.

Buy Youth on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Disobedience (2017)

The 2017 romantic drama Disobedience follows Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz), a woman who returns to her Orthodox Jewish community following the death of her estranged father, a respected rabbi. During her visit, Ronit crosses paths with her childhood friend Esit Kuperman (Rachel McAdams), with whom she has a bond so close and sensual that members of the community disallow it.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: One of the most powerful and moving Rachel Weisz performances, Disobedience sees the actress portray a woman who isn’t willing to be subservient to the men and traditions of her conservative Orthodox Jewish community, even if it means sacrificing everything.

Stream Disobedience on Starz.

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Buy Disobedience on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Mummy (1999)

A throwback to the serial adventures of the early to mid-20th Century, the 1999 action horror film The Mummy follows a 1925 expedition to find an elusive treasure deep in the ruins of ancient Egypt. But, the treasure-seeking group bites off more than they can chew when a 3,000-year-old Egyptian priest is woken from his rest and sets out to be reunited with his love, at all cost.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Rachel Weisz’s portrayal of bookworm and Egyptian historian Evelyn Carnahan in The Mummy is absolutely perfect and is the brains and heart to Brendan Frasier’s Richard O’Connell. She’s believable in her knowledge of the ancient world and adds a level of charm that is unmatched.

Stream The Mummy on HBO Max.

Rent/Buy The Mummy on Amazon.

Buy The Mummy on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Deep Blue Sea (2011)

The 2011 romantic drama film The Deep Blue Sea, through a series of flashbacks, tells the story of the love affair between Hester Collyer (Rachel Weisz) and former Royal Air Force pilot Freddie Page (Tom Hiddleston), and the destruction it brings to her marriage, her way of life, and even her own health.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Nominated for a Golden Globe, Rachel Weisz is absolutely masterful in her portrayal of a woman caught at the crossroad, one that could bring her adventure, love, and passion but also take away the security, luxury, and ease she’s become used to over the years.

Stream The Deep Blue Sea on Hoopla.

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Stream The Deep Blue Sea on Mubi.

Rent/Buy The Deep Blue Sea on Amazon.

Buy The Deep Blue Sea on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

Definitely, Maybe (2008)

The 2008 romantic comedy Definitely, Maybe follows Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) as he tells his daughter, Maya (Abigail Breslin) the story of his life before marriage, and the different women — played by Rachel Weisz, Isla Fisher, and Elizabeth Banks — who could possibly be her mother.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Rachel Weisz portrayal of “Summer Hartley”/Natasha is one of the characters who is the hardest to read throughout Definitely, Maybe, but that element of mystery makes every one of her scenes must-watch. You never really know where she stands, what she wants, and or what she plans to get out of each interaction.

Rent/Buy Definitely, Maybe on Amazon.

Buy Definitely, Maybe on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

The Brothers Bloom (2008)

Rian Johnson’s 2008 crime comedy The Brothers Bloom follows Bloom Bloom (Adrien Brody) and Stephen Bloom (Mark Ruffalo) as they attempt to pull off one final con with an eccentric East Cost heiress, Penelope Stamp (Rachel Weisz) as the mark. Little do the brothers know but this is actually the beginning of something much more complicated.

Why it’s one of Rachel Weisz’s best movies: Released at a time when Rachel Weisz was mostly showing up in the dramas or romantic comedies, this crime caper was a nice sea change for the actress. Similar to some of the movies she would show up in a few years later, Weisz is equally enchanting and mysterious in this romp of a good time.

Stream The Brothers Bloom on IMDb TV.

Rent/Buy The Brothers Bloom on Amazon.

Buy The Brothers Bloom on DVD/Blu-ray on Amazon.

After reading about all these great Rachel Weisz movies, no one will hold anything against you if you go back and watch them over and over again. And while we wait to see what the future holds for the talented actress we can always check and see what 2021 movies are coming to theaters and streaming services in the very near future.

After being delayed from its original 2020 release, Black Widow joined the 2021 movies, and tells the story of where Natasha Romanoff was between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. While it’s always fun to watch the Marvel movies in order, today we’re going to be talking specifically about the actors in Black Widow, the latest Marvel film.

You’ve most likely seen Scarlett Johansson in plenty of other films, but what about Florence Pugh? Or William Hurt? These stars have been in several other projects prior to Black Widow, so here is where you might have seen the Black Widow cast before, and where they'll be next.

MINOR SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN'T SEEN BLACK WIDOW.

Scarlett Johansson (Natasha Romanoff)

Scarlett Johansson has portrayed the titular Black Widow since 2010, in Iron Man 2, so it’s a bittersweet finale for this amazing actress who has been in some of the best Marvel movies to date. However, just because she’s been with Marvel for more than a decade, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t done some other incredible films.

Some of Johansson's previous films are Lost in Translation, Girl With a Pearl Earring, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Prestige, and Match Point, among many others. In the last decade, she had an important voice role in Her, starred in science fiction film Under The Skin, as well as Jojo Rabbit and the Netflix film, Marriage Story, in the same year, scoring Academy Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in 2020.

Truly, I’m going to miss seeing Scarlett Johansson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but she’s served us well as Black Widow – and now, we can pass the torch onto the next one. I look forward to what she has coming next, like Sing 2. I can't wait to hear her singing voice again.

Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova)

As the “sister” of Natasha Romanoff, Yelena Belova is another former Red Room assassin who teams up with Black Widow to take down Dreykov. Florence Pugh portrays Yelena in the film, adding to the impressive films that this young actress has done so far.

Pugh has been in films since 2014, making her debut in the drama, The Falling, before receiving attention for her role in Lady Macbeth. After that, she had a main role in the 2018 British miniseries, The Little Drummer Girl, and then portrayed professional wrestler Paige in the biographical sports film, Fighting with My Family.

In 2019, Florence Pugh also portrayed Dani Ardor in the popular horror film, Midsommar, and played Amy March in the period drama, Little Women, for which she was nominated for an Academy Award. After the Black Widow ending, and the end credits scene of the movie, I think we can expect to see a lot more of Yelena in the MCU very soon.

Keep an eye out for this one – and all her pockets, especially in that new Hawkeye TV series, coming out soon.

David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov)

In my opinion, Alexei was one of the main characters in Black Widow who truly carried the film, for his hilarious moments and awesome fighting skills alongside his two “daughters.” David Harbour brought Red Guardian to life and created a memorable Marvel character.

Harbour himself has done plenty in the industry. In film, he’s portrayed Randall Malone in Brokeback Mountain, Shep Campbell in Revolutionary Road, Gregg Beam in Quantum of Solace, D.A. Frank Scanlon in The Green Hornet, Frank Masters in The Equalizer, and the titular Hellboy in Hellboy. Truly, the man has been all over the map, showing off his range of acting talent.

However, David Harbour gained worldwide recognition when signed on to play Jim Hopper in the popular Netflix series, Stranger Things, a role which he still does to this day. Other than that, Harbour has also had some other minor roles on television, like a recurring part in The Newsroom, and one in State of Affairs.

With Stranger Things Season 4 coming (hopefully) soon, it won’t be long until we see him again on our TV screens.

O-T Fagbenie (Mason)

For a film with so many new faces, it was only a matter of time before we were introduced to another S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, which Mason, portrayed by O-T Fagbenie, was in Black Widow. The kind man helped out Natasha in plenty of circumstances, giving her some good gear to take on her enemies.

O-T Fagbenie hasn’t done much on the big screen, with Black Widow being one of his bigger roles, but in television, he has been around. He’s been in several shows as guest stars, such as Doctor Who and Happy Endings. However, he’s also had main roles in shows like Grownups, FM, and a recurring role in the HBO series, Looking.

Currently, O-T Fagbenie stars as Luke Bankole in the hit Hulu series, The Handmaid’s Tale, and is going to be portraying former President Barack Obama in a new series, titled The First Lady, so there’s no denying that he is one busy actor. Hopefully, with his appearance in Black Widow, we might get to see him more in films very soon.

Olga Kurylenko (Antonia Dreykov)

As the daughter of the main villain of Black Widow, Antonia isn’t seen much – but is important. The woman is portrayed by Olga Kurylenko, an actress who has done a lot in Hollywood.

Along with being in plenty of international films, Kurylenko has had her fair share of films that you might have seen her in, including Hitman, Quantum of Solace (with David Harbour), Centurion, To the Wonder, Vampire Academy, The Death of Stalin, The Room, and The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. For a time, Olga Kurylenko also had a role in the drama, Magic City, and has done a couple of guest/recurring appearances on TV shows outside of that. It’s exciting to see her take on a superhero movie, even more so because it’s Marvel.

Kurylenko will next be seen in Empires of the Deep.

William Hurt (Thaddeus Ross)

I mean, I think we all have a love/hate relationship with Thaddeus Ross from Marvel, considering he’s one of reasons the Sokovian Accords even took place. Even so, he appears in Black Widow, played by the talented William Hurt, an actor who has been in the industry for decades.

Hurt has been in plenty of amazing films, such as Kiss of the Spider-Woman, where he won an Academy Award, followed by two other big films, Children of a Lesser God and Broadcast News, where he received two other nominations at the Academy Awards. But, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t done his fair share of films since then.

Some of his other roles have included portraying Professor Alien Hobby in Steven Spielberg’s A.I. Artificial Intelligence, a role in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village as Edward Walker, Richie Cusack in A History of Violence, Walt McCandless in Into the Wild, Tom Tulley in The Last Full Measure, and so many others.

Hurt has also had some bigger roles in television as well, and starred in the miniseries, Damages, back in 2009, several television movies, and portrayed Donald Cooperman in Goliath, and Bob Partridge in Condor. He also had a guest spot on the Apple TV+ series, Mythic Quest. William Hurt is one skilled actor, and honestly, I can’t picture anyone else other than him playing Thaddeus Ross.

