For years, Netflix has played the villain in the streaming v. movie theater argument. It’s easy to understand why. Netflix hasn’t exactly gone out of its way to play ball with theaters when it comes to releasing its movies widely to cinemas, or giving its movies a long theatrical window, as other streamers and studios have. In the wake of the fight over Warner Bros. between the streaming giant and Paramount, it seems at least some are softening towards Netflix, and it is actually looking more like a hero now.

Netflix Lost Out On Warner Bros.

The entertainment industry has been in upheaval over the past couple of years, in large part due to Skydance Paramount CEO David Ellison’s buying spree. I’m not going to get into all the details here, but the tl;dr is basically that Ellison, who is the son of Oracle founder Larry Ellison, first found tremendous success in Hollywood with is production company Skydance. In 2025, Skydance bought Paramount Pictures, and last month, after a prolonged shareholder battle, the newly named Skydance Paramount won the bid, over Netflix, to buy Warner Bros.

For many reasons, this fight over the future of Warner Bros. was seen by some as a fight over the future of Hollywood. A combined Paramount/Warner will have a huge chunk of the entertainment (and news) market, and that could mean scary things for the industry. I’m not picking a side in this, and I’ll leave the politics out of it, but what I have noticed is that there might be a backlash to the deal within Hollywood, and it’s making Netflix look good in the eyes of some industry insiders.

SAG President Sean Astin Gave A Shoutout To Netflix's CEO

This was highlighted to me last weekend as I watched the Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards), with my Netflix subscription. Sean Astin, star of the Lord of the Rings movies and son of the legendary Patty Duke (and stepson to John Astin), gave a shoutout to Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s CEO. In his speech during the awards ceremony, Astin said:

Sure, this thank you was in large part because the show was live-streamed on Netflix, but what struck me was the direct shout-out to Sarandos, not just “Netflix.” I may be reading too much into it, but SAG-AFTRA is the largest union in Hollywood, and it has been at the center of some serious labor battles in recent years with companies like Netflix and CEOs like Sarandos. Giving a clear thanks to the man himself makes me think that, behind the scenes, many in Hollywood were quietly rooting for Netflix to win the financial battle over Warner Bros.

Officially, SAG-AFTRA stayed neutral in the proxy fight, but many actors (and others in Hollywood) did express concern over Paramount’s newfound power within the industry, and this seems like a subtle acknowledgement of those concerns. Again, maybe I’m reading too much into this, but it does seem like Netflix, and its movie-loving CEO, aren’t quite the villains they once seemed to be.

Sean Astin and his adoptive father, John Astin, are Hollywood royalty. Sean is best known, of course, for his role as Samwise in The Lord of the Rings movies (which you can watch with an HBO Max subscription) and for playing the lead role in The Goonies. John famously brought the comic strip character Gomez Addams to life in the original Addams Family TV show.

While both have had careers that have lasted decades at this point, neither has ever been nominated for an Academy Award. Well, in an acting category at least. Both have been nominated in another category: Best Live Action Short Film. The nominations came 26 years apart, John in 1968, Sean in 1994, but sadly, neither took home the Oscar.

You’re Forgiven If You Didn’t Know This Bit Of Trivia

The Short Films nominees at the Academy Awards usually go underappreciated, if they are noticed at all, so you’ll be forgiven if you didn’t know that the two Astins were nominated in one of the three categories that make up the shorts. However those categories have created some interesting bits of Oscar trivia, like Kobe Bryant winning a trophy for producing the short animated film, Dear Basketball, in 2018.

It has been a fertile place for young filmmakers to cut their teeth and get some exposure. For example, Taika Waititi earned a nomination in the Live Action Short category in 2003, four years before his feature film debut as a director. Jim Henson was nominated in 1966 for his live action film, a few years before he would become a household name with Sesame Street, and later The Muppet Show. Taylor Hackford, who would later be nominated for Best Director for Ray and Best Picture in 2004, won the category in 1979.

The Astin Nominations

John Astin was nominated in 1968, just a couple of years after finishing his work on the original Addam’s Family, for a short comedy called Prelude, which he produced, wrote, directed, and starred in. It was his directorial debut. He lost to a film called Robert Kennedy Remembered, which Astin argued was a documentary not a live action short, which is supposed to be fiction. It won anyway. Astin also claimed that this sparked a change that later required voters watch every nominee, but it’s still a controversial Oscar in his mind.

For Sean Astin, the nomination came from a short called Kangaroo Court, which is described on Letterboxd as:

Though, to be honest, I couldn’t find out a lot about it, nor could I find it to watch anywhere, which is all too-common with shorts. I’ll keep looking though, as I’m very intrigued!

As we get closer to the 98th Annual Academy Awards in March, which will be available to stream with a Hulu subscription. I’m determined to watch more shorts, as I always seem to watch most of the nominees, but rarely these underappreciated films.

Audiences were treated to some of the best action movies of all time throughout the 1990s, and that’s especially true for the second year of the decade. In 1991, we got Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Point Break, and The Last Boy Scout, to name only a few. However, while those are touted as some of the best ‘90s movies, there’s an underrated movie that I personally think about more times than not: Toy Soldiers.

Starring Sean Astin and Wil Wheaton as two troublemakers at a prestigious boarding school being held hostage by terrorists, this shockingly violent action thriller never seems to be on the receiving end of any love. If, for some reason, you’ve never watched the movie that also features a remarkable performance from the late Louis Gossett Jr., it’s time to change that because Toy Soldiers is streaming for free right now!

Move Over T2 And Point Break, Let’s Talk About Toy Soldiers

Sure, Terminator 2 and Point Break have gotten more love over the years, but there’s something about this over-the-top action flick that has honestly stood the test of time. Roger Ebert may have given it a one-star review, but the late critic wasn’t always right in his critiques.

Directed by Daniel Petrie Jr., who previously wrote Beverly Hills Cop, Shoot to Kill, and Turner & Hootch, and written by Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp, this oft-forgotten thriller feels like a combination of Rambo and Home Alone. With some intense violence, some unique and devious bobby traps, and a group of young heroes who’ll do anything and everything to save their school and friends, this movie just straight up rocks.

On top of that, I honestly don’t know of a movie where Sean Astin was this cool. William Tepper is just a badass through and through.

My Brother And I Used To Watch This Like Every Weekend

I’m sure everyone had a movie or two they watched all the time growing up. That was the case for my brother and me, as we used to watch Toy Soldiers on TNT all the time. I don’t know if it was every weekend, but I have so many memories of us sprawled out in his room (he had cable before me) late at night watching Regis students drinking what I used to think was just mouthwash and calling 1-900 numbers, taking on terrorists, and making wisecracks like it’s nobody’s business.

Revisiting the movie a few years ago was a blast from the past, even if it was far more violent and darker than I remembered it being all those years ago.

Here’s How To Watch Toy Soldiers… For Free!

When I found out Toy Soldiers was streaming, I texted my brother, and he responded with “Man, I haven’t seen that movie in ages.” I don’t want to sound like an ad or anything like that, but I’ll tell you what I told him: it’s streaming for free on Tubi. You don’t have to sign up or pay anything at all. Just find the movie and press play. There are ads, but it’s perfect for reliving those old memories of watching movies on cable.

• Stream Toy Soldiers on Tubi.

So, if you want to go back and watch an underrated and mostly forgotten ‘90s movie, Toy Soldiers is going to do the trick!

The Goonies have plenty of shocking behind-the-scenes facts that make one of the best family-adventure movies even more legendary. For instance, Josh Brolin revealed nepotism worked against him auditioning for the ‘80s flick, and a deleted octopus scene was cut because it didn’t look good. However, star Sean Astin debunked one longstanding BTS rumor that “offended” him regarding one memorable scene.

During Awesome Con’s Q&A moderated by People, one fan brought up a longstanding rumor to the stacked cast of The Goonies. It's been said that the young cast’s reaction to seeing One-Eyed Willy’s pirate ship was genuine since director Richard Donner allegedly kept it hidden from view until filming. Sean Astin had no problems debunking that speculation:

I can understand why Sean Astin would be “offended” by that. The Goonies marked the film debut of a lot of the film’s child stars. He wouldn’t want the impression that the kids couldn’t act unless something was sprung on them. They were more than capable of giving an authentic performance due to their talents and not because of being caught off guard.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of on-screen moments in movies where a cast’s surprised take is caught on screen. For example, a crazy behind-the-scenes fact from the sci-fi film Alien stated that the cast reactions were real during the chestburster scene. The same was said in a BTS fact of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory where the wide-eyed expressions of the kids seeing the chocolate room were genuine since director Mel Stuart wanted their honest reactions of seeing the room for the first time. Even though in both of these scenarios the cast was told what would happen, nothing can prepare you for the real thing that’s in front of you compared to what’s written in a screenplay.

The Goonies cast may have known what the famed pirate ship would look like. At the same time, Sean Astin admitted that he made sure to give a performance that wouldn’t allow an audience to catch onto that:

While cast members like Sean Astin saw One-Eyed Willy’s ship before, others apparently did see the pirate ship for the first time, like Martha Plimpton. She revealed at the panel that her surprised expression upon seeing the ship was “honest” and joked it only required one take. Josh Brolin also said on Instagram back in 2019 that he never saw the ship before either until filming. The shocking spectacle in front of him caused him to let out an F-bomb, which made him have to do the take all over again. After all, a 150-foot-long pirate ship isn’t something you see every day.

It looks like the longstanding rumor of the kids not seeing One-Eyed Willy’s ship until shooting has officially been debunked by Sean Astin. While Goonies never say die, they’ll also never lie about their stellar acting talent.

Even though The Conners wasn’t initially meant to last longer than a single season, it was still a shock to learn that the ABC sitcom would be ending with a shortened seventh season that the network is promoting as a big event for the 2025 TV premiere schedule. Among all the various storylines to wrap up, I’m perhaps most interested in the endgame between Becky and Tyler, which is perhaps hinted at in a new look at the upcoming season.

Our first peek at Lecy Goranson’s Becky and Sean Astin’s Tyler doesn’t exactly exude peaceful and lovey-dovey vibes, though that single moment probably shouldn’t be used to gauge whatever happens in Season 7. As well, executive producer Bruce Rasmussen gave TVLine an optimistic outlook for the couple, even if I’m still not totally sold on Becky’s happiness just yet.

First thing’s first, though, so check out what domestic life will look like for this coupling once Tyler takes the big step of moving into Darlene’s house with Becky.

To be sure, whatever is happening with Tyler and Becky in the image above doesn’t look detrimental to their happiness, even if Astin’s face isn’t particularly parked by enthusiasm. Rather than anything wildly problematic, it looks like Becky just told him she doesn’t like apples after he finished baking an apple pie, or some similar annoyance.

EP Bruce Rasmussen shared this tease, which at face value certainly sounds as positive as can be:

As regular viewers are already aware, The Conners added Sean Astin as then-new love interest Tyler near the end of Season 5, and Lecy Goranson talked to CinemaBlend about how lucky she felt to gain such a genial pro as an on-screen partner. Showrunner Bruce Helford promised bigger things for the couple in Season 6, and Tyler did indeed show up a bit more throughout, though it's arguable whether they've been romatnically tied long enough to justify moving in together. Which leads us to...

Why I'm Still Skeptical About Becky And Tyler In Season 7

To echo the above point, the fact that Tyler has already moved into Darlene and Ben's home makes it seem like they're moving a bit fast. If not for him, then at least for Becky, whose history with romance has been emotionally topsy-turvy enough that she should inherently be more hesitant about such impulses.

That relationship history is another reason for my skepticism, though I'll definitely give the character credit for being in a completely different headspace than she was in her youthful years with her late hubby Mark, who sparked one of the sitcom's most dramatic episodes and arguments. She's still friendly and cordial with Beverly Rose's father Emilio (Rene Rosado), and presumably with her other exes, but those past courtships weren't rooted in true love. That may be different with Tyler, but it's obviously not guaranteed.

I can even find reason to be skeptical just from what Bruce Rasmussen said. If he was talking about a couple that audiences were meant to believe is destined to last, he might have phrased things a bit differently, perhaps describing Tyler as "a good man who she will spend the rest of her life with," instead of saying "hopes to." That might be seen as spoilery on his part, but if the thing it's meant to spoil is "Becky's extended happiness," then why would it be a bad thing?

Perhaps this is all just my own bad luck and pessimism talking. I don't necessarily want to see the series introducing any major issues between them during the six-episode home stretch, and would prefer for the writers to lean more into their happy future. But this is The Conners, after all, where the words "happy" and "future" never share common ground.

In other Conners-related news, fans will be able to see co-star Emma Kenney in primetime before she makes Harris’ final-season debut, as the actress was cast in Reba McEntire’s NBC sitcom Happy’s Place, and will appear in at least one episode as the daughter of McEntire’s character.

For now, we’re still waiting to get a confirmed premiere date for The Conners’ final season, so get comfortable on the afghan-covered couch and stay tuned.

The Upside Down is not for the weak, and the dangerous alternate dimension and its bloodthirsty creatures have been responsible for a number of character deaths throughout Stranger Things' run. However, some hit home more than others, and such is the case with Sean Astin, who played Bob Newby. The actor reminded fans of his character's heart-wrenching death in one of Netflix’s best originals by sharing a fun photo of himself with a Demogorgon, but it has me in my feelings again.

Unfortunately, Bob will likely not reappear amid the forthcoming Stranger Things 5. However, the Lord of the Rings alum surprised fans with a fun Instagram photo of himself posing with a Demodog -- a younger version of a Demogorgon -- replica at a recent convention, channeling his inner Super Bob. Check it ou:

I don’t know about you, but this image is really affecting me on an emotional level. Sean Astin posing tough with the monster that killed his character? It’s bittersweet. But what I think I love about this post is it shows just how much the Goonies actor treasures all his roles, just as much as the fans do. It also confirms the Rudy star gives off the same kind, nerdy energy as Bob. I'm glad to see the lovable actor, who gave advice he to the child actors on set, hasn't changed.

If you’ve been a fan of Stranger Things since the early seasons, then you’ll remember the heartbreak felt when Bob Newby was killed. Personally, I can’t forget how brave he was helping Joyce, Will and Hopper escape from Hawkins lab. We see him turn and smile when he sees Joyce is safe. So it’s utterly devastating when the Demodogs get him.

Out of all the Stranger Things deaths, Bob was the first character killed off that audiences were able to know and love throughout a whole season. Seriously, how could you not care for the dorky yet sweet boyfriend of Joyce Byers? Just picturing him just laying there by himself makes me want to cry all over again.

It would seem I’m not the only one caught in my feels from this photo. Even though Stranger Things 2 premiered seven years ago, it seems not everyone has gotten over Bob's demise. This comment from @bella.woods.36 on Instagram seems to sum up the pain over Bob’s passing:

Skipping all of Season 2 seems a bit dramatic, but it really captures how hard we were hit with Bob’s ending. After all, Stranger Things 2 was an immediate hit upon release, and I think it's undderated within the franchise, what with Max’s introduction to the group and the reveal of Will’s connection to the Mindflayer. Knowing what we know now after Season 4, it makes everything that happened in Season 2 even more chilling.

I’m quite scared for Will’s fate in the Stranger Things finale given his supernatural connection to the Upside Down, and I fear it may be similar to Bob’s. But if anyone can figure out how to both defeat Vecna and save Will, it's our favorite bike riding, DND-playing crew from Hawkins. At present, though, let's just continue to remember Bob and be glad that Sean Astin is alive and well.

Stranger Things 5 is set to premiere sometime amid the 2025 TV schedule, so be sure to refresh your memory by streaming the first four seasons with a Netflix subscription.

When I watched the Lord of the Rings movies for the first time, I wouldn’t have given Return of the King a five-star review like a lot of people have, and it certainly wasn’t my favorite film in the trilogy. Now, before you get all riled up and start throwing tomatoes at me, read the next sentence. I recently rewatched the epic conclusion to this story, and my opinion on the project has changed entirely. This epic film blew my mind in so many ways, and it’s by far my favorite film of the OG three. Here's why:

I Have A Newfound Appreciation For Fantasy That I Didn’t Have The First Time I Watched Return Of The King

When I watched Lord of the Rings for the first time, I had Game of Thrones and Harry Potter under my belt in the fantasy realm, but really nothing else. Coming back around to LOTR, things were different. I’m a Rings of Power fan now, I read fantasy books regularly, and I’m a big fan of other shows within the genre, like House of the Dragon. So, I was ready for all the lore and fantastical fun this time.

As I mentioned, I came into this LOTR rewatch as a fan of Rings of Power, which is vital information when it comes to this endeavor. My understanding of Middle-earth was so much deeper because of it, and I had a much bigger appreciation for characters like Elrond and Isildur. So, in the grand scheme of this massive story, I didn’t feel so overwhelmed by it all, I was enthralled instead.

That shift in mentality and overall acceptance of the fantasy genre really set me up for success with LOTR this time around. Instead of slogging through the movies, I was excited to be immersed in the world, and by the time I got around to Return of the King, I was 1,000% in on everything that was happening.

Why Sean Astin Didn’t Get An Oscar Nomination For Playing Sam Is Beyond Me, Because He Carried This Movie

The Lord of the Rings are objectively some of the best movies of the 2000s, and that was proven, in part, by its massive number of Oscar nominations. The franchise as a whole was nominated for 30 Academy Awards, and it won 17 – with Return of the King notably taking home Best Picture.

However, when it came to the LOTR cast, only Ian McKellen’s performance in Fellowship of the Ring got a nod. And that is bonkers, especially when you realize that Sean Astin WASN’T nominated for his portrayal of Sam in the third film.

Not only does Samwise Gamgee literally carry Frodo in Return of the King, he also carries this film. The Hobbit goes on an intense emotional journey across the three-hour film as he works to support his friend, figure out what Gollum’s deal is, and ultimately get that ring into the fires of Mount Doom. He is the hero of this journey, and I can say that with such confidence because of Sean Astin’s performance.

The Oscars should have been playing the scene of Sam crying as he asked Frodo to remember The Shire, and they should have been singing the praises of Astin’s deeply emotional and moving supporting performance.

Sam was the heart of this story to me, and his ability to keep going on this quest, despite its challenges, made me so emotional. I could feel the weight of the world on his shoulders, as Astin gave a staggering performance that created the greatest highlight of this movie for me.

I Loved How The Character’s Various Stories Were Told Throughout The Final Battle

I’ve never been one for battles. After a few minutes of violence, I always feel like I’ve gotten the point, and we can move on. However, in Return of the King, I never felt that way, because of how expertly the stories from within the battle were told.

A very large chunk of this film is the big battle, and the first time I watched it, I was exhausted by it. However, this time, I found myself looking forward to it, and grasping at all the stories I could.

Personally, the subplot within this battle that hit me the hardest was the one involving Merry and Éowyn fighting their way to the front line. I loved how their arc started with them fighting to fight, showed them traveling through the levels of the battle and then landing on the frontline and taking down the Witch-King. Not only was it an empowering moment, but it was also a wonderful through line that ran through this intense war.

Being able to latch onto and track the various plot points -- like Pippin and Gandalf in the castle trying to save Faramir or Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli bringing the ghost army to the battle -- was an experience I didn’t enjoy the first time around. However, on this watch, it was easily one of the best parts of the movie, and I think that’s thanks to how my appreciation for fantasy has evolved.

Can We Take A Minute To Appreciate Pippin’s Character Growth?

The part of Return of the King that surprised me the most was Pippin’s storyline. In Fellowship of the Ring, he and Merry were just there for a good time. In Two Towers, the two Hobbits got a fun – but isolated – story with the Ents. Then, in Return of the King, both of them, but specifically Pippin, turned into certified heroes with an epic arc!

Starting with him finding the palantíri, we see Pippin’s recklessness get the best of him, which is honestly tragic. Then, when he gets separated from Merry – which was a tear-jerking scene by the way – he’s forced to learn to listen and really get his act together. His scenes with Gandalf were both endearing and transformative, and it made it so moments like him lighting the beacon really paid off.

Overall, Pippin didn’t leave this battle as the same Hobbit who entered it, and I loved seeing him evolve into the hero he is at the end of the movie.

That can be said about every character in this film, and it’s truly an epic and satisfying conclusion to a wonderful trilogy that I now see in a totally new light.

So, yeah, if I were to rank The Lord of the Rings movies now, Return of the King is 100% at the top of the list, and it’s because of all these reasons and more. To go on your own journey of rewatching these remarkable fantasy films, you can stream all The Lord of the Rings movies with a Max subscription.

For nearly 40 years, Goonies fans have been waiting for news about a potential sequel to one of the best '80s movies. While the 1985 adventure classic, in retrospect, might not have been an appropriate flick by today’s standards, its charm and sense of adventure have kept it beloved for nearly four decades. Fans have long hoped for a follow-up, and although there’s no official confirmation of a Goonies 2 (yet), Sean Astin, who played Mikey, has stirred up excitement.

Astin did this by sharing a fan-made poster titled “Goonies Are Good Enough,” teasing a 2026 release with Steven Spielberg attached. Now, someone needs to get Spielberg on the phone, because I need this in my life!

Astin’s post on X (formerly Twitter) will surely evoke waves of nostalgia and excitement among fans of the Richard Donner classic, reigniting hopes for a long-awaited sequel. His playful caption, "It's our time. C’mon Steven...," is a direct plea to Steven Spielberg, the original film's executive producer. Check out the fan-made poster below and see for yourself why fans like myself are fired up!

The idea of a Goonies 2 has been floating around for nearly four decades, yet we’re still waiting for our favorite misfit adventurers to rally together and shout, “Never say die!” Over the years, Steven Spielberg and the original Goonies cast have said many things about a potential sequel that still hasn’t come to fruition.

The original “Goon Docks” crew may have been just a bunch of kids when they went searching for One-Eyed Willy’s treasure, but today, most of them are Hollywood mainstays. Sean Astin has been a household name for years, while Josh Brolin’s career skyrocketed, with roles in everything from Coen Brothers dramas to huge franchises like Dune and the MCU. And who could forget Ke Huy Quan? After stepping away from acting for two decades, the Data performer returned to the big screen, winning an Oscar for his performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once, solidifying his remarkable career comeback.

