After what felt like roughly a billion years (give or take eight or nine zeros), Marvel Studios finally released the first full-length trailer for the upcoming MCU film Avengers: Doomsday, giving fans a slew of new details, shots, quotes, and more to theorize about. (Example: Are we really going to see all the familiar X-Men being killed off?!?) Along with footage-filled new promo, a new Doomsday poster also dropped that is no doubt meant to supply insights regarding Doctor Doom’s emotional plight in the 2026 release.

But wait, does that poster ALSO make a “hidden” reference to everyone’s favorite unbreakable mutant, Wolverine? Does it, does it? I mean, probably not, but now that the suggestion has entered my brain-space, I simply cannot unsee it, Bub.

The idea was first posited over on Reddit without much of a logical narrative foundation, but who needs hypothetical exposition when Wolverine’s mask is clearly kinda-sorta just right there if you use your imagination and really want to believe it. (I slapped my own version together for the side-by-side below.)

It's not exactly perfect or anything, but it's way more convincing than it should be for pure randomness. I get that there's definitely some pareidolia involved, and that my brain is so used to seeing big faces on movie posters that it's trying to make up for that vacant element.

Add to that the ongoing speculation about Hugh Jackman's Wolverine showing up in Doomsday and/or Avengers: Secret Wars, with his very recent gym efforts sparking theories about that very thing. But it's not like we're just seeing Wolverine-adjacent shapes on random cereal boxes and floor patterns. (Maybe contact a doctor or a trip-sitter if you are.) This poster is at least a fitting spot to see a mutant visage.

For all that I think the Anthony and Joe Russo would include this kind of visual clue in a Doomsday poster, I can't think of why Wolverine would be showing up on this tapestry of what appears to be Victor Von Doom's family. Even if this movie does wipe out Fox's X-Men timeline and we get introduced to a Wolverine replacement that isn't Jackman, I'm still not sure it makes sense for a poster tease. (Unless the new Wolvie is a variant of Doom's son, or some other convoluted sh-t.)

Considering Steve Rogers' timeline tinkering has been theorized as a root cause for the incursions that possibly killed Doom's brood, it'd make a bit more sense for Steve's Captain America mask to be hiding in there.

Which I guess means I should spend the next couple of hours trying to force my brain to unsee Wolverine so that I can then spend another couple of hours finding a way to perspective-force Cap onto this poster. We all have our missions, and they're all important.

As the coundown clock tells us, Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026.

For a generation of moviegoers, Ryan Reynolds is Deadpool – the profane, violent and admittedly, lovable mercenary who’s now a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s been a couple of years since audiences have seen the Merc with a Mouth on the big screen, as he last appeared in the box office hit Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024. Many have been itching to know what lies ahead for the red-and-black clad character. Reynolds made some comments about that earlier this year but is now backtracking in a way that I’m actually fine with.

Reynolds teased his future plans for the character this past spring during an interview, saying that he had “some stuff kind of written.” However, he notably said he didn’t have plans to make another solo film involving Wade Wilson. Furthermore, the Canadian star asserted that Wilson would work better as a “supporting character” and that “He’s a guy who is great in a group.” These comments surely came as a surprise to fans, especially considering how successful DP’s film series has been.

It seems Reynolds may be changing course a bit when it comes to the direction of his MCU character. The A-lister recently appeared at Fanatics Fest, where he discussed Wade Wilson’s future, and he dropped an interesting bit of information. As seen in an Instagram video, Reynolds seemingly confirms that another installment in the Deadpool franchise is on the way:

Per Reynolds’ sentiments, it sounds like he has unfinished business, and I’m glad to hear it. I honestly don’t doubt his prior assertion that Wade can work as a member of an ensemble, which is why I wouldn’t mind seeing him in Avengers: Doomsday (which just dropped a trailer) or Secret Wars. Still, the character does have his own specific appeal as a lead in his own set of movies, which get a lot of R-rated leeway that other MCU installments don’t get. So, on that note, bring on more Wilson-led flicks!

Still, it would be great to see Wade rub shoulders with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and other major MCU players at some point. It’s been rumored that Deadpool and Wolverine will return in Doomsday, but that’s far from confirmed. Ryan Reynolds also shared other comments about Wade’s future months ago, and they don’t inspire confidence that he’ll be in either of the upcoming Avengers movies. Despite that, wilder things have happened in this franchise, so it would be unwise to rule out the possibility altogether.

It remains to be seen whether Reynolds’ latest comments will prove to be correct, but it’s encouraging to hear that he still has interest in reprising Wade. Also, if another solo film is greenlit, I hope Reynolds commits to not rushing out the film and letting it marinate as needed.

Check out the first three Deadpool movies now by streaming them with a Disney+ subscription. And, regardless of whether Wade Wilson appears in Avengers: Doomsday, see it in theaters when it opens on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Multiverse Saga is approaching its culmination, and that’ll begin with Avengers: Doomsday. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film is set to see various heroes across the multiverse take on the threat of Doctor Doom (played by Robert Downey Jr.). Fans have been anxiously awaiting a first look at this 2026 movie schedule entry and, now, they have it by way of the first official trailer. It delivers on the film’s promise of uniting the heroes, but what I really love is the role Thor has seemingly taken on.

Thor Steps Up In A Big Way In The Avengers: Doomsday Trailer

Although there are plenty of heroes in the fold with this story, Thor has the most prominent role in this particular trailer, and I love it. It’s Chris Hemsworth’s God of Thunder who narrates the trailer and stresses to his comrades that they must work together to defeat this new threat. All in all, Hemsworth delivers this dialogue with conviction, and it’s great to see him taking center stage. What’s more is that we even get a shot of him going at Doom head on, and I’m both excited and nervous about how that bout might play out.

What the Asgardian God’s comments represent are the sage advice of a person who’s been around and seen his fair share of battles. I especially get chills when I hear the character talk about having fought alongside fallen warriors “far stronger than” him and his cohorts put together. And as he points out, those fighters died facing enemies that can’t even match Doom’s power. I was thinking new Captain America Sam Wilson would essentially serve as the Avengers’ new leader and, while that may be the case, Thor could be second to him.

Fans probably should’ve assumed Thor would take on a more serious role, given that Doomsday teaser that saw him praying to Odin. I love how Hemsworth is more than rising to the occasion and proving why his character has “earned his seat at the table,” so to speak. The Australian actor may have felt like an “elder” while filming with some of his younger co-stars but, if you ask me, this OG member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes isn’t showing any signs of aging.

Various MCU Heroes Will Unite (And Clash) During Doomsday

The Thor of this aside, though, when it comes to MCU crossovers, where can we even start when it comes to this trailer? At first glance, there are so many character combinations here that have my head spinning in the best way. For starters, there’s a group shot in Avengers Tower that features the New Avengers alongside the Fantastic Four and others like Sam Wilson, Ant-Man and Thor. And, of course, we also see Thor unite with good buddy Steve Rogers, who proves his identity by wielding Mjolnir.

What’s also cool is seeing some of these beloved characters come to blows with one another. For example, we get a look at the rumored Mystique and Yelena Belova battle, and Shang-Chi and Gambit also fight, with the flaming cards and ancient rings flying! It also seems that the bad blood between the Wakandans and the denizens of Talokan following the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. All in all, what I’m assuming, though, is that all of these factions may put aside their differences as they seek to fight Doom.

That’s the advice Thor gives, of course, and I’d certainly take it if I were among the heroes. It goes without saying that the axe-wielding do-gooder knows what tragic events can happen when the Avengers aren’t on the same page. I’m ready to see how all this goes down and, given the size of Thor’s role, I’ll also be curious to see if this marks the end of the road for the Norse god.

Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18th, and tickets are available now. To prepare for the film, fans can stream the first four Avengers movies using a Disney+ subscription.

Tom Holland is a pro when it comes to stunt sequences. He’s been doing stunt choreography and fight scenes for a decade now, and I can’t think of anyone who has done more cinematic backflips in their movie career. However, apparently The Odyssey came with new challenges that the actor had never experienced before, and he recently explained what these sword fight sequences made things feel so much more dangerous.

In a recent interview with the cast of The Odyssey for Entertainment Weekly, the all-star group of actors talked about what made shooting this film so much more intense than their experiences in the past. All of the actors had experience with action sequences before, like the memorable fight sequences from the Jason Bourne movies with Matt Damon, or the stunt scenes with Anne Hathaway in the Dark Knight Rises.

However with three Spider-Man movies and three Avengers movies under his belt, Holland might take the cake as the most experienced. He joked that his Spidy-skills wouldn't have worked for this film though, saying:

The armor in The Odyssey scenes wasn’t the only thing that set the fight sequences in the film apart from Spider-Man, though. Holland explained that the sword battles in the buzzy 2026 movie release felt incredibly different than anything he’d experienced before, and a lot of this had to do with the way that director Christopher Nolan directs scenes like this, where he runs through it completely without cutting. Holland explained:

I can imagine how this could be incredibly daunting. When swords are being moved around everywhere in a stunt sequence without any cutting, it must feel very scary. Even though this is all movie magic, with intricate stunt choreography and safety precautions all being taken, it doesn’t take away from the fact that heavy, pointy movie props are moving around everywhere. The lack of cutting makes everything feel way more real and less clean than a Marvel movie. Nolan also admitted that the weapons used in a film like this makes things more dangerous, saying:

The danger behind the whole thing translates so well on screen, so the shooting style was definitely the right move for scenes like this. It brings a sense of grandiosity as well as danger, and Nolan’s insistence on actually using hordes of extras for his battles instead of CGI grounds the film even more. Comparing Marvel sequences with The Odyssey feels a bit unfair, but with a shared cast, it’s hard not to. There is something so gritty about these sequences that work so perfectly for The Odyssey, and allows the characters, like Holland's, to actually feel the stakes of the film.

You can see Tom Holland in The Odyssey, which is currently in theaters nationwide in IMAX and on 70mm. The Odyssey is being lauded by critics, so make sure to check it out on the biggest screen possible while you still can. Fans of the Peter Parker actor can also see him in the MCU Spider-Man films, which are all streaming with a Disney+ subscription, with the latest heading to theaters on July 31, 2026.

There are more than a few secrets swirling (or swinging?) around Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but the biggest mystery involves Sadie Sink. Neither Marvel Studios nor Sink herself have yet to divulge the identity of her character, and speculation has been running rampant. Even though the powers that be still aren’t willing to share details, it seems the marketing team has reached the point where it’s having some fun with the situation. That’s right, Sink and the Spidey team are now trolling fans, and it’s honestly making me laugh.

When it comes to getting the general public prepared for a new movie, especially one as big as Spider-Man, a marketing team has to find interesting ways to build hype and curiosity. One of the ways in which the marketers at Sony did that was by sharing a cheeky video of Sink on Instagram and, in it, she confirms to have seen the various theories about her character. She then proceeds to give the public three “exclusive confirmed” answers. However, her comments likely aren’t what devotees are looking for:

Sink’s last answer is, of course, a particularly sharp jab, given how obvious it is. And Sony’s marketing team wasn’t done playing on the Sink situation, either. Another video posted to IG plays on the matter as well, though it does so in a very different and self-aware way. The clip shows the Stranger Things alum sitting down to the chorus of tense orchestral music, with the caption noting that she’s preparing to film a documentary on how she managed to keep her role a secret. Take a look:

Marvel Studios does indeed like to toy with fans now and then, so these Spider-Man promotional videos definitely track. Of course, these kinds of clips may not work for everyone, but I can appreciate such advertising. What it seems to show is that the marketing team has its finger on the pulse of the fandom and simply wants to have some fun with them in a creative way. And, at this point, the clips seem to have gained quite a bit of traction. The “answers” video has over 770,000 likes, while the faux doc clip has over 301,000.

These materials aside, though, I’m truly amazed at how Sadie Sink has been able to keep her character a secret since she was cast in Brand New Day back in March 2025. Of course, that’s not to say it’s been easy for the actress to hold everything in. Sink previously discussed the struggle of not being able to openly discuss her role, joking that the situation “torture.” Nevertheless, she’s proven to be a pro at keeping “secrets,” and her occasional spoiler-dropper of a co-star, Tom Holland, may want to take some notes.

Although Sink’s character hasn’t officially been announced, fans have long had theories, which even pre-dated her casting. The most common rumor is that the O'Dessa star is playing the powerful Jean Grey, a member of the X-Men. Plenty of fans seem to be high on that idea and, at this point, fan art of Sink as Grey has even made the rounds. It would be huge if the A-lister were definitely playing Grey, and her introduction could have massive ramifications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward.

It won’t be too much longer before we have a definitive answer regarding this Brand New Day character, but the wait is getting somewhat difficult for me amid this final stretch. At this point, I’d be surprised if Sink weren’t playing Jean, but MCU fans like myself have been surprised before. For now, though, I would expect Sadie Sink and the marketing team to keep us guessing about the nature of her role and find funny ways to do so.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day opens in theaters on July 31 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. Fans can prepare for this latest installment in Tom Holland’s Spidey series by streaming the first three films with a Disney+ subscription.

We’re all used to Big Brother players shouting out family members and friends during their live votes each week, but now and again, one of them will drop a reference that makes you do a double take. This week, that person was Rick Devens, who said happy birthday to his daughter, said hi to his wife and son and then name dropped popular director and DC executive James Gunn. Initially, most fans thought it was just Rick being goofy, but it turns out there’s an entire backstory here.

Rick and James Gunn apparently know each other in real life. In fact, there was a plan for Rick and his family to appear in the background of the upcoming Superman sequel Man Of Tomorrow, which Gunn has been on-set directing the past few months. Prior to the shooting day, however, Devens called Gunn and told him he wasn’t going to be able to come anymore for a reason he wasn’t allowed to share. That reason was obviously he was going to be sequestered in the Big Brother House.

Gunn posted a video of Devens shouting him out on Big Brother over on Threads, and when fans asked what the connection was, he talked about knowing Rick in a series of messages. He also said that even though Rick missed out on the Superman shoot, his family did not…

Everyone, even James Gunn, likes being shouted out on television, but the excitement here no doubt ran a lot deeper because Gunn is a noted OG Big Brother fan. As such, that reference definitely hit harder than it would have otherwise. I’m sure he’s loving this season too, given he’s got a friend on the show and also, it’s been objectively a glorious mess so far.

Part of the reason why it’s been such a mess has been Devens himself, who doesn’t know how to do anything other than play hard. He was a menace on both of his seasons of Survivor, finding idols and getting up to all sorts of weird schemes. There aren’t any Idols on Big Brother, but there are plenty of opportunities to cause chaos. To the surprise of no one, Rick has taken advantage of those, forming multiple alliances and taking part in what’s rumored to be one of the wildest nomination ceremonies in the show’s history, which is going to air this evening.

You can catch Devens on Big Brother throughout the Summer, which airs new episodes several times a week on CBS. You can also tune into the live feeds at any time, which are streaming on Paramount+. As for Man Of Tomorrow, you can catch James Gunn’s newest a little less than a year from now on July 9th, 2027. Sadly, Devens won’t be a part of it, but we can all look for his wife Becca and their kids in the background.

Hugh Jackman may have once had a definitive X-Men ending in Logan, but no more. Since his Deadpool & Wolverine return in 2024, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before he appears in one of the next Marvel movies. And, as of late, Jackman has been incredibly open about his gym routine. Those workout posts have, unsurprisingly, prompted fans to mention his adamantium-clawed alter ego.

