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The Sundance Film Festival has long been a cradle for groundbreaking independent cinema, launching films that often grow beyond their initial acclaim to achieve cult status. These are the movies that transcend their time, finding passionate followings for their innovative storytelling, unique aesthetic, or subversive themes. Whether through midnight screenings, viral word-of-mouth, or rediscovery years after their debut, these films embody the spirit of indie cinema and its ability to resonate deeply with niche audiences. From edgy horror to introspective dramas, these Sundance standouts continue to captivate viewers long after their festival premieres. Here are 15 Sundance films that grew into cult classics, each leaving a lasting mark on both the independent film world and pop culture at large.

1. Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989)

Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 1989, Sex, Lies, and Videotape marked a groundbreaking moment in independent cinema. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, the film explored themes of sexual relationships,...

Henry Cavill’s Superman replacement, David Corenswet, has appeared in quite a few interesting roles before his Dcu entry. One of these roles was in the Netflix political drama, House of Cards, which starred Kevin Spacey. By the time Corenswet made his only appearance in the penultimate episode, Spacey was fired from the show after his legal troubles.

David Corenswet as Jack Costello in a still from Hollywood | Credits: Netflix

Corenswet’s character in the series was not fond of Spacey’s character at all. The same would’ve happened in DC if their characters were to meet. While Corenswet plays the Man of Steel in James Gunn’s Superman, Spacey played villain Lex Luthor in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns.

David Corenswet had a role in Kevin Spacey’s political drama before his Superman role David Corenswet as Reed in a still from House of Cards | Credits: Netflix

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Amazon Prime Video is dropping new flicks on its platform this January, and we’re here to list the best of bunch.

It’s a new year, which means Prime Video has a fresh slate of films for folks to enjoy. From real-life, biographical tales to animated family goodies every generation can enjoy, Prime Video’s got a variety to explore. Plus, one of the streamer’s originals lands this month following its theatrical run, ready to give viewers fright-filled watch.

Check out our picks for the best new movies on Prime Video in January below.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” 20th Century Studios “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Rami Malek brought the iconic life story of Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury, to life in 2018 in Bryan Singer and Dexter Fletcher’s biographical film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” The movie covers Queen’s early beginnings and rise to fame, Mercury’s departure from the group and their reunion at...

The superhero movies of the MCU and the Dcu sometimes feature actors who choose not to return for the sequel. Though not all superhero movies are as successful as the movies of the MCU, the genre has still become the biggest in modern cinema. As superhero franchises grow, so too do their roster of actors, with many signing deals that contract them to appear in multiple movies across a specific comic book movie continuity.

However, this isn’t always what happens, as in some cases, actors actually decline to return for superhero movie sequels. The movie timelines of the Dceu and the MCU have seen many actors not reprise their roles for various reasons, with their absence in superhero sequels being noted to varying degrees. Whether due to scheduling conflicts, behind-the-scenes dramas, or the character being left out of future narratives, here are 10 superhero movie actors who didn’t return for the sequel.

Hollywood has long been fascinated with the concept of time travel. Whether it is killer cyborgs from the future or extra-terrestrials capable of simultaneously communicating with the past and future, we've had no shortage of captivating time-travel films. Often, these movies eschew logic for thrills, hoping viewers are more enamored with the spectacle to worry about plot contrivances. Then again, sometimes writers and directors make too much sense and threaten to put viewers into a coma with their scientific reasoning. Either way, most time-travel adventures produced in Tinseltown tend to leave some sort of mark on audiences, for better or worse.

Don't worry; we've sifted through the legion of titles to determine the 15 best time-travel films to ensure you don't waste your precious time with mere trifles. Grab your sunglasses, hop in your nearest DeLorean or phone booth, and prepare to go on a wicked journey into the past.    

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The reign of the X-Men ended after 20 glorious years. With 14 myriad films in its collection, the Foxverse never fell short of wild, unpredictable, and adrenaline-packed scenes that could exterminate any other cinematic universe in its radius, especially Kevin Feige’s boy-scout-like realm of the MCU.