With an actor as talented as him, he has plenty coming up soon, including a new TV series called Pantheon and several films, so look for him soon.

Ray Winstone (Dreykov)

As the villain of the main story in Black Widow, let’s all just take a collective moment to agree we hate him so much. Good? Me too. But, Ray Winstone, the man behind the evil Red Room leader, does an excellent job at portraying him.

Ray Winstone has done a lot of movies, with several genres to his name. He was in the dramas Nil by Mouth and The War Zone, and the British/German film Last Orders. He played Mr. Beaver in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, was in Beowulf as the titular character, in the Martin Scorsese film The Departed as Arnold French, in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, the animated film Rango, the epic biblical film Noah, in the musical Cats, and so many others. That is someone who has truly mastered so many genres – I can hardly keep track.

Winstone has also had plenty of experience in television as well, with a main role in the British television show, Robin of Sherwood, and most recently, a main role in the television series Ice. Dreykov was certainly an interesting villain – and Winstone performed the character to perfection. Currently, Winstone has a new film he's working on, titled Prizefighter: The Life of Jim Belcher, so keep an eye out for him soon in movie theaters.

Rachel Weisz (Melina Vostokoff)

As the last person on this list, no one can quite forget about the mother-figure for both Natasha and Yelena, Melina Vostokoff, portrayed by Rachel Weisz.

The actress has many, many credits to her name, just as several of her castmates. She starred in The Mummy franchise, playing Evelyn Carnahan. After that, she went on to star in several films, including Enemy at the Gates, About a Boy, Constantine, The Fountain, and The Lovely Bones. She won an Academy Award for her role in The Constant Gardener and received a second nomination when she portrayed Sarah Churchill in The Favourite.

Rachel Weisz has also had roles in The Bourne Legacy and Oz the Great and Powerful. With how much she’s done, it’s not a surprise that this talented actress took her skills into the superhero world. She has the recently announced dramedy, Love Child, coming next.

With all these Marvel TV shows and Marvel movies, it’s not a surprise that we’ve been seeing more and more stars hop into this incredibly popular franchise. After Black Widow, I can only imagine where the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is going to go – and who else might sign on.

There’s no denying the fact that it’s weird Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) had to die on the Sacred Timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe before she got her own movie. Despite the fact that she has been fighting alongside the Avengers since the MCU’s Phase One, versatile Russian spy Natasha Romanoff has been relegated to second banana in Captain America sequels and star-studded Avengers team-up movies like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Avengers: Infinity War. We’d pick up informative scraps regarding her mysterious past, but Black Widow and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) were given the short end of the stick with regards to solo adventures, for various reasons.

That changes now that Cate Shortland’s Black Widow is arriving both in theaters and on streaming (following a lengthy delay). The movie solves the narrative problem caused by Natasha’s sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame by constructing a prequel for our lethal protagonist. Black Widow picks up shortly after the events of Captain America: Civil War, and finds Black Widow on the lam from General Ross (William Hurt) because she assaulted T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and helped Steve (Chris Evans) and Bucky (Sebastian Stan) escape the german airport. And the best review I can give you for Black Widow is that this standalone movie was worth the unusually long wait. Here’s why.

I appreciated Black Widow’s deeper dive into Natasha’s backstory.

Prior to Shortland’s Black Widow, we’d been made aware of some important touchstones in Natasha’s development, from her training at a young age in The Red Room to a humorous exchange with Clint Barton (Renner) about a mission in Budapest they each remember differently. And while that running joke finally pays off in this movie, there are plenty of other blank spots in Widow’s infamous ledger that also get filled in.

Some are small. We meet a new character named Mason (O-T Fagbenle), a covert operative who helps Natasha obtain items in between missions. Other developments are significant, as when we establish Ray Winstone’s Dreykov as an antagonist from Romanoff’s past whom she believed had been dispatched. The issues that surface as Natasha tries to stay off of the grid are substantial enough to justify this trek through her past, with credited screenwriters Jac Schaeffer (WandaVision), Ned Benson and Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok) untying numerous loose ends for Widow that include the existence of The Red Room program, the brainwashing of fellow Widows, and the creation of a new villain in Taskmaster. All of these elements deepen the colors that already fill in Black Widow’s fascinating history, while the next revelation explains why the assassin holds the concept of “family” so dear.

I bought into the dysfunctional family vibe of the Romanoffs.

Without giving away too many of the movie’s best surprises, Black Widow introduces three important characters from Natasha’s history -- the “family” she knew from her adolescence… though what information, when you are a spy, can really be trusted. Alexi (David Harbour), her father, was a participant in the Super Soldier serum program, adopting the moniker Red Guardian. Melina (Rachel Weisz), Natasha’s mother, tried to be the glue that held the family together, though her own experiments with mind manipulation make her valuable to their Russian warlords. Finally, and most notably, Black Widow introduces the equally deadly Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Natasha’s sister and another graduate of the Red Room’s Widow program whose eyes have recently been opened to the harsh realities of her past.

The familial vibe and the chemistry shared between Johansson, Pugh, Harbour and Weisz ensures that Black Widow stands on its own and thrives when the action slows down -- which, to Shortland’s credit, doesn’t happen very often. Character development for this artificial Russian family is paramount, and Black Widow will spend as much time around a kitchen table allowing this dysfunctional clan to squabble as it does choreographing a thrilling prison break or pulse-racing car chase. Harbour, specifically, steals the show with his cavalier arrogance, playing a once-significant Soviet spy who’s out of the game but doesn’t yet realize it. But Johansson and Pugh also forge a sisterly bond that sings every time they zing each other with back-handed criticisms in the midst of battle.

The action is top-notch, with some outstanding Marvel set pieces.

And plenty of battles do come. Black Widow offers up wall-to-wall action, beginning with a white-knuckle airplane escape in its opening scenes, and concluding with a massive, multi-pronged aerial fight. If the MCU established a formula for the number of action set pieces allowed in a single movie, Black Widow doubles the count, and keeps you near the edge of your seat with creative stunts, large-scale sequences (that prison break is a highlight), and relentless fights.

Shortland’s approach to the action stands out, as well. Influenced by Korean cinema, she often uses hand-held cameras to immerse us in the action, but not so far into the combat that we become dizzy or disoriented. Black Widow may rely a little too heavily on CGI for its largest set pieces -- there’s a shot of Johansson and Pugh sharing a parachute that’s so phony, it’s jarring -- but the visceral take on its hand-to-hand combat reminds us that Natasha doesn’t have the super powers of Captain America, Thor, or The Hulk. But she has the heart of an Avenger. And for that reason, she’ll always have the hearts of Marvel fans.

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The release of Black Widow is almost here, and it is the first film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4. Black Widow will be a deep dive into the history and character of Natasha Romanoff, and Scarlett Johansson has spoken about the difficulty of telling her story. Marvel’s return to theaters is almost upon us, and Black Widow star Florence Pugh is ready for it and all the press that comes with it. Now actress Rachel Weisz has now offered details about her new Marvel character.

Rachel Weisz is a part of the great cast of Black Widow and surely has a significant role to play in the upcoming film. Between Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff and Florence Pugh’s character, it’s safe to say Rachel Weisz will be playing another deadly spy. During her recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Rachel Weisz offered up some details on her Black Widow character, telling Kimmel,

Rachel Weisz says that her character is indeed a Black Widow, highly trained and deadly just like Natasha Romanoff. Weisz’s character was trained in the same methods as Natasha and Florence Pugh’s characters were. Having three Black Widows in one film will be something behold, and fans will be able to get a sense of their history and see some intense action sequences.

Rachel Weisz also says her character is a highly skilled scientist who the audience will meet for the first time on her pig farm, where she runs experiments. This is an exciting reveal and adds an interesting wrinkle into the possibilities of her character and the story of Black Widow overall. Florence Pugh might have been tapped as the new Black Widow of the MCU, taking over for Scarlett Johansson, and it will be interesting to see their relationship and how they set up the transition in Black Widow.

Black Widow will be action-packed, and a new clip from the film shows Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh’s characters in a crazy car chase. Recently O-T Fagbenle has recently broken his silence on his mysterious Black Widow character. Stranger Things’ David Harbour, who is playing a big part in Black Widow, has admitted to leaking set photos to Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers. The cast is excited, the fans are excited, Black Widow can't get here soon enough.

A Disney CEO has defended Black Widow’s impending release on Disney+ alongside its theatrical release, and it looks like another upcoming MCU film will also be coming to Disney+. Black Widow is one of the most hyped movies of the summer and is shaping up to be an excellent excuse to get back into theaters and see it in all its MCU glory.

The latest release from Marvel Studios, Black Widow was all set to take over theaters around the world in May 2020, but with most of theaters in the United States and abroad shut down for an unknown period of time, fans wanting to see Natasha Romanoff and the stellar cast of characters face off against Taskmaster will have to wait a little longer, it seems.

With the delay in the film's release, now is the perfect time to take a look at all the Marvel characters who are confirmed to appear in the standalone film, and yes, that includes the mysterious Taskmaster. Here are all the characters you can expect to see when phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally hits the silver screen.

Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson)

No surprise here, but Scarlett Johansson is returning as KGB assassin turned S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and original Avenger Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow. Trained in the art of hand-to-hand combat from a young age in the Red Room, Romanoff is a masterful fighter, spy, and even a pretty badass superhero with experience taking on a variety of enemies — both human and alien.

With Black Widow taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War and before Avengers: Infinity War, Romanoff is alone on the run and forced to come to terms with the devastating events of her past while fighting for survival. While on the run, Black Widow comes face to face with the family she left behind, the only family she knew before becoming an Avenger.

Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh)

Florence Pugh has been on one hell of a run with major roles in Fighting With My Family, Midsommar, and Little Women, and it looks like she's going to take it to the next step with her portrayal of Yelena Belova in Black Widow. Growing up and training alongside Natasha Romanoff in the Red Room, Belova is the closest thing to a sister the spy ever knew.