In the past few weeks, Jackman has posted two videos of himself back on a workout routine of sorts. Check out this one from July 1, and try not to get winded while watching it:

Whoa, Jackman’s really putting in the work! In the video above, the movie star is seen doing pushups with massive chains around his neck. In the caption he wrote “best to stay fit” without saying why. I totally get why fans are getting suspicious of the actor returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

If he’s doing this workout all the time he’s definitely going to be Wolverine ripped in no time. Here’s another one he posted this week:

In this video, Jackman shared a workout win where he was able to hit 2k on a rowing machine in just under seven minutes. Amidst the accomplishment, Jackman said he’s “proud, exhausted, grateful and sweating profusely.” Here’s how the Marvel fans were commenting across both posts:

• “Wolverine??? Doomsday???” - @imitandup
• “Bro is training for secret wars” - @melboy_3218
• “Bro getting ready for wolverine😍💪🔥” - @zacksnyderfans
• “He really gonna do it till 90 😂” - @sj_here_11
• “I guess you’re also in Secret Wars lol” - @arlenelaqueen”
• “Damn, wolverine is coming back” - @_choke_on_wax_
• “Wolverine is coming” - @vitobenita

‘Til he’s 90! Since Hugh Jackman has already been the lead in two 2026 movie schedule entries, you know he’s already been dodging questions about whether he’s in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Jackman has been staying strong and not saying much but, back in December, he did say that his gut was telling him he’s “not done” with Wolverine.

Avengers: Doomsday will definitely have some X-Men actors in it of course. We already know for sure that Ian McKellan’s Magneto, Patrick Stewart’s Professor X and James Marsden’s Cyclops are in the December 2026 release. Additionally, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast, Rebecca Romijn's Mystique, Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler and Channing Tatum’s Gambit will also be in the movie.

There have also been all sorts of rumors as of late about A-list movie stars filling roles in upcoming X-Men reboot. Adam Driver is rumored to be the new Magneto and a report about Margot Robbie playing Mystique has also gotten around. Some people theorize that the next set of MCU films will be called “The Mutant Saga”.

Marvel Studios is returning to San Diego Comic Con for a massive Hall H panel next weekend, so it’s very possible we’ll know more about the future of X-Men in a week. Of course, that's just speculation, so I’d definitely take Hugh Jackman’s workout videos at face value (for now)!

Supergirl’s disappointing opening weekend at the box office and its unfortunate drop-off obviously weren’t the most celebratory outcomes for DC Studios’ second movie. A stumbling block like that isn’t going to send James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU toppling down, though, especially not with Man of Tomorrow set to release in 2027. So let’s forget about all that so I can address why I absolutely need Clayface to crush when it hits theaters this year.

Just like Gotham City’s dark and danger-filled streets stand apart from all the sunlit worlds that Kara and Ruthye went to, my hopes and dreams for James Watkins’ body horror are only tangentially related to Supergirl’s financial situation. I’m already thinking about what the future will hold, and how much attention Warner Bros. will be eager to invest in it all.

Clayface's Success Will Hopefully Fast-Track Other DC Horror Projects Like Swamp Thing

The biggest reason why Clayface's potential success doesn't really relate to the Kryptonian cousins is because their films are big-budget PG-13 spectacles, while Matt Hagen's story is a more modestly financed, R-rated horror movie. Two different audience bases, two different ratios for what "success" means at the box office.

Reportedly costing around $40 million, Clayface is hitting theaters during a year that's already been gigantic for horror (albeit on the indie side), and theoretically won't have nearly as much trouble making that money back as any superhero saga that goes over $150 million would. I'm not even sure the hard R rating will have that much of an impact, since younger crowds likely wouldn't be clamoring to watch this anyway.

As such, I believe that if (and when) the Tom Rhys Harries-starring horror destroys box office predictions and makes profits galore, all the Warner Bros. and DC Studios execs will be that much more confident to quickly go into development on other mid-budget projects based on other DC horror faves.

A Swamp Thing movie is the biggest goal here, which James Mangold has been attached to, but without a ton of noteworthy updates. (Just get it made while Vincent D'Onofrio can still do it.) As well, Constantine director Francis Lawrence and star Keanu Reeves have both spoken positively about returning for a sequel to that 2005 release. (Not that it's automatically grandfathered into the DCU, but still.) Both of those examples might require more CGI money than Clayface, but there are ways to craft. those stories to limit pricier digital FX.

The sky is the limit, though, by way of other DC horror projects that could get consideration if Clayface fares well. All of the comics from Joe Hill's Hill House line would make great features, from Basketful of Heads to The Dollhouse Family. Deadman and Spectre movies? Zatanna? A Victor Zsasz faux true crime doc? I'll take them all, please and thank you.

Clayface Succeeding Could Open The Door To More Mid-Budget Movies Outside The Horror Genre

Okay, so using a picture from Bruce Campbell's Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead may not have been the best example to veer away from horror, but it's still relevant because of the previously delayed Sgt. Rock movie that's still reportedly in development. It's possible that several of the DCU projects that James Gunn is producing are in holding patterns until there's enough excited forward momentum to make them priorities for Warner Bros.

Despite being a war-centric character, Sgt Rock doesn't need to be a $200 million production. And neither would projects centering on movie-worthy characters such as The Question, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and many more. Hell, a Gotham Central movie or series wouldn't necessarily be any more expensive or complicated than a network TV procedural or big screen crime drama.

But for any of that to happen, I'm thinking everyone involved behind the scenes needs a big jolting reminder that fans are hungry to see these kinds of stories on the big screen. And there's no reminder more reliable than dollar signs. So, TLDR: go watch Clayface in theaters, probably more than once, and with everyone you know.

The DCU's first villain-fronted film is set to be released on October 23, 2026.

When Marvel Studios revealed its massive Avengers: Doomsday cast over a year ago, there were plenty of big names that stuck out. One of the most notable actors to be revealed via one of those set chairs was Tom Hiddleston, who was confirmed to be reprising his role as Loki. I’m personally glad that the former God of Mischief will play a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest superhero epic. Now, I’m even more enthusiastic about Hiddleston’s return, thanks to a promise he just made about the movie.

The last time MCU fans saw Loki was during the Season 2 finale of his eponymous show, which was emotional to say the least. Hiddleston’s beloved character saved his allies – and the entire multiverse – by personally wrangling the various timelines and permanently remaining in place to manage them. With that, the God of Mischief essentially became the God of Stories. It was a fitting end for the character, and it’s one I don’t want to be undone in any way. On that note, Hiddleston spoke to THR about Doomsday, and said this:

Of course, the well-trained star didn’t divulge any specific details about his character’s role in the upcoming Avengers flick. What his sentiments seem to indicate to me, however, is that Doomsday won’t seek to reverse the Asgardian prince’s position in some form or fashion. So I’m not expecting to be freed from that throne at the center of the multiverse and put in a position to reunite with friends like Mobius, Sylvie, Hunter B-15 and OB.

Just a few years ago, it was uncertain whether Tom Hiddleston would even return to the MCU at all. The British actor initially didn’t seem too bullish about donning his golden horns again shortly after Loki (which is streamable with a Disney+ subscription) ended. However, Hiddleston later clarified those comments while speaking with CinemaBlend, saying that he hadn’t completely closed the door and that he was “keeping an open heart and an open mind.”

There are also a few other actors in this movie who play characters who’ve had somewhat definitive endings. Chief among them is Steve Rogers, who returns to the fray following his happily ever after in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. And, of course, there’s the metal-faced elephant in the room that is Doctor Doom, who’s played by Robert Downey Jr. following his lengthy stint as Iron Man. As of right now, a connection between Tony Stark and Doom has not been confirmed, but I’m also hoping that doesn’t taint Stark’s sacrifice in Endgame.

Doomsday directors Joe and Anthony Russo – alongside screenwriters Michael Waldron and Stephen McFeely – will be dealing with a lot of characters who’ve been absent from the shared universe for some time now, including Shuri, Shang-Chi and many of the OG X-Men characters. The Russos have obviously balanced various characters in Marvel movies before, but this one seems like it could be an even greater feat. Rumors even suggest that Loki only has a handful of scenes.

Nevertheless, I’m confident that Tom Hiddleston’s antihero as well as the rest of the characters will get their moments to shine. Fans can see Loki make his grand return when Avengers: Doomsday opens in theaters on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule.

Given Margot Robbie’s stellar performance as Harley Quinn, it's understandable as to why fans would want to see her in more superhero fare. In that regard, she's been the subject of various casting rumors over the years, even Invisible Woman chatter linked to Matt Shakman's The Fantastic Four: First Steps. It's more recently been alleged that she may make the jump from the DCU to the MCU. Obviously, nothing is set in stone as far as the general public knows but, regardless, the characters mentioned in this latest report are excellent.

Superhero movie-related rumors can definitely be wild, and this latest bit of gossip on Robbie from Main Middle Man on X fits the bill. However, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't at least be intrigued by the notion of her playing either of the two roles mentioned:

So, first and foremost, both of these characters have ties to X-Men, which is being rebooted at Marvel Studios. The notion of Robbie playing the diamond-shelled telepath Emma Frost would make a lot of sense. The Barbie star definitely looks like the character and has the charisma needed to play her. Yet she'd also be an intriguing pick for Raven Darkhölme/Mystique, the blue, shapeshifter who's typically portrayed as Magneto's right-hand woman.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that fans have all kinds of thoughts. In terms of a potential Mystique casting, one fan, Rain, ask if she would be a “variant like how Cavill was for Wolverine?” That's a fair question, considering the MCU is still in the midst of the Multiverse Saga. It's also worth mentioning that Rebecca Romijn is reprising her role as Mystique (from the 2000s X-Men flicks) in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

There are also some fans who seem to think Margot Robbie would be a better fit for another X-Men character. A couple of users suggested she should play Rogue, who was previously played Anna Paquin on the big screen. They're particularly interested in Rogue's ability to take - and use - the powers of fellow mutants. On that note, Flashpoint56 says:

Nevertheless, there does seem to be fan-based interest in Robbie taking on the role of Raven. One fan in the comments even pitched another Marvel Special Presentation that could show Mystique giving birth to Nightcrawler. Such a project is probably a long shot but, hey, wilder things have happened right?

As far as Marvel's mutants go, I'm not sure just how many people would've expected Romijn to return for Doomsday or Alan Cumming to return to his role as Nightcrawler in that film as well. The pair will also be joined by fellow X-Men franchise alums like James Marsden, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, who are reprising, Cyclops, Professor X and Magneto, respectively.

On the whole, what seems to be very clear is that fans and scoopers are clamoring for news on the cinematic future of the X-Men. Rumors have been flying around left and right and, just this week, it was alleged that Adam Driver was in contention for Magneto in the Jake Schreier-helmed reboot.

More rumors are bound to crop up in the lead-up to the reboot, and fellow upcoming Marvel movies Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars. For now, though, I like the notion of Margot Robbie joining this world and, even if she doesn't play a mutant, I'm sure there's a place for her within the franchise.

Check out the return of the veteran X-Men cast in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. Those classic 2000s films can also be streamed with a Disney+ subscription.

It's no secret that audiences love the Spider-Man movies (which are currently streaming with a Disney+ subscription). Moviegoing audiences are currently looking forward to Brand New Day, which is the next big upcoming Marvel movie. In the meantime, Zendaya recently recalled what it was like being in theaters when the three Spider-Men united onscreen in No Way Home.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order were shook when Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire united with Tom Holland's Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home. In a clip from The Tonight Show's Instagram, Zendaya described what it was like being at the premiere and knowing that crossover was on its way. In her words:

I can only imagine how thrilling it was to know that the big secret was about to be revealed. While Andrew Garfield lied about his role for months, there was a ton of discourse online about whether or not he and Tobey Maguire would end up actually appearing in the MCU movie. Of course, the Emmy-winning actress had been keeping that secret as well.

Later in the same interview, Zendaya gushed about watching the audience's reactions during No Way Home's various multiversal twists. She spoke about her experience at the premiere by offering:

She's not wrong. This July is a particularly big month for Zendaya. In addition to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, she's also got a role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Both of those projects have tons of excitement surrounding them, and will be available exclusively on the big screen. It's a great summer for blockbusters, and both of July's happen to star Zendaya and Tom Holland.

The stakes are super high for the new Spider-Man movie, especially after No Way Home's twist ending. The last movie's conclusion saw Doctor Strange's spell succeed in wiping Peter Parker from the world's memories. That includes both MJ and Ned, with Tom Holland's character entering a life of solitude as he continues to serve as a superhero in New York City.

Luckily for the fandom, the wait for that blockbuster is nearly over. Spider-Man: Brand New Day will hit theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. One can only imagine how many plot twists are coming, and what Zendaya will watch fans react to this time around.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been around for nearly two decades and is a well-oiled machine at this point. Fans are consistently treated to new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie heading to theaters is Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with fans still in the dark about who Sadie Sink is playing. And Tom Holland's comments about her performance are making the wait even worse.

Sink was noticeably missing from the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, but that hasn't stopped the discourse from swirling around her role. During an interview with Collider, Holland complimented how great the Stranger Things star is in the blockbuster, offering:

As if I wasn't already invested in finding out who Sink is playing. It sounds like she really gets her chance to shine in Brand New Day's third act, and might even steal the whole movie. Considering how much time and work Tom Holland put into playing the title role, his comments are especially noteworthy. And I need this movie to arrive in theaters yesterday.

So who exactly will Sadie Sink be playing in Destin Daniel Cretton's forthcoming Spider-Man sequel? It's currently unclear, but the most popular fan choice is Jean Grey. Since the X-Men are finally joining the MCU, folks think that the new cast might be slowly introduced, starting with Jean.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have been waiting for the X-Men to join the shared universe, and Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox finally opened the door for this to happen. But while the OG stars of the X-Men movies will appear in Avengers: Doomsday, a new cast of mutants will be assembled for Jake Schreier's developing X-Men movie.

We'll just have to see if Sadie Sink is actually playing Jean Grey, or if she ends up being one of the other rumored characters. Other names being tossed around online include Punisher sidekick Rachel Cole, a variant of Mary Jane Watson, Teresa Parker or even a variant of Wanda Maximoff.

Our answers will come when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. There are just a few weeks left, so we'll have to see if the studio can keep the movie's secrets under wraps until then. Thank goodness answers are finally coming later this month. Producer Amy Pascal has talked the importance of the movie's secrecy, and so far it's been largely spoiler-free.

In just a few short years, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU has sparked roughly 3,000% more rumor mill tidbits than actual confirmed news, with only a handful of productions to balance the laundry list of announced projects. The biggest current production is no doubt for the 2027 release Man of Tomorrow, which got a boost of attention after reports surfaced claiming that Xolo Maridueña is reprising Blue Beetle in the movie, sparking questions about the 2023 superhero movie’s canonical placement.

Fans of the comics’ Jamie Reyes have been waiting for ages to hear any kind of firm updates about Maridueña’s potential return, spurred on by Gunn previously addressing the character himself exists in the DCU, so this news is a breath of fresh, blue air. However, the initial wave of excitement kinda-sorta made it easy to gloss over the less-than-positive news about another project announced long ago: the Blue Beetle animated series.

Back in June 2024, the character was revealed to be fronting a standalone animated series being developed by Miguel Puga (The Casagrandes), with the Blue Beetle film’s respective director and writer, Angel Manuel Soto and Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer, on board as executive producers. The project was reportedly set to stream via HBO Max subscription, and despite no official confirmations from WB or DC, the alleged hope was that the series would spark enough fervor for another big-screen adventure.