Though the film’s original director, Richard Donner, passed in 2021, The Goonies still has strong ties to Hollywood’s elite, with producer Steven Spielberg and writer Chris Columbus remaining power players. Despite decades of rumors and speculation, fans are still holding out hope for a sequel. Maybe the fan poster and Sean Astin’s push are what is needed to get the boobie trap rock bolder rolling on a sequel, finally.

Astin’s playful nudge at Spielberg comes at an interesting time. The very same day of Sean's post, a story broke that may have prompted his playful push for a sequel. On September 13, Deadline reported that Martha Plimpton and Corey Feldman, both original Goonies cast members, shot down rumors of a sequel that had recently surfaced.

Feldman took to his X account to set the record straight. He wrote:

Meanwhile, Plimpton used her platform to shut down the news in an Instagram post. She said:

The rumors were sparked by a report from The Sun that claimed Warner Bros. was gearing up for a sequel, with plans to start filming next summer and potentially release in 2026 or 2027. However, both Plimpton and Feldman’s posts cast doubt on the speculation.

Interestingly, Astin has had varying views on the subject. In a 2019 interview with Collider, he admitted that he and his co-stars had "probably passed the threshold" for a direct sequel but was open to the idea of a reboot. However, if you go back to 2015, Astin was much more confident, stating that he knew in his "guts" that the sequel would eventually happen. His recent playful jab at Spielberg might suggest his outlook is shifting again. Could this be the push needed to finally get the project officially rolling and get Plimpton and Feldman on board? As the Goonies say: “Never say die.”

While the Goonies 2 might not be headed for a 2024 movie schedule release, there's still hope. Until then, check out our 2025 movie release lineup to see what flicks are headed to a theater near you.

When it comes to the smartest TV detectives we’ve ever seen, Adrian Monk definitely can count himself among them – right next to Columbo, Sherlock Holmes, and Luther (to name a few). For eight seasons of the USA Network series, Adrian Monk’s tendency to see all the details, often tied with his OCD, matched with his personal motivation to get “the guy” following the death of his wife, Trudy, was exciting to tune into week-to-week. All the while, major actors would often guest star. Some of which were big names before Monk, and others that have since skyrocketed into fame. 

Jeffrey Dean Morgan 

Over a decade before Jeffrey Dean Morgan became The Walking Dead’s Negan, the famed TV actor was in the Season 3 premiere of Monk, “Mr. Monk Takes Manhattan.” In the episode, Monk travels with the SFPD team to New York City to do some work in association with the murder of Trudy, but in the meantime, Monk gets embroiled in the case of a recently deceased Latvian ambassador. Morgan’s character catches the detective’s eye in connection to the ambassador’s death. 

Malcolm McDowell

The lead of Stanley Kubrick’s masterful A Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell, made his way into Monk during Season 4 in a particularly great episode of the series that takes the detective into the world of fashion. In “Mr. Monk Goes To A Fashion Show,” he decides to pay a visit to the inspector of his favorite collared shirts when he notices recent inconsistencies. It leads him and Natalie to meet a British fashion designer named Julian Hodge, played by McDowell. 

Jennifer Lawrence

Did you know that Silver Linings Playbook Oscar winner, Jennifer Lawrence, was in Monk? Back in 2006, when the actress was a teenager and had not yet starred in any movies, she had a very small role as a high school mascot in the Season 5 episode “Mr. Monk and the Big Game.” Her head is covered for most of her scene, but she does take off the helmet for a moment in the episode. 

Jason Alexander 

Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander guest starred in Monk for the Season 4 premiere “Mr. Monk and the Other Detective” as another P.I. in town named Marty Eels. During Monk’s latest case, the detective begins to be overshadowed by Alexander’s character, which hilariously has Monk calling him a cheater. As Eels becomes a big competitor for Monk, it’s a blast to see Shalhoub and Alexander act together. 

John Turturro 

Monk perfectly cast the detective’s brother in 2004 by bringing in John Turturro in a fabulous guest role, that he would play in three episodes. Turturro, who is famous for being in movies with the Coen Brothers, Spike Lee and Adam Sandler played Ambrose, who suffers from severe agoraphobia and deepened Monk’s backstory. He was so memorable in the series that he earned an Emmy for “Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series” for the episode in which he debuted the character, in Season 2’s “Mr. Monk and the Three Pies”. 

Stanley Tucci

One of the strongest Monk episodes of the series is definitely Season 5’s “Mr. Monk and the Actor.” In the 2006 episode, an actor named David Ruskin is set to play Adrian Monk in a movie based on his life and comes to shadow Adrian on his cases. Stanley Tucci plays Ruskin as the actor goes a bit too method with the role of Adrian and debunks some demons regarding what it’s like to be Monk. Tucci won an Emmy for the guest role, and was actually a finalist to play Adrian Monk prior to his guest role. 

Rainn Wilson 

Just a couple years before Rainn Wilson would become Dwight Schrute on one of the best sitcoms of all time, The Office, the actor made a small guest appearance on Monk in Season 2. He played a massive baseball fan and collector as Adrian Monk looked into a case involving a star baseball player. 

James Brolin 

Longtime TV and movie actor James Brolin (who is also the father of Josh Brolin and husband to Barbara Streisand), made his way into Monk for 2005’s Vegas episode. Brolin plays a millionaire casino owner who becomes a suspect following the death of his wife, and Stottlemeyer brings in Monk to solve the case. 

Sean Astin 

In Season 5, Lord of the Rings and The Goonies actor, Sean Astin crossed paths with Tony Shalhoub’s Monk in an episode called “Mr. Monk Is At Your Service.” Astin plays a young billionaire, Paul Buchanan, whom Monk and Natalie come across amidst a visit to Natalie’s parents' wealthy neighborhood. Monk ends up going undercover as Paul’s butler to learn more about him. 

Sarah Silverman 

Famed standup comedian, Sarah Silverman, guest starred in three episodes of Monk over the years as a character named Marci Maven. She first became part of the procedural in 2004 for “Mr. Monk and the TV Star,”  where she played an obsessed fan of the star of a hit show made up for the series called Crime Lab S.F. 

Danny Trejo 

In “Mr. Monk Goes To Jail” in Season 2, Danny Trejo, of Spy Kids, From Dusk Till Dawn and Desperado (among many of his movies), also got to work alongside Tony Shalhoub’s Monk. During the episode, Monk goes undercover as the cellmate of Trejo’s character, who is a convicted quadruple murderer. As you may suspect, comedy ensues. 

Snoop Dogg 

Snoop Dogg was also in Monk for the Season’s “Mr. Monk and the Rapper,” where he played a fictional hip hop star, Murderuss. In the episode, Murderuss approaches the detective to hire him to clear his name after becoming the primary suspect in the death of another rapper. The best part? Snoop Dogg actually raps Monk’s famous “here’s what happened” segment at the end. 

Alfred Molina

Beloved character actor, Alfred Molina, has also been part of Monk for a Season 6 episode. What’s interesting about Molina, is he was actually one of the finalists to play the lead role of Adrian Monk before Shalhoub was cast. In his guest role, he played a billionaire software mogul whose beach house has a view of a nudist beach. 

Jon Favreau 

MCU actor and famed director Jon Favreau was in “Mr. Monk Goes To The Dentist,” which aired during the series’ fourth season in 2006. Favreau plays a dentist who Lieutenant Disher goes to and swears murdered someone while he was under anesthesia for a procedure. 

Carmen Electra

All-star actor, model and singer Carmen Electra can be found in the Monk episode “Mr. Monk and the Panic Room” which came out in 2004. The episode has the detective investigating a crime scene where it seems like a chimpanzee has killed his owner. The victim is a record producer and Electra plays his pop star wife. 

Craig T. Nelson 

Poltergeist and Parenthood actor Craig T. Nelson earned a very important role in Monk for its two-part finale, “Mr. Monk and the End.” He plays Judge Ethan Rickover, who was on the California Court of Appeals and has a history with Monk’s late wife, Trudy. 

Tim Curry 

In Season 1, an enemy of Monk’s was introduced as financier Dale “The Whale” Biederbeck. After the character was originated by Adam Arkin, none other than The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Tim Curry embodied the role for a brief time in “Mr. Monk Goes To Jail.” 

Niecy Nash

Reno 911’s Niecy Nash made a guest spot in Monk in the early days for “Mr. Monk and the Girl Who Cried Wolf.” The episode follows Adrian’s first assistant Sharona as she starts to believe she’s losing her sanity when she keeps seeing a man with a screwdriver sticking out of his ear (that no one else can see). Neicy Nash plays Sharona’s friend and fellow nurse, Varla should step in to assist Monk. 

Jeffrey Donovan 

The star of Burn Notice, which also was on USA Network like Monk, turned up in the detective series in the episode “Mr. Monk and the Astronaut.” In the Season 4 episode, Jeffrey Donovan plays an astronaut who Monk is sure killed someone, but his alibi is airtight… considering he was in space when the murder occurred. 

Laurie Metcalf 

Roseanne actress Laurie Metcalf had some fun on Monk when she guest starred in the Season 4 episode “Mr. Monk Bumps His Head.” When Adrian wakes up in a small town with amnesia, Metcalf’s unhinged character uses the opportunity to convince the detective he is her husband. 

Nick Offerman 

Parks and Recreation’s Nick Offerman made an appearance in 2005’s “Mr. Monk and the Election” before he became famous for playing the very quotable Ron Swanson. Look out for the actor in his clean-shaven days during the Season 3 episode that has Natalie Teager running for the school board. 

Jane Lynch 

Before actress Jane Lynch rocked sweatsuits on Glee, she did guest for “Mr. Monk Gets Married.” In the episode, Randy Disher is concerned about his mother getting suddenly married to a man who is 30 years younger (played by Lost’s Nestor Carbonell) than him and asks Monk to look into it. This leads Monk and Sharona to pretend to be a married couple for a retreat that Lynch’s psychologist character is in charge of. 

Amy Sedaris 

The very funny Amy Sedaris was on two episodes of Monk to play Sharona’s younger sister, Gail. She first appeared in 2002’s “Mr. Monk and the Earthquake” before also being part of 2003’s “Mr. Monk Goes To The Theater.” Since she’s an actress in the series, her part in a local play that turns into a crime scene makes the second episode a particularly juicy appearance for Sedaris. 

Rachel Dratch

Saturday Night Live’s Rachel Dratch found her way into Monk for “Mr. Monk and the Missing Granny.” In the 2004 episode, Dratch’s character is stressed about the kidnapping of her grandmother and offers to help reinstate Monk to the police force if he can help find her alive. 

Howie Mandel

The Gremlins actor and game and competition show host played the role of Ralph Roberts in two episodes of Monk in 2008. Howie Mandel played the head of a religious cult called Siblings of the Sun in the Season 7 episodes. Mandel is a germaphobe in real life like Monk is.

Holland Taylor

Two and a Half Men actress Holland Taylor played Natalie Teager’s mother Peggy in two episodes of Monk. In the series, Peggy is a well-off woman who married into the Davenport Toothpaste business. She is part of 2005’s “Mr. Monk Goes To A Wedding” and 2007’s “Mr. Monk Is At Your Service.” 

Gena Rowlands

Gena Rowlands is an Academy Award nominee who starred in movies like Woman Under The Influence and Gloria in her youth before famously playing the older version of Allie in The Notebook. In Season 7’s “Mr. Monk and the Lady Next Door,” Monk becomes friendly with Rowlands’ Marge Johnson, but suspicions about her true intentions begin to grow. 

Ariel Winter

Before Ariel Winter became part of Modern Family’s Dunphy family, the actress was in Monk as an eight-year-old for “Mr. Monk and the Astronaut.” She has a small but pivotal role as the neighbor of the victim, whose place in the story leads Monk to track down the killer. 

Julie Bowen

In Season 7’s “Mr. Monk and the Bully,” Julie Bowen plays a character that Adrian Monk investigates after his childhood bully comes out of the woodwork asking for help from the detective. The Truman Show’s Noah Emmerich plays her husband and Monk’s former bully. Julie Bowen is a two-time Emmy winner for her leading role in ABC’s Modern Family. 

Eric Stonestreet

Modern Family’s Cameron Tucker was on Monk the same year the hit ABC comedy first arrived on network television. In “Mr. Monk and the UFO,” Eric Stonestreet plays a small role as a local mechanic named Boom-Boom whom Monk offends and ends up raising his estimate. 

Sung Kang 

Sung Kang, who famously played Han in the Fast and the Furious movies, also guest starred in Monk as two separate characters. First in “Mr. Monk vs. the Cobra” he plays an employee of a martial arts school they visit while investigating the death of a fictional kung fu star, Sonny Chow. Four years later, Kang stars in “Mr. Monk on Wheels” as the cousin of a criminal named John Kuramoto.

Angela Kinsey 

The Office actress Angela Kinsey had a guest role in Monk as Arlene Boras for two episodes of the series. She plays an X-ray technician who was in Alfred Molina’s episode, “Mr. Monk and the Naked Man.” She reprised her role for the 100th episode of Monk as well. 

An acting legend has passed away at 79 years old. Bernard Hill was known for many roles throughout his career, including the James Cameron blockbuster Titanic. No doubt, though, that many remember his performance in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Return of the King and will continue to do so as tributes from Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and others poured in for the actor who played King Théoden. 

The BBC has reported that Hill passed away on Sunday morning, and tributes to the actor have been spreading throughout the day. It just so happened that the Hobbit actors from Lord of the Rings were at Liverpool Comic Con and filled the audience in on what happened. Sean Astin kicked off the tributes with the following: 

Sean Astin has stated that he was nervous going into the first Lord of the Rings movie because of the scope of what it set out to do. I'd guess having a veteran like Bernard Hill on set likely set some of those fears at ease. 

Billy Boyd continued the singing of praises for Hill, talking about noticing something while watching the movies with fellow Lord of the Rings cast member Dominic Monaghan. Should readers stream his performances with a Max subscription, they may walk away with the same observation that Boyd had: 

Elijah Wood, who went to great lengths to land his starring role as Frodo Baggins, took to Twitter to pay homage to Bernard Hill, writing,

When it comes to Bernard Hill, a lot of people think of Lord of the Rings as well as Titanic. Considering those movies amassed a lot of critical acclaim, box office success, and Academy Awards, that's not surprising. With that said, Hill worked in Hollywood a long time, as actor Michael McKean honored one of his more minor roles they shared together: 

Of course, there was no shortage of fan responses, with many on social media speaking to the brilliance of Bernard Hill's best performances. This included that of the real-life human Captain Edward John Smith in Titanic, and readers would do well to rewatch his memorable turn (and can do so on streaming with a Paramount+ subscription). It always feels like a big deal when an actor passes, but when organizations like BAFTA take a moment to acknowledge it, it feels extra special: 

Rest in peace to the actor, and hopefully his work will be appreciated for decades to come. I know I won't forget these roles anytime soon, especially his role as King Théoden. We here at CinemaBlend extend condolences to the family and friends of Bernard Hill and wish them well during a difficult time.

Even though The Conners’ sixth season was delayed from its usual Fall TV slot, and was added to the 2024 TV schedule as a midseason arrival, the wait was worth it for audiences waiting to see the family get a few wins in their personal and professional lives. The season premiere, which featured guest star Nick Offerman, relit Jackie’s spark for the Lunch Box, and gave Darlene a reminder about her journalistic dreams. And now fans can look forward to seeing more from Lecy Goranson’s Becky and Sean Astin’s Tyler!

Introduced as a Season 5 love interest, Astin’s Tyler was confirmed to be returning in the first Season 6 trailer, and when CinemaBlend spoke with The Conners cast ahead of the season, I was enthused to ask Goranson about her character’s romantic future. And while she obviously couldn’t go into major details about his return in the Valentine’s Day episode, the actress seemed adorably pleased with Becky and Tyler’s current status. Here’s how she put it:

Speaking to her first point, I think we can all appreciate Tyler for being a good guy without necessarily crapping all over the dudes in Becky’s past. She and Emilio had a good thing going that just wasn’t meant to last, despite their daughter Beverly Rose. Becky getting lucky in Season 4 with Darien Sills-Evans' Mikey was another fun jaunt, as was her fling with Matt Walsh’s prof Glen, but no one has seemed to click all the boxes quite like Astin’s Tyler. 

I mean, she's already talking about him "loving" her. So either he's an undeniable catch, or he's an obsessive weirdo. Which could still technically qualify as a catch. 

Beyond the personal chemistry, it’s all about earning regular income and being able to co-exist with the rest of the Conners without going cuckoo bananas for one reason or another. He’s set up to meet Beverly Rose and attempt some bonding with the rest of the clan in the V-Day episode, titled “Valentine's Day Treats and Credit Card Cheats,” so if he can survive that, he can survive anything. Which is totally a lie, since there are plenty of ways things could go way worse in the future. But for now, it would be the biggest W possible. 

But while we’re obviously keeping all the optimism alive, Lecy Goranson joked that fans probably won’t be witnessing Becky and Tyler sharing the aisle with other family members à la the Dan/Louise and Jackie/Neville wedding. In her words:

Showrunner Bruce Helford and executive producer Dave Caplan, who recently teased upcoming storylines involving Louise and Bev, told me at the end of Season 5 that they were indeed hoping to get Sean Astin back in the future, albeit without knowing at the time how much the SAG-AFTRA strike was going to disrupt the industry. Here’s how they put it back in May 2023:

So if there’s anyone out there who has their own potential love interest that they hope to get closer with in the coming months, just have The Conners’ creative team script it out, and it might just work like a charm. 

To see just how long-term that relationship might be, tune into new episodes of The Conners every Wednesday night on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET, which are streaming the next day with a Hulu subscription.

When scripted series return to TV following all the New Year’s Day celebrations, it’ll likely feel like Christmas all over again, with hits such as The Conners and other ABC faves forced to delay new seasons due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. So while Season 6 didn’t get a fall debut, audiences can take comfort in knowing Dan, Darlene, Becky and more will be back on the small screen relatively soon, with the first trailer shining a little light on what’s coming for ABC viewers (and those with Hulu subscriptions). So let’s dive in!

Sean Astin's Return As Becky's New Boyfriend

Easily the biggest takeaway from this first look at The Conners Season 6 is the all-out confirmation that Sean Astin’s Tyler will indeed be back in this family’s inner circle when new episodes arrive. As many fans are aware, the Stranger Things and Goonies vet first appeared as new love interest Tyler back in April ahead of the Season 5 finale, and was introduced as a FedEx pilot who rather quickly hit it off with Lecy Goranson’s Becky.

It wasn’t just Becky that took a liking to Tyler, either, as their potential relationship also sparked some love within the fanbase. A happy and healthy relationship is exactly what Becky has been missing in recent seasons, as each hint of happiness she comes across ends up tainted in some way, occasionally even by her own actions. 

And I’d say Tyler appears to be getting on quite well with the fam-fam in the trailer above, as he’s already been welcomed into the kitchen table poker game. Plus, he’s confident enough to amusingly make threats about liberating Dan from both his money and his first-born. No sign of anything going south there, either, which is perfect. 

When CinemaBlend spoke with The Conners’ executive producers Bruce Helford (showrunner) and Dave Caplan ahead of the Season 5 finale, they were already pretty confident about being able to expand on Tyler and Becky’s future in later episodes, with Helford saying:

Of course, the WGA strike started up soon after that interview took place, which threw wrenches into the works for not just The Conners, but the entire entertainment industry. But while there certainly could have been updates that got in the way of Astin's return, Helford and Caplan apparently worked whatever magic was needed to make the scheduling work. In Tyler we trust. (No, not Tyler Durden, but just in this one instance.)

• RELATED: The Conners' EPs And Star Lecy Goranson Hilariously Had Same Idea For Disney Theme Park Ride Based On The Sitcom
• RELATED: The Conners Bosses On Bringing Those Guardians Of The Galaxy References Into Season 5 Finale
• RELATED: The Conners EPs Talk Dealing With David's Story In Season Finale, Why Johnny Galecki's Absence Worked For Mark And Ben

The Conner Family Looks Too Happy, And I'm Not Comfortable With It

I say this partially in jest, but something feels off about the fact that The Conners' first look at Season 6 is almost entirely smiling faces and studio audience laughter. This sitcom's own sense of logic dictates that if something extremely positive like Sean Astin's Tyler is teased, an opposite-but-equal force of devestation is almost certainly lurking around the corner. 

For the majority of broadcast sitcoms, this wouldn't be so much of an issue, but The Conners has very steadily trudged along with a firm balance between positive-minded plotting and dramatic stings, with plenty of hilarious self-deprecation in the mix. So for ABC to promote Season 6 with a teaser full of laughter, charm and glee? I think we're dealing with a Trojan Horse situation. 

The only moment in the trailer that may legitimately point to a less jubilant moment is when Darlene tells Dan, “I’m scared, Daddy.” But even that bit features laughter in the background, presumably sparked by the use of “Daddy,” so it doesn’t seem like it’s leading into anything too bonkers. 

At this point, it’s entirely possible that Season 6 will be The Conners’ final outing, with John Goodman and co-stars having discussed the show ending with more frequency in the past year or so. Which I think more or less feeds into my light-hearted worries about what’s on the way. There’s no way this show is going to bow out without at least one or two more genuinely heartbreaking plotlines. 

The easiest guess to make would be that something awful will happen to Estelle Parsons’ Bev, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s during one of Season 5’s most emotional eps. I fully thought she was going to be killed off in the aftermath, but that thankfully didn’t happen. (Yet, anyway.) Otherwise, I’m not quite sure who else could be targeted with bad news in Season 6, and I don’t even want to think about it, lest anything come true.

Fans hoping to see more of the family on the small screen can take comfort in The CW’s recent announcement that it now holds the rights to eps from the first five seasons, and will thus be airing back-to-back Conners repeats starting in January.

The Conners Season 6 will debut on ABC starting on Wednesday, February 7, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Head to our 2024 TV premiere schedule to see what other new and returning shows will be arriving soon.

The phrase “former child star” is most often associated with someone who was famous when they were much younger, but is not quite as well-known — or, perhaps, does not even act anymore — as a grown-up. Yet, for every starlet who has risen and fallen, there are just as many who have beaten the odds and have gone onto bigger and better things as adults, like these beloved celebrities.

Macaulay Culkin

The first person you might think of when you think of “former child stars” could be Macaulay Culkin, who was on top of the world when he led the original Home Alone cast as Kevin McCallister. While his notoriety would slow in subsequent years, it is always a treat to see him show up in ensembles like the American Horror Story Season 10 cast or Kid Cudi’s Entergalactic cast.