Belova's appearance in Black Widow will be the first we've seen (or heard) of the character, but in the comics, she takes over the Black Widow title. There's a strong possibility of this happening the MCU, especially after the Romanoff's death in Avengers: Endgame.

Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour)

When he's not winning over America with his hilarious Tide Super Bowl ads or being everyone's favorite out-of-shape police chief, David Harbour has been making a name for himself on the silver screen. The Stranger Things looks to continue that momentum when he appears as Alexei Shostakov, aka Red Guardian, in the upcoming Black Widow.

What essentially boils down to the Russian version of Captain America with some serious issues, Red Guardian looks to be a badass character, even if he's a classic narcissist. Even though he's equipped with many of the same characteristics as his American counterpart, the Russian super-soldier has let himself go over the years, unlike the always in shape Steve Rogers. Despite that, Shostakov will kick a lot of ass in Black Widow, if the trailer can be believed.

Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz)

It's hard to believe that it took this long for Rachel Weisz to show up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. An actress of her skill and star power should have been included in any one of the core franchises by this point, but I guess sometimes it's better to wait. Portraying Melina Vostokoff, one of the original spies to take on the Black Widow moniker is equal part teacher and mother-figure for Natasha Romanoff and the other students from the Red Room.

In the comics on which the movie character is based, Vostokoff later took on the name Iron Maiden, who served as one of Romanoff's fiercest enemies. Whether the movie follows suit and has Weisz's character turn against Black Widow and her allies remains to be seen, but with the MCU, nothing is out of the realm of possibility.

Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt)

William Hurt has been in a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe off and on longer than just about everyone besides Tony Stark. First introduced as Bruce Banner's girlfriend's father in The Incredible Hulk, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross has been a thorn in the side of the Avengers for longer than Thanos at this point.

The former Lieutenant General of the United States Army and Secretary of State will appear in Black Widow in some capacity, maybe even searching for Romanoff after she goes on the run following the events of Captain America: Civil War. Thunderbolt's brief appearances in the film's trailers make it seem like he's up to old tricks, but it's hard to say what side of the battle he stands on. Whatever happens, it's safe to say that Ross, a master tactician, will try to play the situation to his advantage.

Taskmaster (TBA)

And then there's Taskmaster, the mysterious masked villain that keeps popping up in all of the Black Widow trailers. Marvel studios hasn't officially announced who will be playing the character at this point, but there is speculation that a confirmed member of the cast might be showing up as Taskmaster instead.

In the comics, Taskmaster has been everything from a super-villain to a sleeper agent to mercenary who provides instruction for criminal groups, so who knows where he'll end up in Black Widow. Judging by the fight scenes featured in the trailers, it looks like Taskmaster has the ability to mimic the fighting style of the Avengers, so he might be someone we know or connected to familiar parties. Either is fine as long as he doesn't give Black Widow tasks like he did in Spider-Man on PlayStation 4.

Rick Mason (O.T. Fagbenle)

O.T. Fagbenle of The Handmaid's Tale is set to portray Rick Mason, an old S.H.I.E.L.D. ally of Black Widow's who is also rumored to be the identity of the film's central antagonist. Whether that's a red herring remains to be seen, however. In the comics, Rick Mason was a mercenary who was known for his non-lethal handling of superhumans, so with the plot of Black Widow taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War, the character's inclusion makes a lot of sense.

Dreykov (Ray Winstone)

Not much is known about how Dreykov (Ray Winstone) will play into the story of Black Widow, but going off the character's reputation as the leader of the Red Room, he will probably play a major role in some fashion. Although this is first physical appearance of the character, Dreykov has been mentioned already in the MCU, including in The Avengers when Loki questions Black Widow's past actions before referring to her as Dreykov's daughter.

Tony Stark? (Robert Downey Jr.)

It has long been rumored that Robert Downey Jr. will be reprising his role of Iron Man in the upcoming Black Widow spinoff, but getting concrete information on the actor's involvement in MCU Phase 4 kickoff is no easy task. For those who don't remember, Tony Stark died at the end of 2019's Avengers: Endgame when he stole the gauntlet from Thanos and snapped away the Mad Titan and his army. While doing press for Doolittle, Downey told Entertainment Tonight:

And with Black Widow taking place before the events of Endgame, it's totally possible that we see Iron Man in an appearance similar to that in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Those are all the Marvel characters confirmed (and one unconfirmed) for Black Widow. Will we learn more about Taskmaster before the movie comes out or will we have to wait until Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets underway?

Welcome to HeroBlend #65! This week, Eric, Adrienne and Gabe have a special show for you that includes an interview with Hobbs & Shaw director David Leitch! First, though, we'll discuss the week's major superhero news items. This will include word about Joker's Oscar potential, fans' fears for Wonder Woman 1984, the big villain who'll appear in New Gods, when Black Adam could start filming, a Swamp Thing surprise, plus updates on Venom 2 and Black Widow.

Next, Amazon's new superhero show The Boys has finally premiered, and we're going to give you a spoiler-free rundown of what you can expect from the diabolical series that takes superhero tropes to new heights by taking its characters to some insane lows. We'll talk about the characters, mysteries that are building and give our general thoughts on how the first half of the eight-part series is shaping up. Be sure to tune in next week, because then we'll get into full spoilers and talk about how everything in The Boys wraps up.

Last, but definitely not least, we've come to our massive Hobbs & Shaw portion of the podcast! We'll start by giving you our general thoughts on the first in what will probably be a long line of Fast & Furious spinoffs, then move into Eric's interview with director David Leitch. They'll be talking all about the surprising cameos, action and spoilers, so be sure to head out to see the film before you listen! We'll then wrap things up by getting into our own spoilery thoughts on the action movie.

Now, sit back and relax, folks, because this is one chat you're not going to want to miss. Ready to dive in? Great! Listen for yourself above!

1:13 - News

29:30 - The Boys Spoiler Free Reviews, Part 1

41:02 - Hobbs & Shaw Spoiler Free Reviews

48: 51 - David Leitch Interview

1:10:22 - Hobbs & Shaw Full Spoiler Thoughts

Now, get in on the superhero-filled fun and have a listen to the HeroBlend Podcast #65! And, be sure to subscribe to the HeroBlend Podcast on iTunes, right here, follow us on Twitter @HeroBlend and follow our hosts @eeisenberg, @HeyAJ74 and @gabeKovacs.

After more than a decade in existence, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is ready to launch a whole new era. While building upon what has already been established, the upcoming Phase 4 will expand the franchise in new and exciting ways, and a big part of that is giving solo movies to characters who have never gotten them before. As it turns out, this includes Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, who will soon be seen in her own big screen adventure.

But what can we expect from a Black Widow movie? Who is responsible for making it? When will it be set? What other characters will be appearing? There are hundreds of questions currently surrounding the project – but that’s why we’ve built this guide. Based on announcements, news stories, and interviews, we’ve collected all of the information that we know about the developing blockbuster, and included it here for you in an easy-to-read format. So, without further ado, here’s what we know about Black Widow so far:

What Have We Seen From Black Widow?

It's common practice for studios to release trailers for the biggest films of the forthcoming year in December, and that's the exact move that Marvel Studios pulled in delivering the debut trailer for Black Widow in late 2019. That kicked off the movie's first marketing campaign... but that was also at a time when nobody knew what the COVID-19 pandemic would do to the world. Because of the scheduling delays, we've already seen quite a lot of footage from the blockbuster– but still Marvel is expected to put out new material prior to the movie's release to get people re-hyped. You can check out its first ever trailer for the feature embedded below:

What Is Black Widow's Release Date?

With Spider-Man: Far From Home closing out Phase 3 and providing a comedown from the insanity of Avengers: Endgame, Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has begun, and Black Widow will be the first feature film released as part of the announced slate. While the original plan was to have it be one of only two Marvel Studios releases in 2020, set to be followed by The Eternals, the global pandemic forced things to change. After initially being set for release in the first week of May 2020, the movie is now on the theatrical schedule for July 9, 2021, and it will not only be getting released on the big screen, but will also be made available to Disney+ subscribers through Premiere Access.

What Is Black Widow's Rating?

It has been officially confirmed that R-rated Marvel Cinematic Universe releases are on the horizon, as it’s been promised that Deadpool will eventually be integrated into the franchise with the same limited boundaries he enjoyed as part of Fox’s X-Men world. That’s still years away from happening, though, and it definitely won’t be Black Widow that begins the new era. Despite rumors to the contrary, the blockbuster will not be the first MCU title to hit theaters with a restricted grading from the MPAA, and will instead be PG-13 just like all of the other movies to date that have featured Scarlett Johansson’s titular character.

Black Widow's Director

When it comes to choosing directors for projects, Marvel Studios clearly doesn’t care much about filmmakers having past blockbuster experience. After all, James Gunn, Joe and Anthony Russo, Taika Waititi, Ryan Coogler, and more didn’t have any prior to working on their respective Marvel projects, and they're responsible for some of the best films in the franchise. What Marvel is really interested in is storytellers and unique approaches, and so that’s why they brought in Cate Shortland to take the helm of Black Widow. To date the Australian director has made three features – 2004's Somersault, 2012's Lore, and 2017's Berlin Syndrome – and while none of them are action-driven spy thrillers, the comic book movie company clearly trusts her to operate well in the genre.

Black Widow's Story

Marvel Studios has not yet revealed an full plot description explaining what Black Widow will be about, but certain details have been gleaned from the footage that we've seen thus far, and various interviews with the cast and filmmakers. It has been confirmed that the movie will take place between the events of Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War (which isn’t too big a surprise given that the eponymous hero died in Avengers: Endgame). Natasha Romanoff a.k.a. Black Widow will be an international fugitive at the start of the story, having violated the Sokovia Accords, and the adventure will take her to Budapest, Hungary, where she will be forced to confront demons from her past – including a reunion with her former colleagues in the spy community.