As Deadline points out, further updates about the project have since failed to materialize, even as other animated HBO Max series have. (Such as Tom King's Miracle Man series, which I cannot wait for.) Xolo Maridueña was asked about it during a 2025 interview, but his answer was more generally about playing the character again in the future, and not so much a "full steam ahead" confirmation.

If the radio silence about Blue Beetle's animated arrival was the only hiccup here, it'd be one thing, but there's another one. The animated series was said to be aiming for a more youthful audience, given the all-ages appeal of the DCEU film. But that was before HBO Max made it a pronounced priority to shift away from original programming geared for kids, with an aim to push harder on animated projects and other fare for adults and older teens.

Sure, one could argue that superhero projects' fates might fare better than non-IP kids programming, and HBO Max is still where fans can find Batwheels. But finishing a run on an already established series is different from putting resources into new developments, and it doesn't seem like enough would have been done for the original idea for it to still be extremely viable for the streaming giant.

But not all hope would be lost if everything above ends up being true. For one, it's possible that the decision was made to aim for older viewers with a Blue Beetle-fronted animated series, if not a live-action one. (Pipe dreams can come true!) Or maybe there's still an animated series in the works, but deals are being made to shift it to Prime Video alongside Batman: Caped Crusader or another platform.

it's also possible Warner and DC execs are waiting to see how Blue Beetle's rumored return for Man of Tomorrow plays out before pushing forward with the animated plans. So there's still hope, just a watered-down version of the hopes that were in place when the animated series seemed more imminent than questionable.

Now what are the chances Blue Beetle gets added to the list of Beatles biopics that Sam Mendes is directing? None at all, you say?

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will soon join other 2026 movie releases in theaters, and it will very likely still have a few secrets still intact, from the mysterious new villain to Sadie Sink’s under-wraps role. But while I thought the movie’s title was a total gimme in terms of its contextual meaning, Tom Holland’s recent comments about the “Brand New Day” of it all have upended such assumptions.

The most basic reading of the latest Spidey flick’s title it being an overarching description of what Peter Parker’s life has been in the aftermath of No Way Home, without anyone remembering who he is. But it’s been four years, so I guess the use of “day” would be a bit limiting. Regardless, Holland clarified that’s not what the title is about at all.

Tom Holland's Comments On The New Movie's Title

In the new behind-the-scenes documentary Generations: The Evolution of Spider-Man, which just started streaming via Disney+ subscription, the past 20 years of live-action webslingers are explored, with the newest Spider-Man adventure getting focus near the end of the special. In fact, the very last line of it is fittingly where the new movie’s title is addressed. Here’s how Tom Holland put it:

But...like...what?!? What do you even mean with that? Does this mean the events of the movie play out in such a way where Doctor Strange's spell is eradicated, and everyone remembers who Peter is again? Or would that just qualify as Return To The Old Days?

Could it mean that something as equally game-changing as Strange's spell will come into play, making it so that Holland's Peter Parker has a brand new life outside of being a friendly neighborhood superhero? Could he get — [gulp] — cured and turned back into a non-powered human?

How Director Destin Daniel Cretton Addressed The Title's Meaning

Just before Tom Holland dropped that knowledge in the Disney+ special, director Destin Daniel Cretton shared his own thoughts about the title, but his comments are far more in line with how I was considering them before, without it being tied so directly to the last shot of the movie. In his words:

To me, that just sounds like he's saying the title applies to Peter having to wake up every morning to face unpredictable dangers of all kinds, which is more or less what I was assuming to begin with. So is he just playing coy, or is Holland being too spoilery?

I think two key question need to be answered here. One: how long ago the footage for the special was recorded? And two: how realistic have the reports been about Spider-Man: Brand New Day's ending getting changed up after the original ending was reportedly viewed as too much of a downer by test audiences?

If the rumored changes to the ending are legit, one can assume that Holland's comments were made only after the alterations were made, and not before. Otherwise, fans might go into Brand New Day looking for some last-minute context that doesn't exist anymore.

Of course, there's still time for Tom Holland to just up and spoil the ending anyway, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out, and whether it will directly set up Spidey's return for Avengers: Secret Wars or another unannounced sequel. I can't wait! Cue the trailer!

Spider-Man: Brand New Day will web moviegoers to their theater seats starting on July 31, 2026.

If there’s one superhero movie that’s been highly anticipated by fans, it’s The Batman: Part II. Matt Reeves’ long-gestating sequel to his acclaimed 2022 superhero movie was announced that same year and, since then, there have been multiple delays. The production took a major step forward this year when production kicked off in the UK in June, with set photos even surfacing in May beforehand. Now, however, the film has been delayed again and, at this point, I have a concern regarding the DCU.

The Batman: Part II Gets Delayed Again

Warner Bros. has reportedly made some changes to its release slate and, as a result, The Batman: Part II has been impacted. The Robert Pattinson-led movie was most recently set to open in theaters on October 1, 2027 but, now, it won’t hit cinemas until February 18, 2028, according to Deadline. The Bat flick’s October slot is now being occupied by J.J. Abrams’ The Great Beyond, which stars Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega. As of this writing, a precise reason for the changes has yet to be provided.

Initially, Batman: Part II was set to be released on October 3, 2025 though, due to the Hollywood strikes, it was shifted to October 2, 2026. Then came the third delay, and that’s what put the movie within the October 1, 2027 slot. Amid this latest change, Reeves did treat fans to a BTS treat in the form of a camera test, similar to the clip that revealed Pattinson’s Batsuit back in 2020. Check out the new b-roll via Reeves’ Instagram post:

The clip does, at the very least, give audiences a tiny taste of Batman’s latest outing, which will take place during the winter time. However, I’m just still considering the greater ramifications that this release date change could have.

Why I Have A DCU-Centric Concern After This Delay

Aside from the evidently annoying fact that there’s been another delay, there’s also a greater issue to consider here. It’s well known that James Gunn’s DCU continuity is set to introduce its own Dark Knight at some point, and Gunn has been adamant about putting a lot of space between releases featuring that Bat and Pattinson’s. So, with this recent delay to Reeves’ movie, it’s hard not to consider that it could potentially push back the debut of the newest Caped Crusader.

It was announced in 2023 that the DCU’s Batman and Robin would star in The Brave and the Bold, which would be directed by The Flash’s Andy Muschietti. Updates on the movie have been few and far between in the years since it was announced. James Gunn has spoken more generally about not wanting to rush out this new Batman, though, as he wants to take his time with the Bat. And, as far as an actor goes, no one’s been revealed, but Tom Brittney recently played coy when asked about possibly playing the role.

Overall, all of this is speculation on my part, and it’s possible that fans could still see the DCU’s Bruce Wayne suit up sooner rather than later. Yet I’m not exactly going to hold my breath for that. For now, I’m just going to try to reckon with the fact that fans like myself are going to have to wait even longer for the next chapter in Matt Reeves’ Gotham City-based saga. I’m optimistic that it’ll be great, but that notion makes the idea of waiting all the more difficult.

While you wait for The Batman: Part II to arrive, grab an HBO Max subscription to stream the original as well as The Penguin, a spinoff limited series.

Marvel Studios has not yet introduced the MCU’s new X-Men lineup, but the internet has already started casting actors in capes and helmets. The latest mutant casting rumor places Adam Driver beneath Magneto’s familiar headgear for the highly anticipated Marvel films, and two pieces of fan art make a surprisingly convincing case for the Star Wars actor as the Master of Magnetism.

Popular fan art maestro BossLogic shared his interpretation on Instagram, noting that the casting was still only a rumor he “wanted to try out.” The artwork, which you can see below, gives Driver long silver hair, a dark red suit and a flowing purple cape, with Magneto’s helmet floating beside him as scraps of metal twist through the air.

The art is dramatic, moody and just close enough to Kylo Ren to make the comparison unavoidable. But, where exactly are these rumors coming from?

Where Did The Adam Driver As Magneto Rumor Come From?

The chatter began after scooper MyTimeToShineHello claimed Driver had been cast as the villain in Marvel’s X-Men reboot. The post did not name a character, but another online source, Apocalyptic Horseman, responded that the Marriage Story star would play Magneto. The report remains unconfirmed, and Marvel has not announced the Girls alum as part of the movie.

So this belongs in the rumor pile. Driver has been linked to Marvel roles before, including Reed Richards during the long Fantastic Four casting process, so his name appearing in another round of MCU speculation is hardly shocking. Still, Magneto feels more plausible than some of the other possibilities. The actor is particularly good at playing wounded men whose convictions harden into something frightening. And, with two new pieces of fan art to visualize how it could look, I'm seeing it more and more.

The Fan Art Makes A Strong Case For The Casting

BossLogic’s image emphasizes Magneto’s destructive power, but artist Spdrmnkyxxiii took a more regal approach. The second design places the Kylo Ren performer in the classic red-and-purple colors, seated behind Magneto’s helmet with glowing eyes and the posture of someone deciding whether the room deserves to remain standing.

Both images understand that Magneto needs more than a recognizable costume. Ian McKellen brought weary authority to the role, and we get to see him one more time in the 2026 movie schedule release of Avengers: Doomsday, while Michael Fassbender played Erik Lehnsherr with anger that always seemed ready to split the screen. Driver has the height, voice and bruised intensity to follow them without simply copying either performance.

There is a possible downside, though. After Kylo Ren, casting Driver as another gifted, emotionally scarred antagonist dressed in dark colors might feel a little too familiar. Magneto would need to become more than Kylo, with better posture and a bit more control over his anger.

What We Know About Jake Schreier’s X-Men Reboot

Thunderbolts* filmmaker Jake Schreier is directing Marvel’s new X-Men movie. He has described the material as complex and suggested the reboot will look recognizably different from the previous Fox franchise. Beef creator Lee Sung Jin and The Bear co-showrunner Joanna Calo are working on the screenplay, although Marvel has not announced the cast or a release date for the upcoming Marvel movie.

Kevin Feige has also described the project as youth-focused, which raises questions about where an established actor such as Driver would fit. Magneto could remain older than the core team, of course, giving the younger mutants a formidable ideological opponent rather than another classmate.

For now, the artwork is doing far more work than the evidence. Yet if The Man Who Killed Don Quixote lead eventually walks onto a Comic-Con stage holding that helmet, fans will already know the look works.

You can revisit Marvel’s cinematic adventures, along with Driver’s run in the Star Wars saga, with a Disney+ subscription.

Updates on the status of Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle have been few and far between over the last few years. While the character’s 2023 solo film was technically established as part of the DCEU continuity, DC Studios head James Gunn referred to the young do-gooder as the first hero of his DCU. Well, it would seem Jaime Reyes’ debut in the franchise is a go, as a report claims he’s returning in Man of Tomorrow. With that, I now have a big question about his inclusion in the team-up flick.

Blue Beetle’s Big-Screen Returns Seems To Be Set

News of Blue Beetle’s inclusion in Man of Tomorrow came down the pipeline on Tuesday, with TheWrap learning of his involvement from its sources. Around the same time, there were also reports that Maridueña was spotted on the set of the Gunn-directed film, which has been in production in Georgia. His reemergence is sure to excite fans of the character, including myself. As of this writing, no one from DC Studios has provided confirmation on Maridueña’s casting.

Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle sees recent college graduate Jaime have his world turned upside down after he encounters and merges with the alien Scarab. Reyes eventually uses his newfound abilities to challenge the machinations of business magnate Victoria Kord and defend his family and community in the process. Beetle received mostly positive reviews, though it only grossed a little over $130 million worldwide against a production budget between $104 and $125 million.

James Gunn subsequently teased Beetle’s return, though he wouldn’t specifically say when or how he’d return. Interestingly enough, it was reported in 2024 that the character’s story would continue in an animated series set after the events of the movie, with the actors reprising their roles. There haven’t been any further developments on that front, but I think it’s fitting that Jaime would appear in Man of Tomorrow, especially given the apparent scale of that story. Nonetheless, there’s still something that needs to be considered.

I Have One Major Question About Blue Beetle’s DCU Appearance

While I am pumped about Jaime being back in the fold, this news does give me pause. The main question I have is whether or not his solo movie will remain canon now that Reyes is being ushered into a new continuity. James Gunn previously talked about canon, explaining that some DCEU moments would remain absolute while others would be ignored. This principle prominently came into play with Peacemaker Season 2, as some events from the DCEU-set first season remained intact, while others were altered to fit into the DCU.

I would hope that the way in which Jaime gains his abilities would still be canon, at the very least. However, it’s definitely possible that certain events could be retconned out of existence, and there’s one particular moment I can’t help but think of. In the Blue Beetle end-credits scene, Ted Kord – the original BB who was long thought to be dead – sends a transmission to his daughter, Jenny, in order to inform her that he’s alive. This feels like the kind of dangling plot thread that could be ignored given we’re at the dawn of a new universe.

This universe certainly seems to be growing at a solid rate, as there’s already a fair amount of heroes in it. Man of Tomorrow seems primed to drive that point home, as Superman and Lex Luthor will apparently be joined by a host of characters as they take on Brainiac. Ahead of Beetle, it was confirmed that the members of the Justice Gang would return and that Mily Alcock’s Supergirl would be involved. Not only that, but Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart a.k.a. Green Lantern will also reportedly return after making his own DCU debut in Lanterns. So it seems Jaime will be in good company.

Regardless of whether Xolo Maridueña’s first DC movie remains canonical, I’m just happy he’ll apparently be reprising his role. The notion of Reyes possibly rubbing shoulders with the likes of Superman, Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific just delights me to no end. And, moving forward, I’m also hoping Maridueña’s endearing character gets the chance to shine in another solo production.

Man of Tomorrow soars into theaters on July 9 as part of the 2027 movie schedule. In the meantime, stream Blue Beetle as well as Superman using an HBO Max subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for a few things. One is the impressive rate of new releases hitting theaters and for those with a Disney+ subscription, and the other is the studio's tight security. Case in point: fans still don't know who Sadie Sink is playing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, despite the movie arriving later this month. And producer Amy Pascal revealed how No Way Home actually influenced the top-secret nature of Sink's character.

The trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day featured heroes like Hulk and Punisher, but we haven't seen any footage of the Stranger Things star as of yet. During an interview with our sister outlet SFX Magazine, Pascal name dropped the last Spider-Man movie by saying:

She's not wrong. Despite Andrew Garfield lying for a year about returning as Peter Parker, plenty of fans were anticipating all three Spider-Men uniting when seeing No Way Home in theaters. Leaks and rumors about this crossover had followed the movie's production, and that was something that the powers that be were hoping to avoid for Brand New Day.

There are a number of lingering questions surrounding the upcoming Marvel movie, but Sadie Sink's mysterious role is arguably the biggest. Amy Pascal went on to speak about how important secrecy is for the beloved franchise, offering:

While folks are eager to find out who Sink is playing in Brand New Day, the producer maintains that fans still want to be surprised. And that's a major reason why the Stranger Things alum's character has been kept under wraps all this time. Now we're just weeks away from answers coming with the movie's release.

Of course, Sadie Sink is used to guarding spoilers after her years as Max in the Netflix series. Her character was in a coma at the end of Season 4, and Sink promoted the fifth and final season without ever revealing what was going to happen to her. So having to keep the secrets of Spider-Man: Brand New Day was just another day at the office for the 24 year-old actress.

Answers will finally come when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to see if any of the rumored characters end up being legit, with the most popular being Jean Grey.