Lukas Haas

Lukas Haas was one of the most acclaimed young actors of his time with leading roles in 1985’s Witness, opposite Harrison Ford, and the underrated ghost story, Lady in White, from 1988. He has since made a living taking smaller roles in otherwise big movies like Inception and Babylon, plus he's shown up on TV shows like The Righteous Gemstones and War of the Worlds.

Jurnee Smollett

With an Emmy nomination for HBO’s Lovecraft Country, a scene-stealing role in DC’s Birds of Prey, and a stellar turn in Amazon Prime’s The Burial, Jurnee Smollett has established herself as one of the strongest talents of her time. However, that was already clear with her recurring role in Full House and her astonishing performance in 1997’s acclaimed Black horror movie, Eve’s Bayou, when she was still a child.

Jason Bateman

From his debut role on Little House on the Prairie to his years on the sitcom Valerie (which would become The Hogan Family), Jason Bateman showed great versatility as a performer in his younger years. He has upheld that reputation ever since, as seen by his Emmy-nominated work leading the Arrested Development cast and, later, the Ozark cast. His ability to shift from starring in funny movies like Horrible Bosses to dramas like Air is remarkable.

Dakota Fanning

Racking up more than 20 credits before she turned 10, Dakota Fanning was everywhere in the early 2000s — catching the attention of filmmakers like Steven Spielberg for War of the Worlds and holding her own against actors like Robert DeNiro in Hide and Seek. Save her age, nothing much has changed for the actor, who appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood cast and reunited with her Man on Fire co-star, Denzel Washington, in 2023’s The Equalizer 3.

Ryan Gosling

A 13-year-old Ryan Gosling entered show business as a Mouseketeer, paving the way for him to star in back-to-back scary anthology TV shows for kids (Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Goosebumps), lead Young Hercules, and more. Leading 2004’s The Notebook cast paved the way for him to be an action hero in Drive and Blade Runner 2049. On top of all that, he also earned Oscar nominations for Half Nelson and La La Land, and made us laugh as part of the The Nice Guys ensemble and the Barbie cast as Ken.

Brie Larson

After some faux ads on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show marked her debut at 9, Brie Larson went on to star in a family sitcom with the late Bob Saget (Raising Dad), was in a YA novel adaptation (Hoot), and she even had a singing career in her teens. Now, she is a comic book movie star (for appearing in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and playing the MCU’s Captain Marvel), and she has an Oscar for Room from 2015.

Kenan Thompson

On All That — Nickelodeon’s answer to Saturday Night Live — one of the young cast’s most prominent breakouts was Kenan Thompson, who went on to co-lead his own kid-friendly sitcom with Kel Mitchell, aptly named Kenan & Kel. The Emmy winner went on to break the record for longest-running SNL actor and lead his own adult sitcom, Kenan.

David Krumholtz

After making his debut playing a child actor in 1993’s Life with Mikey, David Krumholtz became a prominent child actor with roles in Addams Family Values as Wednesday’s love interest and Tim Allen’s head elf, Bernard, in The Santa Clause. The crime procedural, Numb3rs, earned him greater recognition, leading to a career that includes lending his voice to Sausage Party, appearing in the Oppenheimer cast, and reprising Bernard on Disney+’s series, The Santa Clauses.

Neil Patrick Harris

Playing a kid genius on Doogie Howser M.D. made Neil Patrick Harris a household name, which he acknowledged when he later played himself in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Of course, the five-time Emmy winner is better known today as Barney Stinson from the How I Met Your Mother cast, Count Olaf on Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and so much more.

Josh Brolin

At 17, first-time actor Josh Brolin immediately made his mark on pop culture as part of the Goonies cast in the role of Brand Walsh. However, he really got heads turning at 39 when he starred in one of the best movies of the 2000s, No Country for Old Men. The son of Hollywood veteran James Brolin has an Oscar nomination for Milk and multiple comic book movie roles under his belt (Jonah Hex, MCU’s Thanos, and Cable in Deadpool 2), among other great achievements. 

Haley Joel Osment

After debuting in Forrest Gump and starring on The Jeff Foxworthy Show, Haley Joel Osment’s Oscar-nominated performance in, arguably, the best M. Night Shyamalan movie, 1999’s The Sixth Sense, made him a sensation. He went on to earn leading parts in Pay It Forward and Steven Spielberg’s A.I.: Artificial Intelligence. More recently, Osment has been known to pop up in the most unexpected places — Kevin Smith’s Tusk, a guest role on The Boys, Netflix's animated fantasy series Dogs in Space, to name a few — but always with grand results.

Ethan Hawke

After debuting in Joe Dante’s Explorers at 15, Ethan Hawke only grew in prominence in his later teens and throughout his 20s by starring in Dead Poets Society, Reality Bites, etc. He went on to earn Academy Award nominations for Training Day and Boyhood. He completed Richard Linklater’s Before Trilogy with 2013’s Before Midnight, became a Scream King with great horror movies like Sinister, and he's done a fair amount of work behind the scenes, too.

Abigail Breslin

Just four years after M. Night Shyamalan gave 6-year-old Abigail Breslin her big break with Signs, her role in the Little Miss Sunshine cast made her one of the youngest Oscar nominees of all time. As she matured, so would her roles — such as a teenage murder suspect in Stillwater or a vigilante in the Accused cast for Fox.

Mayim Bialik

Mayim Bialik stole the show from the Big Bang Theory cast as Amy Farrah Fowler and later led Fox’s Call Me Kat in the title role. However, the Jeopardy! host’s status as sitcom royalty dates back to the ‘90s as the star of Blossom.

Brenda Song

Perhaps Brenda Song’s most iconic character is London Tipton from the Suite Life franchise — which is just one of the roles that made her a prominent Disney Channel star. Beyond the children’s cable giant, she was in one of the best David Fincher movies, The Social Network, led Netflix’s Secret Obsession, and had a main role in Hulu’s Dollface.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Despite being removed for disruptive behavior when making his show business debut on Romper Room at 3 years old (as he revealed to David Letterman), Leonardo DiCaprio went on to lead a winning child actor’s career that included a season on Growing Pains and an Academy Award nomination for What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Things would only get better as he grew up, earning even more Oscar nominations — and one win for The Revenant — and becoming as important to Martin Scorsese’s filmography as his This Boy’s Life co-star, Robert DeNiro, whom he reunited with in 2023’s Killers of the Flower Moon.

Tyler James Williams

Tyler James Williams started out appearing on Sesame Street before landing the title role of Chris Rock’s autobiographical sitcom, Everybody Hates Chris. Following an acclaimed indie comedy (Dear White People) and a recurring role on the Walking Dead cast, the actor became sitcom royalty again when he joined the Abbott Elementary cast, which earned him multiple Emmy nods.

Kurt Russell

Former Disney star Kurt Russell made his feature debut in 1963’s It Happened at the World’s Fair alongside Elvis Presley, and he went on to play him in a made-for-TV biopic and Forrest Gump. Several great movie roles later, Russell is one of the top action heroes of all time, and now he's working with his family by joining the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters cast alongside his son, Wyatt, who is playing his younger self.

Jodie Foster

After getting her start on TV at a very young age (the first gig being The Doris Day Show), Jodie Foster got a head start on the more mature roles she would become known for when she appeared in Taxi Driver at 14. The two-time Academy Award winner (for The Accused and Best Picture Oscar winner The Silence of the Lambs) would continue to work from both in front of and behind the camera.

Johnny Galecki

In 1989, 14-year-old Johnny Galecki appeared as Rusty in the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation cast, and he also starred in another holiday classic, Prancer. I would not be surprised if many did not realize that Leonard from The Big Bang Theory was the same actor, but they were likely more hip to that fact by the time he reprised his role from Roseanne, David Healy, on The Conners.

Miranda Cosgrove

Even with Jack Black in the lead, Miranda Cosgrove stole the show in 2003’s School of Rock, and she went on to do the same thing as the evil Megan in the Nickelodeon sitcom, Drake & Josh. One of her most notable credits as an adult was a Paramount+ exclusive revival of iCarly — another Nickelodeon show she led as a teen.

Keke Palmer

Her bombastic debut role in Barbershop 2: Back in Business made it clear that then-9-year-old Keke Palmer was a powerhouse talent. The Emmy winner would continue to demonstrate her skill as the lead of Akeelah and the Bee and much later in life as part of Jordan Peele’s Nope cast.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar

While Zach Morris from the Saved by the Bell cast is still the role he is best known for — he even reprised it in a Peacock exclusive revival — Mark-Paul Gosselaar managed to prove his versatility in later years. He had a successful stint as a detective on NYPD Blue, played a rebellious lawyer on Franklin & Bash, and an abusive captor in NBC’s Found.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Before starring on the great ‘90s TV show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Joseph Gordon-Levitt made multiple TV appearances and starred in classic movies like Angels in the Outfield and A River Runs Through It. These days, he is best known for his many collaborations with Rian Johnson, his Golden Globe-nominated turns in (500) Days of Summer and 50/50, and running the creative collaboration platform HitRecord.

Sean Astin

Before playing the title role of Rudy and starring in the Lord of the Rings movies as Sam, Sean Astin was best known as Mikey in The Goonies. In addition to his accomplished voice acting career, one of his most celebrated roles as of late is Bob Newby from the Season 2 cast of Stranger Things — a show very much inspired by The Goonies.

Kirsten Dunst

After making her film debut in star-studded The Bonfire of the Vanities, Kirsten Dunst really made an impression at 12 playing a 70-year-old bloodsucker in Interview with the Vampire. Starring in the Spider-Man movies as Mary Jane Watson swung her right into the A-list and, in 2022, she received an Academy Award nomination for The Power of the Dog.

Kieran Culkin

With his roles in the Home Alone movies and in Steve Martin movies (both parts of Father of the Bride), it seemed like Kieran Culkin was on his way to the same level of stardom as his brother, Macaulay. However, it was not until later in life when he was thrice Emmy-nominated for starring in HBO’s Succession cast that he became the star he was destined to be.

Selena Gomez

Before leading Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place made Selena Gomez a star, she got her start on Barney in the early 2000s. She now has two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her performance on Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building cast and a Daytime Emmy nod for her Max original cooking show, Selena + Chef.

Elle Fanning

Before breaking out in the Super 8 cast, Elle Fanning’s claim to fame for a while was starring as a younger version of sister, Dakota, in I Am Sam and Taken. Now, she has an Emmy nomination for leading Hulu’s The Great, which is just one of the many Victorian-era roles she has played in more recent years.

Christina Ricci

For years, Christina Ricci’s performance in Barry Sonnenfeld’s Addams Family movies was the definitive iteration of young Wednesday Addams. The Yellowjackets cast member got to revisit those days with her supporting role on Netflix’s Wednesday cast, opposite Jenna Ortega in the lead this time.

Danica McKellar

Some of the most memorably endearing moments from the original Wonder Years involved Danica McKellar’s Winnie Cooper and her puppy love relationship with Fred Savage as Kevin Arnold. Romance is a big part of the actor’s career these days, primarily appearing in popular Hallmark movies like Christmas She Wrote and Swing into Romance.

Knowing the kind of career they would one day lead, I am sure these celebrities wear their “former child star” identities as a badge of honor.

With The Conners Season 5 finale wrapping up with various family members celebrating the high school “graduations” they weren’t privy to in the past, it might have been a unique way for the network sitcom to close out entirely. Luckily for the show’s loyal fanbase, ABC is all about keeping its most popular comedy series around, with the Season 6 renewal officially getting announced this week amid all the cancellation news. What can we expect to see from the Lanford clan whenever new episodes arrive? If it looks like a happy Becky romance, and sounds like a happy Becky romance, I think we can assume that’s what it’ll be, assuming past guest star Sean Astin can make the scheduling work.

CinemaBlend talked with The Conners showrunner Bruce Helford and fellow executive producer Dave Caplan ahead of the Season 5 finale (and thus ahead of the now-ongoing WGA writers strike), and also ahead of ABC’s renewal announcement. But considering both of them are aware enough of how well the show has been doing for ABC, they talked with confidence about where they’re interested in taking the story next, and everything may be coming up roses for Lecy Goranson’s Becky and Sean Astin’s Tyler, who was first introduced as a possible love interest in the episode “What's So Funny About Peas, Love and Understanding?” Here’s how Helford teased things: 

What what? Becky Conner in an actual loving and romantic relationship for the long haul that (presumably) won’t involve potential deportation or an unplanned pregnancy from freezer sex? That sounds like a winner on all fronts, since Becky has gone through a whole lot of hardships and emotional wrangling without many avenues to long-lasting happiness. Obviously her and Emilio’s daughter Beverly Rose counts as one, but since she’s not always in Becky’s care, even she feels like less of a permanent source of glee. 

But it was very clear from Episode 520 that Becky and Tyler shared a connection that felt as if it extended to the actors themselves successfully bonding in the relatively short amount of time Sean Astin was available for filming. To that end, Dave Caplan said they also feel Becky is now at a centered place where she’s ready to take on a serious romance from a sensible perspective.

For as much as The Conners’ producers probably wanted the best from bringing Sean Astin into the cast, especially since the show is a proven magnet for awesome guest stars, it sounds like Bruce Helford & Co. weren’t initially hooked to the idea of bringing Tyler in on a more permanent basis. Rather, it sounds like everyone’s experiences filming the episode led to further conversations about where that storyline could go. In his words: 

As awesome as all of the above is, we’ll close things out on a slightly more bittersweet note, with Dave Caplan sharing hopes for a lack of setbacks from the writers strike, not realizing it would soon derail the networks’ Fall TV lineup, with all scripted shows being currently held for midseason debuts.  

Somehow I doubt the strike counts as something they all wanted to do, but if anything, here's hoping it leads to the best storylines possible being conceived, if not yet put to paper. As well, nobody ask Sean Astin to be in any giant movies where he would have to turn down The Conners. Please, and thank you.

While waiting to see when The Conners will return to audiences for Season 6, fans can rewatch all of Season 5 with a Hulu subscription.

The end of the 2022-2023 TV season is fast approaching, which means shows raising stakes ahead of summer hiatus. For The Conners on ABC, that means casting none other than Lord of the Rings and Goonies alum Sean Astin as Becky’s potential new love interest. Astin coming on board seems like a big move for the sitcom, but is there any hope of him returning to the show after his debut episode? 

Sean Astin is slated to debut on The Conners on Wednesday, April 19 in what will be the third-to-last episode of the show’s fifth season, according to TVLine. The episode will reportedly feature Jackie and Louise attempting to find Becky a new romantic interest, which should be interesting in light of the drama involving Louise and Becky recently when Becky was called a bad mom. 

While details about Astin’s character are few and far between, TVLine has revealed a video of him and Becky hitting it off at the Lobo Lounge. The context remains to be seen, but the two bond over the frustrations of dating and getting to know new people. The friendly conversation turns into what I would consider a “meet-cute” when Becky drops a reference to When Harry Met Sally and Astin’s character immediately gets it… and he has the wagon wheel coffee table from the ‘80s classic!

Personally, I’m already hoping that they hit it off enough that Becky (and in turn, viewers) get to see that wagon wheel coffee table, but there’s no word at the time of writing if Sean Astin will be back beyond the April 19 episode. The actor has appeared in sitcoms before, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine after it was rescued from cancellation, The Big Bang Theory, and Young Rock. 

At the same time, Astin is a pretty big name to sign on to even recur on a sitcom, and The Conners has brought in familiar faces for brief appearances before. In 2023 alone, the show has involved an “actors’ paradise” of guest stars, including Jaime Pressly, Jack McBrayer, and Whoopi Goldberg, who Lecy Goranson referred to as a “win-win-win-win-win” of a guest star. I can certainly imagine Sean Astin popping into The Conners for a one-off appearance. 

Still, I can’t ignore that Katey Sagal has recurred on the show after seeming like just a guest star at first, and she’s a big name to join a sitcom as well. Plus, given how unlucky Becky has been in love on top of all her other struggles, I’d just love to see her catch a break with a nice guy. Sure, it’s not guaranteed at this point that Sean Astin’s character won’t have a secret that boots him out of the “nice” category, but who doesn’t love Sean Astin? I’m still sad about his lovable character’s fate on Stranger Things!

Fortunately, the wait to see Astin on The Conners and discover whether or not he’s a good guy for Becky who could come back isn’t too long. His episode airs on Wednesday, April 19 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. If you’re in the market for some other TV options now that finale season is approaching, be sure to check out our 2023 TV premiere schedule.

The ‘80s were full of iconic movies that continue to remain relevant franchises today, such as Ghostbusters, Top Gun, Indiana Jones and The Karate Kid, but there have been a few that have surprisingly remained untouched by Hollywood’s love of sequels. Richard Donner’s 1985 movie, The Goonies, is a big example of this, but not for lack of trying. Goonies 2 has been a topic that's floated around for four decades now and there’s still no sequel where the adventurers could echo their iconic phrase, “Never say die!” With that on the brain, let’s break down what Steven Spielberg and the cast of The Goonies said about the sequel that has yet to happen.  

While the group of misfits at the center of The Goonies were just kids when the movie was produced, just about all of them are working actors today, and its writers, Steven Spielberg and Chris Columbus, continue to be huge players in Hollywood. These are their thoughts about a Goonies sequel over the years. 

Ke Huy Quan (Data)

Let’s start with the latest comment on the subject. Ke Huy Quan, who played Data at 13 years old, recently made a massive comeback to Hollywood with Everything Everywhere All At Once. As the actor recently shared, he quit being an actor once he grew up and found a lack of opportunities, but Crazy Rich Asians inspired him to give it another shot. Now he’s a Golden Globe winner and among 2023’s Oscar nominees. When the actor was asked about the status of Goonies 2 following his Golden Globe win, Quan said this: 

Goonies director Richard Donner died at the age of 91 back in 2021 and as the actor shared, he was the “captain” of their ship. That being said, the man behind Data sounds open to a sequel, if the right idea comes up. 

Sean Astin (Mikey) 

In the years following leading The Goonies, as Mikey, Sean Astin went on to find an even more iconic role in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as the Samwise to Elijah Wood’s Frodo. Even so, the actor is asked all the time about making another Goonies movie. When he appeared at Rose City Comic Con in September 2022, he said this about the proposition: 

Astin took a more optimistic approach to the whole thing, sharing his “hope” for Warner Bros. to make moves on another Goonies movie. He had a sense that it could still happen, but he’s had various opinions on the subject prior. Back in 2019, he told Collider that he thought him and his co-stars had “probably passed the threshold” for doing a sequel, but was okay with the idea of a reboot. And back in 2015, Astin said that he knew in his “guts” it would get made one day. 

Chris Columbus (Writer) 

Chris Columbus, who has also been behind classic movies like Gremlins, Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter movies, wrote the screenplay for The Goonies. Columbus spoke to behind-the-scenes development on a sequel that never came to be to Empire in 2021. In his words: 

The writer/director shared this a few months following Donner's death. With that in mind, it appears the original director had been doing the sequel in his mind just before he died, but the filmmakers never got together to think up ideas.  

Corey Feldman (Mouth)

You can also count Corey Feldman among The Goonies actors who are constantly asked about the sequel. Back in 2015, the actor had a seemingly major update on the whole thing, revealing that he and Sean Astin had co-written a pitch and taken it to Donner, but it needed “far too big a budget” for what they wanted to do. He called it an “Indiana Jones-type” movie that was “maybe too much.” When speaking again in 2021 about it to MovieWeb, Feldman had this to say: 

Adam F. Goldberg, who is behind comedy TV shows like The Goldbergs and The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers did, apparently, pitch to Richard Donner, per Slash Film, and has reportedly been trying to get a sequel made since 2005. Perhaps, he’ll still be successful someday, but for now, we haven’t heard anything new in years.

Jeff Cohen (Chunk)

Of The Goonies main cast, Jeff Cohen is one who did not go on to pursue acting. He instead has found success as an entertainment lawyer, and even represents Ke Huy Quan, as the actor revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in 2022. When looking back at his role as Chunk with Yahoo in 2015, here were Cohen’s thoughts on a sequel: 

Hey, that’s understandable. Not every child actor decides to actually get into Hollywood. And, technically, Cohen is in Hollywood, just not as an actor. So if a Goonies sequel did happen, it’s doubtful his Chunk would be part of it. 

Josh Brolin (Brand) 

Of The Goonies cast, Josh Brolin is likely the most notable and famous of them all. While Brolin has embraced his early role in the ‘80s movie in the past, he wasn’t optimistic about a sequel happening. Here’s what he told The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2014 regarding an update on Goonies 2: 

It must be frustrating for the actors involved to hear about these updates, but never have a movie come to be. 

Martha Plimpton (Stef)

Martha Plimpton, who played Stef in the movie, also wasn’t confident in the idea when she answered a question about it during a 2016 Reddit AMA prior to Donner’s death. In her words: 

It seems like Brolin and Plimpton shared this feeling that Goonies 2 was more of a tease over the years than a reality. That’s not to say they wouldn't be interested if the right script came along, however. 

Steven Spielberg (Writer/Producer)

Perhaps it’d be Steven Spielberg, who wrote the original story and produced it, who could finally get Goonies 2 off the ground? The latest from the legendary filmmaker came during a Goonies reunion that Josh Gad hosted in his 2020 Reunited Apart series. Here are Speilberg’s thoughts: 

There you have it. That really seems to be the spirit of what’s been going on (...err not going on). There just hasn’t been a good enough idea that has propelled anyone involved to greenlight a sequel. Perhaps one day it will happen! Hey, it took 36 years for a Top Gun sequel to come out. Goonies could be next someday. 

It’s hard to imagine The Lord of the Rings movies with any of the alternate casting that almost took hold, like how Stuart Townsend originally had the role of Aragorn before Viggo Mortensen stepped in. However, some concepts might have worked out in the long run, despite the entire lineup being stellar. 

The most recent case to that point comes from The Late Late Show host James Corden, who admits he auditioned for Peter Jackson’s trilogy, and was up for the role of Samwise. The more I think about this, the more it could have actually been perfect. This is with all due respect to Sean Astin, who played the role of Samwise Gamgee in the stellar The Lord of the Rings cast. 