The Characters And Cast Of Black Widow

With Black Widow, a whole new arena of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is being explored, and within that comes the introduction of a number of new characters and stars to the ever-expanding continuity. We're sure there are going to be some surprises in store, but there are the heroes/villains and actors we know about:

Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson)

Black Widow has been a key player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from nearly the beginning, first brought to the big screen by Scarlett Johansson in 2010’s Iron Man 2 (a.k.a. the third movie in the franchise). She has been a massively important supporting character in seven blockbusters to date, with each adventure providing audiences a few more pieces of her troubled past, but with her first solo adventure we’ll now have the chance to do a deep dive. We don’t fully know what to expect, as Marvel is being incredibly secretive as usual, but what’s revealed may wind up totally changing the way in which we reflect on the heroine going into the future of the canon.

Alexei a.k.a. The Red Guardian (David Harbour)

Steve Rogers a.k.a. Captain America is obviously a very special hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he was far from the only super soldier created in hopes of advancing a singular country’s interest. The Russians have a hero of their own named The Red Guardian, and not only will he be making his live-action debut in Black Widow, but he will be played by Stranger Things star David Harbour. In the comics Red Guardian is at one point the husband of Natasha Romanoff, but based on what we have seen, he appears to be more of a father figure. Based on the footage we've seen, it also looks like the character will start the story in prison – which could mean that the film will feature some kind of prison break sequence.

Yelena (Florence Pugh)

With her roles in Fighting With My Family, Midsommar, and Little Women in 2019, Florence Pugh has quickly established herself as a new “it” girl, and Marvel Studios acted fast in getting her a part in their expansive franchise. Specifically, she will be playing Yelena Belova, who is another Russian spy who went through similar training to Natasha Romanoff, and also carries the Black Widow mantle in the comics. It would seem that the two characters have a good amount of conflict-filled history, as a bone-crunching bout breaks out between them mere seconds after they reunite, but ultimately it looks like they will be fighting on the same side during the adventure.

Mason (O-T Fagbenle)

While most of the characters we know about in Black Widow have a comic book counterpart, Mason remains a bit of a mystery to fans. It was confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con 2019 that Handmaid’s Tale star O-T Fagbenle will be playing the part, and it was noted that he is both an ally of Black Widow’s and a wannabe love interest, but no real details beyond those have been revealed just yet. It’s possible that Marvel is keeping a tight lid on things because of some kind of big secret, but we won’t actually know if that’s the case until July 2021.

Melina (Rachel Weisz)

Marvel Studios has done an ace job getting Oscar-winning actresses to be a part of their Phase 4 plans, as they not only got Natalie Portman and Angelina Jolie to sign on for Thor: Love and Thunder and The Eternals, respectively, but they have also enlisted Rachel Weisz for a key part in Black Widow. This is another character who will apparently carry the titular moniker in the movie, but given what we know from the source material, she may take on a different name before the end of the film: Iron Maiden. In the comics she is one of Natasha Romanoff’s key adversaries, and while she looks like an ally at certain points in the trailer, an antagonist turn isn't off the table just yet.

Taskmaster (?)

We don’t yet know who is going to be under the mask, but Taskmaster – a fan-favorite villain from Marvel Comics – has been confirmed to be making his live-action debut in Black Widow. At this point it can’t be said if the character’s backstory will be altered for the cinematic treatment, but in the source material he has some fascinating abilities. Namely, he has what are called photographic reflexes, which is similar to a photographic memory in that he can instantly recall and imitate any movement of an opponent. He’s so good, in fact, that he can study a foe’s entire style in a moment (either in person or on video) and then process that information to predict and prepare for any attempted strike. He’s one of the greatest fighters in the Marvel Universe, and Black Widow will be seriously challenged when going toe-to-toe with him.

General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt)

One of the biggest surprises in the Black Widow trailer was confirmation that an important antagonist in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will have a role to play in the movie: William Hurt's General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. As seen in the still above, it would appear that the character is going to have a role in the film's flashback sequences (given the use of deaging technology), and reveal that his personal history with Natasha Romanoff goes back further than we know. On top of that, it's very likely that Ross will be continuing to pursue Black Widow during the course of her solo film, given the aforementioned setting post-Captain America: Civil War and the fact that her last action in that blockbuster was to go against the orders of the Sokovia Accords by letting Captain America and The Winter Soldier escape during the Leipzig-Halle Airport Battle.

Dreykov (Ray Winstone)

Best known for movies like The Departed, Beowulf, and Sexy Beast, Ray Winstone is set to make his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe playing a Russian general named Dreykov in Black Widow – and if you're a Marvel obsessive, that name probably rings a bell. If so, you may remember that one of the references that Loki makes when he is taunting Natasha in The Avengers about all of the "red in her ledger" is an incident involving "Dreykov's daughter." It seems fair to assume that the former assassin did something really terrible to Winstone's character's child, and he may be out for some revenge (though that's just speculation)

Where Can You Stream Other Black Widow Movies

If you're looking to catch up with all of the movies featuring Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow prior to seeing her first solo film, the good news is that task is remarkably easy to accomplish. After all, every single one of those titles – including Iron Man 2, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame – are currently streaming on Disney+. If you have a subscription, you can watch all of the films for free; though if you aren't signed up, you can always purchase/rent it digitally from all major platforms.

Be sure to keep checking this space, as we will be continuing to update this feature as we get closer and closer to Black Widow’s release, and get excited for this next chapter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in an interesting place right now; the interim year between Spider-Man: From Home and Phase Four's opening is sure to be one filled with fan theories and rumors. The first movie to kickstart Phase Four is Cate Shortland's Black Widow. The highly anticipated solo flick will finally give Scarlett Johansson's Avenger the spotlight she deserves.

Black Widow will introduce a set of new characters from Natasha's past, with the cast filled out by David Harbour, Florence Pugh, and Rachel Weisz. And it turns out that Nat won't be the only Black Widow in the brigade. As Weisz recently revealed at San Diego Comic-Con:

Well, this is interesting. While moviegoers have only ever known Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff as Black Widow, it turns out its a mantle that has been shared by multiple femme fatales before Nat joined The Avengers.

Rachel Weisz' comments IGN may take some hardcore Marvel fans by surprise, given now synonymous Scarlett Johansson has become with the Black Widow. But it turns out that the name has had more of a meaning than we realized. But given how mysterious the character's past is, it makes sense that even the most dedicated moviegoers would be in the dark regarding this plot twist.

Despite making her debut back in 2010's Iron Man 2, Natasha Romanoff has always been an MCU character shrouded in mystery. She's only made brief comments about her dark life of crime, before Hawkeye found her and recruited her for S.H.I.E.L.D. (presumably in Budapest). The most we've seen of a younger Nat has been through her vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron, which showed her terrifying upbringing.

Related: Taskmaster: Everything You Need To Know About The Black Widow Villain

And it turns out that Black Widow is a name shared by multiple agents, all of whom are presumably deadly in their own right. It'll be fascinating to see other femme fatales that share Natasha's training, and are presumably more experienced than the future Avenger. Can they all do her signature leg scissor move? Just curious.

This update about Black Widow is especially interesting given how the mantle of characters are being passed around in the MCU. Avengers: Endgame saw Sam Wilson pick up the shield as the next Captain America, while Thor named Valkyrie as the new King of Asgard. And the plot of Spider-Man: Far From was focused on who might take on the mantle of Iron Man in the wake of Tony Stark's sacrifice.

Overall, Black Widow is shaping up to be a very exciting installment in the MCU, one that will no doubt change the title character forever. Unfortunately, we have to wait another year before it arrives in theaters.

Black Widow will debut in May 1st, 2020. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

In its near 11-year existence, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has grown into a vast big screen tapestry populated with great actors, from burgeoning stars to esteemed character actors to some of the most honored names in the industry. The number of Oscar winners and nominees that have been drawn to this comic book movie franchise numbers in the dozens. In short, the MCU has no problem attracting talent, and those actors paired with amazing characters have been a big part of the MCU’s success.

As Marvel moves to its next Phase post-Avengers: Endgame, the assumption is that we will be losing at least some, if not many, of the actors that have been the faces of this universe. We are still in the dark about who that will be, as we are about what the future holds in Phase 4 and beyond. But needless to say it is a sad prospect to lose the actors and characters that we’ve fallen in love with over the years.

Fortunately, Marvel has already begun casting for its future films, and past is proving to be prologue as Marvel is going after incredible actors to populate its universe in the years to come. Take a look below to see some of the top-tier talent that is either attached or in talks to join the MCU in Phase 4.

Jake Gyllenhaal

He’s been rumored to be in the running to don Batman’s cowl over the years, but regardless of whether that happens, Jake Gyllenhaal will soon be donning Mysterio’s fishbowl in this summer’s Spider-Man: Far From Home. The acclaimed actor and Oscar nominee for his role in Brokeback Mountain plays Mysterio, real name Quentin Beck, who appears to have some serious powers in the sequel film.

Yet, while the character is traditionally part of Spider-Man’s iconic rogues gallery, Jake Gyllenhaal’s Mysterio appears to be a good guy in the trailer for Far From Home, helping fight off the Elementals. Of course, as a master of illusion, trickery and misdirection, he may be the villain behind the curtain. Either way it should give Jake Gyllenhaal plenty to chew on. If anyone is up to the challenge of following Michael Keaton’s menacing Vulture, it’s the actor from Nightcrawler.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh just made a splash as Paige in Fighting with My Family and will continue her breakout 2019 with roles in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women and in writer-director Ari Aster’s Hereditary follow-up Midsommar. This rising star will follow that up when she stars opposite Scarlett Johansson in the long-awaited Black Widow movie.