Superhero movies might be everywhere nowadays, but the X-Men movies hit theaters prior to shared universes becoming commonplace. That franchise (which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription) was a big risk at the time, although the movies are still regularly re-watched to this day. Halle Berry recently posted to celebrate X-Men's anniversary, and I'm still really hoping she ends up in the cast of Avengers: Doomsday.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday has been limited, but fans are hyped that a number of OG X-Men stars will reprise their roles. Unfortunately, Halle Berry isn't expected to be included, although her Twitter post celebrating the 2000 movie is turning heads. She included a promo photo of her as Storm, with the caption reading:

While Alexandra Shipp played the role in two of the final X-Men movies, Halle Berry is the quintessential Storm for many fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order. And her post about the movie's anniversary has fans (including me) hoping she'll end up with a role in Doomsday after all.

Halle Berry may have denied having a role in the next Avengers movie, but that hasn't stopped fans from holding out hope. In fact, the comments section to her viral Storm tweet is filled with fans wishing for just that. Some responses read:

• posting this the same day doomsday ticket date announced- do you have something to share with the class?
• Could this be a hint that she'll return as Storm?
• Storm is an absolute legend. Thank you for bringing her to life all those years ago, Halle. Still iconic 26 years later
• I still wish for Storm to return in Doomsday
• I sense something suspicious. Are you in doomsday?

Clearly there is a ton of love for Halle Berry's run as Storm to this day, despite her last performance being in 2014's X-Men: Days of Future Past. And fans are keeping their fingers crossed that the Oscar-winning actress will end up appearing in Avengers: Doomsday after all.

While Berry denied having a role in the next Avengers movie, that hasn't stopped the online discourse about her possible return as Storm. After all, fans have been deceived to by comic book actors before. Case in point: Andrew Garfield lied about his Spider-Man: No Way Home role for about a year before the movie hit theaters.

We'll just have to wait and see if Storm pops up when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. And with Jake Schreier's X-Men movie in development, only time will tell if a new Storm actress ends up taking the mantle of the Omega Level Mutant.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But a few upcoming Marvel movies are especially anticipated, chief among them being Destin Daniel Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day. We're only a few weeks away from its release, and a video just arrived online of Zendaya hilariously stopping her husband Tom Holland from spoiling its ending. Talk about a power couple.

Zendaya and Tom Holland are basically couples goals, with the pair of A-listers promoting two summer blockbusters this year. The Euphoria star knows about Holland's penchant for revealing spoilers, and a video is circulating on Twitter of her stopping him from revealing too much about their next Spider-Man movie's ending. Check it out below:

Talk about a close call. It looks like Zendaya's Spider-Sense was tingling, and she knew that her husband was about to say something he shouldn't have. Luckily the Emmy-winning actress stepped in, and Brand New Day's ending remains a mystery for the time being. What a relief.

While the trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day showed the inclusion of Hulk and The Punisher, much of the movie's contents are still being kept under wraps. That includes its main villain, and who Sadie Sink is playing. So if Tom holland accidentally spilled the beans on its finale, it would have broken the internet... in a bad way.

Fans are curious about how Zendaya and Tom Holland's characters will interact when Brand New Day hits theaters later this month. No Way Home's twist ending saw Doctor Strange's spell succeed in removing the entire world's memory of Peter Parker. That includes MJ and Ned, who are now safe from his enemies. Spidey has been living a solitary life, and the trailer showed him watching his friends from afar.

Due to how little we know about the new Spider-Man movie's contents, there are countless theories and rumors swirling about Cretton's blockbuster. Fans are curious about which surprise characters might appear, with Kevin Feige recently teasing the inclusion of Florence Pugh's Yelena. And in addition to all the chatter about Brand New Day, folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order are also curious about how the movie could open the door for Avengers: Doomsday's arrival this December. The pressure is on, which is likely why the movie's story is being kept under wraps for the time being. And after seeing the above video we might owe Zendaya a big thank you for helping these efforts.

All will be revealed when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. We'll just have to wait and see if the movie's secrets are kept for the final weeks until its release.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a well-oiled machine that constantly treats fans to new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. All eyes are on the upcoming Marvel movies, especially Avengers: Doomsday and its sequel Secret Wars. Moviegoers are hyped about The Russo Brothers returning to the MCU for those titles, but they just keep getting asked if they'll do more Marvel movies afterward.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that The Russo Brothers are behind some of the best titles in the entire shared universe. That includes Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War, and of course Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, with the latter becoming the highest grossing movie of all time. While appearing at SXSW in London (via Deadline) Anthony Russo responded to questions about their potential Marvel future, saying:

This makes a ton of sense. Endgame's ending wrapped up a number of stories, including Cap's happy ending and the death of both Iron Man and Black Widow. So no one would have blamed The Russos for retiring from Marvel forever. Luckily for fans, they ended up being convinced to return for the next two Avengers movies.

Anthony Russo went on to share how they're approaching Doomsday and Secret Wars, which will tell another full storyline. In his words:

While The Russo Brothers aren't setting any rules about their involvement in the MCU moving forward, it sounds like they're approaching their third and fourth Avengers movie as one narrative. Only time will tell if they're convinced to do more Marvel projects after Doomsday and Secret Wars are both released.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but that'll change when it hits theaters hits coming December. Moviegoers are largely in the dark about its contents, but The Russo Brothers have earned good will among among fans that's helping to buoy excitement. Hopefully we are treated to more footage (and a full trailer) sooner rather than later.

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Secret Wars, it is set to follow suit on December 17th, 2027. Hopefully they won't mark The Russos' last time directing a Marvel movie.

Michael Keaton’s Vulture remains one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s better villains, in part because he never feels like he wandered in from a different movie. His Adrian Toomes is a working-class criminal with a legitimate grievance, a terrifying wing suit and enough restraint to make that car ride with Peter Parker feel more dangerous than most battles in new superhero movies. Keaton was so natural in the role that it is difficult to picture anyone else answering the door as Liz’s father in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Apparently, Marvel Studios once had someone very different in mind.

During an appearance on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Lin-Manuel Miranda was asked about a Marvel role he had reportedly been offered around 2016. Horowitz first guessed Spider-Man: Homecoming, then worked his way through the cast before landing on the Vulture. Miranda confirmed it and immediately admitted he believes Marvel avoided a major casting mistake. He explained:

Horowitz sounded genuinely shocked by the answer. Before guessing Vulture, he floated Martin Starr’s role, presumably thinking the theater icon might have been considered for one of Peter Parker’s teachers or another comedic supporting part. Miranda quickly told him Starr was not the answer, which only made the eventual reveal all the wilder.

The Hamilton creator would have been coming directly off his Broadway run when Homecoming entered production. On paper, casting one of the industry’s most recognizable performers made sense. The In the Heights star was already closely associated with Disney through Moana, and his combination of humor, nervous energy and rapid-fire delivery could have produced a very different Adrian Toomes.

Miranda’s “miscast” assessment also feels fair. Homecoming needs the Vulture to seem older, worn down and quietly dangerous. Keaton brings decades of screen history to the part, including the audience’s memory of him as Batman, but he never treats Toomes as a theatrical supervillain. He approaches him as a father and business owner who decided the world had cheated him, then built an illegal weapons operation to even the score.

Miranda likely would have emphasized Toomes’ intelligence and restless charm. Keaton made him feel like the kind of man who could sit across from Peter at dinner, make polite conversation and still scare the life out of him without raising his voice.

Marvel near-casting stories often leave fans wondering about the movie that might have been. This one mostly reinforces how well the final choice worked. Miranda protected his marriage, the Beetlejuice star landed one of his strongest blockbuster roles, and Spider-Man: Homecoming found exactly the villain it needed. Both actors have continued working with Disney, while Keaton’s career has remained packed with major projects, including his return as Batman in The Flash.

You can revisit the cinematic Vulture by watching the MCU movies in order, while the filmed Broadway production of Hamilton is also available with a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly expanding with new projects in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Without a doubt the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, which will arrive this December. The Doomsday cast was recently shown in an official poster, although a fan pointed out a "funny outcome" related to Chris Evans' return as Steve Rogers.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday has been limited, but fans are hyped to see entire teams united against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom. Former Marvel Studios Director of Visual Development Andy Park recently took to Instagram to show off an epic post for the forthcoming blockbuster. Check it out:

I mean how awesome is that? This image is the first real glimpse at what costumes various heroes will be wearing in Doomsday. This includes the new looks for the OG stars of the X-Men movies, although one character is especially turning heads. Namely Chris Evan's Steve Rogers, who is shown wearing a casual pants and t-shirt rather than his signature Captain America suit.

This poster quickly went viral online, and fans started sounding off on social media. One tweet that's gotten at on of attention poked fun at Steve's casual outfit for Doomsday, claiming:

The lack of a costume for Chris Evans' hero is definitely turning heads, although it's unclear if the above claim is accurate. Although Captain America: Brave New World bombed at the box office, so perhaps that's what this user is referencing about The Russos "not trusting" Sam Wilson's version of Cap to lead the upcoming Avengers movie.

There were plenty of response to the above Tweet, many of which were fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order and aren't pleased about Steve's casual outfit. Check it out below:

• Chris Evans is playing the hero Shirtpants. You can tell it's him because he is wearing a shirt and pants.
• Secret Wars is not a captain america movie at all, its more Doom/Fantastic Four story (with other marvel heroes invovled)
• I don't mind Steve not having the mantle BUT AT LEAST GIVE HIM SOME DAMN BATTLE SUIT HOW WILL HE FIGHT USING A PLAIN BLACK SHIRT COME ON
• Watch it become a twist where this is not our Steve rogers but Captain Hydra hence no actual suit

The latter post is particularly intriguing, as there were rumors we'd see a villainous variant of Captain America in the blockbuster. But Marvel's tight security has been keeping the movie's contents under wraps, so there's no telling what's actually coming.

Despite Steve Rogers getting his happy ever after during Avengers: Endgame, a teaser for Doomsday confirmed that Chris Evans would be reprising his signature role once again. Check it out below:

While Chris Evans cameos as the Human Torch in Deadpool & Wolverine, the next Avengers movie marks the first time he'll play Steve Rogers since Endgame changed the shared universe forever. The pressure is on, and it should be fascinating to see how the character changed since we last saw him.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Hopefully we get a full trailer sooner rather than later.

As we prepare for some of our old favorites to return for the upcoming Marvel Movie Avengers: Doomsday, I do think it’s worth a reminder there’s a reason we love the original gang so much. Their banter is some of the best in the game. Case in point: That time Chris Evans trolled Scarlett Johansson over the best-looking MCU actor, and then she took her sweet time getting revenge.

Chris Evans Thinks Chris Hemsworth Is The Best-Looking MCU Cast Member

Back in the day, MovieManiacsDE talked to some of the major players ahead of Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the topic of attractive MCU cast members came up. When asked who was “the best-looking” in the MCU, Chris Evans immediately blurted out “Hemsworth,” despite literally being seated next to Scarlett Johansson at the time. The two had a funny exchange about it, and eventually got on the same page.

It’s worth pointing out that Samuel L. Jackson insta-answered Black Widow earlier in the interview, so she got some brownie points there, and Chris Hemsworth was not involved in this specific conversation himself. Yet, I do love a little tale of petty revenge, and the perfect opportunity came up for Johansson years later.

The Insult Lobbed At Chris Hemsworth Years Later

Thank goodness we get a new Avengers movie every few years, because Scarlett Johansson got the chance to get a great “ugly barb” in years later. She and Hemsworth were paired together as part of Endgame’s press tour, and joined a BBC bit called “Playground insults” in which she just dumped on the Thor actor’s looks right out of the gate. What did she say?

Chris Hemsworth did fumble around a bit to get his own barb in, but the poor guy was out of his depth trying to go toe-to-toe with Scarlett Johannson’s perfect timing. He could only think to target her brain while she gets in the best barb about him wearing a “grandma’s sweater.” Take a look.

I’m not sure Hemsworth was even aware of the prior conversation between Johansson and Evans, but he has to know it’s a recurring theme where his stunningly good genetics come up. He was Sexiest Man Alive in 2014. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen agree he’s got that dreamy thing going on. In fact, he’s so good-looking the likes of other handsome men like Kevin Costner have even remarked on it unprompted. Though Hemsworth himself is known to be humble when it comes to his own looks.

Honestly, it’s probably a good thing people aren’t focusing on Scarlett Johansson. The actress has been open about how a lot of roles she was offered early in her career were often good-looking-but-shallow characters like the “side-piece” or “bombshell." Her Black Widow character, despite being a bit of a sex symbol in Iron Man 2, really helped to change that. So, if people want to focus on how Hemsworth’s arms are the size of Elizabeth Olsen’s head instead of her own Black Widow looks, she’s probably OK with that narrative.

Just give her all the props for that Grandma sweater joke.

For a very short while there, it seemed like everyone was on the same page in regards to The Batman: Part II’s villain castings, with Sebastian Stan, Scarlett Johansson and Charles Dance joining the sequel to reportedly play various members of Gotham City’s Dent family. But then direct Matt Reeves went and confirmed the sequel’s cast members without revealing any new characters, which strengthened the emerging speculation that the trio are playing completely different villains.

Now, weeks into filming the new movie, alleged details about Stan, Johansson and Dance’s characters have emerged, and Harvey Dent’s Two-Face is nowhere to be seen, much less his wife and father. Instead, the actors are each reportedly playing completely different villains that tie into past rumors and speculation.

Rumor: Goodbye To Two-Face, Hello To Poison Ivy?

The latest report stems from the DCULeaks subreddit, (via @DCVers0 on X) where a post was shared that was apparently vetted and approved by mods, with some form of additional proof offered for verification purposes, before being taken down for unknown reasons. But what did it say?

With a clarification from the leaker saying that character names were not spoken aloud in their presence, the message essentially purports that The Batman: Part II will be introducing Poison Ivy, Victor Zsasz, and the Court of Owls. Here’s how each is described:

• Scarlett Johansson is reportedly Poison Ivy: referred to as "the main villain" and "a serial killer with an obsession with plants" who also "uses toxins" in relation to her villainy.
• Sebastian Stan is simply referred to as a "bald serial killer," which does legitimately seem like confirmation that he'll be portraying the sadistic criminal and frequent Arkham resident Victor Zsasz. It's also noted that Batman initially believes Zsasz is the sequel's key troublemaker, but it's actually Ivy.
• Meanwhile, Charles Dance is supposedly playing one of Gotham City's upper crust, who "leads a secret organization made up of the city's most powerful figures" while also being targeted by Johansson's character. While his specific identity is harder to guess, it's less difficult to assume that the org being referred to is Gotham's age-old threat, the Court of Owls.

That set of alleged reveals totally throws any and all Two-Face speculation out the window, since Ivy and Zsasz aren't big players in the comics' "Long Halloween" storyline that reportedly had a big influence on the upcoming 2027 movie. Is it possible the movie will completely twist up expectations on the source material, or are Reeves and co-screenwriter Mattson Tomlin shooting for a completely original storyline?

To be fair, Poison Ivy was a villain whose name was in the mix when Scarlett Johansson's casting was first reported, and it's not exactly a stretch to imagine the actress rocking long red hair. As well, recent sightings of Sebastian Stan in hats have sparked speculation that the actor did indeed shave his head for his Batman role. No word on whether or not Charles Dance has been seen training owls or getting his face fitted for an owl mask or anything.

i was certainly looking forward to seeing the two MCU vets portraying Harvey and Gilda Dent for Matt Reeves, but I won't be upset in the slightest to have to swap out the Dents for Pamela Isley and Victor Zsasz. Could just be that green gas that started billowing out of my air conditioner vent, though.