X-Men [Credit: 20th Century Fox]

Rising in the shadow of such legends as Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Michael Fassbender, the Marvel Cinematic Universe stepped into the ring in a welterweight category with Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. However, in the 25 years since its advent, no MCU film (with the exception of Endgame) has had the resonance and effect on fans that the Foxverse collectively resembles.

Foxverse scores one over Kevin Feige’s MCU Marvel’s action falls flat compared to Foxverse [Image credit: Marvel Studios]

For decades, 20th Century Fox stayed at the vanguard of the live-action comic book movie franchise, producing gems like X-Men: First Class,...

In the realm of music biopics, one simply doesn't get bigger than "Bohemian Rhapsody." Frankly, it's not even close. The film about the story of the band Queen, focused largely on the late lead singer Freddie Mercury, is one of the biggest movies ever made that isn't part of a major franchise. Taking in $910 million at the global box office, it became a straight-up sensation, going on to win several Oscars. Chief amongst them was Rami Malek, who took home Best Actor for his work as Mercury.

To say that Mr. Mercury is a legend would be an understatement. Embodying that sort of distinct personality is no easy task. While the film itself, which is credited to director Bryan Singer even though he was fired from the production late in the game, is largely a mixed bag for many critics and viewers, the general consensus is that Malek was indeed outstanding as Mercury.

Did Will Smith reject a superman movie? ( Photo Credit – Flickr )

In the mid-2000s, Will Smith was offered the role in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns. So why did he pass on donning the cape and flying high? Turns out, it wasn’t the whole “saving the world” thing that turned him off—it was all about messing with white heroes. “There is no way I’m playing Superman!” Smith recalls of his reaction when the script landed in his lap.

The reasoning: It all came down to his past experience with Wild Wild West. In the film, Smith played Jim West, a wild-west gunslinger with a twist. But that role didn’t exactly sit well with some, and the backlash was real. Smith, in his classic blunt fashion, summed it up: “You mess up white people’s heroes in Hollywood, and you’ll never work in this town again!

Editor’s Note: The following story contains some spoilers for “Babygirl,” now in theaters.

Nicole Kidman and writer/director Halina Reijn take a leap of faith into the (hopefully) orgasmic unknown with their new film “Babygirl,” about buttoned-up CEO Romy’s (Kidman) affair with her 25-year-old intern, Samuel (Harris Dickinson).

The Christmas Day A24 release features a daring — and Venice Volpi Cup-winning — performance from Kidman as a woman who grew up in a free-thinking cult, only to emerge into a kinkless, corporatized world repressing her hardly straight-and-narrow desires and tucking away her secret, singularly weird self. The other gaping void in the room? Romy has never had an orgasm with her husband, Jacob (Antonio Banderas), with whom she shares two daughters. Enter Samuel with a pocketful of dog treats and an enthusiasm for indulging Romy’s desire to be dominated, and Romy is free-falling into a potentially destructive affair.

“The whole movie is basically about,...

Warning! This article contains spoilers for What If...? season 3, episode 7.

What If...? brings Storm to the front lines of a Multiversal war in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and it builds anticipation for the inevitable arrival of the X-Men team in the live-action films. Before the MCU debuted in 2008 with Iron Man, comic book superhero movies already had a lengthy history. DC managed to create several successful franchises around their heroes in the latter half of the 20th Century, but for Marvel, most of their big success came at the turn of the millenium.

Bryan Singer's X-Men trilogy kicked off in 2000, and Sam Raimi's Spider-Man arrived shortly after in 2002. However, while Spider-Man has since made the jump into the MCU with Tom Holland's version of the character starring in his own trilogy and joining the Avengers on other outings, the X-Men remain distinctly absent from the Sacred Timeline.