Best friend and supportive rock to Elijah Wood’s Frodo, the character is the sort of person you’d want to have around on both your brightest and darkest days. And as James Corden told Josh Horowitz over at Happy Sad Confused, not only did he audition for that very part, he seemed to get pretty far into consideration: 

At the time that these auditions took place, the James Corden we all know today didn’t exist. This opportunity was long before he’d hosted an episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden, and it even predates one of his earliest successes as a member of the cast to the hit play The History Boys. 

So to have a young and fresh Corden playing the ever optimistic Sam could have been a special, star-making turn. Provided the actor could stand firm against Peter Jackson’s occasionally stoic but cutting criticisms, his variant of the role would have been the ultimate innocent in a time of great battle and sorrow. However, Sean Astin would win the role after all of the casting hoopla that almost saw other wild casting scenarios, like Sean Connery as Gandalf, come to life. 

While it was a long dormant brand at the time of its production, The Lord of the Rings was still a pretty hot property to be on the desk over at New Line Cinema. At that time, casting was key, and as we can see in the finished product, the casting choices were more than validated. 

History could have turned out way differently had James Corden landed this historic role. Then again, if The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power cast needs a Tom Bombadil in the future, Corden would definitely fit that bill to a tee. Even the actor’s detractors would have to agree, as much like the man himself, Mr. Bombadil is an upbeat character you either love or loathe. It's as if the universe has provided James Corden with another Hobbit sized door to walk through, provided that character factors into the new prequel series' plans.

Fans should prepare themselves, as The Late Late Show with James Corden ends in spring 2023. Though if you’re more into the Lord of the Rings side of this story, all you need return to Middle-Earth is a Prime Video subscription. Not only is the first season of Rings of Power available, but so are the complete Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, at the time of this writing. 

Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has finally arrived and, with it, has sadly come a wave of backlash from some viewers. Since its premiere, a number of viewers have taken to social media to express their displeasure, with some having made racist or misogynist remarks about certain characters. In turn, a number of fans have spoken out to condemn the comments that have been made. Now, the latest to stand up against the toxicity are none other than OG franchise star Elijah Wood and some of his co-stars/fellow hobbits.

Elijah Wood, lovingly known to fans for playing hobbit Frodo Baggins, teamed up with former Lord of the Rings co-stars Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd – who played Meriadoc Brandybuck and Pippen Took, respectively – to respond. Wood shared a photo to Twitter, which showed him and his colleagues sporting shirts that feature ears with various shades and an inclusive message written in Black speech. Check it out down below: 

I think “You Are All Welcome Here” is a message that just about all of us can get behind. The sentiment would be sweet coming from anyone, but it’s comforting that some of the franchise’s biggest stars are totally supportive of The Rings of Power and its characters. And on top of that, Sean Astin – who famously played Samwise Gamgee – also weighed in on Twitter. The beloved actor shared a photo of himself and, in it, he sports the same saying. Take a look for yourself:

Sean Astin, Elijah Wood and co. have a lot of love for J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely popular fantasy saga. Wood, who went to great lengths to get the role of Frodo, has shown love to the franchise quite a bit since Peter Jackson’s LOTR trilogy ended years ago. Astin also has fond memories from his time working on the acclaimed films and has also spoken about why he thinks fans connect with Sam. Considering all of this love and respect, it’s not surprising that they would support the series as it aims to be more inclusive. 

The Rings of Power notably features a Black elf and a Black female dwarf, which is a fresh direction for the classic franchise. On top of the racist remarks, the show’s lead character, Galadriel (played by Morfydd Clark), has also been the target of sexist sentiments. The show was getting review bombed so hard that Amazon stepped in and disabled reviews on Prime Video. Despite the response from some viewers, the Lord of the Rings show has received favorable reactions from critics, and notable creatives like Neil Gaiman have come to the streaming show’s defense. 

There’s definitely no room for any kind of prejudice when it comes to The Lord of the Rings, and any critiques motivated by specific biases shouldn’t be tolerated. Elijah Wood and co. clearly understand that, and I wouldn’t be surprised if even more of their former co-stars follow suit in showing support.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power drops new episodes on Fridays as part of the 2022 TV schedule. So if you’re eager to check it out, grab an Amazon Prime subscription.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring may have brought Middle Earth to our world in a very real, on-screen way just over 20 years ago, but the cast of the franchise is still bringing some major joy to the fandom. The four hobbits from the world-famous franchise recently reunited at a restaurant, and a nearby fan found himself dining in the shire as his day was totally made by eating near the Lord of the Rings reunion.

One fan had his geek dreams realized when he and his wife went to dinner and got sat next to not one, not two, but four Lord of the Rings hobbits. Frodo Baggins’ Elijah Wood and Samwise Gamgee’s Sean Astin were joined for dinner at the restaurant by none other than Pippin and Merry, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, respectively. You can check out the evidence of the Lord of the Rings hobbit reunion in Monaghan’s official Instagram post, below:

If you find yourself grinning from ear to ear when looking at the photo, don’t worry, you’re not the only one. The joy this photo brings is immeasurable, and it certainly looks like there was some major joy to be had while taking the photo as well. Just look at Dominic Monaghan’s face, it’s pure hobbit fun.

Peep that face peeking out behind Dominic Monaghan’s, though, and you’ll see an elated fan photobombing probably one of the most cherished images he’ll ever find himself in (sorry wedding photos and new baby births). Even cooler, though, is the fact that Monaghan gives him a shoutout in his photo caption.

The event wasn’t just captured once in this photo, though, because the photobomber himself basically live-tweeted the whole encounter. Even though he *swore* he wouldn’t intervene in their lowkey reunion, he totally did in the best way possible, as we get to kind of relive it through his many tweets. Here’s the words behind the first innocent post on fan Cam Olsen’s Twitter, stating he was totally “geeking out” over sharing a space with the four hobbits:

The tweet is followed by a string of tweets that update his followers, and now everyone who found the encounter between a man and his hobbit heroes to be as endearing as I do, on the developments of the dining experience. At one point he totally admits to photobombing a photo of the four Lord of the Rings stars, and finally sends out a tweet proving he was, in fact, not “playing it cool and all”:

I have no doubt in my mind the four Lord of the Rings stars totally noticed the fan freaking out over his salad at dinner, but their kindness in letting him come to them on his own terms is noted. While being recognized as a hobbit in public is probably a regular occurrence that comes with being a part of one of the most beloved franchises in the world, it’s got to feel good when fans thank you for your work and know your characters have connected with fans and have a place in their fantasy loving hearts. 

While we won’t see any of the hobbits in the now-named LOTR series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the massive budget of the Amazon production will still bring Middle Earth back in a new way for fans who still want more of the story the hobbits, and their actors, helped finish. We still have plenty of questions about the upcoming Lord of the Rings series, including the exact release date, but longtime fans and newcomers to the franchise will be able to stream the series when it does become available with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Although Frodo Baggins was the official ring-bearer of the Fellowship, many Lord of the Ring fans argue that Samwise Gamgee is the real MVP. Bilbo’s gardener-turner-adventurer is beside Frodo every step of the way, right until the very end in Mordor. But why do fans love Sam so much? Twenty years after The Fellowship of the Ring was released, actor Sean Astin still has a few ideas. 

In a recent interview with The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sean Astin reported that The Lord of the Rings is one of the top projects he’s asked to recount, and for good reason. Many fans have claimed that Sam’s tenacity has helped them endure periods of upheaval in their own lives. Sean Astin ascribes Sam’s importance to his unflappable spirit and comforting presence. He said: 

Sam has many memorable speeches throughout The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but none, perhaps, more compelling than his monologue at the end of The Two Towers. It is a moment when all seems lost, and Frodo laments that he will never be able to reach Mount Doom and destroy the Ring. Sam soothes Frodo’s fears by assuring him that even the darkest night will end, and that there are still things worth fighting for. Sean Astin’s character doesn’t just talk the talk, either. Every time Frodo feels tempted to give in to the Ring’s power, Sam is there to remind him of the importance of their mission. 

It only takes a look at the comments section on videos of Sam’s monologue to gauge his impact. Most of those clips are over a decade old, and yet many comments were posted during the pandemic. It’s clear that Sean Astin’s performance gave heart to many fans who were tired, burnt out, or frustrated by the situation. A recent repeat viewing of The Two Towers proves that, while the film was released almost two decades ago, the powerful message behind Sam’s speech is truly timeless. 

And don’t think Sean Astin takes the fans’ adoration for granted. The actor is fully aware of Sam’s impact, and he views his role with a healthy dose of reverence. He said: 

Sam was speaking out ahead of an appearance at the Steel City Con, but if you can't make that, you can relive the magic of Middle Earth by streaming The Lord of the Rings trilogy in its entirety on HBO Max. Feeling adventurous? You can also queue up the full extended edition of The Return of the King. 

The 1980s gave birth to some of the most iconic movies of all time and turned dozens of actors into international superstars and box office heavyweights. Names like Michael J. Fox, Holly Hunter, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Whoopi Goldberg are just a handful of great ‘80s actors who made an impact on movies, and pop culture in general, in one way or another. 

But with time, some of use have forgotten what the heroes and villains of those beloved ‘80s movies and TV shows have been up to in the decades since they made their mark on the world. Well, not any longer, as we have put together a rather comprehensive list of those familiar faces and what they’ve been up to all these years. 

Whoopi Goldberg

Throughout the 1980s, Whoopi Goldberg proved time and time again that she was a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, receiving multiple accolades and awards for movies like The Color Purple and Jumping Jack Flash. Even though she is not in as many high-profile movies as she was in the ‘80s and ‘90s, Goldberg has remained a major player in show business as one of the hosts of the long-running daytime talk show The View, with a major role in the 2021 adaptation of The Stand, and in the Amazon original series Harlem. 

Elisabeth Shue

The Karate Kid, Adventures in Babysitting, and Back to the Future Part II, are just a few iconic ‘80s movies Elisabeth Shue appeared in throughout the early stages of her career. The Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee (1995’s Leaving Las Vegas) is still doing what she does best all these years later, with a collection of movies and TV shows including Greyhound, The Boys, and most recently, Cobra Kai, in which she reprised her beloved character, Ali Mills. 

Judd Nelson

Judd Nelson, the Brat Pack member who made a name for himself with his portrayal of bad boy with a heart of gold John Bender in The Breakfast Club, has remained just as busy in the decades since he became an undeniable heartthrob. More recently, Nelson has provided voice work for animated series like Transformers: Power of the Primes and Ben 10: Omniverse, and appeared in movies like Dead Water and Girl in the Basement. He is set to appear in the upcoming remake of The Most Dangerous Game, per Deadline.

Michael J. Fox

There are few actors who can match the talent, charm, and likability of Michael J. Fox, and with movies like Back to the Future, Teen Wolf, and The Secret of My Success, it’s hard to deny that. Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1998, Fox remained busy in film and television throughout the first two decades of the 21st Century with appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Scrubs, and his own sitcom The Michael J. Fox Show. However, Fox stepped away from acting in November 2020 due to ongoing health issues, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Molly Ringwald

Between 1984 and 1986, Molly Ringwald appeared in Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Pretty in Pink, all of which are arguably some of the best ‘80s movies. Ringwald’s success continued through the ’90s, into the 2000s, and even today with roles in romantic comedies like The Kissing Booth franchise, Creepshow, and Riverdale, on which she portrays Mary Andrews. 

Chevy Chase

In the 1980s, Chevy Chase went from Saturday Night Live stand-out to one of the biggest box office draws with Caddy Shack, Fletch, and the National Lampoon’s Vacation franchise, to name only a few. All these years later, Chase remains a major star in the world of comedy with shows like Community and a list of movies that includes The Last Laugh, The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee, and Panda vs. Aliens.

Anthony Michael Hall

Michael Anthony Hall appeared in some of the biggest movies of the 1980s, including National Lampoon’s Vacation, Sixteen Candles, The Breakfast Club, and Weird Science, those final two coming out just months apart. Hall is just as busy these days with appearances in movies like the 2021 horror flick Halloween Kills and a list of TV shows that includes Riverdale, The Blacklist, and The Goldbergs.

Holly Hunter

Throughout the 1980s, Holly Hunter found success with a variety of roles, including standout performances in Raising Arizona, Broadcast News, and End of the Line, all of which came out in 1987. Over the years, Hunter has continued to bring characters to life in movies like The Big Sick, The Incredibles franchise, and multiple TV shows like The Comey Rule, Mr. Mayor, and Succession, to name only a few. 

Emilio Estevez

Emilio Estevez had only appeared in two of his father’s movies — Badlands and Apocalypse Now — by the time the 1980s kicked off, but he would be a major Hollywood force by the time the decade wrapped up, thanks to roles in The Outsiders, The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Young Guns. Estevez has spent much of the past decade-and-a-half writing and directing various film and television projects, but he did return to the small screen in 2021 to reprise his role of Gordon Bombay in the Disney+ series The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.

Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe became one of the biggest heartthrobs of the 1980s thanks to appearances in The Outsiders, St. Elmo’s Fire, and several other iconic movies. In the years since then, Lowe has found tremendous success on television, including shows like The West Wing, Parks and Recreation, and most recently, 9-1-1: Lone Star, a series he has led since its inception in 2020.

Val Kilmer

In the 1980s, Val Kilmer played an assortment of roles in movies like Top Secret!, Real Genius, Top Gun, and Willow, carving a place out for himself in the annals of Hollywood greats. That success would follow Kilmer throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, but the talented actor would face a major challenge later on when he was diagnosed with throat cancer, a battle that would end with him losing the ability to speak. Despite that, he released the heartfelt and enlightening documentary, Val, in 2021.

Ralph Macchio

Whether he was making us cry in The Outsiders or leaving us on the edges of our seats in The Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio gave it his all in the 1980s, turning out a number of box office hits. Since 2018, Macchio has once again been playing Daniel LaRusso, though instead of on the big screen, Cobra Kai is leg sweeping the competition on Netflix.

Winona Ryder

In the final two years of the 1980s, Winona Ryder made a name for herself with stellar performances in Beetlejuice, Heathers, and Great Balls of Fire!, and she has really not stopped since. Since 2016, Ryder has been one of the biggest stars of the Netflix series Stranger Things, which is slated to return for a fourth season at some point in 2022.

Ally Sheedy

The fifth and final member of The Breakfast Club cast to be featured on this list, Ally Sheedy was a massive star in the 1980s with movies like WarGames, St. Elmo’s Fire, Short Circuit, and several others. Sheedy’s most recent film appearance came in 2016 with a cameo in X-Men: Apocalypse.

Matt Dillon

In the 1980s, Matt Dillon starred in movies like The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, Drugstore Cowboy, and nearly a dozen others, cementing his place as one of the most prolific actors of the decade. Dillon hasn’t really slowed down all that much since then, with his most recent projects including titles like Land of Dreams, Capone, and Wes Anderson's mysterious upcoming movie, Asteroid City.

Jennifer Grey

Jennifer Grey will always be remembered as Frances “Baby” Houseman in Dirty Dancing, a role that capped off an impressive run that also included Red Dawn and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. More recently, though, Grey has been in movies like Untogether and Bittersweet Symphony as well as several TV shows including Dancing with the Stars (which she won), The Conners, and a three-episode arc on Grey’s Anatomy.

Jennifer Beals

Jennifer Beals became an international sensation upon the release of Flashdance in 1983, and she hasn’t really slowed down since then. Over the course of the past few decades, Beals has made appearances in successful movies and TV shows, including Swamp Thing, The L Word: Generation Q, and the Star Wars upcoming series The Book of Boba Fett for Disney+.

Lea Thompson

All the Right Moves, Red Dawn, Back to the Future, Howard the Duck, and Back to the Future Part II are just some of the movies that featured Lea Thompson in the 1980s, a decade that would kick off one hell of a career. Thompson has remained busy over the years and has even directed her fair share of projects. This list includes everything from The Goldbergs to Stargirl, and Mom to Young Sheldon, with multiple others in-between.

Eric Stoltz

Even though he was recast in Back to the Future, Eric Stoltz had and impressive run in the 1980s with Mask, Some Kind of Wonderful, and Say Anything…, to name only a few. That run of successes continued as the years went by and eventually turned into work for Stoltz behind the scenes, including directing credits on shows like Law and Order, Glee, and Madame Secretary, and movies like Class Rank and Confessions of a Teenage Jesus Jerk.

Lou Diamond Phillips

Lou Diamond Phillips will probably always be remembered for his performances in La Bamba and Stand and Deliver, and rightfully so, but the talented actor has made several other contributions over the years. Recently, Phillips has landed roles on Longmire, Blue Bloods, Fear the Walking Dead, Prodigal Son, and multiple other projects in film and television.

Mary Stuart Masterson

Mary Stuart Masterson, who would go on to lead movies like Fried Green Tomatoes and Benny and Joon in the 1990s, found success in the 1980s in Some Kind of Wonderful, Chances Are, and Immediate Family, to name only a few. Following a 13-year absence from the big screen, Masterson returned in 2017 with As You Were, which she followed up with Skin and Daniel Isn’t Real. More recently, Masterson had a main role on the ABC legal drama, For Life.

Kevin Kline

The 1980s were good to Kevin Kline, who appeared in The Big Chill, Silverado, Cry Freedom, and A Fish Called Wanda (a role that earned him an Academy Award), though the good times never really stopped for the versatile actor. In 2021 alone, Kline appeared in Here Today, The Starling, The Good House, and continued to provide the voice of Mr. Calvin Fischoeder on the hit animated series Bob’s Burgers. Still no word on a Dave sequel, though.

Sean Astin

Sean Astin made his film debut in The Goonies in 1985, and his career has been one of the most consistent in Hollywood ever since. The past 35-plus years have seen him show up in Rudy, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and countless other successful movies. His television career is just as impressive, with everything from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to Stranger Things, and Supergirl to Brooklyn Nine-Nine. 

Adrienne Barbeau

Adrienne Barbeau kicked off the 1980s with appearances in three of the best John Carpenter movies — The Fog, Escape from New York, and The Thing (she was the voice of the computer and only woman in the cast) — as well as other classics like Creepshow and The Cannonball Run. In recent years, Barbeau has appeared in TV adaptations of Swamp Thing and Creepshow, as well as American Horror Stories and Cowboy Bebop.

Jerry O'Connell

Jerry O’Connell gave an unforgettable performance as Vernon “Vern” Tessio in Rob Reiner’s Stephen King adaptation Stand By Me in 1986, one that people still talk about 35 years after the fact. O’Connell has remained quite busy over the years, with multiple animated films that have seen him voice Superman. On top of that, he has been featured on The Big Bang Theory, Carter, Star Trek: Lower Decks, and even his own daytime talk show, Jerry O’.

Corey Feldman

In the 1980s, Corey Feldman became one of the most dependable young actors, with movies like Gremlins, The Goonies, Stand By Me, The Lost Boys, and The ‘Burbs. Over the years, Feldman has appeared in countless movies, TV shows, and documentaries, with his most recent appearance being in the 2021 slasher 13 Fanboy, in which he plays a version of himself. He has also written a series of albums, including the 2021 release, Love Returns.

Patrick Dempsey

The 1987 release of Can’t Buy Me Love instantly made Patrick Dempsey a household name, and he hasn’t let go of his place in pop culture since. Whether it’s with Grey’s Anatomy or Enchanted (which has a sequel, Disenchanted, on the way), Dempsey has remained a dreamy leading man on the big screen and small screen alike, and it doesn’t look like he’s going anywhere anytime soon.

Steve Guttenberg

Between the Police Academy movies, Cocoon, and Short Circuit, it’s safe to say that Steve Guttenberg had a nice run in the 1980s, and lucky for him (and us), the hits never really stopped coming. In recent years, “The Gut” has balanced between comedy series like The Goldbergs and legal dramas like Roe v. Wade, with all kinds of other work to boot, including a 2020 appearance on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Zach Gilligan

Zach Gilligan’s run in Hollywood started with a little 1984 movie called Gremlins, which he followed up with Nothing Lasts Forever and Waxwork to close out the decade. Since then, Gilligan has appeared in countless film and TV roles, and even appeared as his Gremlins character (alongside Gizmo) in the Mountain Dew Super Bowl commercial.

Michael Winslow

Michael Winslow, also known as The Man of 10,000 Sound Effects, had an insane record in the 1980s, appearing in Spaceballs, Police Academy, Gremlins, and multiple other timeless classics. Winslow has continued to share his talents with the world in the decades since breaking out as one of the most talented beat-boxers around. In 2021, he even appeared on America’s Got Talent.

This may appear to be an exhaustive list of iconic '80s actors, but this is barely scratching the surface. Who knows, maybe we'll make another list of all the stars we forgot, or perhaps touch on those big names of the 1990s.

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With its thrilling and lovable mix of action, danger, mystery, and suspense, it's easy to see why Richard Donner's The Goonies became such a beloved '80s classic. From screenwriter Chris Columbus and executive producer Steven Spielberg, this fun and madcap family film is a delight to audiences young and old, and its nostalgic value hasn't ceased in the decades since its 1984 release. Starring Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, and Martha Plimpton, to name only a few of its child stars, the cult favorite jumpstarted the careers of several notable actors, though not everyone found the same fame. So, let's take this moment to see what The Goonies cast is doing now.

Unfortunately, several actors from this beloved movie, including John Matuszak, who played Sloth, and Mary Ellen Trainor, who played Irene Walsh, have since passed away. We'll take a moment to highlight Anne Ramsey's career towards the end of this article.

Sean Astin (Michael “Mikey” Walsh)

As Michael "Mikey" Walsh, the leader of this ragtag group of treasure seekers, Sean Astin plays the child protagonist in Richard Donner's beloved 1984 movie. Outside of this role, Astin is known for playing Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the titular character in Rudy. His other notable film credits include 50 First Dates, Click, Bulworth, Courage Under Fire, Encino Man, Toy Soldiers, The War of the Roses, Like Father Like Son, Memphis Belle, The Do-Over, and Gloria Bell. Additionally, Astin was Oscar-nominated for his 1995 short film, Kangaroo Court, which he also produced. He's also produced The Final Season, Do You Believe?, The Freemason, and Slipstream.

Furthermore, away from film, Sean Astin played Bob Newby in Netflix's Stranger Things and Lynn McGill in Fox's 24. He also starred in No Good Nick, The Strain, Special Agent Oso, Hercules, and Jeremiah. Most recently, Astin appeared in Hero Mode and the short film, Oh, the Guilt. Next, the actor will be seen in iMordecai and heard in Men & Witch.