The Batman: Part II is set to hit theaters on October 1, 2027.

I had been thinking about the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday as the next massive Marvel roll call. You know the deal: heroes from all corners of the MCU multiverse, the Fantastic Four, returning legacy names, Doctor Doom chaos stirring things up, and so many heroes it could feel a little crowded. But producer Kevin Feige just made me much more interested in the upcoming Marvel movie, thanks to his comments about Florence Pugh’s Thunderbolts* character, Yelena Belova.

During Feige’s appearance at BiliBili World in Shanghai, via Entertainment Weekly, the Marvel Studios boss teased what is coming for Pugh’s fan-favorite former assassin on the 2026 movie schedule. While talking about Yelena’s MCU future, Feige made it clear she will not just be hanging around in the background of the next Avengers movie. He said:

That is the kind of Feige tease that immediately sends Marvel fans like me into detective mode. The obvious part is Doomsday. Yelena playing a “big part” in the next Avengers movie makes sense after everything Marvel has been building with her and how Thunderbolts* ended. Since her debut in Black Widow, Pugh has turned Yelena into one of the MCU’s most reliable newer characters, bringing dry humor, emotional baggage and a very specific “I could kill you, but I’m hungry” energy to every appearance.

The more interesting part is Feige saying we might see Yelena “a little bit sooner in the movies.” Unless Marvel is holding back another theatrical surprise, that seems to point toward the soon-to-be-released Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which hits theaters nearly six months before Avengers: Doomsday. And, honestly, Yelena crossing paths with Tom Holland’s Peter Parker is just odd enough to have my attention.

At first, Peter and Yelena do not sound like an obvious pairing. Peter is still dealing with the fallout from No Way Home, where everyone forgot Peter Parker existed. Yelena is a trained killer with a sharp tongue and very little patience for nonsense. But Brand New Day already seems interested in unusual combinations, especially with the Punisher and Hulk appearing in the movie. If those characters can fit into Peter’s world, Yelena does not feel like much of a stretch.

The team-up of characters is also not as strange as it might sound, because to anyone with a Disney+ subscription who has already watched Hawkeye and seen Yelena work in a more family-friendly Marvel story. She brought a sharper edge to that show, but she never felt out of place or as if she were pulling it into a completely different tone.

From a bigger MCU standpoint, it makes sense too. Avengers: Doomsday is going to be huge and, if Yelena really has a major role in it, Marvel may want to remind audiences where she is before that movie arrives. A smaller appearance beforehand could give her story some momentum and make her role in the next Avengers film feel less sudden.

That is especially important because Yelena is not just another name on the team sheet. Pugh has been one of Marvel’s strongest additions in the post-Endgame era, and the MCU could use more characters who feel specific rather than interchangeable. So, yes, Avengers: Doomsday is still the big heroes team-up. That is clearly the main event. But Feige’s comments have me watching the road to that movie more closely, because Yelena may be more important to this phase than I expected.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which could possibly feature Yelena, hits theaters July 31. As for Avengers: Doomsday, where we know she is confirmed to appear in the stacked cast, that arrives in theaters Dec. 18.

Superhero fans have been waiting a while for Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 and, now, it’s finally set to premiere amid the 2026 TV schedule. The first trailer for the new season teases the introductions of several classic villains but, of course, the most iconic among them is the Joker. The Dark Knight’s archenemy briefly appears at the tail end of Season 1, and he’s now expected to make his full debut this time around. Now, I have all kinds of feelings after an EP details the creative team’s take on the character.

Through the years, there have been plenty of portrayals of the Joker across TV and cinema, with each interpretation bringing something new to the table. It sounds like the Caped Crusader team is also striving to do something “different” when it comes to their version of the Clown Prince of Crime. Ironically, though, when executive producer James Tucker spoke to SFX Magazine on CinemaBlend about this fresh take on Mr. J., he actually explained how it harkened back to the character’s roots:

In the realm of animation, shows like Batman: The Brave and the Bold and The Batman, have depicted a somewhat more gleeful takes on Joker, who enjoy inflicting chaos on Gotham City. Mark Hamill’s iconic version of the baddie has more layers but, for the most part, he can also be campy and quippy (when he’s not being downright scary). So far, Caped Crusader’s version of the antagonist isn’t so much interested in fooling someone with a bang flag gun than he is talking about the complexities of the human condition, and I love that.

The Season 2 trailer features hints of dialogue from Joker, who calls Batman to tell him he’s “come to awaken [him] and to show [him] something.” When the Bat asks what the mysterious man wants to show, the purple-clad baddie says, “what you are.” Check out the trailer for yourself below:

Clearly, this is a man who’s eager to not simply toy with the World’s Greatest Detective but to understand what makes him tick. The creative team is still keeping details on the character mostly under wraps (including the identity of the person voicing him). Still, Tucker shared more about making a unique version of this larger-than-life bad guy:

Considering how many versions of the Gotham City rogue have been created over the years, I’m excited to see that the Caped Crusader team is going for something so new. What makes me nervous, though, is how the people of the aforementioned town are going to suffer due to his machinations. During his brief scene in the Season 1 finale’s epilogue, the villain proved how sadistic he could be by killing several victims as part of his Joker toxin experiments.

Joker, of course, will be accompanied by a number of other notable villains like The Riddler, the Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow and the returning Harley Quinn. But, of course, the clown’s presence is sure to loom large over the narrative and, with any luck, fans will be in for some serious action and drama. As Mr. J says in the trailer, “shall we begin?”

All episodes of Batman: Caped Crusader Season 2 will drop on July 31 and will be available to Prime Video subscription holders. In the meantime, prepare for the vigilante’s new adventures by checking out the first season on Prime now. Fans can also read up on other upcoming DC shows.

There’s one very famous and serious quote associated with Spider-Man that always comes up (you know what I’m talking about). However, the Spider-Man movies are packed with very funny lines too that are also worth quoting. In fact, there’s one line from Spider-Man: Homecoming that Zendaya says to Tom Holland “a lot” that’s hilarious.

So, as Tom Holland, Zendaya and Jacob Batalon promote Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s release on the 2026 movie schedule, they were asked about movie quotes they use in their everyday lives during an interview with BBC Radio 1. In response, the Challengers star recalled a funny line Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark says in the trio's first Spider-Man movie:

While The Drama star claimed Holland wouldn’t agree with her, he actually did, confirming that she does “say that a lot.”

I get why it’s stuck with them, too. Not only is it a memorable line in Spider-Man: Homecoming, it’s actually said multiple times by Tony Stark (which you can witness by watching the movie with a Disney+ subscription). He says it once right after the whole debacle with the Staten Island Ferry, telling Peter:

He also says it at the very end of the movie, after Peter defeated The Vulture. Both complimenting the boy’s actions and reprimanding him, Robert Downey Jr.’s character said:

While it’s considered one of Tony Stark’s funniest lines, and it’s easily one of the sillier MCU quotes, it is admittedly an odd statement. That’s something Zendaya, Holland and Jacob Batalon joked about too, as they spoke about how it doesn’t make much sense, but it totally works in the movie:

• Zendaya: I think that was just like—what?
• Jacob Batalon: I think that’s just a bad white guy thing to say.
• Tom Holland: Again, not written. I remember walking down the thing, and he said that. And I was like, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
• Zendaya: [I don’t know] what that means, but it’s great.

I totally see what they’re saying; it is an odd thing to say. However, it’s also not that uncommon, and it’s used often when people mess up big time or embarrass themselves, which Peter did on a few occasions in Homecoming.

Now, if you’ve seen the Marvel movies in order, you know how quotable they are. And personally, Homecoming is one of my favorites to quote. It’s awesome that Zendaya does that too, and I love that the line she references most is this hilarious one that’s said by Robert Downey Jr.

Overall, this whole discussion made me want to rewatch Homecoming. However, it also made me even more excited for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, because I’m sure it will be full of great one-liners, just like the other three Holland-led Spidey films are. So, to see if that’s the case, you can see this trio's fourth Spider-Man movie in theaters on July 31.

With Christopher Nolan adapting Homer’s The Odyssey into a big-budget, IMAX-filmed movie, it was probably a given that people would nitpick the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation. After all, the source material is one of the most studied and analyzed works in literature. Nolan himself is aware of the comments people have been sharing across social media. With that, while discussing his 2026 movie release, he made some points about his Dark Knight Trilogy, which I agree with.

In terms of backlash, the final trailer for The Odyssey received 600,000 dislikes on YouTube. Businessman Elon Musk and social media users have critiqued the film for a lack of Greek representation. They've also taken issue with Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o being cast as Helen of Troy/Clytemnestra, transgender actor Elliot Page playing Sinon and rapper Travis Scott portraying a bard. With the film set in Ancient Greece, there was also criticism towards its historical inaccuracies, such as the use of the Viking longship, modern dialect and the use of American accents.

While speaking with The Telegraph, Nolan got real about knowing from the get-go that there would be criticism of how he adapted a 2,800-year-old piece of literate. Yet the Oscar winner also explained why he wouldn't pay the critiques any mind:

The Oppenheimer director makes an excellent point. As the film has yet to be released, audiences may want to abide by the common expression of “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

While it may appear rough for Christopher Nolan to have to endure early criticism of The Odyssey, this wouldn’t be the first time he’s had to deal with this from a book adaptation. For the Dark Knight trilogy, Nolan faced similar backlash when adapting Batman, and he explained what he learned from that experience:

Up to that point, portrayals of Batman were either campy and bright like that of the 1960s TV series or more gothic via the Tim Burton movies. The beloved comic book character went back to camp again in Batman Forever and the panned box office sequel Batman & Robin, which got a lot of hate from critics. So, needless to say, Nolan was just the latest person to put their spin on the Caped Crusader.

As Nolan stated during his interview, he didn't pay much attention to the chatter and simply decided to make the best movies he could. With that, he made an incredible interpretation of the DC Comics character by adding realism to Gotham City and by diving into the depths of Bruce Wayne's psyche. And, even though heartthrob Heath Ledger getting cast as Joker got initial backlash, he ended up being one of the best portrayals of the famed antagonist and a true standout of The Dark Knight. So it's understandable as to why Nolan has developed such a healthy approach to varying fandoms:

Nolan actually said it was actually through the comic book trilogy that helped him make The Odyssey by doing his best to make a “sincere” interpretation of fan-favorite, well-known characters. I'd like to think that approach paid off, at least based on the positive early reactions Odyssey has garnered thus far.

All in all, if commentators are already being skeptical of The Odyssey’s modern tweaks, they ought to look to The Dark Knight trilogy as an example that Christopher Nolan knows how to adapt material quite well. The man is one of the most acclaimed filmmakers of our time, and I'd definitely argue that, at this point, he's earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to his work.

Check out Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of Homer’s epic poem when The Odyssey opens in theaters on July 17th.

Flashback to 2021, and you couldn't find a bigger hater of the Snyderverse than me. Hell, I even danced on its grave when we received word that it was finally over.

However, flash-forward (DC pun not intended) to 2026, and I've actually come around on the failed DCEU. Maybe it's because I wasn't in love with James Gunn's Superman, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest whatsoever in Supergirl (and apparently, I'm not alone), but I've been giving Zack Snyder's DC movies another chance recently, and oh, man. I think I owe Zack Snyder yet ANOTHER apology.

You see, I already apologized for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and after rewatching the four hour long Zack Snyder's Justice League, I have to apologize again, because this movie is amazing. Here's why.

I Originally Thought This Movie Was Way Too Long. But Now, It Feels Just Right When It Comes To Pacing

You want to know what's crazy? Not too long ago, I rewatched Joss Whedon's version of Justice League, which is only two hours long, and it's so bad that it actually feels LONGER than Snyder's version, which is literally double the runtime. I think this is because Whedon's Justice League feels aimless and dull, whereas Snyder's version has direction and vision. And look, no offense to Whedon, as he was given the impossible task of reshooting aspects of Snyder's movie into something feasible for the big screen, but his version just does not work.

However, after rewatching Zack Snyder's Justice League, I am in awe at how he was able to take all of these characters and still have it all make sense. For example, in his version, Batman and Wonder Woman's quest to assemble a team really feels cohesive and organic, whereas in Whedon’s version, it all feels like a hurried mess, which is strange because it also feels plodding.

We get more backstory for all of the characters in Snyder’s version, as well as a true villain in Darkseid, who I'll get into later. Snyder's version is also (surprise, surprise) way darker in tone than Whedon's version, which is also something I now appreciate over the more upbeat Superman from James Gunn.

Honestly, it's really weird that all of the things that I once hated about the Snyderverse – the overseriousness, the darker tone, etc – I now view as pluses. However, I think there's one reason in particular why I love this movie now.

Cyborg's Story Is The Heart Of This Movie

One character who I always thought never got his time to shine when it came to the Snyderverse was Cyborg. Played by Ray Fisher, you could tell that he had a bigger role in Whedon's Justice League, but there was just something…missing.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, however, almost the entire plot hinges on Cyborg’s role in the story. The fact that his role was truncated so much in Whedon’s version just goes to show you why that film felt like such a mess, because Victor Stone's (Cyborg) role is absolutely vital in Snyder's cut.

Stone's father, Silas (Joe Morton), is kidnapped, and Cyborg joins the team. He was a former athlete and had to be reconstructed after a horrible car accident, so his journey as a broken man to one of the saviors of the world is thoughtful and surprisingly heartfelt.

Also, being that Cyborg has such a connection to this film's Macguffin in the Mother Boxes, he’s essentially the most important character in the entire film, and I really appreciate that when watching this a second time.

I Also Find All Of The Characters-Even The Flash-To Be Interesting In This Film

You know, when I first saw Zack Snyder's Justice League, I still very much loathed all of the scenes involving Ezra Miller's The Flash. Upon a second viewing, I find that I actually like him, as well as pretty much every other member of the Justice League this time around. It might be because I, like others, actually enjoyed the eventual Flash movie that came out in 2023 (I even wrote about how it annoyed me that it didn't do better at the box office).

The Flash is incredibly important in this film. When the world starts to be destroyed, The Flash has to reverse the flow of time using the Speed Force, which allows Superman (Henry Cavill) and Cyborg to get the job done.

And, what about Aquaman? I liked Jason Momoa's first Aquaman movie - to a certain extent - but I found him super annoying in Justice League. However, I guess adding more screen time for him makes him more interesting this time around. I also think that learning more about the other metahumans and the Atlanteans makes him feel more at home here.

Not only that, but this movie has freaking Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix) in it. I mean, it's at the end, and it's pretty much just a cameo, but at least he's here. What's not to love?

I Also Love This Version Of Darkseid

I know I keep harping on Joss Whedon's Justice League, but a big reason why I feel that movie failed was that its main antagonist, Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), was super lame. It's just that he didn't seem like a worthy opponent for the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, or The Flash.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League…well, he's still pretty lame, but much better since you don't feel like he's the REAL final boss. The main boss would be Ray Porter's Darkseid, who is a way more terrifying villain and an existential threat to humanity.

Darkseid is all about that Anti-Life Equation, and we learn that he's been a threat to Earth for millennia, what with the Old Gods waging war against him to prevent him from taking over the planet. All of this backstory really elevates the danger he presents, making him feel like a truly worthy adversary.

Unfortunately, since this was pretty much the end of the DCEU, we never got to see Darkseid get his own movie where he got to be the central villain, but I really appreciate what we got in this movie. He’s absolutely horrifying.