According to some reports, the spy action thriller will see Florence Pugh play a spy on the same level as Scarlett Johansson’s character and likely her moral opposite. We’re used to seeing Black Widow punching above her weight against aliens and such, so it will be cool to see her facing someone who equals her in skill and is essentially her mirror. Florence Pugh showed she is up for a physical role in Fighting with My Family and Marvel was savvy to bring her into the MCU while she’s on the rise.

O-T Fagbenle

He’s best known for his work on TV, but O-T Fagbenle may be jumping in to the blockbuster pond in a big way because he is in talks to join the cast of the MCU’s Black Widow solo film, according to THR. Like the plot, O-T Fagbenle’s potential role is still being kept under wraps, but he would be another great addition to a cast that is already looking stacked.

Most audiences probably know O-T Fagbenle for his role as June/Offred’s husband Luke on The Handmaid’s Tale. He shared a SAG ensemble nomination with the rest of the cast of the Hulu show in both 2018 and 2019. He also had a role in HBO’s Looking and starred in the crime drama series The Interceptor, the latter of which saw him play a customs officer who joined a top-secret narcotics unit. That's solid prep for starring in a spy movie.

David Harbour

David Harbour is becoming a regular in comic book movies in recent years. After his role in Suicide Squad, David Harbour will next be seen this weekend rocking a pair of horns in the Hellboy reboot. It seems David Harbour is trying to hit for the comic book movie cycle because the fan favorite, Golden Globe-nominated star of Stranger Things is joining Marvel’s Black Widow movie (although he’s not saying much).

It’s a mystery who David Harbour will play in the film that will follow Scarlett Johansson’s KGB spy-turned-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent-turned-Avenger. Although he is best known as a good guy thanks to Stranger Things, David Harbour could also play a pretty menacing baddie. In Cinemax’s beautifully brutal and underrated Banshee, he had a small role as a mysterious and frightening handler and torturer. Whatever he plays in Black Widow, the movie is elevated with his presence.

Rachel Weisz

The last name attached to Black Widow is Oscar-winning actress Rachel Weisz, who was nominated at this past Academy Awards for her role in last year’s The Favourite. Although she isn’t signed on yet, signs are looking good that this talented actress could join the MCU in what has been described as a “key role.” That is very intriguing and raises the exciting possibility of seeing Rachel Weisz and Scarlett Johansson playing off one another.

Whatever that role is, Rachel Weisz is undoubtedly up to the task. The actress has played in serious fare like Disobedience and The Constant Gardener, and popcorn movies, like The Mummy films and the comic book adaptation Constantine. The idea of the actress who played the crafty Lady Sarah in The Favourite in a spy film is quite the prospect and will hopefully be more than a one-off MCU appearance.

Angelina Jolie

She’s been in the video game-based Tomb Raider movies and in the comic book movie Wanted, and now action star and acclaimed actress Angelina Jolie is finally joining a superhero movie, Marvel’s The Eternals. The Oscar-winning actress hasn’t done a ton of onscreen acting in recent years, which could be a good sign for The Eternals that she was drawn to it. Angelina Jolie is a magnetic presence and huge asset to anything she is a part of.

The actress has proven her action chops many times. She can play serious and grounded roles and she also relishes the ‘out there’ characters like in Beowulf and Maleficent. I expect she may get to have fun doing the latter in The Eternals. We don’t know what role Jolie is in talks to play, but some suspect it could be the ultra-powerful Eternal Sersi (not to be confused with Cersei).

Kumail Nanjiani

Joining Angelina Jolie in The Eternals is Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani. The Oscar-nominated co-writer of The Big Sick is in negotiations to join Marvel’s next cosmic franchise in an undisclosed role that would without question be his most high-profile part yet. Kumail Nanjiani has proven a hilarious and entertaining presence in TV and movies, and I’m very curious to see what kind of role he plays in The Eternals.

The MCU’s cosmic films like Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok have leaned heavily into the comedy, but the early word on The Eternals is that a millennia-spanning romance will be a big part of it. So it will be interesting to see what tone it takes and what role Kumail Nanjiani, best known for his comedy work, will play in it. Maybe his character will even cross paths with his Stuber co-star Dave Bautista’s Drax one day.

These are just seven actors from three films that may be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 4 slate. Needless to say this is just the tip of the iceberg, as not only do these films need to fill out their casts, but we still have James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Doctor Strange 2, Black Panther 2 and Shang-Chi to look forward to. Given what we’ve seen so far, Marvel will continue populating its movies with incredible talent.

When we begin to learn more about what Phase 4 entails after Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: Far From Home, we will hopefully start to hear more casting announcements and we can begin fan casting for characters that we know are coming. This is a great start though and shows that Endgame is just the beginning.

Check out our 2019 release schedule to keep track of all this year’s biggest movies and let us know in the comments what actors you would like to see join the MCU in Phase 4.

Some minor spoilers for The Favourite can be found throughout this story if you haven't caught the awards contender yet! In the meantime, be sure to check out one of our other excellent articles.

The Favourite has been out for a few weeks now, and if you've caught the historical-oriented flick you may already know it delves into delicious romance between Olivia Colman's Queen Anne and Rachel Weisz's Lady Sarah, with some Emma Stone thrown in for good measure. Colman recently revealed that kissing her co-star could have been way worse, noting it was like she had "won the lottery." She said in a recent interview:

According to Olivia Colman, both she and Rachel Weisz spent enough time together prior to filming their love-making scenes for The Favourite that kissing her co-star ended up being an easy and fun shared experience.

If you are going to have to make out with someone on the big screen, it might as well be with someone you really like.

The Favourite follows Olivia Colman as Queen Anne, a ruler who not particularly interested in ruling and more interested in having fun. At the start of the movie, she spends a lot of time with her advisor Sarah, who takes control of a lot of the political machinations within her kingdom. Sarah is able to maintain this power by keeping Queen Anne happy, in and out of the bedroom, although she does seem somewhat fond of Queen Anne. All of that changes when Sarah's distant relative Abigail shows up on the scene. Abigail has been living a life of poverty and will do anything to find a way out.

That also includes keeping Queen Anne happy in the bedroom. While Olivia Colman says scenes with Rachel Weisz were filmed without incident, on the other hand, when it came time for Emma Stone's Abigail to enter the foray, things got a bit stickier, no pun intended. Speaking to the BBC program Sounds, Colman revealed that she and Emma Stone really struggled with their sex scene.

Emma Stone has previously spoken out about sex scenes in The Favourite, discussing why she chose to get nude on camera for the first time. She said late last year that Olivia Colman didn't want her to get naked and that she was not pressured but that she felt her body being in the scene fit the movie better.

Knowing what we know now from both female actresses, it's easy to see how it took a few takes to make that Favourite scene work---it was perhaps, not their "favorite."

Still, Olivia Colman only has nice things to say about director Yorgos Lanthimos, noting that the script was so solid she basically took all of her cues from it; which is good, because Colman also said she basically knew nothing about Queen Anne before embarking on filming The Favourite.

If you've seen The Favourite, the comedic narrative does take some cues from the real-life history of Queen Anne and Sarah Churchhill, whose relationship really did turn sour, after which a new woman, Abigail Hill, sought to be of influence in Queen Anne's court. Rumors of lesbian romance have largely remained rumors in the years after Queen Anne's reign.

As a movie, some of the events that play out on the big screen are accurate, although director Yorgos Lanthimos has been clear in the press leading up to the movie that "a lot aren't" accurate. Still, all three women in the movie (and a side shoutout to Nicholas Hoult) put in great performances, and The Favourite has already been on a lot of awards shortlists this year. Although some historical movies have been dinged for accuracy this year, The Favourite has largely been seen as more of a comedy than an accurate biopic and has escaped such accuracy notice for the most part.

Coming up, The Favourite will have a showing at this year's Golden Globes Awards. The flick has been nominated for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. In addition, Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone have all landed nods. You can see whether or not the film will end up being a big winner very soon. In fact, the 76th Annual Golden Globes will officially be airing this Sunday night, only on NBC.

Oscar nominations aren't out yet and there are a few other nominations still set to be announced, but we'll be sure to keep you posted as the awards season progresses this year. For now, you can catch The Favourite in theaters. In addition, you can see what else is starting to trickle into theaters in 2019 with our full movie premiere schedule. There's a lot of good stuff coming this year, from period movies to superhero flicks.

One sure sign of the fall season in Hollywood is the arrival of the costume period dramas. These are movies that typically don't stand a chance at the box office in the earlier months of the year, but do have a shot of getting notable recognition via award consideration (even if it's only in below-the-line categories). On the surface, Yorgos Lanthimos' The Favourite may appear to be one of these films.

The Favourite is definitely not one of these films.

Lanthimos has long been speaking his own special cinematic language, and while his latest is an outlier in that it's not based on his own original script, it's a fantastic continuation of his fascinating style. The comedy is black hole-level dark -- primarily driven by acrimony, paranoia, and just plain ol' meanness -- and perfectly juxtaposes the beautiful regal dressings; while also evoking three of the best performances of the year from its central triumvirate.

Set in the early 18th century and inspired by true events, The Favourite begins as Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) sits on the throne of England -- utterly miserable and perpetually ill while her country fights the French in what would be known as the War of the Spanish Succession. Anne's behavior is erratic, if not straight-up mad, and her general melancholy steers her interests towards more eccentric pursuits instead of dealing with the escalating conflict between political parties, and a public on the verge of revolt. What stops the wheels from totally spinning off is the presence of Lady Sarah (Rachel Weisz), a stern and curt advisor and confidant to the Queen who essentially rules as a puppet master via persuasion. And while there is genuine affection in their relationship, there is also no questioning what role power has in Sarah's feelings, interests and goals.