Josh Brolin (Brandon “Brand” Walsh)

In the role of Brandon Walsh, i.e. "Brand," Mikey's athletic older brother, Josh Brolin found his first brushes of fame in this cult classic. Most notably, he was Oscar-nominated for his supporting turn in Milk. Furthermore, Brolin played Thanos in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. The actor also starred in No Country For Old Men, W., Men in Black 3, Labor Day, Oldboy, True Grit, Jonah Hex, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and the Sicario movies. Brolin's other film credits include Inherent Vice, Deadpool 2, Hollow Man, Only the Brave, Everest, Gangster Squad, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, American Gangster, Grindhouse, Mimic, The Mod Squad, The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter, and Hail, Ceasar!

Additionally, on TV, Josh Brolin starred in ABC's The Young Riders. He also appeared in Mister Sterling, Private Eye, and Winnetka Road. Next, Brolin will be seen in Flag Day, which premiered at Cannes, and Dune. He'll also star in Amazon Prime's Outer Range.

Corey Feldman (Clark “Mouth” Devereaux)

Playing the part of Clark Devereaux, better known as "Mouth" for his cheeky tongue, Corey Feldman received one of his most famous roles in The Goonies. As a child actor, Feldman starred in Stand By Me, Gremlins, Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, The Lost Boys, License to Drive, The 'Burbs, and Dream a Little Dream. His other film credits include Meatballs 4, Voodoo, Maverick, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1, Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!, Time After Time, and Lost Boys: The Tribe and The Thirst. Additionally, Feldman is heard in The Fox and the Hound and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I and III. He was also the director and star of Busted.

Outside of acting, Corey Feldman has six albums to his name. He's also the author of Coreyography: A Memoir. Most recently, Feldman lent his voice to Age to Stone and Sky: The Sorcerer Beast. Next, he'll be seen in 13 Fanboy and Tales from the Dead Zone.

Jeff Cohen (Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen)

As Lawrence "Chunk" Cohen, the portly, often berated, and serial fabulist member of The Goonies, Jeff Cohen played the comedic relief in Richard Donner's cult classic. The film remains his only theatrical release. Cohen also appeared in TV movies like Little Shots and Ask Max. Additionally, he lent his voice to Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School.

Furthermore, on television, Jeff Cohen provided guest star appearances in Family Ties, The Facts of Life, Webster, Kids Incorporated, Amazing Stories, She's the Sheriff, and Tales from the Darkside. He can also be heard in Popeye and Son. In 1991, Cohen ended his acting career with Disney Channel's Perfect Harmony. Since then, the former child star became an entertainment lawyer, co-founding his own Beverly Hills firm. He also produced Motown Live, The Living Century, and Rise and Fall of Tuck Johnson.

Jonathan Ke Huy Quan (Richard “Data” Wang)

In the role of Richard Wang, i.e. "Data," an amateur gadget fanatic, Jonathan Ke Huy Quan plays a quick-thinking and tech-savvy character in The Goonies. Most famously, Quan is known for his role as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. His other film credits include Encino Man, Breathing Fire, Red Pirate, It Takes a Thief, Passenger, Cousin Dave Stole the Cookie, and Second Time Around. Additionally, on television, Quan starred in ABC's Head of the Class. The child actor also appeared in Together We Stand, Tales from the Crypt, and The Big Eunuch and the Little Carpenter.

Additionally, outside of acting, Jonathan Ke Huy Quan worked as an assistant fight choreographer and stunt rigger for X-Men. He was also an assistant director to the action choreography on The One, as well as a stunt coordinator on 2009's short film, Engima. Furthermore, Quan was the editor and cinematographer for 1999's short film, Voodoo. Earlier this year, following a nearly two-decade retirement from acting, Quan was seen in Finding 'Ohana. Next, he'll appear in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Kerri Green (Andrea Theresa “Andy” Carmichael)

Playing the part of Andrea Theresa "Andy" Carmichael, Brand's love interest, Kerri Green made her acting debut in this beloved '80s favorite. Following this film, the actress appeared in Summer Rental, Lucas, Three for the Road, and Blue Flame. Additionally, on TV, Green was a guest star on Mad About You, ER, Law & Order: SVU, Cafe American, Tainted Blood, The Burden of Proof, In the Heat of the Night, and Murder, She Wrote.

Moreover, Kerri Green can be seen in The Magical World of Disney, ABC Afterschool Specials, and Tainted Blood. Away from acting, she wrote, produced, and directed 1999's Bellyfruit, which was made through her film production company, Independent Women Artists. Meanwhile, on the screen, Green was last seen in 2012's Complacent.

Martha Plimpton (Stephanie “Stef” Steinbrenner)

As Stephanie Steinbrenner, a.k.a. "Stef," Andy's best friend, Martha Plimpton plays a fellow adventure-seeker in The Goonies. Most notably, Plimpton won an Emmy for her work as Patti Nyholm in CBS's The Good Wife. She was also Emmy-nominated for her lead role in Fox's Raising Hope and her guest turn in Law & Order: SVU. Additionally, Plimpton received Tony nominations for The Coast of Utopia, Top Girls, and Pal Joey.

Furthermore, Martha Plimpton's other notable film credits include Parenthood, The Mosquito Coast, Running on Empty, Shy People, 200 Cigarettes, Remember Me, Pecker, Beautiful Girls, I Shot Andy Warhol, Samantha, Stanley & Iris, Rollover, Another Woman, and Stars and Bars. Moreover, the actress lent her voice to Frozen II and Hair High. Additionally, on television, Plimpton was the star of ABC's The Real O'Neals and she appeared in Brockmire, The Blacklist, Younger, How to Make It In America, ER, Grey's Anatomy, Medium, and Fringe. Most recently, she starred in HBO Max's Generation. Next, Plimpton will lead Mass, which premiered at this year's Sundance Film Festival.

Robert Davi (Jake Fratelli)

In the role of Jake Fratelli, Mama Fratelli's intimidating counterfeiter son, Robert Davi plays a menacing antagonist in this '80s staple. Having appeared in over 130 movies, Davi is best known for his performances in Die Hard, License to Kill, Predator 2, and Showgirls. His other notable film credits include The Hot Chick, In the Mix, Kill the Irishman, The Expendables 3, Cops and Robbersons, Son of the Pink Panther, Maniac Cop 2, Raw Deal, City Heat, and Action Jackson. Davi also wrote, produced, directed, and starred in The Dukes and produced and directed Magic. Additionally, on TV, he can be seen in Stargate: Atlantis, Profiler, The Gangster Chronicles, and St. Elsewhere.

Most recently, Robert Davi appeared in Roe v. Wade. Next, he'll be seen in a number of movies, including Big Life, Spring Break '83, I Love Us, Four Cousins and a Christmas, 8 Winds, Night of the Falling Skies, Under the Dark, The Lurking Fear, Reagan, Dark Angels: The Demon Pit, and The Man Who Drew God. He'll also star in Paper Empire.

Joe Pantoliano (Francis Fratelli)

Playing the part of Francis Fratelli, Mama Fratelli's other son, Joe Pantoliano provided a notable supporting turn in The Goonies. A prominent character actor with over 100 credits on his resume, Pantoliano's most famous film credits include The Matrix, Memento, La Bamba, Bound, The Fugitive, Risky Business, and the Bad Boys movies. Additionally, he provided supporting turns in Daredevil, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, Ready to Rumble, U.S. Marshals, Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Black and White, Baby's Day Out, Midnight Run, Running Scared, and Empire of the Sun.

Additionally, on TV, Joe Pantoliano won an Emmy for his portrayal of Ralphie Cifaretto in HBO's The Sopranos. He can also be seen in Hill Street Blues, MAS*H, The Fanelli Boys, NYPD Blue, EZ Streets, The Handler, How to Make it in America, and Sense8. The actor also wrote two books, including 2013's Asylum, and founded the nonprofit, No Kidding, Me Too! Most recently, Pantoliano guest-starred on MacGyver. Next, he'll be seen in Short Straw, Spring Break '83, Hide and Seek, and the short film, Man of War.

Anne Ramsey (Mama Fratelli)

As Mama Fratelli, the menacing and ruthless crime matriarch, Anne Ramsey gave arguably her most famous performance in this '80s favorite. She was also Oscar-nominated for her supporting turn in Throw Momma from the Train. Her other movie credits include Scrooged, Any Which Way You Can, Goin' South, National Lampoon's Class Reunion, Dr. Hackenstein, Weeds, Love at Stake, Deadly Friend, Meet the Hollowheads, and Homer and Eddie. Additionally, on TV, Ramsey can be seen in ALF, Hill Street Blues, Knight Rider, Wonder Woman, CHiPs, Charlie's Angels, Laverne & Shirley, Three's Company, Family Ties, Night Court, Ironside, and Murder She Wrote. In 1988, following the return of her esophageal cancer, Rasmey passed away. She was 59.

Stream The Goonies on Peacock.

Samwise himself, Sean Astin, joins ReelBlend this week for a wonderful interview all about The Lord Of The Rings. It's rare that you get to interview a cast member of a beloved franchise, and even more rare to get to interview about said franchise. We had a blast chatting with Astin about his last scene on set, gallivanting about New Zealand with a cool guy like Ian McKellen, the time Peter Jackson crushed him with a single note, and so much more. It really turned out to be a highlight reel of awesome Lord Of The Rings stories.

In the bulk of the show, we discuss Wonder Woman 1984's move to HBO Max. (Note: this was recorded before the bombshell news of Warner Bros. 2021 slate. More on that next week.) Sean and Jake were able to interview George Clooney recently, and so they gush about the process and his unbelievable levels of charm before getting into the movies dropping this week.

Finally, we celebrate Angela Bassett's staggering talent and career with our BlendGame. Next week, we're looking at our favorite directors who started as actors, be sure to play along with "#ActorTurnedDirectorBlend" on Twitter.

This Week In Movies

• The Prom (Netflix)
• Mank (Netflix)
• Sound of Metal (Amazon Prime Video)
• Nomadland (limited)
• Half Brothers
• All My Life

Timestamps (approx. only)

• 5:30 - Weekly Poll: Which December release are you most excited for?
• 12:35 - Sean Astin Interview
• 39:35 - Wonder Woman 1984 to HBO Max
• 47:06 - David Prowse (Darth Vader) Passing
• 54:23 - Interviewing George Clooney
• 1:04:28 - This Week In Movies
• 1:21:04 - BlendGame
• 1:36:30 - Listener Review/Outro

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When is a tennis ball not a tennis ball? The bizarre answer, in Hollywood, is that a tennis ball is not a tennis ball when it’s attached to the end of a long stick, and is supposed to be the stand in for a creature, a dinosaur, or a giant spider that will be added in post-production after the fact. We hear these stories often from actors, about the struggle to act opposite a creature that isn’t in the scene with you. Motion-capture experts like Andy Serkis have helped to bridge that gap, putting Gollum into key Lord of the Rings scenes opposite actors like Elijah Wood and Sean Astin. But sometimes the actor needs to really pretend, and Astin tells a story about when (and why) that became too difficult to do.

Press play on the video about to hear Sean Astin tell the ReelBlend guys about a time he struggled to see the fantasy through the reality on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. It’s a candid and wonderful story about the difficulties of acting.

One thing that Sean Astin took a lot of pride in while filming the Lord of the Rings trilogy with Peter Jackson and his colleagues is that he felt like he’d mastered the art of seeing beyond the tennis ball. Yes, in practicality, the hobbit actors often were acting alongside something that wasn’t there. But that’s the power of make believe, and Astin says that he was very good at it. He explained:

It was easier on the first film, The Fellowship of the Ring, according to Sean Astin. Because he went on to recall a time during the filming when that imagination wasn’t coming to him as easily. The trappings of suddenly being in a wildly successful and popular film series was distracting him. He only saw the tennis ball now, and that could have been a problem.

Astin singles out a sequence that they were working on for the second Lord of the Rings film, The Two Towers. His character, Samwise, confronts to massive spider creature Shelob. It was a tough, physical shoot, as Astin recalls:

And at some point in that process, Sean Astin admits he was getting distracted. He couldn’t “see” the spider in the scene.

What a fascinating confession from a skilled and dedicated actor about how complicated it can be to maintain the level of commitment and professionalism required, during a grueling shoot, to get the shot. And Astin admits that they DID get the shot:

Judge for yourself. Here’s the sequence. We think it looks pretty amazing:

The Lord of the Rings trilogy currently is available on 4K in one package.

The Lord of the Rings is an emotional trilogy of films. The journey of the Fellowship is long and full of peril and by the end of it all the audience certainly feels like they went along for the ride. In the end, if the movie has done its job, the audience has probably shed some tears more than once, but Sean Astin recently revealed to us which scene in the films actually makes him cry, and while the reason makes perfect sense, it may not be a moment you're expecting.

Sean Astin recently appeared on our own Reelblend podcast in support of the upcoming 4K Blu-ray release of both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, and he told our hosts that the scene that gets to him whenever he sees it, is near the end of The Return of the King, when the new King Aragorn tells the hobbits they need bow to no one, and then everybody bows to them. The moment had a special significance to Astin, as it was literally the last thing he filmed for the trilogy, and it brings a tear to his eye. According to the actor...

After spending so much time in New Zealand making three movies, an undertaking in film never seen before or since, this one moment signified the completion of everything that Sean Astin and the other Hobbit actors had been doing. It's certainly an emotional moment in the film itself, but there's a whole other level of emotion in it for Astin. Here's that moment, and yeah, even without Sean Astin's personal experience, it's still a quite emotional moment.

On the one hand, this scene where all the people are bowing to the little hobbits makes sense as the last thing the actors might film. Although, to hear Sean Astin explain it, the scene was actually somewhat unusual. The hobbits are actually just standing in front of green screen so the crowd surrounding them doesn't exist. It was, in the end, an incredibly simple thing for the hobbit actors to shoot, which is perhaps why it was left for last, though the circumstances sound less than perfect. Astin goes on...

If you can't see your family on Thanksgiving due to pandemic, maybe marathon The Lord of the Rings again and remember all these great moments. Or, if you need to watch it in glorious 4K, (and really, who doesn't?) You can pick up the whole trilogy that way on December 1.

By every definition, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was a labor of love. Tough love, even. Peter Jackson had a vision for the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved and classic novels. And if a cast member was falling short of delivering on the promise of said films, Jackson wasn’t afraid to make that point clear.

Sean Astin recently joined the ReelBlend podcast to talk about his time in New Zealand with Peter Jackson and his Lord of the Rings cohorts. Astin, of course, played loyal Hobbit Samwise Gamgee, who accompanied Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) on an epic quest to destroy The One Ring. Filming the movies was an epic quest all of its own, and in walking us down memory lane on the making of the films (which are being released as a 4K Ultra HD set on December 1), Astin remembered one difficult detour that few actors like to experience. He remembers a time that Jackson had to call him out, with a “brutal” piece of direction. Astin tells us:

Sean Astin stopped short of telling us the specific scene in which this happened, though he did imply in his conversation that it happened while filming on the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring. I immediately followed up to ask Aston if he had ever heard that from a director before. Remember, before venturing to the Shire, Astin had been a Goonie, and was Rudy in a beloved sports drama. But he was quick to admit to us that, at that moment, he needed to hear that from his director:

It worked! The Lord of the Rings movies ended up being a generational hit, eventually earning a slew of Oscars including Best Picture for the trilogy’s conclusion, The Return of the King. Fans will want to make sure they have the very best versions of the film by grabbing that 4K copy when it hits streets on December 1.

By now, you're familiar with the cast of Stranger Things. The Netflix series is one of the most popular programs on TV — on their service or otherwise — and it has propelled the careers of pretty much everyone involved, most notably including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and David Harbour. 

Through the continued pop culture staying power of the streaming series, the Stranger Things cast members have branched off into their own individual film and TV projects, many of which show the expansive talents of the ensemble through dynamic performances. Some of these movies were big crowdpleasers, while others were smaller movies that might've slipped past the public. Whether blockbusters or indie joints, the cast members continue to prove their talents in several noteworthy projects. With that said, we'll take this time to highlight some of these finest film performances for fans looking for something to watch before Season 4 drops.

Millie Bobby Brown - Godzilla: King of the Monsters (HBO Max)

Though it didn't exactly meet critical expectations, particularly following the roaring success of 2014's Godzilla, Godzilla: King of the Monsters was a huge step forward for Millie Bobby Brown as an actress. Gaining a great deal of recognition for her great performance in Stranger Things, including an Emmy nomination, King of the Monsters was Brown's first starring vehicle, serving as the bright young eyes exploring the wondrous creatures roaming the city and skies in the wake of Godzilla's earth-shaking arrival. 

While the movie itself doesn't give its human performers enough time to shine in this lumbering, overcrowded blockbuster affair, Brown's lead performance is earnestly motivated, showcasing a bright up-and-coming actress with bright star power. In a film where the raging otherworldly monsters ultimately take the spotlight, Brown brings some gentle humanity to this hulking enterprise.

Stream It On HBO Max here.

Finn Wolfhard - IT (Amazon Prime)

Admittedly, if there's one movie on this list you've probably seen by now, it's 2017's IT. Based on Stephen King's tome of a novel, it's no secret that the source material played a huge role in shaping Stranger Things, which makes the irony of the movie being influenced by the show's success a bit startling. To blur the lines even further, Finn Wolfhard plays Richie Tozier, providing an enjoyably scene-stealing role as the clown of the group (besides, you know, the killing supernatural one that's terrorizing them and threatening their lives). 

While it's hard to live up to King's prolific work, this big-budget adaptation is appealing in its focus on the neighborhood kids fostering their friendships while also battling the unknowable terror that lurks in the shadows. While Wolfhard takes many strides to win over the spotlight, it's fitting for the character.

Rent It On Amazon here.

David Harbour - Frankenstein's Monster's Monster, Frankenstein (Netflix)

While it's hard to call it a "movie" as it only clocks in at 32 minutes, this streamable special serves as an enjoyably slim showcase for David Harbour's thespian talents as a veteran actor, while also providing a fun, loose platform to provide a nostalgically loving tribute to both staged theater and unpolished TV productions of decades prior. 

While it can occasionally be amusing than outright funny, the jokes remain consistently inspired, and Harbour's enthusiasm for this off-kilter premise fuels the mockumentary special's goofy sensibilities in endearing, rewarding ways. Plus, the period redesigns are — similar in Stranger Things — pointed and reverent in their approach. While Harbour is great on Stranger Things, he hasn't found much success away from it, notably with the ill-fated Hellboy reboot. This likably wacky production, therefore, is a fine vehicle for his immense talents.

Stream It On Netflix here.

Winona Ryder - Beetlejuice (Peacock)

Before she became Joyce Byers, concerned mother of Will and Jonathan, Winona Ryder was a teen star herself, notably making a splash in movies like Heathers, Edward Scissorhands, The Age of Innocence, Little Women (1994), and more. But the role that really helped propel her career in stardom was Tim Burton's Beetlejuice. As Lydia Deetz, the goth teenager who Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) believes is his way back into the land of the living, Ryder made a great impression in this entertaining spooky dark comedy, showcasing her talents for dry comedy and bringing pulpy life to reserved characters. 

While she certainly wasn't the star of the show, Ryder shined bright and stole the show in this supporting turn, launching a great '90s filmography. Though Ryder's career unfortunately stalled in the 2000s, Stranger Things' massive success brought the actress back into the limelight.

Stream It On Peacock here.

Noah Schnapp - The Peanuts Movie (Disney+)

It's nearly impossible to recapture the simplistic charm of Charles Schultz consistently-beloved Peanuts comic strip, notably outside of its hand-drawn animation style. Nevertheless, The Peanuts Movies serves as a warm, lovely, sweet-natured, and fitting tribute to the classic cartoon series, elevated by incredible 3D animation made in a 2D style and commendable vocal performances from its young cast. 

In the lead role of the perpetually downtrodden but persistently hopeful Charlie Brown, Noah Schnapp brings a rich, wholesome sincerity to the title role, providing a keener sense of kindness and compassion to the often glum character. It helped to bring out the child protagonist's youthful side, appropriately enough, allowing the child actor to ingrain an impressionable good nature to the character's various cinematic misadventures, giving everything his best shot (or his best kick) — even when facing countless suburban-set odds.

Stream It On Disney+ here.

Caleb McLaughlin - High Flying Bird (Netflix)

In Steven Soderbergh's iPhone-filmed Netflix sports drama, High Flying Bird, we're given an inside look at a sports agent (Andre Holland) who has 72 hours to pull off a controversial strategic plan. It's a zippy, quick-rolling feature, relying on the well-suited actors to fast talk about sports figures, basketball players, and some whizzy professional lingo throughout its dialogue-driven narrative. 

While that might not sound like the most exhilarating sports movie, it's livened by its pinpoint camerawork, Soderbergh's intensive direction, and the strong ensemble of actors, which also includes Zazie Beetz, Kyle MacLachlan, a great Bill Duke, and Caleb McLaughlin. While the Stranger Things actor doesn't get as much screen time as his co-stars, McLaughlin is aided by the fine support of his talented co-stars, which allows the rising star to step up his game and provide a sharply-crafted supporting performance.

Stream It On Netflix here.

Charlie Heaton - As You Are (Amazon Rental)

Channeling Charlie Heaton's moody, sullen intensity into the right character isn't easy. The British actor can capably play a darkly brewing character, though outside of Stranger Things, he hasn't found too much success in bringing out those seething impulses to the right project. This past weekend's long-delayed The New Mutants is a perfect, notable example. While he's a talented actor, Heaton needs to find the right roles to prove those talents, showing the full extent of his unsettling captivation. 

Thankfully, 2017's indie As You Are is that type of drama. From director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, who was only 23, this cold, commanding debut gives Heaton one of his most haunting performances, properly allowing him to play into his strength as a beguiling if sometimes unreadable actor. Not many films found the right role for Heaton. As You Are is an exception.

Rent It On Amazon here.

Natalia Dyer - Yes, God, Yes (Amazon Rental)

Sadly, Natalia Dyer hasn't gotten enough time to shine on Stranger Things. She's a clear talent, though she can be overlooked in the popular Netflix series. Whenever she gets a chance to prove herself, Dyer is an exceptional talent, as was the case with Karen Maine's appealing directorial debut, Yes, God, Yes, from earlier this year. The personal, reflective indie from the Obvious Child co-writer is meticulous in its period recreation, recapturing the look and feel of its time. 