In The End, The Further We Get Away From The Snyderverse, The More I Find That I Miss It

When looking at the upcoming slate of DC films (and TV–let's not forget about TV), I think there's a lot to look forward to (Especially when it comes to Clayface, which I can't wait for!) Yet…I kind of now miss the Snyderverse.

I don't know what it is. It might be because I used to pledge allegiance to the MCU, and I think I viewed the DCEU as a pathetic alternative. After getting off the Marvel hype train quite a while ago, I've since been reevaluating the Snyderverse, and I think I had it all wrong.

Was it too dark and broody? Maybe, but upon reflection, it was actually a novel alternative to the overly cheery MCU. I now find that I get nothing out of movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy upon a rewatch, and I view them more as artifacts than anything else.

Movies like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Batman v. Superman? They just seem to get better with age. So, if you happen to be reading this, Mr. Snyder. I’m sorry! Your fans were right all along, and I’m happy that the powers that be eventually RELEASED THE SNYDER CUT!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe can't stop, won't stop expanding, thanks to exciting titles arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. The next highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Destin Daniel Cretton's Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and there are countless rumors about what the movie might contain. And one about The Hulk was recently debunked in an unexpected way. Let's break it all down.

The hype around Brand New Day has been sky-high, with fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order eager to catch up with Peter Parker after No Way Home's twist ending. They're also hyped for Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/ The Hulk, and there were rumors swirling that he might transform into Grey Hulk from the comics. But that's reportedly not happening anymore, because in the new book Spider-Man: Brand New Day - The Art of the Movie (via CBM), it's revealed that the concept of Grey Hulk was tossed around...

What a bummer. While we'll have to wait until the movie comes out to confirm this with our own eyes, it sounds like we allegedly aren't going to see Grey Hulk in the new Spider-Man movie. I guess we should expect the massive Avenger to stay the signature shade of green that's been shown in Spider-Man: Brand New Day's trailers.

Fans have been curious about the role Banner/Hulk will play in the new blockbuster, especially since he's been missing from the MCU for a few years. It looks like the OG Savage Hulk will be back, despite previously being introduced to Smart Hulk in Avengers: Endgame and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.

From what we've seen from Brand New Day's limited footage, Banner will be working as a college professor when we see him, and wearing the Hulk Inhibitor Device that allows him to transform into Bruce again. We previously saw him with this device in Shang-Chi's credits scene as well as She-Hulk. But there's a mysterious villain in the new Spidey flick controlling people's minds, which will presumably spell disaster for Mark Ruffalo's hero.

The hype for Spider-Man: Brand New Day is high, and not only because the movie will feature both Hulk and Jon Bernthal's Punisher. Fans are extremely invested in Peter Parker's story, and are eager to see how he's been doing in the years since Doctor Strange's spell made everyone forget who he was. That includes both Ned and MJ, who Tom Holland's hero has been watching from afar.

Our questions will be answered when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. The movie's secrets have largely been kept so far, including Sadie Sink's mysterious role. And who knows where the story will take Hulk?

The horror genre has been thriving for years now, to the delight of fans like me. Obsession became a wild box office success this year, and has made household names out of its cast, especially Nikki actress Inde Navarrette. She recently confirmed she met with director Jake Schreier, who will helm the new X-Men movie. And fans think they know which mutants she could play in that upcoming Marvel movie.

After Obsession's insane success, moviegoers are curious about what's next for Navarrette, and if she'll be recognized during Awards Season like Weapons' Amy Madigan. During an interview with Nylon, the 25-year-old actress was asked if she'd do a Marvel movie, responding with:

She also confirmed to the outlet that she's already met with Jake Schreier, who directed Thunderbolts* and will once again be behind the camera for the developing X-Men movie. This news turned heads for fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order and can't wait for mutants to finally take center stage.

A thread over on Reddit responded to the news that Navarrette met with Schreier, with folks sounding off about which X-Men character they think she'd be great playing. The responses read as follows:

• ​Inde is my top choice to play Mystique. The woman has a REALLY expressive face that could portray a lot of great emotion even with the makeup.
• She would definitely make a great Laura Kinney.
• I'd rather they keep Dafne Keen who's just 21 as Laura in the reseted universe and cast Navarrette as Kitty Pride.
• Shes Psylocke for me.

Clearly there's a ton of love for the X-Men, and fans are hyped about the idea of Inde Navarrette joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We'll just have to wait and see if she actually joins the cast of Schreier's developing blockbuster, and if any of the above casting guesses end up being legit.

Out of the four characters listed above, I think I'm most inclined to see Navarrette as Mystique. She was basically playing two characters in Obsession, which shows how transformative she can be. Of course, she'd have some big shoes to fill thanks to the role previously being played by Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence. Although I could honestly see her as X-23, Psylocke, or Kitty Pride as well. Talk about versatility.

For years, mutants were noticeably missing in the MCU, but Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox finally opened the door for the X-Men to join the fun. Since then, characters have been used here and there, and the OG actors from Fox's franchise will appear in the next Avengers movie. But Schreier is expected to bring in a new group of actors for his movie.

It's currently unclear when the X-Men movie will hit theaters, but a handful of mutants will appear in Avengers: Doomsday on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Obsession, it's available for rent or home purchase now and will arrive on Peacock on July 17th.

The comic book genre continues to be wildly popular, and things on the DC side of things are changing thanks to plans formulated by co-CEO James Gunn. We're still early into the run of the newly formed DCU (whose first slate of projects is titled Gods and Monsters), and there are countless questions about which actors might play beloved heroes. Actor Tom Brittney is rumored to be playing Bruce Wayne/ Batman, although he recently denied these reports. Still, he looked kinda guilty to me.

Fans are curious about the upcoming DC movies, especially since so little is known about casting. While James Gunn claimed he wasn't rushing to bring Batman to the shared universe, that hasn't stopped casting rumors from swirling. Brittney recently appeared on FOX5’s Good Day New York (via Twitter) to promote the new series The Westies, where he was asked about the Batman chatter. Check out his response below:

Is it just me, or does the Greyhound actor look like he's hiding something? While it would have been easy enough to deny that he's in talks for Batman, instead he played dumb, even jokingly asking "Who?" when asked about the rumors that he's playing the Caped Crusader. I mean, who doesn't know that specific hero? After all, he's one of the most popular DC characters of all time. It's reminding me of how Andrew Garfield lied for a year about his Spider-Man: No Way Home role.

Of course, this isn't a confirmation that Tom Brittney is actually playing Gotham's Protector in the DCU (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription). But I'm sure his mischievous smile is going to keep the discourse going. As far as his actual words, the actor responded by saying:

If Brittney doesn't end up playing Bruce Wayne, it sounds like he's honored to even be rumored for that role. Batman is a dream role for many, despite the pressure and how many actors have already famously played the role. Still, the newly formed DCU is going to need a new version of the Caped Crusader eventually.

Of course, there is another version of the character happening right now. Namely Robert Pattinson, who starred in The Batman and will reprise his role in Matt Reeves' upcoming follow-up Part II. It's largely believed that the DCU won't move forward with a new version of the beloved character until that long-awaited sequel finally arrives in theaters. So the ongoing discourse about casting rumors will likely continue for the foreseeable future. We'll just have to wait and see if Tom Brittney ends up being the lucky actor to wear the cape and cowl.

The next DC movie hitting theaters is Clayface on October 23rd as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for The Batman: Part II, that's not expected to arrive until October 1st, 2027. As such, we might have to wait even longer before DCU Batman casting is announced.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is showing no signs of slowing down, with the studio consistently putting out new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that Tom Holland's Spider-Man movies are fan favorites, with folks hyped for Brand New Day to hit theaters this July. Although I am gobsmacked that J.K. Simmons has never met Holland, despite appearing in two films (so far) as J. Jonah Jameson.

After famously playing JJJ in the Tobey Maguire films, fans were shocked when Simmons reprised that role during Far From Home's twist ending. In a clip from the Happy Sad Confused podcast's Instagram, the Whiplash actor revealed how last-minute that cameo was. In his words:

How wild is that? While the fandom was shook when J. Jonah Jameson showed up, it sounds like J.K. Simmons was similarly caught off guard. He filmed his brief role after primary photography had wrapped, and the movie was in the midst of being edited. So there was no time to get the 71-year-old actor fitted for a wig, resulting in the character being bald in the MCU. He went on to share how quick and dirty his shoot for Spider-Man: Far From Home was, saying:

Of course, fans know that he would go on to reprise the character in a more significant role for No Way Home. Despite this, he still hasn't met Tom Holland, as the pair of actors haven't actually shared any scenes together. Simmons went on to joke about this, saying:

This shows just how unique the movie industry is. Because despite being in two movies together, J.K. Simmons and Tom Holland still haven't actually crossed paths. We'll just have to wait and see if this changes with any upcoming Marvel movies.

Now, I'm very curious to see if J. Jonah Jameson ends up appearing in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which will hit theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. That's because, while he's presumably still working for the Daily Bugle, Doctor Strange's spell at the end of No Way Home erased Peter Parker from his memory.

I’ve got to be honest. I saw Supergirl last week, and I’ve nearly forgotten that I sat in a theater for almost two hours viewing it. That’s not the kind of impression I wanted the newest DC movies to leave me with, and I’m not surprised by the movie’s big box office drop this past weekend. Especially because it’s yet another comic book flick for the girlies, and another example of big studios not giving female superheroes the same kind of fanfare as their male superhero counterparts. Let’s talk about it.

I Have A Theory About What Makes Superhero Movies Good... Supergirl Didn’t Pass

Now, I didn’t think Supergirl was as bad as some critics did. I thought Milly Alcock was awesome as Kara, and I liked getting to know her and going on the adventure she has in this movie. It’s a three out of five – right down the middle for me. What I didn’t like was the villain and a lot of the script decisions. And, I have a theory about what makes a superhero movie good: a superhero is only as good as its villain. Seriously, think about it and tell me it's not true! I think the only time where this hasn't been the case is the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, and those guys fit more into the anti-hero archetype.

Supergirl had a very one-dimensional villain in the form of Krem of the Yellow Hills. Sure, he was in the Woman of Tomorrow comic book the movie adapts, but I’d argue the filmmakers could have had a lot more fun and creativity when bringing the pirate assassin to the big screen. I found Krem to be very boring, and in turn so was the movie itself at times. The disappointment I feel regarding Supergirl I feel is sadly a familiar feeling in the genre, especially in movies starring women.

Why Supergirl’s Weak Villain Really Bothers Me

Sadly, we’re in a time when there've been hundreds of big-budget superhero movies and only a few have been led by women. Like, what's up with that? And I don’t think a single one has had a well-written villain. Let’s do a little role call: Wonder Woman, Black Widow, Captain Marvel, Birds of Prey… are we still talking about any of the big bads in these movies? I’m certainly not.

To me, it feels like there’s an undercurrent of “Wait, let’s not give the female-led superhero movie a good villain and save them for the other superhero movies people care about” stench to it. Supergirl is just as cool as Superman is, and yet she was given the villain no one has ever heard of?

I really hope that the next time a women-led superhero movie is greenlit, one of these studios takes a chance on a truly great villain to put head-to-head with our protagonist because I need this trend to stop... like now and prove my point wrong.

Thankfully, Milly Alcock has another chance to really shine (and possibly punch Lex Luthor) in Man of Tomorrow alongside Superman; I just think Supergirl deserved a much better opponent in her own movie.

With Avengers: Doomsday hitting the 2026 movie release schedule later this year, there’s actually been a lot of Deadpool and Wolverine talk in recent months. This was particularly true after Ryan Reynolds posted an Avengers flag on social, prompting people to wonder whether he and Hugh Jackman might be due for an onscreen reunion. Will Deadpool and Wolverine be a part of the gang? It’s unclear, but the two do clearly want to continue the work down the line, and one joke has very much cemented this.

Hugh Jackman’s been going on record lately to discuss potentially continuing to play Logan for Marvel. He said during an interview that he’s only “57” and plans to keep “doing it until I’m 90,” which MCU fans should know is a reference from the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine. His full comments were all pretty funny, but it’s even funnier knowing this is a joke neither Jackman nor his pal Reynolds will let go.

In fact, in an interview with The Wrap, the two men were asked about working together in the future, and Reynolds spoke about wanting to return to the big screen together in an ensemble (which leads me to look again at Doomsday and Secret Wars on the upcoming Marvel movies schedule). While he said he’d “love to do it” again with Hugh Jackman, the it in question being filming the characters, it was Jackman who confirmed the Wolverine joke the two just can’t let go. He snarkily noted:

That was a couple of years ago. It’s unclear if Reynolds is still trolling his pal with this specific Deadpool & Wolverine reference via phone, but this wasn’t the only time the actor brought the joke up in a very public manner, also sharing this special message on Hugh Jackman's birthday:

So, it’s clear this has become a bit of a running thing for both of them that has extended nearly as long as their legendary faux feud.

Plus, from his comments and previous posts, it’s also clear Hugh Jackman is still using this bit in his day-to-day life, and he has also shown no signs of quitting on the famous character anytime soon. That is, at least, in this post Logan era. So, all I guess there is that is left to say is we’ll be sure to keep you updated when Disney invariably announces Logan 2058, which, in case you’re bad at math, is the literal year Jackman will turn 90.

Over nearly two decades, The Marvel Cinematic Universe has proven itself as a behemoth franchise that consistently puts out new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. While fans are looking forward to upcoming Marvel movies, there's also a great deal of affection for what came before. For instance, Robert Downey Jr. named his favorite Marvel movie, and it's one of the few titles he didn't star in before Tony Stark's death in Endgame.

Fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that RDJ helped to start it all when he was cast in Iron Man. He starred in a whopping ten movies prior to his upcoming return as Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday, and during an appearance at TIFF (via The Toronto Sun) the actor name-dropped his favorite Marvel movie by saying:

Honestly, Guardians of the Galaxy is a solid choice. James Gunn did the impossible with that cosmic story, taking a relatively unknown group of superheroes and making them into fan favorites. The Guardians would end up starring in their own trilogy, and the music and humor of the 2014 inspired a number of superhero movies that followed. RDJ has some taste!

Of course, the Oscar-winning actor did give himself some flowers while talking up Guardians. Namely that the unconventional blockbuster was only made a possiblity after megahits starring the more well-known Marvel heroes. In Downey's words:

Another fair point. Guardians was a risk, one that fans were willing to entertain after the first Phase and a half of MCU blockbusters offered good will to moviegoers. So that cosmic team does owe some respect to Robert Downey Jr. opening the door in Iron Man and The Avengers. In the same appearance he joked about James Gunn's beloved blockbuster winning so many hearts, saying:

I didn't expect a sports analogy to come from this conversation, but I've got to see RDJ's point. Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the most beloved franchises in the entirety of the MCU, and that came as a surprise to even the folks within the shared universe. The entire trilogy ended up being acclaimed, in addition to the Guardians Holiday Special that I re-watch annually.

The Guardians of the Galaxy franchise is streaming in its entirety over on Disney+. The next Marvel movie hitting theater is Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Robert Downey Jr., he'll return to the MCU this winter in Avengers: Doomsday.

The box office conversation around Supergirl has gone from disappointing to downright grim. The Milly Alcock-led new DC movie opened soft, and its second weekend did not bring the kind of hold that might have calmed down the “is this a bomb?” discourse. If anything, the numbers made the conversation louder. Let’s break down how the second weekend drop compares to other superhero flicks.