It is because of her pursuit to maintain her control of Anne that Sarah becomes concerned with the arrival of Abigail (Emma Stone), her younger cousin from a disreputable branch of the family tree. As it turns out, Sarah is right to be worried. Coming from humble beginnings, Abigail has intense ambitions and a knack for social climbing. Thanks to her cleverness and perceptiveness she quickly finds her way in with the Queen -- but it sparks a conflict with Sarah that sees the two compete for Anne's favor and everything that comes with it.

Admittedly, The Favourite is a film you have to be open to in order to really embrace, largely because of the pretty hardcore acid spitting that is featured. This is a movie that has a number of protagonists, but none of them are heroes -- or even really good people. It's a story of bad people doing bad things to other bad people, which is a tone you have to be tuned into. But if you're the kind of person who can laugh as people are maliciously shoved into manure, and servants are screamed at solely for making eye contact, this is definitely your cup of tea.

One thing that is for certain is that Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are all tuned into the feature's particular brand of viciousness, and it looks like they are having a blast the more spiteful, vindictive, hateful, and miserable The Favourite gets -- all of it performed with a nasty, wonderful glee. Stone in particular has a wonderful balance to play, needing to juggle both excessive levels of demure and ruthlessness, but it culminates as the best performance of her career. As Lady Sarah, Weisz is intense and excellent in a "extend a hand, return a stump" kind of way, and Colman does simply magnificent work with a comedic chemistry equation combining wretchedness and consistent low-level schadenfreude.

While The Favourite's underbelly is far darker and twisted than your typical Victorian period fare, it still maintains the gorgeous aesthetics of the genre, and is stunning even when its characters are at their most rotten. The costume and makeup work is beautifully elegant, not to mention the incredible production design and lighting, and it all serves as a wonderful and fascinating contrast to the tone and approach.

Much like the rest of Yorgos Lanthimos' work, The Favourite is destined to be polarizing, but it's also inherently only going to play to certain tastes. If you've read this review and feel like it's a movie up your alley, I'm betting that it will be. If you feel the opposite, then the opposite will be true. If you're personally in the former category, however, you're definitely in for a treat.

Rachel Weisz has long been a fixture in Hollywood and throughout her career has taken both leading and supporting roles. While speaking as a recipient of a Gotham Award for her work in The Favourite, the actress revealed there's one thing she is pretty tired of getting asked about related to all the types of roles she's taken in her career: other women. She said:

Lest you think she's not supportive of other ladies on set, her comments simply seem to be about the standard questions she sees men get asked versus women in Hollywood. After winning the Jury Prize at the Gotham Awards, Rachel Weisz mostly had an amusing speech. She even brought up small masks featuring the faces of her co-stars from The Favourite, Emma Stone and Olivia Colman as a humorous nod to the fact they weren't able to attend the awards that night.

She also joked about how she was the only one who bothered to show up before mentioning that everyone was really "the favorite." Most of the speech was cheekier than it was political, but since The Favourite stars three leading ladies, all notable actresses, it wouldn't be a huge shock if the three of them have been getting those sorts of questions over and over again. Three ladies starring in a movie is still something to write home about.

You can take a look at Rachel Weisz's full speech, below. Her comment didn't have any vitriol behind it, but it is notable, nonetheless.

Also speaking as the 2018 tribute recipient at the Gotham Awards, Rachel Weisz also had a lot of praise for independent films and how difficult they often are to get made, but that they are important in that they "construct narrative[s] that continue to enrich our own lives."

The Favourite stars Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone and Olivia Colman in a story about Queen Anne and two rival consorting for the Queen's favor. Perhaps it is inherently the whole rivalry premise that has sparked these sorts of questions, or perhaps it's the fact that while there are movies like the 2018 Ghostbusters out there, its still a bit of an anomaly to see a slew of women starring in a movie together, particulary if the movie doesn't have a romantic bent of some sort.

The Favourite may be about women trying to one-up one another to gain favor, but so far the flick hasn't had to really stretch its legs to outperform. When the movie opened at the specialty box office, it had the highest grossing opening release of 2018 per screen. It's widest release so far has been four theaters, but here's hoping it continues to perform as it makes its way in front of more theatergoers. To see what else is heading to theaters, take a look at our full schedule.

Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig are expecting their first child together. As it was revealed in a profile piece with Rachel Weisz, The Lobster actress is currently pregnant with her second child. It will also be Daniel Craig's second child as well, ad they both have children from previous relationships.

The baby news comes from Rachel Weisz's recent interview with The New York Times to promote her latest film, Disobedience, which comes out next weekend. When asked how she remains radiant after all these years, Weisz confessed she is glowing because she has a little baby growing inside her.

Parenthood isn't something new for Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig. Weisz shares 11-year-old Henry Aronofsky with her former partner, film director Darren Aronofsky. Weisz previously worked with Darren Aronofsky on his 2006 film The Fountain. Craig, meanwhile, is the father of 25-year-old Ella Craig. The Bond actor shares the child with his previous wife, actress Fiona Loudon; they were married from 1992 to 1994. But this forthcoming baby is the first child Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz will share together since they got married back in 2011. They met while working on Dream House, and appear to be over the moon about the new arrival. Details such as how far along Weisz is are not yet clear.

This baby announcement is the exciting next step in Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz's marriage, and the acting couple remains very happy together. As for why they stay off social media, they confess that it doesn't really interest either of them. They don't care about trying to establish their brand.

Beyond her upcoming role in Disobedience (which she also produced), Rachel Weisz was last seen in last year's My Cousin Rachel. She'll also soon be seen in The Mercy later this year with Colin Firth. Weisz also recently reunited with Yargos Lanthimos for his upcoming film The Favourite, which also stars Emma Stone and Nicholas Hoult. It is expected to arrive later this year. Weisz is also signed on to appear in two upcoming films, the sci-fi drama Cloud One and an upcoming untitled biopic on Dr. James Barry, but it's unclear if those projects will be delayed in light of this recent baby news. Both are in the very early stages. We'll keep you posted on any upcoming news. In the meantime, however, congratulations are in order for Rachel Weisz and Daniel Craig for this exciting new baby announcement!

It's becoming more and more common to hear stories about celebrities doing their own stuntwork, and recently Rachel Weisz revealed a doozy. While filming a scene on horseback for My Cousin Rachel, the star revealed a horse trained to do a stunt rolled on her while she was filming a sequence. And, she says we can blame Game of Thrones for what went down on the set of her new movie. Here's what she told Graham Norton on a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show.

Rachel Weisz wasn't specific when she talked about what her horse on the set of My Cousin Rachel was previously doing on Game of Thrones, but that movie has featured plenty of fighting scenes in the past. Just last season, the HBO drama aired an episode called "The Battle of the Bastards" in which soldiers supporting Jon Snow fought against soldiers supporting Ramsay Bolton--many of them on horseback. There were a lot of horses charging and more, and it's nice to know that they were properly trained to get the shots needed without causing any problems for the horses themselves. (Although Game of Thrones team would probably tell you the horses were a pain in the rear.)

Still, in this case it turned out to be to Rachel Weisz's detriment. Although she did all of her own horseback riding scenes on the set of My Cousin Rachel and did seem to be prepped for the left reign possibility, there was still a mistake on the set and it could have turned out horribly. And we wonder why actors and actresses are so expensive to insure... Let's just be thankful that the horse was properly trained, got off of her immediately and that neither the actress nor the horse suffered any major harm.

Despite this harrowing story, don't expect My Cousin Rachel to be a super stunt-oriented story. The movie just hit theaters this weekend, and is a romantic thriller based on the Daphne Du Maurier novel of the same name, about a man who plots revenge against the woman he thinks killed his father figure, only to find himself falling for said woman. You can take a look at the other romance movies coming to theaters soon with our full list.

Michael Fassbender is currently waiting to see if he can steal an Oscar away from Leonardo DiCaprio at the Academy Awards this weekend. While the odds of that are looking slim, it appears that he may be making a play for the award next year as well, as the first trailer for his drama The Light Between Oceans has now been released. It looks to be quite the emotional roller coaster, and just the sort of movie that wins awards. Get your first look now.

The Light Between Oceans is a WWI period piece that tells the story of a lighthouse keeper (Michael Fassbender) and his wife (fellow Oscar nominee Alicia Vikander), who find a baby adrift off the coast of Western Australia. As the couple is childless, and has no idea where the child came from, they raise the baby as their own, until a woman comes along who may be the child’s actual family. This will leave the couple with the heartbreaking decision to either return the child to her family, or make the conscious choice to keep them apart. The movie is based on the novel by author M.L. Stedman and is directed by Derek Cianfrance (Blue Valentine). The trailer comes courtesy of The Guardian.

While any movie that has Academy Award winners or nominees in their cast likes to promote this fact, when all three of your films major roles have seen nominations you know the studio thinks they have something special. Rachel Weisz won an Oscar for The Constant Gardener in 2006. While the odds may be stacked against Michael Fassbender winning the award this year, for his portrayal of Steve Jobs, they’re actually looking decent for Alicia Vikander, who has as good a shot as any in a fairly wide open Best Supporting Actress field for her role in The Danish Girl. Whether or not this movie sees awards buzz, the lead cast is absolutely stellar which virtually guarantees that The Light Between Oceans will have something of redeeming value that will make it worth checking out for many audience members.

While The Light Between Oceans looks to be a solid film, it’s one of these movies that you can already tell is going to absolutely tear your heart out. While I have not read the book, I have to assume that however it turns out will be awful for at least some of the people involved. There's no avoiding it. I’m sure the performances will be top notch, but will they be worth the emotional exhaustion I’ll feel at the end of the story? If you read the book, give me a head's up. A warning. Professional courtesy.

What do you think of The Light Between Oceans? Do we already have a frontrunner for the 2017 Academy Awards? Let us know in the comments.