Writer/director Michael Dougherty rose up through the Hollywood ranks authoring the scripts for multiple major blockbusters. He co-wrote the screenplay to "X2: X-Men United" and "Superman Returns" (both of which were directed by the now-disgraced Bryan Singer), and proved his horror chops with "Urban Legends: Bloody Mary," a straight-to-video threequel to the oh-yeah-i-remember-that slasher franchise from the late 1990s. Dougherty's directorial debut, the horror anthology "Trick 'r Treat," saw a slow release in 2007, but became a Halloween standard almost immediately thereafter. The man knows how to terrify audiences. His most recent film was the big-budget monster movie "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," the third film in the U.S. MonsterVerse series.

Dougherty's best film, however, came in 2015 when he made "Krampus," a Christmas horror film that's just as much a holiday standard as "Trick 'r Treat," only for Christmas. It features one of the coolest, scariest monsters of...

Although superhero serials and TV shows had been around for decades prior, Richard Donner’s 1978 version of Superman marked the first major, studio-funded DC feature film in Hollywood. The film’s commercial and critical success led to Richard Lester’s acclaimed follow-up, Superman II, solidifying the late great Christopher Reeve as a cinematic symbol of truth, justice, and hope. Over 25 years later, the events of the ridiculous follow-ups, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, were bypassed by Bryan Singer to accommodate Superman Returns, arguably ranking among the finest cinematic showcases for Clark Kent to prove his protective might. Sure, the movie isn’t as fun-filled or enjoyable as a children’s superhero outing should be, but, as far as restoring the luster into Superman’s cape and proving the comic book hero’s box office viability, Superman Returns did its job. At least, that’s how most critics and general moviegoers felt.

Known as Clark Kent/Superman or Man of Steel, several iconic directors like Zack Snyder and Bryan Singer have tried their hands on the character. James Gunn is the next in line and fans are excited.

Henry Cavill in a still from Man of Steel | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

As the release date for James Gunn’s Superman gets closer and closer, the hype of fans is increasing day by day. Amidst all the promotion and anticipation, Gunn revealed that he talked to former Dceu director Zack Snyder to discuss one aspect of Superman.

When James Gunn talked with Zack Snyder

After releasing Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Snyder and Warner Bros. parted ways for good. In 2022, it was announced that James Gunn would be the co-head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran.

We got the iconic red trunks on Superman! | Credits: DC Studios

Things got really intense when Gunn...

Channing Tatum’s Gambit cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine came years after the actor was considered for the role in X-Men: The Last Stand. It was a fitting tribute and helped fans see how great the actor was in the role. Ryan Reynolds has hinted that Tatum would probably get a Gambit film in the near future. However, the latest report about Tatum’s Gambit is exciting as well.

Channing Tatum as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine | Credits: Marvel Studios

According to an insider report, Gambit will be one of the few X-Men to appear in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. It was also reported that Gambit is set to appear alongside the old Fox X-Men team rather than the new MCU version.

Channing Tatum’s Gambit may next appear in the Avengers films Channing Tatum as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine | Credits: Marvel Studios

Channing Tatum‘s Ragin’ Cajun is...

Long before the time of Henry Cavill, Glen Powell, Tom Holland, or Jack Elordi — Josh Hartnett used to be the hot crush of every other teenage girl and woman. The Hollywood actor was not only one of the most famous actors back in the late 90s and early 2000s but he was also ‘the Hollywood icon’ of that time. But unlike actors who would take the fan appeal as a stepping stone to climb higher in their careers, Hartnett made the conscious decision of stepping away from fame.

Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, and Jordana Brewster star in The Faculty | Credit: Miramax

Although he only ever did stopped working for 18 months or so, he was not doing the leading or hottest new roles that everyone expected him to be. Instead, he was out there in unknown territories, working in indie films and alike which helped challenge his acting ability and widened his horizons.

All Superman Live-Action Movies Ranked (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Superman and Krypto officially took off with the first teaser trailer for James Gunn’s Superman, the inaugural entry in the all-new DC Universe. Donning the red cape for the first time is David Corenswet, whose transformation into the Action Comics hero has reignited excitement. As Superman’s legacy continues to reach higher layers in the sky, we look back at all the live-action Superman movies that have shaped the character’s cinematic history and, in a way, the superhero genre altogether.