Early weekend estimates put Supergirl’s second-weekend drop around 73% to 74%, which was already bad enough. AP reported the film made just under $10 million in weekend two, calling it a steep 74% drop from its opening. Current Box Office Mojo daily totals are even rougher: $3.6 million on Friday, $2.5 million on Saturday, and about $2.5 million on Sunday. Against its $37.1 million opening weekend, that adds up to roughly $8.6 million for weekend two, or about a 76.8% drop.

That is not just a bad fall. That is comic book movie danger-zone stuff. A r/boxoffice post that tracked 190 comic book movies by second-weekend drop gives the whole thing some useful context. The post was originally built around Joker: Folie à Deux and its 81.4% second-weekend collapse, but the table is a handy measuring stick for where Supergirl now sits.

In that analysis, only 10 comic book movies had dropped 70% or more in their second weekends. That group included Dylan Dog: Dead of Night at 87.4%, Joker: Folie à Deux at 81.4%, The Marvels at 78.1%, Steel at 78%, Morbius at 73.8%, The Flash at 72.5%, Dark Phoenix at 71.5% and The Suicide Squad at 71.5%.

So where does Supergirl land? If you use the earlier 73%-74% estimate, it basically ends up in the same neighborhood as Morbius and The Flash. That alone is not where a major new superhero release wants to be. Those titles became shorthand for very different kinds of comicbook fan disappointment: one was memed back into theaters only to bomb a second time, and the other arrived with massive expectations, legacy Batman nostalgia and a marketing push that could be seen from space.

If you use the current Box Office Mojo math, though, it's even worse for Supergirl than it initially looked. A drop around 76.8% would put it just below The Marvels and Steel, and just above Morbius. That is a brutal cluster. It means Supergirl would not merely be somewhere on the comic-book box-office flop chart. It would be near the top.

Now, second-weekend drops are not always a perfect indicator of quality. The Suicide Squad is on that 70%-plus list, and plenty of people love that movie. Hellboy II: The Golden Army dropped 70.7%, and that film has a strong fan base, too. Sometimes, release timing, streaming availability, competition or front-loaded fan interest can make a movie look worse in weekend two than audience feeling alone might suggest.

But with Supergirl, the drop matters because the opening was already below expectations. A huge debut followed by a big fall is one thing. Spider-Man: No Way Home dropped 67.5% in its second weekend, but it opened to more than $260 million. Nobody was crying into their web shooters over that. When a movie opens at $37.1 million and then falls off a cliff, the math gets pretty ugly, fast.

That is the hard part for DC. Milly Alcock has had defenders, including original big-screen Supergirl star Helen Slater, and some viewers clearly connected with her version of Kara. But the box office is telling a different story. The die-hards showed up. The casual crowd did not appear to follow in meaningful numbers.

So, whether you use the 74% estimate or the roughly 76.8% final drop, the takeaway is the same: Supergirl is now flying alongside some of the roughest comic book movie second weekends ever recorded. That is not the company Kara wanted, and in my estimation, it is not the company Alcock deserves either.

Anyone who wants to make up their own mind can still catch Supergirl in theaters as part of the 2026 movie calendar. Other DC movies are also available to stream with an HBO Max subscription.

Marvel fans are more than ready for the star-studded Avengers: Doomsday to bring doom to the MCU (in two literal senses), but not before another upcoming Marvel movie’s warped version of reality takes over theaters. Spider-Man: Brand New Day is finally almost here, and a new promo features cast members Tom Holland, Zendaya and Sadie Sink alluding to the possible importance of the wedding that Spidey crashes into, as seen in trailers. Who’s the (un)happy couple?

Thanks to the 2026 release’s most recent full-length promo, we know the names of those set to be betrothed, and quite a few fans seem certain that it’s the offspring of a certain mustachioed Daily Bugle editor. Which then makes me wonder whether or not director Destin Daniel Cretton will be throwing some comic book werewolf lore at audiences. It’s not likely, of course, but it’s possible.

The Wedding Is For "John & Lucy"

I'll freely admit that I didn't expect the wedding mayhem in Brand New Day to be of genuine import, and just thought it was conceived of as an interesting setting for superhero hijinks. (Which could still be the case.) But this cast video plays up the idea that fans will be familiar with whoever the groom and/or bride are, while confirming that Sadie Sink's mystery character won't be in bridal-wear.

The only concrete-ish information out there regarding the wedding is the one trailer shot that shows the side of a helicopter whose windows are emblazoned with the "Just Married" message, as seen above. There's obviously a ton of speculation about who both of those names could be referring to, with Runaways' Karolina "Lucy in the Sky" Dean being a popular choice for the latter moniker.

Guesses are more split for the groom, but I'm fully siding with anyone predicting that it's John Jameson, the son of J. Jonah Jameson. It's a fun set-up that could not only bring J.K. Simmons back for a JJJ appearance, but also give him a huge reason to revitalize his hatred for Spider-Man. It looks like quite the expensive and lavish wedding, and I doubt anyone partially responsible for footing the bill will appreciate webslingers destroying things.

John Jameson Becomes Man-Wolf In The Comics

Now, I get that Spider-Man: Brand New Day has more than enough story elements already in play that it doesn't need to bring supernatural monster characters into the mix willy nilly. But given so many other villains and side characters such as Tombstone and Scorpion are involved, and without the expectations for them to be heavily featured throughout, then it's not the most unbelievable thing in the world that we'll get a quick Man-Wolf reference.

I'm not loony enough to think that John Jameson will become the movie's lycanthropic big bad, even given the fact that we still don't know who the main villain is. But it would be incredible if the movie pays homage to the character's comic history with joke about him going through 30 razors a month, or having sharper-than-usual canine teeth. It would also be incredible to get a full-on transformation sequence, though that's less likely.

After all, it's not like this would be the first Marvel project to feature werewolves and other monsters, considering Werewolf By Night brought in both Jack Russell and Man-Thing, and remains one of the more critically acclaimed Disney+-specific MCU entries. It might be a little too high-falutin to make that connection concrete for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but if not now, when?

Peter Parker's latest world-saving adventure will soon arrive when Spider-Man: Brand New Day hits theaters on July 30, 2026.

Cinema lovers are already anticipating a number of titles on the 2027 movie schedule, and one of its most anticipated entries is easily Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. The threequel is expected to end the trilogy that began with 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse, and the creative team are seeking to bring this story to a strong conclusion. There haven’t been too many updates on the production in recent months, yet producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller are now speaking out. And there’s one reason their comments have me psyched!

Earlier this year, Lord and Miller marked the release of a little movie called Project Hail Mary, which they co-directed. To put it mildly, that Ryan Gosling-led flick took up a lot of their time, but that didn’t mean Spider-Verse fell by the wayside. The duo – who also co-wrote the Beyond script with David Callaham – recently opened up about the progress they’ve been making on the upcoming superhero threequel. Miller even revealed that they’re collaborating with a certain film technology company on a certain aspect of the movie:

Per Empire Magazine, the duo is seeking to ensure this Spider-Verse movie is shown in the expanded 1.43:1 IMAX ratio, and that really excites me! This animated film series utilizes cutting edge technology, and it’s glorious to behold on any screen. I saw the first two movies in IMAX and, while those were great moviegoing experiences, the films were only shown in the standard 2.39:1 aspect ratio. So I’m pumped that Miller, Lord and co. want the threequel to completely fill IMAX screens and be without those pesky black bars.

I should’ve known they had big plans for the format because, after the film’s date was delayed a few weeks, Miller tweeted that they now had a “better IMAX window.” In other words, fans will hopefully have plenty of time to see the movie as it’s meant to be seen. More immediately, though, Lord stresses that the team is putting in a lot of work to ensure the film is expertly crafted:

Beyond the Spider-Verse picks up immediately after the events of 2023’s Across the Spider-Verse, which saw Miles Morales trapped in an alternate universe amid his quest to save his family. Not only that, but the young hero also found himself face to face with a variant of himself, who’d become that world’s version of The Prowler. Specific plot details have been tightly webbed up, but I’m hopeful that fans are in for a thrilling, emotional and visually dazzling send-off for this series. As Chris Miller said, “you got to keep doing something that hasn't been done before” and, if any people can do that, it’s him, Phil Lord and their team.

Fans will be able to feast their eyes on Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse when it opens in theaters on June 18, 2027. In the meantime, true believers, stream Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse with a Disney+ subscription and Netflix subscription, respectively.

While I usually hate feeling as if time is going by too quickly, I can take comfort in knowing it’s all leading to the upcoming DC movie The Batman: Part II, so no time has technically been wasted. (I live in denial a bunch.) Production on the 2027 theatrical release kicked off in June, but many cast and character questions remain unanswered. Is Sebastian Stan really playing Harvey Dent and Two-Face? Is Scarlett Johansson a key piece of the Long Halloween adaptation game? Will we see The Joker?

Unsurprisingly, director Matt Reeves kept mum about new and established roles when confirming the film’s actors, and it was a noteworthy exclusion when Barry Keoghan’s name wasn’t listed in the lineup. Though not a “star” of the first film, the Irish actor made a quick and lasting impact from his minimal time on-screen as “Unseen Arkham Prisoner,” and talks about his return were among the first rumors sparked by the impending sequel. So what’s the deal?

A Warner Bros. Event May Have Spilled The Joker Beans

WB execs were on hand in France around July 4 weekend for Studio Show 2026 to promote the studio's slate of upcoming movies, from Tom Cruise's Digger to Dune: Part 3 to animated projects like Hello Kitty and Margie Claus. Obviously, the topic of DC-sourced adaptations came up, such as Man of Tomorrow and Dynamic Duo, and Clayface. But this detail reported by BoxOfficePro is definitely worth bringing up, since Keoghan is one of the key names mentioned in the French report. Here's a translated iteration:

No mention of James Gordon actor Jeffrey Wright or Penguin portrayer Colin Farrell, but Keoghan is just right there in front, ahead of Alfred's actor Andy Serkis. I of course get throwing ScarJo and Stan in there for extra hype, and maybe it's a case where Keoghan has a huge following in France, and so the outlet wanted to play into that, without this being directly related to billing order.

The Saltburn actor himself has been cagey when addressing a potential return as The Joker, which has only helped to make the return seem more likely. But given just the elements that we know about thus far, it's not entirely clear how The Joker would factor into what will assumedly be Two-Face's origin tale. (It's not like Reeves is going to ape Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight, amirite?) So I can't imagine it'll be a very prominent part, and will possibly just lay additional groundwork for a grander takeover in a third Batman movie. Or not.

Whatever fans might hope to see, note that the actor is as busy as busy can be, in large part because he's portraying musical icon Ringo Starr for Sam Mendes' The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, which reportedly started filming in March. It'll likely take well over a year for the movie quartet to be filmed, though it's obviously possible that Keoghan worked out scheduling details with Reeves and Mendes that would allow him to film Joker scenes without imminent Ringo sequences to appear in.

For now, the actor’s fans can see him in action in two 2026 movie releases to date: Crime 101 opposite Chris Hemsworth (currently streaming via Amazon Prime subscription) and Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man (currently streaming via Netflix subscription).

The Marvel Cinematic Universe consistently puts out new content for fans, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. But arguably the most highly anticipated upcoming Marvel movie is Avengers: Doomsday, resulting in countless theories and rumors about what The Russo Brothers' blockbuster will include. And a new rumor claims that Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom is "obsessed" with one hero, and it ain't Reed Richards. Let's break it all down.

Because what we know about Avengers: Doomsday is so limited, fans have been filling in the blanks online. Folks who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order can't wait to see the Fantastic Four interact with Doctor Doom, but a report from scooper MTTSH claims that the villain will instead be focused on Chris Evans' Steve Rogers. It reads:

Well, I'm interested. If this rumor ends up being legit, it sounds like we'll see lots of scenes between RDJ and Chris Evans in the forthcoming blockbuster. This would likely be thrilling for longtime fans, although some might be surprised if the movie doesn't build to a conflict between Doctor Doom and Reed Richards. After all, he's typically known as a Fantastic Four villain in the comics and other media.

While he wasn't included in the Doomsday cast announcement, the brief but impactful Captain America teaser confirmed Evans was returning to the MCU as his signature character. And if this rumor is to be believed, he'll be Doom's biggest target.

Of course, it's more than possible that the above rumor won't end up being legit. Lots of Marvel fans are throwing everything at the wall, thanks to how little we actually know about Doomsday's contents. But with the movie's December release getting closer, I have to assume that we'll be treated to more content and actual trailer soon. At least that's what I'm hoping.

This latest claim about the next Avengers movie stands in juxtaposition to earlier chatter that Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards would be the main character of the blockbuster. Although given the scale of Doomsday, it would make sense if The Russo Brothers were actually putting the focus on long-running characters like Steve Rogers. We'll just have to wait until this coming December to see which rumors about the movie actually end up coming true.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday finally hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. With so many rumors surrounding the project it feels like just about anything could happen when it finally hits the big screen. Fingers crossed we get some concrete information sooner rather than later.

It sounds like Chris Evans knows how to get a party going and, back in the day, the original Avengers cast was apparently more than happy to go along with his shenanigans. The stars of the Marvel franchise previously opened up about a particularly fun night that they had together, and it's since become the stuff of legend. At the center of this story is a text is an "assemble" text, and Evans apparently sent that to Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and more. What followed was a full night that we'll break down.

The evening in question took place in Albuquerque, New Mexico while the stars were shooting one of the Marvel films. During a panel at New York Comic Con, Clark Gregg, who played Phil Coulson in several Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, recalled getting Evans' text. Unsurprisingly, his great take on receiving it garnered applause from the crowd:

While those on the dais joked that a lot of details from that night should not be said legally in public, the giddy cast did seem excited to unpack some of the exciting details from that night. Tom Hiddleston -- who was also present for the panel -- hilariously recounted an exchange between Evans and Chris Hemsworth that was undeniably funny, and it involved Evans trying to figure out how Hemsworth obtained his physique for playing Thor. Hiddleston also dropped light details about the activities that proceeded that query:

So, even when the actors were all in superhero shape, they were apparently still trying to figure out how to be as ripped as Chris Hemsworth, who definitely achieved a look fit for a norse god. Even if they weren’t all like Hemsworth, they all looked pretty good, including Scarlett Johansson, who also joined the boys for the partying that evening as well.

According to Gregg, Johansson was showing off some particularly incredible dance moves, which came as an absolute shock to some other people who happened to be celebrating a birthday in the same VIP lounge. Gregg recalled:

I can’t imagine just casually celebrating my birthday party with my friends and turning around to see the Avengers cast breaking it down, especially someone as cool as Scarlett Johansson. This sounds like a glorious night, and I wouldn't be surprised if there are some details that these movie stars are keeping to themselves that we will never know about.

Of course, sometimes stories come out over time so who knows what they’d reveal if they were asked about it now. All in all, though, what I love is just how close the Marvel actors are and that they've been able to make such great memories together. Matching tattoos are one thing, but a drunken night that goes into all hours in the middle of a random city will bond you for life.

We as fans might not be privy to all the behind the scenes fun on the Avengers movies, but we can still revisit all the on-screen moments by streaming the films now with a Disney+ subscription. We can also look forward to more cast reunions, thanks to Avengers: Doomsday, which is set to hit theaters on December 18, 2026. Hopefully, the press tour for that movie yields some more funny anecdotes involving the cast.

Minor spoilers for DC Studios’ Supergirl lie ahead.