While watching The Wizard of Oz, did you ever wonder what the deal was with the man behind the curtain? Despite being named for him, that beloved family favorite only gives a brief glimpse at a person who was once a nobody but became a living legend in the magical land of Oz. From 1939 classic, we know that he—like Dorothy—originally hailed from Kansas, and was brought to Oz by a runaway hot air balloon. And this is where the latest trailer for Disney's Oz The Great And Powerful begins.

Check it out below or in hi-res at Apple:

Based on the L. Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Oz The Great And Powerful Begins serves as a prequel to the story we all know about Dorothy, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion. James Franco stars as Oscar 'Oz' Diggs, an unscrupulous circus magician who—as stated in the trailer—has ambitions of being a great man. But first, he must learn to be a good one. Pulled out of his black and white world and thrown into a vivid new one by a mysterious storm, Diggs is assumed to be a powerful wizard, a misconception he uses to his advantage until a trio of witches (Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz) force him to become the hero Oz needs.

Blending audacious costumes and plenty of CGI, it's easy to see the influence of the 2010 blockbuster Alice in Wonderland on this production. Spider-Man trilogy helmer Sam Raimi brings his distinctively dark sense of humor to Oz, offering what appears to be his biggest spectacle yet.

Oz The Great And Powerful Begins will fly into theaters March 8th, 2013 in 3D and IMAX 3D. For more on the movie, check out our Blend Film Database.

After a lengthy delay, Terrence Malick’s To the Wonder is about to make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, followed by an anticipated Toronto bow. But one actress we thought we’d see in Malick’s finished film has landed on the cutting-room floor.

Rachel Weisz confirms to the Italian media outlet La Stampa (via The Film Stage) that the part she filmed for the drama “has been cut.”

This has become the norm for the eccentric filmmaker, who famously snipped such major talents as Martin Sheen, Gary Oldman and Mickey Rourke from his overstuffed ensemble for The Thin Red Line. Other actors such as John Travolta and George Clooney were reduced to mere cameos in the film. And Sean Penn’s part in Malick’s well-received Tree of Life was drastically edited … much to Penn’s own chagrin.

As far as we know, the final cut on Malick’s To the Wonder will feature Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Javier Bardem and Olga Kurylenko in a story about unrequited love in America’s heartland. But in typical Malick fashion, we know very little about the movie beyond the simple logline. We’re just intrigued by the cast, and have come to expect deep, contemplative things from Malick. We’ll see who survived the final cut when we’re able to see To the Wonder in Toronto, and cross our fingers for a theatrical release not long after that.

Adding Rachel Weisz to virtually any project instantly makes it better (Dream House being a recent exception to this hard-and-fast rule), so I’m thrilled to report that she’s joining fellow Oscar winner Colin Firth in Jonathan Teplitzky’s The Railway Man, due in theaters in 2013.

The film adapts Eric Lomax’s biography of his time spent as a WWII prisoner of war in a Japanese camp. The planned film would cover two distinct time periods in Lomax’s life: His years being tortured on the Japanese “Death Railway,” and the post-war era where an older Lomax came to terms with his suffering and sought out the man who abused him.

War Horse star Jeremy Irvine signed on to play young Lomax in the film, while Firth will wrestle with the character in his later years. The Daily Mail, which breaks Weisz’s casting, says the actress will appear alongside Firth playing Patti Wallace, Lomax’s wife who helps him heal – physically and emotionally – from his cruel, war-inflicted punishments.

It’s a bigger part than you might think, as the Mail says it was Wallace who, in an effort to help her husband get over his obstacles, reached out to the men who abused him during the war while also encouraging her spouse to stand up to his demons. The pieces are in place for a gut-wrenching drama, with a stellar cast embracing what could be difficult material. Right now, The Railway Man has a 2013 release date, but don’t be surprised in Lionsgate tries to work this into next year’s Oscar race, if the finished product lives up to its potential.

Magnolia Pictures has acquired US rights to Fernando Meirelles’ 360, a globetrotting human drama from a screenplay by Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) that made the film festival circuit this fall. Meirelles, who’s best known for directing City of God and The Constant Gardener, reunites with Rachel Weisz for a story that attempts to connect multiple individuals as they confront personal issues pertaining to sexual and social relationships. In addition to Weisz, the 360 cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Jude Law, Ben Foster, Jamel Debbouze and Moritz Bleibtreu.

“Fernando Meirelles and Peter Morgan are two exceptional talents that have crafted a unique and truly special picture,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “360 is a stunningly well made film, and a fantastic showcase for some of the most talented actors from around the world."

The film has had its own passport punched a few times. It world premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, opened the BFI London Film Festival, and opened in Sweden on Oct. 19. But early reviews so far have been mixed, with critics praising the cast but wishing Morgan and Meirelle had found a stronger line to connect the film’s floating protagonists. The most positive 360 review on Rotten Tomatoes comes from Mark Adams of This Is London, who admits, “360 is not a film to love easily.”

But Magnolia has shown the capacity to place challenging films in front of suitable audiences, and they no doubt will rise to the challenge with 360. They plan to avoid this year’s awards race with Meirelles’ film, announcing a theatrical release in 2012 in all major U.S. markets, though they say in a release that the film will be “bolstered by a prominent film festival presence leading up to release.” Will it come out after Sundance? Tribeca? Whenever it’s released, Magnolia says it also will participate in the company’s Ultra VOD distribution program, as well.

The first trailer for Dream House has arrived and, for some reason, it spoils the entire movie. The film is a horror thriller starring Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Naomi Watts. All you’re supposed to know about it going in is that a family moves into their dream house, and creepy things start happening to them. The trailer though, goes a step further and literally ruins the movie. This isn’t just supposition on my part, I’ve spoken to people this morning who are intimately aware of the nature of the production, who know the ins and outs of the film. They confirm that this trailer spoils pretty much the entire movie.

So viewer beware. This is the official trailer for Dream House, but it also ruins Dream House. If you’re interested in the movie you probably don’t want to watch it. Feel free to skip past the video embed (it’s also in HD on Apple), and we’ll talk more about the movie spoiler-free, below it.

So why would Universal Pictures spoil their own movie? The Dream House production has been troubled, pretty much all along. Our sources tell us Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz are so unhappy with the movie they may not even do press for it, and that director Jim Sheridan lost control of the film to the studio. Were he still involved in the production, it seems certain that Sheridan would not have wanted this trailer to be seen.

The thing is, assuming you didn’t know that it’s one big spoiler, this is actually a pretty great trailer. Confusing, scattered, all over the map, but there’s so much going on that you can’t help be interested in it. And that may be why they’ve decided to ruin the film. It’s worth it, if it gets people in seats for that initial weekend I suppose, no matter if they walk out angry because the trailers already gave away the entire movie.

If you skipped the trailer to avoid spoilers, you can get a more spoiler-free look at the film with new images and a poster in our Dream House image gallery.

Rob Marshall and Johnny Depp are working on a remake of The Thin Man in which Depp would take the role of Nick Charles, originally played by William Powell in the 1934 version. And now, we know who may end up playing his wife, Nora. Warner Bros. is considering Rachel Weisz.

The movie is a comedic detective story about a flirty, married couple who solve crimes. The 1934 version was nominated for an Academy Award, but if you picture this premise in a 2011 wrapper, you’ll probably end up with something like The Tourist, Killers, Knight and Day, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, or a dozen other movies with similar premises. The Thin Man was a good film, but that idea has been done so many different ways since, to differentiate the redo from the pack they’ll need special casting. Weisz and Depp together on screen seems like a natural fit.

Word from one of our most trusted sources is that the film is still in development and they’re waiting for Johnny Depp to make time for it in his schedule. Remember, he’s still pretty loaded with movies like The Lone Ranger, Dark Shadows, and maybe even a Pirates of the Caribbean 5 also in his future. Warner Bros. would like to find a way to squeeze Thin Man in ahead of those films, but for now they’re still working out the details. Because of that, Weisz isn’t actually in talks for the part yet, but she’s somewhere at the top of their wishlist for the moment when everyone involved is ready to make a move.

For her part, Rachel Weisz could really use a blockbuster, or for that matter a movie people actually show up to see at all. Her most recent work hasn’t exactly caught fire. She was last seen in The Whistelblower, which I bet many of you didn’t even know exists. Her next few movies seem destined to be equally obscure, though if Oz: The Great and Powerful ever gets going, she should create a stir as a witch. But barring that, teaming up with the ever reliable Johnny Depp in something like The Thin Man is always a good way to remind everyone of just how good you are.

Production is finally beginning on the long-anticipated Fernando Meirelles drama 360, and the high profile names attached to the picture are only becoming more numerous. Jude Law has now officially joined the cast, adding to the already stellar lineup of Anthony Hopkins, Rachel Weisz, Maria Flor and Karl Markovic. The talent is certainly there. Now it's just up to everyone to execute.

According to 02 Films, preproduction has already begun and principal photography will start March 21st and run through the end of May. The comprehensive story written by Peter Morgan of The Last King Of Scotland fame follows an expansive number of individuals as they make choices that ultimately effect not only their relationships but locations. Seven languages will be used at one point or another and shooting will take place in Paris, Vienna and Bratislava.

It's important for any film to gain critical acclaim, but it's especially important for a film like 360. With a nuanced product and multiple languages, it's going to take positive word of mouth to make the average American fork over his or her money. It worked for Babel; let's see if it'll work for 360.

Last we heard about Jim Sheridan's Dream House, the production was in some trouble. The the film had completed production, some re-shoots were needed, but the star, Daniel Craig, was in Sweden filming David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. This was all the way back in September, however, so the whole thing may be resolved by now. Regardless, it would appear that the film's promotion continues.

Universal has released the first image from the thriller, which sees Craig and Rachel Weisz move their family into a house with a history of murder. Co-starring Naomi Watts, the film is scheduled to be released on September 30.