A young, sheltered early 2000s Christian teen comes to terms with her budding sexuality in a strict, ultra-conservative environment. Dyer's bright eyes, inquisitive facial features, and intentionally demurred body language do wonders to reveal the insecurity and introspection of its inquiring, soul-searching protagonist. It's a charming, winning star vehicle for this undervalued actress.

Rent It On Amazon here. Also Currently Available On Virtual Cinemas.

Joe Keery - Spree (Amazon Rental)

Exploring the extreme, overzealous lengths that young wannabe influencers will go to discover internet stardom is ripe territory in our current age, though only a handful of movies have done it effectively. Be it the entertainingly silly Nerve or the thrilling character study Ingrid Goes West, social media dependency is a compelling place for movies to take unstable characters and their darkly obsessive interests in an environment that feeds on inherent cynicism and narcissism. 

While Spree doesn't dive too far below its shiny surface, this found footage dark comedy-horror is an entertaining descent into madness with an excellent lead performance from Joe Keery. Game for anything the film throws in his way, Keery indulges in Spree's fixations with wicked glee and fervent menace, allowing any narrative bumps and hang-ups to generally be absolved thanks to his unhinged dedication to this lurid spectacle.

Rent It On Amazon here.

Sean Astin - The Goonies (Amazon Rental)

Stranger Things is inspired by many products of the 1980s, not the least of which is Richard Donner's 1985 film, The Goonies. The Steven Spielberg-produced adventure-comedy follows a band of kids who attempt to save their homes from foreclosure by discovering an old treasure map leading to a lost-long treasure fortune. It's exactly the sort of charmingly goofy kid-centric plot that makes for exhilarating entertainment for young audiences, and its several cast members have found fame in its wake, including Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, and Sean Astin.

Before Lord of the Rings and Rudy, The Goonies was (and still is) Astin's calling card, and the actor's endearing child performance made him a natural fit for Stranger Things. The Netflix show's mix of high-stakes adventure and buddy camaraderie was heavily influenced by the rousing amusement found throughout this rewatchable movie's runtime.

Rent It On Amazon here.

Do you have any additional film recommendations for anyone who loves Stranger Things? Be sure to let us know in the comment section below!

It has been nearly 20 years since audiences first met and fell in love with the stellar and expansive cast of The Lord Of The Rings. Over the course of three epic movies released in sequential years, the Middle Earth saga became one of the most beloved and successful franchises in cinematic history, partly thanks to the all-star cast. But in the years following the conclusion of Peter Jackson's crowning achievement, what have cast-members like Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, and Orlando Bloom been up to?

Well, quite a bit, actually. In the 17 years since the release of The Return Of The King, everyone from Viggo Mortensen to Andy Serkis have gone on to become household names after spring-boarding into stardom for their appearances in J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece. And while we will have to wait a little longer than expected to see the cast of the Amazon's Lord Of The Rings series in action, let's take a look back at the original cast and everything they've been up to since completing their journey.

Cate Blanchett (Galadriel)

Cate Blanchett's voice is one of the first audiences hear in the prologue of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, during which time her character, Galadriel, explains the creation and history of the Rings of Power. Throughout here appearances in the trilogy, the wise elf provides guidance to Frodo and other members of the fellowship. Over the past 17 years, the Australian-born actress has starred in dozens of feature films, stage productions, and television series, during which time she has won two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actress in The Aviator; Best Actress Blue Jasmine). In addition to a number of dramatic roles, Blanchett has also popped up in Thor: Ragnarok, Cinderella, Ocean's 8, and is currently working with Guillermo del Toro for Nightmare Alley, a psychological thriller co-starring Bradley Cooper.

Liv Tyler (Arwen Undómiel)

Liv Tyler was at the peak of her career when she starred as Arwen Undómiel in The Lord Of The Rings. Daughter of the powerful Elven leader Elrond, Arwen proves herself to be quite handy throughout the trilogy, including saving Frodo from the black riders and striking up a love affair with future king, Aragorn. Since she completed her role in Peter Jackson's trilogy, Tyler has had a great deal of success in her professional life, with appearances in films like The Strangers, The Incredible Hulk, and Ad Astra, as well as television series like The Leftovers and Harlots. Tyler also has a starring role in the Fox action procedural, 9-1-1: Lone Star, which also stars Rob Lowe.

Orlando Bloom (Legolas)

One of the nine key members of the Fellowship of the Ring, the Sindarian Elf Legolas was a vital character in the The Lord Of The Rings thanks to his cool, calm, and collected demeanor and his impeccable archery and swordsmanship. Brought to life by a young Orlando Bloom, Legolas quickly became a fan favorite. Just as one saga was coming to an end for the English actor, another began with the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise that only boosted Bloom's star appeal. Bloom's latest completed film, The Outpost, was supposed to premiere at the 2020 South by Southwest Film Festival, but the festival, and screening, was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to his movie roles, Bloom is also the star of the Amazon original series Carnival Row, which is currently in production on Season 2.

Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)

The de facto leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the main protagonist of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Aragorn proved time and time again why not all hope is lost for man. Brought to life by the superb acting prowess of Viggo Mortensen, the "King" is character worth remembering. Mortensen followed up his Middle Earth appearances with a long list of roles that includes A History Of Violence, Captain Fantastic, and Green Book, which netted Danish-American actor an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2019. Mortensen recently made his directorial debut with Falling, a drama in which he stars alongside Lance Henriksen and Laura Linney.

Andy Serkis (Gollum)

Andy Serkis became a massive star after his gripping and frightening take on Gollum in Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Over the course of three movies, audiences loved and hated this oddly sympathetic character, making Serkis a household name in the process. The English actor has continued to be one of the busiest figures in the film industry since the conclusion of the trilogy 17 years ago, including appearances in Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and The Planet Of The Apes reboot trilogy. The actor and motion-capture mastermind is currently directing the thrilling Venom 2 and starring in The Batman, both of which instantly become better with Serkis attached.

Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins)

Elijah Wood has been a name in Hollywood for about as long as I can remember. Even before he showed up as Frodo Baggins, nephew of Bilbo and carrier of the Ring, Wood was a major child actor and has continued to follow suit with some of the wildest roles in cinema. In recent years, Wood has shown up in everything from the 2019 psychdelic horror film Color Out Of Space to oddball dark comedy I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore, and just about every odd role in between.

Ian McKellen (Gandalf)

Throughout all of the Lord Of The Rings movies (and The Hobbit as well) Sir Ian McKellen kills it as the legendary wizard Gandalf (both grey and white). From the first time audiences catch an eye of Gandalf sitting atop a wagon of fireworks, it was easy to tell that there was a lot to love with this character. But it's not all fun and games with Gandalf, as the wizard proves to be powerful and stern throughout the journey to destroy the Ring once and for all. Much like Gandalf, McKellen has quite a track record, including his most recent appearances in The Good Liar, Ian McKellen On Stage, and Cats. Yes, Gandalf was in Cats.

Miranda Otto (Éowyn)

Introduced in The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Éowyn, a noblewoman from Rohan, quickly became one of the most badass characters in Peter Jackson's trilogy. Her role was expanded in The Return Of The King where she took on one of the nine Nightriders and gave the empowering line, "I am no man" as she cut him down. Miranda Otto, the Australian actress behind the role, has been quite busy in the years following her time in Middle Earth, including most recently in the Netflix series, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, where she portrays the young witch's aunt, Zelda.

Hugo Weaving (Elrond)

Elrond, one of the first of the Elves to be featured in the prologue of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, was one of the Elven leaders in Middle Earth who provided guidance and counsel for Aragorn and the rest of the Fellowship before and during the quest to destroy the Ring. Hugo Weaving, the man behind the role, is mostly known for the role of Agent Smith in The Matrix and its sequels, but the acclaimed actor has also appeared in V For Vendetta and Captain America: The First Avenger. Weaving is set to appear in three films in 2020: Measure For Measure, Loveland, and Lone Wolf, all three of which are in post-production.

Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee)

Sean Astin was already a star before he signed on to play Samwise Gamgee in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, mostly notably for his appearances in The Goonies, Encino Man, and Rudy to name a few. His take on Samwise, the friend and sidekick of main protagonist Frodo Baggins, brought a great deal of humor, charm, and surprisingly enough seriousness to the trilogy. Astin has remained busy over the years, including an amazing role as Bob Newby in Stranger Things. Astin is next set to appear in the American crime thriller Adverse at some point in 2020.

Sean Bean (Boromir)

Is there a movie/television show where Sean Bean doesn't die? Patriot Games, Goldeneye, Game Of Thrones, and countless others all feature some pretty gruesome deaths involving the English actor. Well, add The Lord Of The Rings to that list as Bean's character, Boromir, dies in the final moments of The Fellowship Of The Ring. This noble character was a far-stretch from some of Bean's previous roles and cutthroat and power-hungry villains, but laid the groundwork for his portrayal of the ill-fated Ned Stark in Game Of Thrones. Bean is currently set to appear in Posessor, a 2020 horror film from Brandon Cronenberg, the son of body horror legend David Cronenberg.

John Rhys-Davis (Gimli)

John Rhys-Davies is best well known for his role of Gimli, the foul-mouthed and strong-willed dwarven warrior who served as an instrumental member of the Fellowship of the Ring. The Welsh actor also known for his performance in Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, has appeared in dozens of roles following his time in The Lord Of The Rings, including his spin at the Brine King in the 2018 DCEU blockbuster Aquaman.

Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc Brandybuck)

Dominic Monaghan has been one of the most successful actors who achieved fame in The Lord Of The Rings. Featured in all three movies as the lovable and hilarious Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck, Monaghan, alongside Billy Boyd, brought some much-needed comedic relief to some of the trilogy's darkest moments. In the years following the release of The Return Of The King, Monaghan has starred in Lost, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. And since 2012, Monaghan has even hosted his own nature series: Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan.

Billy Boyd (Pippin Took)

Wherever Merry went in The Lord Of The Rings, Pippin Took was sure to be right by his side or not far behind. Pippin, the fun-loving Hobbit with the voice of an angel worked his way into the hearts of millions of the trilogies fans thanks to that charm and innocence. Billy Boyd, the actor behind the famous character has had a successful acting and music career in the years following his appearances in The Lord Of The Rings, including a couple one-off performances on the hit fantasy series Outlander.

Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins)

Actor Ian Holm had one hell of a career in the decades leading up to his portrayal of an older Bilbo Baggins in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, on the silver screen, on television sets around the world, and the stage. Holm would continue to add titles to his filmography in the years following his take on Bilbo, including Garden State, The Aviator, and The Hobbit, where he reprised his famous role. The English actor hasn't done much since he finished the filming of The Hobbit: The Battled Of The Five Armies, but at 88 years old, I don't blame him for taking it easy after all these years.

Well, that's what the cast of The Lord Of The Rings has been up to over the past 17 years. It's safe to say that each and every one of the actors who lent their talents to the legendary fantasy trilogy have been quite busy since then.

If there's a silver lining to self-isolation, it's that you probably have a lot more time to watch TV and movies. If you've got kids home from school, might I suggest an education in classic 1980s cinema? If you haven't seen The Goonies in a long time, or somehow haven't seen it at all, it's a movie that should be experienced by all, and Sean Astin has dropped a piece of film history on us in the form of his original audition.

Astin dropped the clip on Instagram which, according to him, has never been released before. It shows a 14-year-old Astin performing a scene that never actually made it into the final movie, so you get to see a bit of the movie that never was, as well as just how well Sean Astin fit the role of Mikey, even during the audition process.Check out the clip below.

Sean Astin's interest in releasing the classic clip isn't simply to entertain fans. He's using it as a way to draw people onto his Instagram, and then to ask them to donate to the Red Cross or give blood, two worthy causes that could both use the help right now. Considering that the clip has 115,000 views, far more than Astin's average Instagram post, the clip is certainly working to draw attention. Hopefully it is resulting in some donations as well.

The scene in question has Mikey talking about a time his parents went on, and lost, the game show Let's Make a Deal. The scene doesn't appear in the film, maybe it was only ever meant as an audition scene.

Sean Astin has previously spoken about his audition process and how it didn't actually go that well. It seems likely that the actor's story about the time Steven Spielberg walked out on his audition, was probably a different audition, or it all happened after what we see here, as this audition seems to be going great. Astin's got everybody laughing and having a good time. Perhaps the kid just didn't realize how good the audition went.

It's hard to believe it's been 35 years since The Goonies debuted. The Richard Donner-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced film, is one of those that a generation of young movie fans embraced and has stood the test of time ever since. It introduced the world to Sean Astin who would go on to become a major part of the Lord of the Rings and numerous other films and television series. But this audition certainly gives one the impression that even if Astin hadn't been part of The Goonies, he would have broken out somewhere else. This kid is just too charming not to be a star.

For years there has been talk of a potential Goonies sequel, and while the idea seems to gain favor now and then, nothing has ever really come of it. Maybe this audition will build interest again in the idea.

Another one bites the dust. Netflix just cancelled Melissa Joan Hart and Sean Astin's new show No Good Nick after one season. The 20-episode first season was released in two parts -- the first 10 episodes in April 2019 and the second part in August 2019.

No Good Nick co-creator David H. Steinberg issued a statement saying the whole team was "heartbroken" to not get to continue into Part 3, but they were also proud of the story they told and all the boundaries the show broke:

Sean Astin also reacted to the end of the "special show," which is now "gone too soon":

Lauren Lindsey Donzis played Molly, the youngest Thompson child, and she (or her mom, who runs her Twitter account) reacted to fans who were upset about the cancellation.

Back in mid-August, Sean Astin asked fans to do a fast binge of No Good Nick to boost the chances of the show returning.

It sounds like it was a matter of viewership, which can be frustrating since a lot of people stream shows at a slower pace.

Apparently No Good Nick just didn't connect with enough people? It's not always easy to know why Netflix makes the decisions it does, especially after just one season. Variety simply confirmed that Netflix cancelled the multi-camera drama/comedy, which starred Melissa Joan Hart and Sean Astin as competitive career mom Liz Thompson and dorky dad Ed Thompson, who welcome 13-year-old Nick (aka Nicole) into their home, not knowing Nick was set up by her imprisoned father to try and right a wrong he claims was done by the Thompsons. Nick comes to love the family and struggles to go through with her revenge plan.

Sean Astin was a standout in Stranger Things Season 2 on Netflix, and of course he's been famous for decades from The Goonies, Rudy, and the Lord of the Rings films. Melissa Joan Hart has also been a star since she was very young, from Nickelodeon's Clarissa Explains It All to Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Melissa & Joey.

No Good Nick fans are now devastated and reaching out with posts like this:

It's not a great time for Netflix to be cancelling shows, since a lot of subscribers just cancelled the service entirely in protest of exact moves like this. The #CancelNetflix movement was started by fans of The OA, but also in support of recently cancelled Netflix shows like The Santa Clarita Diet, Travelers, and One Day At A Time.

At the very least, I'm surprised Netflix didn't want to keep Sean Astin happy after he gave his life for us on Stranger Things. Were you a fan of No Good Nick? Are you upset at this abrupt cancellation?

First created by author J.R.R. Tolkien in his indelible fantasy series, and later deservedly brought to life in Peter Jackson's gorgeous and sprawling trilogy, The Lord of the Rings has resonated with audiences everywhere, and for a very good reason. The epic, expansive story is a timeless one, offering a hero's journey in a clear, yet compelling, manner that provides great arcs, tremendous set pieces and incredible action beats.

Some of the best moments, though, were often centered on the characters, and how we watched them rise, fall, and ultimately grow, throughout their journeyed plight. In order to stay invested in the story with three prolonged chapters like The Lord of the Rings, you need to value the characters and want to follow there and back again in the midst of peril, personal anguish, selflessness and satisfying growths in the midst of their long and laborious journeys. It is, therefore, a credit to the author, the screenwriters, the director and the talented actors that these various characters have become so compelling and universally beloved throughout their adventures on the page and on the screen.

We'll be seeing more of these well-liked characters soon enough in the heavily-teased new LOTR streaming series, which will premiere on Amazon in the next couple years. Whether it lives up to the films and be worth the reported $1 billion investment from Amazon is totally up for question at this point, and we're both very excited and tremendously nervous to see what will become of this new take on J.R.R. Tolkien's acclaimed fantasy series and its surrounding mythos. For now, though, we're looking back at these famous, endearing characters and picking our personal favorites, while also explaining why we loved them throughout this beloved trilogy.

8. Galadriel (Cate Blanchett)

At once awe-striking and awe-inspiring, Galadriel is a high-standing source of great guidance and wisdom. Through her beauty and her elegance, she provides a captivating and divine sense of power and majesty. She has seen many wondrous things and lived through great triumphs and terrors, and while she looks young and pristine, it's clear that her soul has lived through many lives and years.

Galadriel knows of the utmost serious and grave importance behind what Frodo, Gandalf and all the other noble travelers must do in order to prevail against the outstanding terrors creeping within their wake. Played with sheer, ravenous godliness by a young Cate Blanchett, Galadriel was an early sign of the peerless thespian she would later become.

7. Saruman (Christopher Lee)

Undoubtedly among the most powerful and awesome characters populating The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Saruman is often a character relied upon to provide fear and threat. Still, there's no denying the conviction and persistence through which the late, great Christopher Lee brought such command and resolve into this menacing character.

Filled with vengeance and fury, Saruman allowed Lee to bring the magnetism and presence that served him well throughout his career into this all-important supporting character. It would ultimately serve as one of the actor's most famous and remarked-upon career performances.

6. Gimli (John Rhys-Davies)

Perhaps an unorthodox choice among the Lord of the Rings character ensemble, Gimli is nevertheless easily among the most identifiable and — in my view — lovable beings who graces the screen in Peter Jackson's three blockbusters. Gimli is played wonderfully and vividly by John Rhys-Davies, and the character actor makes what could've easily been an indistinctive supporting character into a vibrant, energetic and highly personable protagonist.

What he lacks in stature, he makes up for it in enthusiasm, integrity, ingenuity and a wealth of humor, and it's hard to think of any characters who brings such great joy from even the hint of their appearance than Gimli. That makes him an easy choice bring up for the best and most lovable of the Lord of the Rings characters.

5. Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) 

As the central protagonist of this expanded tale, Frodo is the eyes through which viewers are thrown into the magical wonders, terrors and spectacles we see in the land of Middle Earth and Mordor. Played by Elijah Wood, Frodo is guileless and unassuming, but there's a genuine sweetness, commitment and loving kindness and determination that makes him an easy character to root for. He's clearly someone who wants goodness to prevail and prevent the darkness of the world to be unveiled.

Next to his trusted companion Samwise, Frodo might not be the most intriguing, layered or outright compelling character that draws attention in this long journey. But it's clear that Frodo is a very good, loyal hobbit. His fine, noble sense of duty and perseverance keep him humble and willing to cast away the evil which plagues the world. He's a character with whom we can trust that this awesome power is in safe hands.

4. Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) 

Among all the pivotal characters in The Lord of the Rings, Samwise the Good is certainly among the ones who have the most loving, gratifying and essential narrative progressions found within the trilogy's outstanding turn-of-events. Played with great humor and heart by Sean Astin, Sam is once seemingly a stubborn and uninspired character who finds himself thrust almost unwilling into this graven and peril-filled adventure. He provides strength and inspiration for Elijah Wood's Frodo, proving his valor and devotion as a loving and lasting character in some of the series' richest and most emotionally-rewarding segments.

Sam is certainly among the characters who feels the most wholly-realized once his journey comes to a close at the end of The Return of the King, and it's clear that these events not only turn him in a moral and noble hobbit, but a great and essential one. To J.R.R. Tolkien, Samwise is the "chief hero" of the story, and the character without whom the quest would not be successful. We fully believe that here.

3. Gollum (Andy Serkis)

Both a technical marvel and a distinctly developed entity, Gollum isn't merely a special effect, but a character filled with tragedy, destruction, and terrifying complexity. Very memorably brought to life by the wonderfully talented Andy Serkis, Gollum is consumed by emotional depth and inner turmoil. Gollum is a literal two-sided character who often battles within himself to determine whether good or evil must win out as he helps to guide Frodo and Sam to their final destination.

Gollum is undoubtedly one of the most (precious) fleshed-out characters in the entire trilogy, providing audiences with a spellbinding display of CGI wizardry and revolutionary character work from one of blockbuster filmmaking's most gifted performers. Through this combination of great visual effects, outstanding acting and dark character pathos, it is easy to see why Gollum is not only among the most memorable and lasting characters in this expansive trilogy, but easily among the absolute finest characters in all of fiction.

2. Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen)

Filled with valor, strength and nobility, Aragorn is a great warrior and leader, and he's a character with whom inspiration and guidance can be found. The son of Arathorn, Aragorn was born from tragedy and destruction, and rises to great heights in the progression of these three films. Viewers watch Aragorn evolve into the character of legend that he was destined to become, and we see the character's resolve and majesty finally come fruition by the end.

Played with great triumph by Viggo Mortensen, Aragorn is a character who is captivating, commanding, compelling and filled with a sense of resolution that feels fitting and formidable as we follow him during these three intertwined films. It's easy to see why he ascends to greatness, and why movie viewers continue rewatching him do just that.

1. Gandalf (Ian McKellen) 

Gandalf is a benevolent elder figure filled with depth, intelligence, insight and personality, and he also happens to tower over other central characters — both literally and figuratively — in their quest to restore prosperity and restore harmony and balance. The literal Christ figure in this Catholicism-drenched mythos, Gandalf dies and returns again in the midst of these three movies. The bearded mystic is a noble and wise character who doesn't so much progress linearly as he ascends throughout the journey, reaching his full wit, heart, depth and presence in the brave, bold transformation the elder wizard-like figure takes throughout this ongoing journey.

Ian McKellen gives an indelible performance throughout the films, completely transforming into the role, and Gandalf is THE character who completely becomes one with his in-print counterpart. McKellen gives an outstanding performance, and the character's wisdom and honor makes him an easy favorite.So much so that it's impossible to imagine anyone else in the role, though Sir Sean Connery was once rumored to be the first choice.