When it comes to superhero movies, Jason Momoa holds a sweet distinction, as one of a group of actors who’ve been able to play two prominent roles. Momoa was hired to play Aquaman years ago as part of the DC Extended Universe and, in 2024, the fan-favorite actor achieved his dream of being cast as Lobo in the DCU. These particular versions of the DC characters do have their similarities, and even their first on-screen appearances are similar. Momoa is also aware of those parallels, and he shared a funny take with CinemaBlend.

The first sighting of Arthur Curry (Aquaman) in the DCEU technically comes in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice via footage glimpsed by Diana Prince. However, his formal debut happens in Justice League and, an early scene shows him chugging down a beer at a bar at an Icelandic village. And, funny enough, Lobo’s DCU debut in Supergirl sees him enjoying a drink at a bar on the planet Bilquis, where he encounters Kara Zor-El and Ruthye Marye Knoll. CinemaBlend had the chance to ask Momoa if the similarities of these debuts were intentional, and he jokingly refuted that notion with a perfect quip:

It’s true that Momoa has played plenty of characters who’ve enjoyed a good brew now and then. Superhero movie fans would likely agree with me when I say that the A-lister’s DC characters are particularly strong drinkers. I love this comment from Momoa, because it indicates the level of self-awareness he has when it comes not only to his characters but his own on-screen persona as a whole. Still, the star stressed that he was not responsible for Lobo and Arthur’s beverage choices:

What we have here is an actor who’s committed to his craft and, with that, he’s found considerable success. In terms of DC, Momoa’s profile rose after Aquaman earned more than $1 billion worldwide following its release in 2018. Momoa subsequently spoke about finding “baffling” levels of fame due to the movie’s success. Still, he’s apparently been able to handle the fame well, and what he appreciates is that it’s happening later in life. Momoa is specifically grateful that he’s become busy years after having been able to be with his kids during their formative years.

More recently, Momoa has been revelling in his Lobo casting, and he’s also spoken about the amount of work it took to transform him into the Czarnian bounty hunter. As it stands, Momoa seems keen on playing the role for the foreseeable future, though he said he’d only do a Lobo solo film if it were R-rated. Momoa also spoke about the prospect of someone playing Aquaman in the DCU. While he initially joked about taking that person out, he expressed openness to seeing that recasting.

Regardless of who plays the King of Atlantis next, I’d like to think fans won’t forget Jason Momoa’s take on the character and, so far, fans seem to dig his take on Lobo as well. Here’s hoping the cigar-smoking alien will return sooner rather than later and that he’ll continue to enjoy a good drink here and there. For right now, though, check out his DCU debut in Supergirl, which is now playing in theaters alongside other 2026 movie schedule releases. And stream both Justice League and Aquaman using an HBO Max subscription.

Anne Hathaway’s massive year continues this month, with The Odyssey being the latest of her many 2026 movie releases on the way. Notably, the historical drama also marks her third time working with Christopher Nolan. But did you know the circumstances of Hathaway's first audition for Nolan? It revolves around a funny misunderstanding the actress had about what role she was auditioning for in The Dark Knight Rises.

It goes without saying that auditioning for a director like Nolan is no small feat, and Hathaway wanted to ensure she was prepared when they met for his final Batman film. Here’s what the actress recently recalled about how it went:

Now, Anne Hathaway isn’t alone in meeting a filmmaker for a superhero role she didn’t know about. A similar thing happened to the likes of Brie Larson for Captain Marvel and Paul Rudd for Ant-Man. But, in Hathaway’s case, she was under the impression that Nolan was looking for a Harley Quinn, and she dressed accordingly.

As she recalled to Happy Sad Confused, there was an the awkward moment when the filmmaker told her what role she was auditioning for, and the reveal led to her instantly change up her demeanor to adapt to it. In her words:

Hathaway says she thinks her misreading of the role actually “worked in [her] favor,” because Selina Kyle is “a chameleon”. I’d be so curious about Christopher Nolan’s recollection of his first meeting with Anne Hathaway for The Dark Knight Rises but, ultimately, she obviously made a good impression, considering she got the part!

Hathaway's hiring ended up being the first time an actress played the role of Catwoman in a live-action Batman movie since Michelle Pfeiffer’s version in 1992. Then, it wasn't until Zoë Kravitz played Selina Kyle in 2022's The Batman alongside Robert Pattinson’s version of the Caped Crusader that there was another big-screen Catwoman after the Devil Wears Prada star.

Hathaway may have been wrong about Harley Quinn at the time, but she was right about Warner Bros. wanting to bring the comic book character to life in a DC film. It was just four years later when Margot Robbie debuted her Harley Quinn in David Ayer's Suicide Squad.

For the time being, the current schedule of upcoming DC movies doesn’t officially include the return of Catwoman or Harley Quinn. However, I hope it won't be too long before these fan-favorite femme fatales come back somehow. For now, we’re excited to see Anne Hathaway reunite with Nolan to play Odysseus’ wife, Penelope, in The Odyssey, coming to theaters on July 17.

Supergirl – the latest film from DC Studios – has generated plenty of discussions since its release as part of the 2026 movie schedule, and not all of it has been good. While early reactions to the latest DCU movie were mostly positive, audience and critical reception has been mostly mixed since, and the film is now flopping at the box office. Various film pundits have seemingly been analyzing the situation, trying to assess what happened. Now, insiders are sharing claims about early test screenings, and they were allegedly less than stellar.

As is the case with many major studio films, Craig Gillespie’s Supergirl was subject to test screenings, which are used to test the waters in regard to what hits and what doesn’t hit for audiences. It was reported back in October that DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn held a secret screening for executives and some close friends. That aside, THR recently reported that Gillespe’s latest movie was marred by creative differences with Gunn, one of the film’s producers and, as a result, the post-production process was supposedly hectic.

Insiders also alleged that the Milly Alcock-led superhero film ultimately had at least four official test screenings held between December 2025 and March 2026. The test scores are tallied out of 100 points, and sources claimed the movie “never escaped” the 60s. However, another source claimed the best score the movie attained was a 70. Yet an additional insider provided a different alleged take, as they claimed the film achieved test scores in the low 70s by the winter after changes were made to the cut.

Still, creative disagreements apparently persisted for different reasons, including the film’s music (and that final-battle needle drop). THR’s sources alleged that, in time, a second cut of the film was produced by the studio and was put into a “bakeoff” with Gillespie’s cut. Apparently, Gillespie’s version was 11 minutes longer and included more of Matthias Schoenaerts’ Krem of the Yellow Hills (the film’s thin and MCU-esque villain). After both cuts screened, scores reportedly dropped all around, but the studios’ won out by only two points.

The test screening process can definitely be tedious but, in many ways, it can help indicate how an audience will respond to a film. As for creative disagreements, those can happen as well, and the results can vary. Per a source, a bakeoff “happens more than you think, but it’s not normal.” Regardless of what really happened behind closed doors between Gillespie, Gunn and co. from a creative standpoint, insiders said most of Supergirl’s test scores were in the 60s, which are the scores that fellow DC flicks Shazam! Fury of the Gods and the scrapped Batgirl also apparently earned.

Supergirl’s box office debut was lackluster, with the film only earning $38 million domestically during its opening weekend and finished those first few days with $68 million worldwide. The domestic number was notably below expectations, which had the film earning between $39 million up to $55 million. For context, the film reportedly has a $175 million production budget, and it needs to make somewhere between $315 million and $375 million to break even. As for how the film will perform during this 4th of July holiday weekend, Forbes is forecasting a 73% drop and $10 million domestic haul.

The poor reception to Craig Gillespie’s film isn’t deterring DC Studios, though. Co-CEO Peter Safran acknowledged that the movie’s performance wasn’t what was hoped for, but he emphasized that it was only one part of a larger plan for the DCU. And, per Safran, he, Gunn and his colleagues remain hopeful about their strategy. To that point, Milly Alcock will reprise her role as Kara Zor-El in Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow, which opens in theaters in 2027. I’d imagine execs are hoping for higher test scores when it comes to that movie.

The DCU is still in its infancy, as we're only two movie into the first slate of projects (titled Gods and Monsters). The studio's co-CEO James Gunn kicked things off with Superman, which featured a cameo from Milly Alcock's Supergirl. But the House of the Dragon actress revealed that filming that short sequence was actually way more awkward than you might have guessed. Let's break it all down.

While Supergirl recently arrived in theaters, we're still learning more about how James Gunn's Superman movie came together. During a recent video from the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Alcock was asked about filming her brief but memorable role as a drunk Kara Zor-El. She said:

While Krypto was a scene-stealer in the theatrical cut of Superman (which is streaming with a HBO Max subscription), the reality of filming that sequence is another matter entirely. Namely because there was no dog, and instead Alcock was filming alongside a full grown woman. Oh, the glamor of moviemaking!

Fans who have been watching the DC movies in order were introduced to a very drunk Kara, who got her time to shine in Craig Gillespie's Supergirl movie. Later in the same interview, Milly Alcock got real about how "embarrassing" it is to be an actor... including when you're performing opposite a human pretending to be a dog. In her words:

Oh, to be a fly on the wall as the 26 year-old actress filmed that scene from Superman. Ultimately, I felt the brief sequence was a successful introduction, and showed the juxtaposition between Kara and her hopeful cousin Kal-El. So any embarrassing or cringe-worthy moments were worth it in the end.

Superman can be re-watched on HBO Max, and Supergirl is in theaters now as part of the 2026 movie release schedule. Luckily for fans of Alcock's character, she'll be back with a role in Man of Tomorrow. Hopefully filming that movie isn't quite as embarrassing.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe consistently puts out new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. There are countless questions about upcoming Marvel movies, including Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange franchise. The Multiverse of Madness' ending set up some huge things for the former Sorcerer Supreme, and a new report made a bold claim about what's going on with the threequel. Let's break it all down.

Folks who have been watching the Marvel movies in order know that it's already been years since Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange 2 hit theaters in 2022. We last saw Strange alongside Charlize Theron's Clea jumping into the multiverse to stop an incursion, but he hasn't shown up since. Scooper Cosmic Circus recently made a bold claim about Marvel's current plans for the magical franchise, saying:

Well, this stinks. While there are plenty of Marvel movies for the studio to focus on, the fact that we're seemingly not getting any follow-up to the wild mid-credits sene of Doctor Strange 2 is a real bummer. We'll just have to see if Cumberbatch's hero ends up appearing in any other MCU blockbusters, and hopefully revealing what happened after he and Clea disappeared into the multiverse.

Doctor Strange suddenly having a third eye threw fans for a loop, as did Charlize Theron's surprise cameo in the final moments of The Multiverse of Madness. Some folks were thrilled about the Oscar-winning actress joining the shared universe, but the scene is just one of many credits sequences that haven't been followed up from the post-Endgame era of the MCU. Others include Eternals, She-Hulk, Thor: Love and Thunder, and The Marvels. And is the above report is to be believed, we're not getting another Strange movie anytime soon.

If Doctor Strange 3 isn't happening, then I'm really going to need to see that magical hero in one of the next two Avengers movies. Benedict Cumberbatch indicated that he was in Secret Wars, but there's been doubt as to whether or not he'll appear in that title or Doomsday. He wasn't part of the official Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement, but fans like me are hoping to see him appear. Especially if we aren't getting a threequel.

Avengers: Doomsday will hit theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Fingers crossed we get to see Stephen Strange on the big screen sooner rather than later... hopefully with some answers about what happened him after his sequel's mid-credits scene.

The new Supergirl has already flown straight into the usual new superhero movie storm. There is box office chatter, franchise second-guessing and plenty of online debate about whether the 2026 calendar release’s take on Kara Zor-El works. Some fans are picking the movie apart, and after a $37 million domestic opening, even DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran has acknowledged the film did not open where the studio hoped. But Helen Slater knows a little something about what happens when a Supergirl movie does not land the way everyone wanted and she has some thoughts about the newest DC movie release.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actress who played Kara in the 1984 Supergirl offered a much warmer response to Alcock’s version than some of the online pile-on:

That is a pretty lovely vote of confidence from someone who has actually been in the suit. The original big-screen Kara Zor-El was only 18 when she landed the role for the original 1984 movie, which served as her acting debut. She told the outlet she trained for roughly four months before filming, gaining 15 pounds of muscle through trampolining, fencing, horseback riding and other physical work.

Slater’s experience also gives her perspective on the harsher side of this conversation. Her Supergirl was planned as the start of a three-film run, but the 1984 movie made just $14 million domestically and the sequels never happened. She says she knew the movie had not done well because they did not make the second and third films, though she stayed busy afterward with other projects.

That context makes her support of Alcock feel even more generous. The Legend of Billie Jean actress is not looking at the new Supergirl from some untouchable throne of franchise perfection. She knows what it is like to be attached to a version of Kara that becomes part of a bigger industry conversation, including the uncomfortable one about money.

Slater later appeared in Smallville, played Eliza Danvers on the CW’s Supergirl series opposite Melissa Benoist, and returned in a now-infamous de-aged form for 2023’s The Flash alongside Christopher Reeve’s Superman. Her connection to Kara is not frozen in 1984. It has kept evolving with DC’s various screen eras, sometimes in ways nobody could have predicted.

That may explain why Slater sounds so open to Alcock’s version. She earned a doctorate in mythological studies and depth psychology and describes her studies as helping her appreciate how mythic characters are retold over time. In her view, these stories should change because that is what keeps them alive.

That is a pretty interesting way to think of the Kryptonian character. Kara cannot just be one thing forever. We had Slater’s version, Benoist’s version, Sasha Calle’s version and Alcock’s version, and they all reflect different moments in superhero storytelling. Fans can have favorites, and criticism is fair, but treating every new interpretation like an attack on the last one makes the whole thing feel smaller than it needs to be.

Alcock’s Supergirl may be facing a rougher landing than DC wanted, but the OG Supergirl performer’s response cuts through some of the noise in a welcome way. The original big-screen Kara saw the new one, and she liked what she saw. Anyone who wants to make up their own mind can still catch Supergirl in theaters, so check your local listings for showtimes.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for its tight security, as the universe grows thanks to new projects arriving in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. While the actors in the franchise are tasked with guarding its secrets, certain celebs like Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo are known for accidentally spoiling things. Stranger Things star Sadie Sink is joining the MCU in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and she's having a much easier time guarding spoilers than Holland.

When Sadie Sink was confirmed for the new Spider-Man movie, theories and rumors started swirling about who she might play. Despite how many months have passed, fans still don't know who she'll be in the upcoming Marvel movie. During a recent interview with Nylon, she joked about how to guard spoilers, saying:

Sometimes it's just that simple. Of course, Sink has lots of experience with this unique part of the job. She had to keep lots of secrets during her tenure on Stranger Things (streaming with a Netflix subscription), especially ahead of its fifth and final season. Stranger Things 4 ended with Max in a coma, and the Tony-nominated actress had to do press while not revealing what was going to happen to the beloved character. Now she's keeping mum about her mysterious role in Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order will remember that Tom Holland has a bad track record with accidentally revealing spoilers. While Sink poked un at him in the above comment, later in the same interview she gushed about working with the Uncharted actor. In her words:

Brand New Day is Tom Holland's fourth solo movie as Spider-Man, and his seventh overall appearance in the MCU. So his sense of ease around set makes a great deal of sense. Still, it's heartening to hear how comfortable he made Sadie Sink as she joined the massive shared universe. Now we just need to hear who she is playing already!

Luckily our wait for answers is nearly over. Spider-Man: Brand New Day will hit theaters on July 31st as part of the 2026 movie release list. It's crunch time, so we'll have to see if any spoilers end up trickling out over the next few weeks.