Check out the image below or click on it to see it full-size over in our Blend Film Database

UPDATE: We knew this was coming. Bond fansite MI6 has terminated the rumor with extreme prejudice, proving that The Sun pieced their story together using internet chat room gossip. The Weisz rumor is actually one from a good source of ours last March and was just given a new spin now that the two are going out. God, I hate British tabloids.

There are few news organizations in the world less reliable than the British tabloids. Yes, they do occasionally get one right, 99.9% of the time they are printing nothing but lies. It will be interesting to see which side of the fence their newest story falls on.

The remarkably untrustworthy The Sun is reporting that producers of the next Bond film are actively trying to cast Rachel Weisz in their next production, not as a Bond girl, but as the head of the criminal organization known as Quantum. The problem? Weisz is currently in a relationship with 007 star Daniel Craig and they fear that she will turn down the role because of it. The newspaper is also saying that they have been informed that the name of the next film, which up until know has been known Bond 23, will be Red Sky At Night.

While this story will probably end up being debunked before the end of the week, I don't want it to be. Rachel Weisz is a phenomenal actress and would make a terrific villain. As for Red Sky At Night, it feels like a classic Bond title taken from the Sean Connery era. Let's hope against hope, shall we?

Anthony Hopkins is set to star in a movie about sexual encounters. There, you've been warned-- you're welcome to keep reading or to go focus on something else to get the image of the 73-year-old Hopkins in a sexual encounter out of your head. Still with me? OK. Deadline confirms rumors from earlier in the week that Hopkins has joined Rachel Weisz in the cast of 360, which consists of a series of interlocking stories about sexual encounters and infidelity. The gimmick is that one person in the romantic pair at the center of each story will also be at the center of the next story with a different person, until it all becomes a full circle.

And no, it doesn't seem Hopkins and Weisz will be involved in the film, at least not directly. Hopkins will play a character on a trip to find his missing daughter, only to be sidetracked by a romance with a woman he meets on a plane. Fernando Meirelles, who last made Blindness and also directed Weisz in The Constant Gardener, will be directing the film, which starts production early next year in Europe. It's good to see Hopkins on board a project with such promise, especially for those of us who saw him bare a hairy chest in The Wolfman. Actually, after that experience, watching Hopkins join the mile-high club-- or whatever his character gets up to-- will feel downright tame. Bring it on.

Rachel Weisz-- the most beautiful woman in the world, am I right?-- already has a Best Supporting Actress Oscar on a shelf she shares with Darren Aronofsky somewhere in Brooklyn, but that's not going to keep her from going for the big Best Actress prize. At least that seems to be some part of the motivation behind The Deep Blue Sea, a planned film adaptation of Terrance Rattigan's 1952 play of the same name. According to Deadline Weisz would star for director Terrence Davies as a 40-year-old woman who leaves her husband for an alcoholic ex-fighter pilot, which you can imagine leads to a whole host of troubles that lead to a Sylvia Plath-esque end.

It all sounds very British and tragic, which is also a pretty good way to describe The Constant Gardener, the film that got Weisz her first Oscar nomination. I don't want to accuse Weisz of being totally cynical here-- she's taken all kinds of different roles lately in movies that are clearly passion projects (the little-seen Agora and Brothers Bloom)-- but, well, a famous actress suffering onscreen for two hours is often a pretty short route to the Oscar stage. Weisz also has the Kennedy biopic Jackie in the works, and if either of these giant acting showcases pan out, she could make her way up into the upper-echelon A-list she's deserved to be on all along. Joke as I might about Oscar grabs, I can't think of an actress more deserving.

A final note: the play has been performed with that title since it was written in the 50s, but I assume they'll have to change the name thanks to the LL Cool J shark movie. I know, I too confused my "movies based on plays about suffering housewives" and "movies about giant sharks eating Samuel L. Jackson." It happens to the best of us.

Darren Aronofsky has already directed his partner, Rachel Weisz, in one successful performance in The Fountain, thought that movie was so all-over-the-place that it's hard to say whether or not she was actually good in it. But the director seemed to kind of get back to his simpler storytelling roots with The Wrestler, and now he may be ready to direct his better half in a much more traditional, very Oscar-baity film-- a Jackie Kennedy biopic.

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Aronofsky is set to direct and produce Jackie, a script by Noah Oppenheim that's when a "hot commodity" at the talent agency CAA since it showed up last month. The film focuses on the First Lady in the four days between JFK's assassination and burial, meaning Weisz won't be going the usual biopic route of aging 30 years over the course of the film, but will certainly get to do a lot of crying.

Honestly biopics are hard to look forward to even in the best of circumstances, particularly when they're about people as well-known as Jackie O, but for Aronofsky we have to make an exception. He made a traditional sports movie honest and heartbreaking in The Wrestler, and don't forget that he thoroughly defined the drug movie for a solid decade with Requiem for a Dream. It's well worth looking forward to what he might have to say about the former First Lady, and that's without even mentioning how killer Weisz will look in pillbox hat. Now start crossing your fingers that a studio picks this up and it all comes together.

Everything at MGM is pretty much on hold until the company gets sold, but that doesn’t mean movies like James Bond and The Hobbit won’t happen. They just may take a little longer to get done. And while actual production may be on hold, that doesn’t mean these films’ producers aren’t planning their next step, so that once things are go, they’ll be off and running. Our sources say in the case of the 23rd James Bond movie, they may even be thinking about casting, which would explain the flurry of Bond girl rumors which have been flying around. While this rumor involves a girl, it’s definitely not another Bond girl rumor.

We’ve heard that Rachel Weisz could be involved in Bond 23. In the past she’s joked about becoming a Bond girl, and though she’s certainly beautiful, casting an actress of her caliber as yet another Bond nookie babe seems like kind of a waste. But Weisz is actually friends with Daniel Craig (in fact they’re working together on the upcoming movie Dream House) and in the past she had a personal relationship with would-be Bond 23 director Sam Mendes. All Bond girl kidding aside, she has before expressed real interest in doing a Bond movie with Craig. So why not give her something substantive in the movie, something that won’t reduce her to being 007’s latest conquest? Why not let her play the villain?

Our source says that’s exactly what they’re discussing behind the scenes of Bond 23. In fact, they’re considering Weisz to play the head of Quantum, the secret organization responsible for all the bad guy activity in the last two films. More than just another Bond babe, she’d be the mastermind pulling the strings behind everything that’s happened in Daniel Craig’s Bond movies so far, and the architect of James Bond’s suffering.

While the Bond franchise has had female villains before, they’ve never been much more than henchmen. Famke Janseen is fantastic as Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye, but she’s a follower, not a criminal mastermind. Weisz would be the first woman to take on such a role in the Bond universe, and I’d say it’s about time.

So now the big question: How likely is any of this to happen? Reality check time.

While Cinema Blend isn’t in the business of scooping news, when we do run across something interesting we feel it’s our job to share it with you, our readers, to mull over and discuss. Part of sharing information with you, for us, means that we always tell you as much as we can about where it came from. We’re not out to pull the wool over your eyes. Some rumors are more reliable than others and while we can’t always give you the names of our sources (lest they face repercussions), we feel it’s our responsibility to be up front with you about how much we know in order to allow you to decide for yourself whether this is a credible rumor or just wild speculation.

What we can tell you in this case is that our information comes from a reliable, proven source who’s broken numerous, since confirmed stories to us over a period of several years. For instance, it was this same source that was the first anywhere to break the news that Black Widow would be in Iron Man 2. But as with all rumors, even when they’re from a proven source like this one, it’s just rumor until it can be confirmed by a second, independent source. In fact this particular source affirmed that in our communication, reiterating that it’s still very early in the process and that because of this, “things can change in a heartbeat and they might even try to deny what I told you but that's what's the brainstorming going on now.” Now you know what we know.

Women of all ages need to prepare for a heart attack: Robert Pattinson and Hugh Jackman are both going to be playing cowboys. That means hats, chaps, tight jeans, attractively scruffy hair, and pretty much the best thing to happen to the Old West in decades.

This will all be happening thanks to Madeline Stowe, the actress who wrote the screenplay Unbound Captives back in the mid-90s, and turned down a $5 million offer from Fox because she wouldn't be allowed to star. A decade later, Variety reports that Stowe still won't be starring, and Rachel Weisz will take the role instead. But Stowe will make her directorial debut with the film.

Stowe spoke to Variety about her decision to turn down offer back in the 90s, which included Ridley Scott directing the script and Russell Crowe starring in the Jackman role. ""There was never a moment's hesitation on my part, but it felt unreal, and I can remember my husband putting a finger across his neck to signal not to take the offer. There are moments in life where you need to follow your heart."

Weisz will star as a woman living on the Western frontier in 1859, whose husband is killed and two children kidnapped by a Comanche tribe. Variety's plot description is unclear on whether Pattinson is playing her son or the son of Jackman's character, who comes to the woman's rescue. And why does she need rescuing when her children are the ones who have been kidnapped? No idea. Someone needs to track down this script and give us an idea of what to expect, and also how many swoon-worthy scenes there will be of Jackman riding a horse. You know, the important stuff.

If you're not interested in catching Angels & Demons this weekend, may we suggest an alternative to summer blockbuster moviegoing-- The Brothers Bloom, the new film from Brick director Rian Johnson that features flashy visuals, some silly jokes, and Adrien Brody and Mark Ruffalo as two pretty endearing conmen.

We've got a new clip from the film below that shows off all of those things, plus Rinko Kinkuchi as the brothers' silent sidekick and, briefly, Rachel Weisz as the flightly heiress Penelope, who the brothers intend to con but who turns out to be more than they bargained for. I mean, just look at that car! This is a woman not to be messed with.

The Brothers Bloom opens this Friday in limited release. Below the new clip we've also included the sublime first 7 minutes of the movie, just in case you need another reason to see the movie.