These are just eight of the many great characters in The Lord of the Rings. There are clearly many more worth considering (I can hear the cries of distain at the lack of Legolas inclusion), and there's a great case to be made for all the characters that weren't included in this list. Therefore, we recommend you hit the comment sections with your personal favorites, and why you think they deserve a higher ranking above the ones on this list. And stay tuned for the Lord of the Rings TV series hitting Amazon in the distant future.

Well before he carried Frodo up Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings and long before his heroic death in Stranger Things, Sean Astin was a young actor in the classic 1985 childhood adventure film The Goonies. Sean Astin played the lead Mikey in the movie, which was executive produced and based on a story by none other than Steven Spielberg. When he went out for the part, Sean Astin had to audition in front of Spielberg himself.

Sean Astin admits to being incredibly nervous to begin with, but when he got to Amblin Entertainment and he was being led back to the room where he would audition, things got even worse thanks to some words from Steven Spielberg’s personal assistant. Sean Astin recalled:

To Sean Astin and us reading that, it probably sounded like Spielberg’s assistant was about to offer him some comforting words or a bit of advice, only to pile on the pressure right at the last moment. I’m sure it felt kind of messed up at the time, but knowing that Astin ultimately got the role just makes it funny in hindsight. And while this was undoubtedly a stressful and anxiety-inducing thing for a young actor to hear, it wasn’t untrue.

Around the time The Goonies was made, Steven Spielberg had already made Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Raiders of the Lost Ark and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and had three Best Director Oscar nominations to his name. Meanwhile Sean Astin’s credits were largely limited to two TV movies. So he had every right to be nervous walking into that audition room as he recalled to Michael Rosenbaum on the Inside of You podcast.

When Sean Astin got into the room, he was faced with producer Harvey Bernhard, director Richard Donner and Steven Spielberg and the audition began. What happened next resulted in Steven Spielberg walking out of Sean Astin’s audition. The actor continued:

Lots of kids struggle with speaking in front of a class for presentations during their school years. But for Sean Astin, who was in his early teens at the time, instead of a class full of peers, it was “the most powerful man in Hollywood,” and instead of a school presentation where the worst thing that happens is a bad grade, it was an important job interview that could determine the rest of his career. It’s no wonder he was nervous.

Those nerves and the overwhelming nature of the situation resulted in Sean Astin panicking a bit when he forgot a line. So he lost his composure and thus his professional filter, and he wound up cursing, causing Steven Spielberg to leave the room. I imagine Sean Astin’s heart must have sunk into his stomach at this point, knowing how deeply and irreversibly he had screwed up.

Like Sean Astin said, The Goonies was meant to be a family film, so you can understand where a potty-mouthed kid who couldn’t remember his lines in his audition would cause Steven Spielberg to walk out. Director Richard Donner then came over to talk to him to comfort him before he gave it another go and it went slightly better the next time, as Sean Astin remembered:

You can totally see why Sean Astin thought he bombed the audition and didn’t get the part given that story. He might have been slightly more optimistic had Steven Spielberg not left the room but I imagine that seemed like the nail in the coffin for him. It wasn’t, of course; Sean Astin got the role of Mikey in the beloved film, thus launching his career.

Sean Astin suspects that they wanted him for the part to begin with and despite his terrible audition, they were not dissuaded. Maybe they still saw something in the audition from the actor that they knew made him right for the role, which he ultimately was. We’ve been wondering about Astin returning to that role for years, with Goonies 2 constantly rumored and talked about but never actually produced.

Despite everyone that has tried to make it happen over the years, including himself, Sean Astin now thinks the time has probably passed for a true sequel. While I don’t necessarily think we need Goonies 2, it is surprising it hasn’t happened, especially given the nostalgia and reboot driven nature of the industry. But hey, never say die and all that.

Check out our premiere guide to see what’s headed to theaters this year, and for the latest movie news, stay tuned to CinemaBlend.

The Goonies is one of the beloved movies the '80s ever produced. Heartfelt, funny, frightening, and full of lovable, quirky characters, the film captured the hearts and curiosities of millions and became an instant classic. In fact, it's still so popular that even Deadpool had something to say about the film. Oh, and the main characters even appeared as LEGOs. Couple those references with the fact that the film's screenwriter won't ever abandon a sequel and you've got a film that won't ever leave our cultural consciousness.

Unfortunately for that screenwriter, one of the film's leading actors basically confirmed that a sequel is unlikely. Improbable might even be a better word. During a recent interview with Us Magazine, The Goonies star Corey Feldman revealed that budget constraints kept a sequel from ever being greenlit.

A sequel to The Goonies would've been cool, but where could they have taken the story? The original wrapped things up so well that it's difficult to imagine a sequel stacking up or even being necessary.

That questions coupled with this new revelation from Corey Feldman, is probably why Sean Astin (who, long after The Goonies, also appeared in another kid-led mystery series) doesn't think a sequel will ever happen. Knowing what we know now, he's probably correct. And that's a bummer for the generations of fans, especially because both Corey Feldman and Sean Astin have been fighting for a sequel for decades.

Alas, the pair of actors would know this disappointment better than anyone. And it sounds like they were undoubtedly quite disappointed when Richard Donner shot down the idea. I would have too, especially if I was associated with the film the way they are.

On a more positive note, it's nice to see that two of the movie's best and most famous actors are still passionate about the project, even if making it isn't feasible. All of the film's performers emanate enthusiasm. I noticed it when I watched the film as a kid and I still catch it every time I watch it now.

It's somewhat sad, but any hope for a Goonies sequel is probably squashed now. Despite the film world's penchant for reboots.

What do you think? Where would you have liked to see them take the story if it were ever produced? Would making a sequel to The Goonies even have been a good idea or does the classic stand well enough on its own? I'm going with the latter option, but tell us what you think. Sound off in the comments below and make sure you check out our 2019 movie release schedule.

The second season of Stranger Things may have debuted well over a year ago, but countless fans still aren't entirely over the death of Bob. Until he was killed by demo-dogs after saving the day in Hawkins Lab, Joyce's boyfriend almost seemed like too good of a guy not to be a double agent. Much like Barb, Bob became a fan-favorite after dying a devastating death. Unlike Barb, however, Sean Astin says that Bob doesn't need justice from Stranger Things.

Sean Astin, who returned to the 80s for Stranger Things, recently chatted with CinemaBlend, and he said this when asked if the show needs to deliver justice for Bob in Season 3:

The rally cry of "Justice for Barb!" rose up after Stranger Things Season 1 did not deliver closure for her death. The poor girl was brutally killed after being dragged to the Upside Down, and her death was mostly important to the plot because it got Nancy involved in the mystery. Her death wasn't entirely about her, and it wasn't resolved in Season 1, so naturally fans demanded justice for her. Bob's death may have been a tragedy, but as Sean Astin says, he got a hero's death.

Even despite the fast pace of the final couple of episodes, Stranger Things found time to honor Bob. His death was a primary motivator for Joyce's actions in trying to get the Mind Flayer out of Will, and she was clearly still mourning him even a month later. Bob is remembered as "Bob Newby: superhero," and Will's drawing of him as a superhero is a much more pleasant last image of him than Barb's corpse in the Upside Down.

Barb needed the whole second season to get her justice and closure on her death. For all that Bob's death was arguably the bloodiest and most gruesome of the entire series, he was avenged just about as well as a character killed by demo-dogs can be avenged. The Mind Flayer is trapped in the Upside Down (for now, at least) and all the demo-dogs in Hawkins died when cut off from their controller. Poor Dart never had a chance if the good guys were going to win.

So, Sean Astin doesn't believe fans need to spend the remaining months before Season 3 premiere demanding justice for Bob. That said, there is one sentiment about Bob's death that Astin appreciates. He went on to say this:

Bob may not need justice, but can we all agree that he deserved better than being ripped apart by demo-dogs in front of Joyce? The poor guy just wanted to move to Maine with Joyce and the boys to work at a different Radio Shack. As long as it wasn't a certain town in Maine known for its killer clown, they could have had a happily-ever-after. They all deserved that.

Well, maybe not fans who are hoping that Stranger Things still has a few more seasons left before any of the characters leave Hawkins for good. The survivors can have their happily-ever-afters after the series finale, right? The Duffer brothers and David Harbour have stated that the goal for Stranger Things is four or five seasons, so fans can hope for at least one more after Season 3 finally arrives this summer.

The Season 3 trailer revealed the big new monster that will menace the Hawkins crew in the next batch of episodes, and the adorable little pre-teens from Season 1 are all grown up into teenagers. Bob is nowhere to be seen, so he's likely staying just as dead as Barb did.

R.I.P. Bob, Barb, Benny, and whatever character with a B name that'll bite the dust next. Should Billy be afraid? Or is the trailer hinting that Steve is the one in mortal danger?

Stranger Things Season 3 premieres on July 4 at 12:01 a.m. PT on Netflix. Sean Astin will be back on Netflix in the not-too-distant future, although not as the late lamented Bob. You can catch him in No Good Nick, which premieres next month. He'll also be back on The Big Bang Theory, and he teased what to expect from his big return.

The end is nigh for The Big Bang Theory as the twelfth and final season presses on, but fans of the smash hit sitcom shouldn't despair that it's going to end on a whimper. One of the most memorable guest stars from Season 12 is reprising his role not once but twice more before the final credits roll. Yes, Sean Astin is returning to The Big Bang Theory, and he recently chatted with CinemaBlend about what to expect:

A fan of The Big Bang Theory himself, Sean Astin plays physicist Dr. Pemberton, who along with his Fermi-Lab colleague Dr. Campbell (played by Kal Penn) accidentally confirmed a bold new "Super Asymmetry" theory. The theory was presented in a paper penned by Sheldon and Amy, and the data from Pemberton and Campbell meant that Super Asymmetry could lead to a Novel Prize win. Unfortunately, there was a catch. Nobel Prizes can only be shared by three people, and the Fermi-Lab folks wanted to cut Amy out of the running.

Basically, Big Bang Theory viewers who might have thought Sean Astin would play another lovable character like Bob from Stranger Things must have been surprised when Dr. Pemberton proved himself more than willing to cast Amy aside and focus on getting the Nobel for himself, Campbell, and Sheldon. His first episode, called "The Confirmation Polarization," ended with Sheldon declaring that he wouldn't ask his university to endorse him for the Nobel without Amy's name on it, but that clearly didn't mean the story was over.

Sean Astin's first return to The Big Bang Theory Season 12 will be an episode called "The Laureate Accumulation" and hit the airwaves on Thursday, April 4 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. No footage of the episode has released just yet, but CBS has shared some photos of what's to come. Take a look at Pemberton and Campbell mixing it up with the Big Bang Theory regulars, among others!

Well, at least it looks like everybody will be civil enough to attend an event together! Sean Astin's first episode didn't end with Sheldon seeming like he wanted to be back with Pemberton any Campell any time soon, but winning a Nobel Prize has been a dream of Sheldon's for a long time, and just because he didn't want to win it without his wife getting credit doesn't mean he doesn't want to win for Super Asymmetry!

Of course, Sean Astin couldn't spoil precisely what's in store for fans when he returns to The Big Bang Theory for the first of his two remaining episodes, but he did drop some tantalizing details about what to expect based on how his previous episode ended:

The Big Bang Theory didn't just pull out all the stops for Sean Astin and Kal Penn to play the two Fermi-Lab physicists. The show also recruited three real-life Nobel laureates to appear in the episode. According to the episode description, those laureates will be Kip Thorne, George Smoot, and Frances Arnold. Thorne is a theoretical physicist, Smoot is an astrophysicist, and Arnold is a chemical engineer. Fans can add them to the list of real-life scientists to have contributed to The Big Bang Theory!

The goal in "The Laureate Accumulation" for Sheldon and Amy will be to recruit the previous laureates to their side rather than allow Pemberton and Campbell to get all the positive attention and support. Do they stand a chance of winning the Nobel Prize with both of their names attached, or will only one of them get credit and have to share the acclaim with two physicists who want to win through shady means? Or worse, will neither get credit?

Only time will tell. Given that Sean Astin is slated to appear in two more episodes, fans may not want to count on the question of who does and doesn't win a Nobel being conclusively resolved by the end of "The Laureate Accumulation." Still, everyone will just have to wait and see.

Although Sean Astin is only slated for two episodes of what remains of The Big Bang Theory, he's not leaving the sitcom circuit, although his new project promises to deliver more than just laughs. He stars in the upcoming multi-camera sitcom No Good Nick for Netflix, which premieres its first batch of episodes on Monday, April 15 at 12:01 a.m. PT.

Sean Astin shares the screen with Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina the Teenage Witch fame, and they play the parents of two teenage kids who have an unexpected twist thrown their way when a 13-year-old by the name of Nick (short for Nicole) joins the family, not knowing that she's a "street-smart con artist."

All things considered, his No Good Nick character sounds a lot more wholesome than his Big Bang Theory character. Perhaps he'll be a little bit more like Stranger Things' Bob than Big Bang's Dr. Pemberton! At least we can be pretty confident that Pemberton's fate won't involve demo-dogs like good old Bob.

Check out Sean Astin's first return to The Big Bang Theory with "The Laureate Accumulation" on April 4 at 8 p.m. ET. Don't forget to swing by our 2019 Netflix premiere rundown to see all the shows in addition to No Good Nick that are on the way.

The Big Bang Theory has built up one of the most impressive guest star lists of any TV show currently airing -- The Simpsons obviously takes the top prize there -- and the show will keep that streak going with this week's episode. In it, Sheldon, Amy and the rest will welcome Lord of the Rings vet Sean Astin and Harold & Kumar alum Kal Penn. You can check out the two guest stars' first look for the upcoming episode below.

It looks to me as if Sean Astin and Kal Penn's characters are just as happy to be involved with this plotline as the Big Bang Theory cast members were to have the two actors joining the show in its final season. (Kunal Nayaar really loved having Penn around, too.) It also kind of looks like Penn could be amused by the somewhat disheveled Astin appearing as if he just woke up from taking a nap beneath the very restaurant table they're sitting at.

It sounds like a joke, but Sean Astin and Kal Penn are playing a pair of brilliant Chicago physicists named Dr. Pemberton and Dr. Campbell, respectively. And as Sheldon and the other characters have proven time and again over the years, sitcom physicists are generally stressed out and will sporadically show off strange behavior patterns. In any case, there's a good chance that Sheldon and Amy will want to shove the visiting doctors under the table.

When they arrive, Drs. Pemberton and Campbell have exciting news: they've managed to prove correct Shamy's super asymmetry theory, which has been an ongoing plotline for the couple. There's one downside to all of this, and it's a pretty gigantic one. The two men aim to remove Amy from contention for a Nobel nomination, which is obviously pure blasph-Amy. (Where's MY Nobel Prize?) Just look at the difference in moods between the two parties.

One would assume that Sheldon and Amy manage to get the upper hand here, by either convincing Sean Astin and Kal Penn's physicists to keep her on board, or by somehow getting the two men's work deemed unusable for whatever reason. I can't imagine The Big Bang Theory would spend its final season delivering a series of professional setbacks to Sheldon and Amy, just to have them completely fail all over again in the end.

Unless, what if Sean Astin is really playing a revised version of Bob from Stranger Things, who brings his knowledge of Hawkins' Upside Down to...nah, that's just too crazy, right? Right?!?

Below, you can check out the trailer for the episode, titled "The Confirmation Polarization."

Are you guys pumped to see Sean Astin and Kal Penn making their debuts on The Big Bang Theory? This season already welcomed billionaire Bill Gates into the fold, along with welcoming back past guest stars such as Bob Newhart, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Keith Carradine, Christine Baranski and more. Now if only Elijah Wood and John Cho could team up as the guest stars for the next week's episode.

The Big Bang Theory airs Thursday nights on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET, and there are only a healthy handful of episodes left to go before the show bids fans a fond farewell. To see what'll be popping up in primetime before that happens, keep current with our midseason TV schedule.

As The Big Bang Theory winds down with its series finale coming along in a few months, the show has now added a couple of guest stars who will have some intriguing roles on the comedy that will impact Amy and Sheldon in a major way. Actors Sean Astin and Kal Penn are set to appear in Season 12 as two scientists who have big news for the couple.

CBS confirmed today that Sean Astin and Kal Penn will debut in the same episode, and are set to play two new scientists to the show. According to TV Line, the duo are set to guest star as Dr. Pemberton and Dr. Campbell, respectively, for one upcoming episode. This new team of physicists has actually managed to accidentally confirm Sheldon and Amy's complex theory about super asymmetry, and will likely be talking to the newlyweds about their findings.

Sean Astin is probably still best known for his role in The Lord of the Rings trilogy as Frodo's faithful friend Sam, but he's amassed almost 150 film and TV credits since he first hit the screen in the 1981 TV movie, Please Don't Hit Me, Mom. While Astin was most notably seen recently in Season 2 of Stranger Things (we hardly knew ye, Bob), he's also famously appeared in youth defining movies like The Goonies, Memphis Belle, Encino Man and Rudy, while also starring in The War of The Roses, 24, Law & Order, Alphas and The Strain among his many other credits.

Kal Penn also has a role he will probably be known for until the end of time, but for him it's the part of Kumar in Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and its two full, big screen sequels, along with two short films. Penn, who got his start in a short film in 1998, has dozens of credits that stretch across multiple genres and cover comedy and drama. He's also used his talents in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, ER, Love Don't Cost a Thing, 24, House, How I Met Your Mother, New Girl, and was recently seen in Designated Survivor.

While it's good, in theory, that the Drs. Pemberton and Campbell will be able to confirm what Amy and Sheldon have been working on for many months now, we need to be honest...this is sure to annoy Sheldon to no end. Why? Well, they seem to stumble upon the information randomly while working on something else. Normally, that wouldn't be an issue, but Sheldon and Amy have been struggling with their theory of super asymmetry as opposed to simply working on it for a long time. We all know that Sheldon doesn't like to see himself as not being as smart as any regular old physicist, so the idea that someone could not even be directly working on super asymmetry and figure something out about it might be a real blow to his confidence.

Also, this doesn't take into account all the personal problems that the couple has been through since beginning to work on their theory. Early on, when Amy complained about not being able to devote enough time to their work because of her own career as a neurobiologist and all the projects there she had to give attention to, Sheldon actually went behind her back to the president of Caltech and got her taken off the neurobiology study she initiated. If you'll remember, this (deservedly) angered Amy to the point where the ensuing argument and Sheldon's confusion over it led to him having to take the advice of a dream ghost to figure out how to make things right.

Then, of course, was the big blow for Amy and Sheldon. Once they had finished the main research, a search for all the citations they'd need for the paper they were going to write about their theory brought up another paper from several decades earlier that disproved all of their months-long hard work on super asymmetry. Instead of being able to pick themselves up and rethink the project, Sheldon and Amy wallowed in their apparent defeat, with a serious pep talk from Leonard and Penny about how smart they are not even really doing the trick to get them back to their old, confident selves.

This went on for a long time, unfortunately. During these bouts of depression, Sheldon later admitted to Amy that, because he was so sure about their theory for super asymmetry, he's now not sure that he can trust his instincts on anything are correct. Amy, worried that he will reconsider his relationship with her, went to Penny and Leonard for help, which ended up possibly being the best idea she's had in a long time. It led to them watching the pep talk tape Sheldon made for himself when he was in high school, and Amy's realization that their theory might have only been wrong from one perspective. So, when we left the couple, they were finally re-energized and ready to tackle new ideas on super asymmetry.

With everything Amy and Sheldon have been through with regards to this damn theory, I can't imagine that the news that another couple of researchers accidentally came across some info that will confirm their new thoughts will go down easy. I can see Amy being surprised and a bit miffed for a while, but then coming around to see that this is really a blessing for them. But, thinking about Sheldon's history, is there any fan of The Big Bang Theory who doesn't see him being mega-petty about the findings of Dr. Pemberton and Dr. Campbell? Maybe even to the point where he refuses to believe that they really found what they say they did? I, for one, will not be shocked if he acts like a big baby when he gets word of their findings and how they came to them.

Well, we can see how the revelations of Sean Astin and Kal Penn's characters impact Sheldon and Amy when they debut on The Big Bang Theory, but, right now an air date for their episode has not been set. To make sure you don't miss it, or any of the other big moments of The Big Bang Theory's finale season, be sure to keep up with the comedy when it airs Thursdays on CBS at 8 p.m. EST.

Sean Astin stole our hearts anew portraying the goofy Bob in Stranger Things Season 2, and when it became clear he wouldn't be back for Season 3, many viewers were disappointed. Though Bob might be gone, Netflix has just made a move to ensure it won't be the last time viewers see Astin in action on the platform. The veteran actor has signed onto a multi-camera sitcom called No Good Nick, which involves a tricky kid, lots of laughs, and a winning co-star in former Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Melissa Joan Hart.

No Good Nick tells the tale of a family who welcomes a 13-year-old kid named Nick (short for Nicole) to the family, unaware that she's actually a "street-smart con-artist." Sean Astin's character Ed is the patriarch of the household, and Deadline describes him as a "lovable but dorky fun dad." Melissa Joan Hart is his hyper-competitive career-driven wife named Liz, which seems to imply these two are a couple that encapsulates the old saying "opposites attract." Actress Siena Agudong, best known for her roles on Nickelodeon's Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn and Star Falls, will play the role of Nick. The Fosters' Kalama Epstein and Liv and Maddie's Lauren Lindsey Donzis are also attached to the comedy, which has already started production on its initial 20 episodes.

No Good Nick is yet another Netflix series for Sean Astin, who in addition to his stand-out role in Stranger Things, is also the narrator for The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants. He's also voicing roles in Bunnicula and Justice League Action, having just last year wrapped his run as Raphael on Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series. And this new series will be yet another multi-camera comedy getting play on the streaming service, following in the footsteps of Ashton Kutcher's long-running The Ranch and the rebooted One Day at a Time. The new comedy is teased to be another family-oriented sitcom similar that shares tonal beats with the super-successful Fuller House, but there will be a bit of serialized drama that will bring some weight as well.

No Good Nick seems like a good career move for Sean Astin, who proved on Stranger Things he's capable of filling the role of the TV dad, and we're assuming this show won't bring something so dramatic that Astin has to worry about his character making an untimely exit. Meanwhile, Melissa Joan Hart joins the Netflix family as the streaming giant is set to debut its dark comic book adaptation of the teen witch she first introduced to America. Sean Astin is somewhat going through the same thing, with Amazon preparing its mega-budget Lord of the Rings series, so perhaps the two will bond over the fact they've both remained relevant in Hollywood long enough to see their biggest former projects getting fresh starts for today's audiences.

No Good Nick is currently in production, and doesn't yet have a release window set up. But there are plenty of things popping up on Netflix for subscribers to enjoy while they wait for it. For a look at what's happening on cable television be sure to keep tabs on all things coming to television in the coming weeks by visiting our fall premiere guide.

As far as overall scope, there are few film properties quite as grand as Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings franchise. Adapted from the beloved J.R.R. Tolkien novels, Jackson's trilogy were cultural events of the 2000's that garnered mass acclaim and box office numbers. And while they're still revered by moviegoers today, there was a time when their success wasn't certain. The Fellowship of The Ring had a massive budget of $93 million, so it had the potential to really tank if it didn't resonate with audiences. Actor Sean Astin played Samwise Gamgee in the trilogy, and recently spoke to the risk attached to Peter Jackson's original film. He said,

The Lord of The Rings ended up being film royalty, but it had the potential to fail hard given its massive budget. One bad movie was all it would've taken to wreck plans for the rest of the trilogy, and therefore cutting Sean Astin's tenure as Sam. And really, what would LOTR be without all of his knowing looks to Frodo in the sequels?

Sean Astin's comments come from his conversation with io9, reminiscing about his various iconic film and TV roles. Astin's Samwise is a fan favorite character, as he was the heart of the franchise, as well as Frodo's long journey to Mount Doom. We watched him advocate for his friend time and time again, going up against the fiercest of foes in order to destroy The Ring. And while he was charming and sweet in The Fellowship of The Ring, the character's true colors came out more in the following two sequels.

Ultimately Peter Jackson's iconic Lord of The Rings trilogy made oodles of money, grossing a total of $2,917,506,956 during its three movie international run in theaters. There were also countless video games, merchandise, and action figures to further boost overall gross. Eventually it was followed up by The Hobbit trilogy, which brought back actors like Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom for another adventure in Middle Earth.

Sean Astin has been keeping busy in the years following 2003's The Return of the King. He's recently been doing a ton of TV work, with acclaimed runs in both The Strain and Netflix's Stranger Things. He'll next appear on the silver screen in Gloria. In the meantime, check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

The early 2000's saw the release of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films, which became one of cinema's most beloved and iconic trilogies. The beating heart of these films was not the warriors and kings, but the Hobbits who were thrust into an adventure far bigger than them. Perhaps no Hobbit represented this emotional core more than Samwise Gamgee, the stalwart companion who, undaunted, carried Frodo across the finish line. Arguably Sam's biggest moment was his speech at the end of The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers. But the resolute and hopeful speech that said so much about his character almost didn't make it into the film, as Samwise actor Sean Astin explained.

Watching that speech today, even by itself, can still send chills down your spine and fill your heart with hope. It is difficult to imagine The Two Towers or the trilogy as a whole without it. Shooting The Lord of the Rings trilogy was a massive undertaking, and the fact that they went back and decided to insert this is incredible. It does not feel tacked on; and more than being seamless, it feels vital and inextricable from the film as a whole. The speech is heartfelt and meaningful and it ends the dark middle chapter on an inspiring and hopeful note.

As Sean Astin told Yahoo, the speech was actually a direct response to the 9/11 attacks. The first film was released in December of 2001, and The Two Towers proved unfortunately titled when it was released the following year. So the writers went back to the book, found J.R.R. Tolkien's beautiful words, and added that scene to the film. That is part of what makes the speech so incredible. Of course Samwise is speaking to the struggle in Middle Earth, but the words have resonance far beyond that fantasy world. In case you've forgotten, watch the speech below.

That is the power of great storytelling. Words found in a novel published in 1954, were filmed to inspire hope in 2002, and they still hold weight today. This is just another reason why The Lord of the Rings trilogy set the benchmark for high fantasy in feature film that is still unmatched to this day (on the big screen at least). This speech is just a part of what made Peter Jackson's trilogy so memorable, and why for some it is the greatest trilogy of all time (cue Clerks 2 argument). It is also why the upcoming Lord of the Rings TV show from Amazon is so ambitious. Spending an insane amount of money with modern technology might produce bigger battles, but it takes purpose and heart to tell a story that really matters.

Sean Astin has been getting a lot of love as Bob on Stranger Things, and now that news is out Amazon may be looking to bring a Lord Of The Rings series to the small screen, everybody obviously wants to know his opinions on it. Astin shared his thoughts, and stated he's not surprised, but he's intrigued.

Sounds like Sean Astin knows Hollywood better than most people do. But even though he was the iconic Samwise Gamgee in the original trilogy of Peter Jackson films for Lord of the Rings, Astin had no details for EW's satellite radio show as to what the project could be about. He's not involved, after all. (Yet.)

When asked what he would like to see, however, he did say he would be interested in a series that focuses on the Mines Of Moria. While he concedes that audiences have already seen a bit of the mines in The Hobbit trilogy, Astin thinks five hours or so of doing a deep dive into the mining culture of the dwarves would make for some great television.

Then again, a show about the dwarves of Lord of the Rings could exclude Hobbits, which then might exclude Sean Astin from reappearing. When asked if he would be down for making a return to Mordor to reprise his beloved role, Astin admits the thought hadn't even crossed his mind when he first saw the news for a potential new series:

Sean Astin is asking all the right questions surrounding this potential Lord of the Rings project. The problem is, there just isn't anyone to answer questions at this time, since details are being kept hush-hush. Will this adventure be a retelling of the original book trilogy, and if so, would or could Astin return to play the character he played over a decade ago? If not him, then who? Gaten Matarazzo?

Hopefully, any and all questions regarding this in-development Lord of the Rings project will be revealed in short time. In the meantime, we're still Bob crazy at CinemaBlend. Check out what the Duffer Brothers had to say about a fan theory regarding the Stranger Things fan favorite, and some lingering questions we still have about his character. For more on where and when to find great fall shows, visit our fall premiere guide.

This is a great week for fans of Netflix's Stranger Things, as the show is finally set to return after more than a year of hiatus. While Season 2 will bring back all the characters we came to know and love (with a notable exception or two), some new characters are set to be introduced as well. One new face will be that of former Goonies star Sean Astin, who is on board as Radio Shack manager Bob Newby. As the star of a classic 80s movie all about kids on an adventure, his casting on Stranger Things is pretty much perfect. Astin recently revealed what he told the Stranger Things kids on set, saying this:

While Sean Astin may be best known nowadays for his role as Sam in the Lord of the Rings movies, his breakout role was as Mikey on The Goonies, which is an almost universally beloved movie. There were a lot of similarities between the story of the Stranger Things youngsters -- including a leader by the name of Mike -- and The Goonies in Season 1, and it seemed absolutely ideal that Astin was brought in to play a part in Season 2. His comments to EW indicate that the kids on the cast looked to him for some pearls of wisdom.

Hopefully we'll get to see some scenes of Sean Astin as Bob interacting with the kids. As Bob is Joyce's boyfriend, we'll probably get to see him with Will at some point, and perhaps Jonathan as well. Bob has less of a reason to cross paths with Mike, Lucas, and Dustin, but assuming they're all mixed up in the action of the Upside Down and the Shadow Monster, they may end up at the same place at the same time. While we might not get Sean Astin back on a bike channeling his inner Mikey, it should be fun to see him back in the middle of another 1980s adventure.

Luckily, we don't have too much longer to wait before Stranger Things returns to Netflix for Season 2. All nine episodes of the second season will be available on Friday, October 27 at 12:01 a.m. PT. This time around, the monster is bigger, the Upside Down is apparently invading Hawkins, and the characters have a lot of spookiness to deal with. We can count on plenty more 80s references in the second season, not the least of which will be the four boys decked out in Ghostbusters gear for Halloween.

With just one month left of the summer, the time has come to look forward to fall premieres of your favorite TV shows. And one of the most highly anticipated of these is Netflix's sci-fi period piece Stranger Things, which will debut its second season just in time for Halloween. The series was the breakout show of last summer, instantly accruing tons of loyal fans, and earning a slew of Emmy Nominations (although Winona Ryder was totally snubbed for her performance as Joyce). The show's sophomore season will bring back all of your favorite characters from Hawkins, while also introducing a handful of newcomers. One of these is Sean Astin's Bob Newby (lol), who will reportedly be the Barb of Season 2.

This bold prediction comes to us from Stranger Things producer/director Shawn Levy, who recently spoke to Screen Rant about the show's second season. It's here where Levy revealed how Sean Astin's Bob was the potential to be just as beloved as our dearly departed Barb. He said:

As if having Rudy/Samwise Gamgee joining the Stranger Things cast wasn't exciting enough, it appears that his performance is fantastic enough to warrant fan attention before Season 2 is even released.

While Shawn Levy's statement is yet another reason to be excited for Stranger Things' return to the small screen, it seems fitting that he referenced how small Barb's role actually was in Season 1. While actress Shannon Purser was adorable and charming as Barb, she wasn't actually present through most of the show's first season. The demogorgon snatched her up pretty quickly, and we didn't see her return alive after her infamous pool scene in Episode 3. This small amount of screen time is why some are irritated with Purser's Emmy nomination as Barb, considering how much more her fellow nominees had to do in their respective roles.

Not much is known about Sean Astin's Bob, except that he is a former classmate of both Joyce and Hopper who runs Hawkins' Radio Shack. We'll be able to get more information when Stranger Things releases its second season on October 27, 2017.

One of the biggest small screen hits of the summer was the throwback horror series Stranger Things - at least unofficially, because Netflix - and fans have been waiting not very patiently to get new updates about Season 2. Roll out the upside down red carpet, because the show has announced a trio of new characters that sound quite interesting, and we can look forward to watching the just-cast Sean Astin, Paul Reiser and Linnea Berthelsen taking on the roles.

The main cast for Stranger Things was just announced/confirmed recently, with two new cast members getting added almost a month ago, but these additions are on par with getting Winona Ryder for Season 1. Sean Astin, whose career is filled with genre entries like The Goonies, Lord of the Rings and The Strain, will play the local RadioShack manager Bob Newby. (I love this already.) He went to high school with Joyce and Hopper, and they probably knew him as quite a bit of a nerd, but a nice one all the same. If RadioShack is getting namechecked here, expect more spooky electronics in Season 2. Calculator watches for everyone!

Paul Reiser, most famous for Mad About You and a long stand-up career, will get a little more series for Stranger Things as Dr. Owens, who works for the Department of Energy as a higher-up exec. He has been given the assignment to take care of cleaning up the events of Season 1, so we can probably expect to see Reiser squaring off with Matthew Modine's Dr. Martin Brenner at some point. Fun fact: Reiser is currently gearing up for Season 2 of Amazon's stellar comedy Red Oaks, which also takes place in the 1980s, but contains no monsters.

Newcomer Linnea Berthelsen, a Danish actress who has only appeared in a couple of short films, will play a character who sounds like she's got a lot in common with Eleven. As Roman, Berthelsen will portray a young woman who suffered a tragedy as a child, and is now emotionally damaged because of it. And, as you may have guessed, she is also connected to everything that happened in Hawkins, according to EW. The thing is, she doesn't even live there. (Cue the synth music.)

Not too much is known about what will be happening in Season 2 of Stranger Things, though creators Matt and Ross Duffer have said there will be more exploration into the mythology of The Upside Down and the various threats brought about by the DOE's experiments. And thankfully, after months of hoping and telepathically trying to make it happen, the casting announcement confirmed Millie Bobby Brown's Eleven will be back for another round of nosebleeds.

Stranger Things doesn't have a release date locked up for Season 2 just yet, but it's coming next year, along with many other shows you can find on our 2017 Netflix schedule. As well, you can check out our midseason premiere schedule to see what's coming to your linear TV viewing.

The oft-discussed The Goonies 2 is one of those projects that we won’t really believe in until it’s actually playing in a theater near us. Key cast members, and even director Richard Donner, have discussed the projects at varying stages over the years (really, we have been covering it for a while now), so we take each new update with a grain of salt. This latest comes from a reliable source – aka, Mr. Sean Astin – so we trust it. We just don’t know how far we’re willing to go with this one.

Sean Astin, who of course played Mikey in the original The Goonies has been one of the most consistent supporters of The Goonies 2 over the years. He has teased that the sequel might be an adventure for the older members of the team, who’d now be adults. He has hinted that it might involved the children of the "Goon Docks" kids. Anyway, over the weekend while speaking at Phoenix ComicCon 2016, Astin dropped this hint, via YouTuber TomFoolery.

There you have it. The pirate who inspired the first adventure, whose "rich stuff" triggered the treasure hunt to save the Good Docks in the first movie, will play a part in The Goonies 2. You know, if and when that sequel ever happens.

How might this be possible? At the end of the original movie, the Goonies set off a series of booby traps and explosions that release One-Eyed Willy’s pirate ship from the cave where it had been trapped for decades. With the kids watching from the shore, Willy’s ship sails away. The sequel, we’re not left to assume, will have something to do with the ship… returning? Willy is a skeleton, so it’s not like he’s doing anything to bring the ship back into Mikey’s life. I wonder how they are planning to pull this off.

Now, Sean Astin’s comments do confirm one bit. They tell us that if The Goonies 2 were to happen, that the older members of the team will return. Or, Mikey, at the very least. But why would you do The Goonies 2 without bringing back as many members of the original squad as possible. That would require Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Kerri Green, Jeff Cohen, Martha Plimpton, and Jonathan Quan, though all have expressed interest in returning at different stages of this discussion.

What do you think? Is Sean Astin beating this drum all by himself? Or did he just reveal a spoilery plot point from a The Goonies 2 screenplay that we might see on the screen one day?

Where does Sean Astin stand on The Goonies 2? By his comment during a recent Reddit AMA, optimistic seems to be the general tone for the actor who played Mikey in the original film. In addition to ensuring a "magic" sequel to The Goonies, Astin also shared a bit of trivia about the Cyndi Lauper's "The Goonies 'R Good Enough" music video.

We learned back in April that a followup to The Goonies was (still) in the works. While not much is known about what's planned for the sequel, from what director Richard Donner says, The Goonies producer Steven Spielberg is behind the idea for it. Sean Astin brought up both Steven Spielberg and Richard Donner when he commented on the sequel during the Reddit Ask Me Anything this weekend. "The first one was magic. The second one will be too, or Steven and Dick won't do it," Astin told Redditors, confidently.

It's that kind of support and optimism hardcore fans likely want to hear, especially when we consider how beloved and appreciated the film was by a generation of kids. The Goonies was magical, not only in the way it brought a pirate treasure hunt to a modern-day story, but also in its efforts to tell a story about a group of kids working together to save their town. Just as ET did, The Goonies succeeded in making kids the heroes of the story. Hopefully the sequel will tap into some of that magic as well.

During the AMA, Astin also finished a story he never got to tell on the audio commentary featured on The Goonies DVD and Blu-ray. During the part of the film when Cyndi Lauper's "The Goonies 'R Good Enough" song is playing on the TV, Sean Astin -- during the commentary on the DVD -- tries to use the scene as an opportunity to tell Lauper something. But then the scene changes and he never gets to say what he wanted to say. One Redditor gave Astin the opportunity to finish what he had to say.

"That was a good one," Astin responded. "Cyndi Lauper was wondering why we Goonies were hang dogging during the amazing Good Enough Video... I wanted to apologize to her :-))) all in good fun..."

Just to be clear, Astin is not referring to the scene when Lauper is on the TV screen during The Goonies. As Corey Feldman explains in the commentary, they didn't actually hear that song until after the movie was made. Sean Astin is referring to the "Goonies 'R Good Enough" music video that featured Captain Lou Albano, Rowdy Roddy Piper and other pro-wrestlers, along with Cyndi Lauper and the cast of The Goonies...

From the sound of it, the kids weren't exactly in high spirits on the set of the music video.

"Moping...I retract the other phrase," Astin clarifies, when asked what 'hang dogging' means. "We were spaced out because it was saturday after a long week. but we flipping loved that song and wanted to do lots of vids with the Great Cyndi Lauper!!!"

So I guess the song was good enough for the Goonies. Heh. (Sorry).

Astin participated in the Reddit AMA in an effort to promote a documentary, which is in need of some funding. Titled Sultana, the documentary is about "the greatest U.S. maritime disaster you've never heard of." Sultana has only three days left on its Kickstarter campaign, and it still needs more than $10,000 in order to meet its goal.

There are some Goonies-related incentives for backers. More information on that at Kickstarter.

Those with a fear of cleanliness and those metropolitan playthings some call rats may want to steer clear of the horrors that unfurl themselves in Guillermo del Toro’s latest, a TV series for FX called The Strain. Because the scariest sight to see in the promo is just that: rats. Hide your garbage, folks.

And not even the really scary kind: these are perfectly clean-looking, healthy, and well-trained rats that seem to only run around and well-formed clusters, easy to avoid. As any New Yorker (or former, in this instance) will tell you, these rats are the least-scary looking rats out there, so we’re a bit befuddled as to what sort of terror they are meant to strike.

Are they vampire rats? The series — slated to premiere in July 2014 — is said to center around a mysterious viral outbreak that has all the markings of an ancient and evil (say it with us now: eeeeeeeeeviiiiiiil) disease that apparently proliferates vampirism.

Based on a series of novels written by del Toro and Chuck Hogan, the FX drama stars House of Cards’ Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, and Game of Thrones’ very own Walder Frey, David Bradley. The Strain tells the story of Dr. Ephraim Goodweather (Stoll), a Center for Disease Control employee in charge of the unenviable task of investigating said creepy outbreak.

Must be that those old wives’ tales about bats being the carrier for vampirism were merely a red herring: rats are the culprit, you see. Rats! Perhaps that’s why they call New York the city that never sleeps: they don’t sleep in New York because everyone is a vampire, forced to live their lives only at night (…actually, that could feasibly work quite well. Wait a second!), put upon by those blood-sucking super-rodents hellbent on turning everyone into vessels of garlic and stake-ridden fear. That’s how they get you, you know: misinformation. Damn you, you tricky vampires! Always trying to throw us off your trail. We’re onto you this time, though! (Well, maybe.)

Jokes aside, the series must be somewhat impressive, as FX has already given it a 13-episode order, and the production has only just begun this month.

According to The Wrap, everyone working on the project is atwitter at the chance to geek out with del Toro, including executive producer Carlton Cuse (Lost). “Working with visionary filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and the team at FX has been a dream come true for me,” Cuse stated. “Guillermo’s epic, cinematic pilot for The Strain starts a chilling and compelling story that will upend everything you thought you knew about vampires.”

“The Strain books are near and dear to my heart and now,Chuck and I have the blessing of a partnership with Carlton and FX that holds great promise,” del Toro said. “Working with FX has yielded an amazing experience with total creative freedom and support.”

Either way: rats. Rats are happening.

The Strain hits FX’s airwaves in July of 2014, so you have time to stock up on rodenticide.

As Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim prepares to crash theaters this weekend (with twitter reactions so far ranging from love to hate), casting continues on the writer-director's small screen adaptation of The Strain. Based on Chuck Hogan (who also wrote Prince of Thieves, the source material for Ben Affleck's The Town) and del Toro's horror novel, FX added Lord of the Rings's Sean Astin to the pilot's increasingly solid ensemble that already includes Corey Stoll, Mia Maestro and the legendary John Hurt.

The Strain’s showrunner Carlton Cuse, famous for Bates Motel and LOST, took to twitter to make the ‘thrilling,’ albeit concise (or Hobbit-sized), announcement…

Since many people probably haven't read the book (trilogy, which also includes The Fall and The Night Eternal), I should probably explain the plot before getting into any specifics about the character Astin will play. Even though, I also haven't read it. The Strain is about a viral outbreak that turns anyone infected essentially into vampires and for the most part follows the CDC rapid-response team investigating the biological threat. The 'Canary Team' (sounds dangerous) is led by Dr. Ephraim 'Eph' Goodweather (Stoll) and employs his best friends Nora (Maestro) and Astin's Jim Kent, the groups' political operative who may or may not be coerced into some shady disease dealings. I don't know if the specific character details in the THR article are spoilers or not, so I'll just leave it at that.

The Strain pilot, directed by del Toro and written by del Toro and Hogan, marks the second potential new series for Astin with him also recently signing on to CBS’ The Surgeon General starring Jason Isaacs. I don’t blame him. It’s always a good idea for an actor to hedge their bets when it comes to television gigs, especially since both are still only at the pilot stage. THR also notes, however, that The Strain recently added a writing staff to handle an order for additional scripts from the network, a development that certainly sounds promising and suggests del Toro and Hogan’s project is on its way to being picked up. In fact, I would be pretty shocked if it doesn’t go to series at FX since the director cast all the network’s stars in his summer blockbuster.

Yep, Sons of Anarchy’s Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman as well as It’s Always Sunny’s Charlie Day are the main players in the Kaiju (monster) versus Jaeger (robot) movie. Maybe del Toro just really digs FX. I do.

Sean Astin is likely to be better associated with his film roles, which go back to movies like The Goonies and Toy Soldiers, and more recently, The Lord of the Rings films. But we've been seeing more and more of the actor on the small screen, with appearances in Syfy's Alphas and TNT's Franklin & Bash among his recent credits, and a voice-role as Raphael in the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon on Nick. If things work out for the CBS drama pilot Surgeon General, we'll be seeing the actor on television in a more regular capacity.

Deadline says Astin will join Jason Isaacs and Kathryn Morris in the CBS drama pilot, which comes from Samuel Baum. The drama stars Isaacs as Dr. John Sherman the nation's Surgeon General, who's charged with caring for 315 million patients. It sounds like the ultimate in medical dramas, going all the way to the top of the medical field, where things are likely to be especially complicated and political, and full of potential for drama. For his part, Astin will play Dr. Fischer, a psychiatrist and a member of Sherman's team. He's responsible for overseeing the nation's mental health.

Astin's been on my eternal-crush list since he played the asthmatic, adventurous Mikey in The Goonies, so anything he's in gets my support. Beyond that, this project sounds ambitious and full of potential, especially when we consider Jason Isaacs' participation. The Harry Potter actor was one of the best things NBC's Awake had going for it, but the series didn't last, unfortunately. Hopefully things will work out better for Surgeon General, especially now that Astin's on board.