From Christopher Reeve’s beloved portrayal to Henry Cavill’s modern take, these films have solidified Superman’s place as a cultural phenomenon, transcending him beyond the pages of comic books. The following list focuses exclusively on solo outings for the Man of Steel, excluding animated features or team-ups with crime-fighting leagues — or the Gotham-based “bat” vigilante billionaire whose mother...

Why Did Patrick Stewart Almost Turn Down The Role Of Professor X? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Sir Patrick Stewart almost turned down the role of Professor Charles Xavier in X-Men—and it’s all thanks to Star Trek. In the late ’90s, Stewart was a well-established sci-fi icon, having played Jean-Luc Picard in The Next Generation. But, when Bryan Singer pitched him the role of Professor X for the X-Men movie, Stewart had doubts. His main concern? He didn’t want to be stuck playing two similar roles.

According to Screen Rant, Stewart wondered, “Would the audiences get confused? Would I get confused?” At the time, he avoided the overlap between Picard’s calm, composed leadership and Xavier’s cerebral, authoritative persona. Stewart almost passed on the role, thinking his Star Trek stint was enough sci-fi for one lifetime. But Singer wasn’t having it. He reassured Stewart that the only...

Nathan Fillion has assumed a rare space in fandom, a place occupied by very few performers. Like Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, and Bruce Campbell before him, he's a geek favorite because he can play a certain kind of stock character with cocksure élan. He first made his mark on television as the jukebox repairman Johnny Donnelly in "Two Guys and a Girl," and captured the hearts of fandom as Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds, the quippy captain of the Serenity, in Joss Whedon's short-lived sci-fi series "Firefly." Fillion's television profile gradually rose over the 2010s as his portrayal of thriller novelist Frank Castle on ABC's "Castle," opposite Stana Katic as Detective Kate Beckett, became a top-20 Nielsen ratings hit. He was so indelibly likable in these varied roles that comic book readers began fan-casting him as any hero with a rakish charm.

For this reason, a sizable contingent of fans got...

Was Brendan Fraser Almost Cast In Superman Returns? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Imagine Brendan Fraser donning the iconic cape and embodying Superman. It sounds surreal. But back in the early 2000s, it almost happened. During a chat on The Howard Stern Show, Brendan opened up about being in the running for the role of Superman back when J.J. Abrams’ project Superman: Flyby was in the works. Despite the buzz, Fraser said he felt ambivalent about fully committing to becoming the Man of Stee.

Howard Stern brought up whether playing Superman was the role that got away, and Fraser didn’t shy away from his conflicted thoughts. He recalled that before him, Paul Walker also tried out for Superman alongside other “usual suspects” of the time. But Brendan couldn’t shake the idea that landing such an iconic role would mean being eternally associated with Superman. He told Stern, “It’s...

Here’s Why X-Men Comics Were Banned From Set Of Hugh Jackman’s 2000 Film ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Plot twist: the X-Men comics were banned on set during the making of the 2000 film. Yep, Bryan Singer, the director, actually banned them. No, it wasn’t some kind of strange mutant power—he was just worried about the movie being taken seriously. The man had a plan.

According to Collider, Singer didn’t want the X-Men to be seen as mere comic book characters. “Bryan really wanted to take comic book characters seriously,” Hugh Jackman recalled. He was concerned that “people who don’t understand these comics might think they’re two-dimensional.” The last thing he wanted was for audiences to think of the mutants as just fun cartoonish figures.

So, Singer banned comic books from the set. Yep, not even the actors could read them. This wasn’t some weird attempt...

It's difficult to overstate the impact of Richard Donner's 1978 blockbuster "Superman." Much has been written about how, without Donner's film and Christopher Reeve's Superman, we wouldn't have the modern blockbuster — all of which is true. But beyond the film's effect on Hollywood and the rise of blockbuster filmmaking, "Superman" was a truly special movie for so many other reasons.

Its innovative special effects actually fulfilled the movie's promise to make audiences "believe a man can fly," while Donner's respectful treatment of the source material seemed to transcend the comic book foundations of the film itself, resulting in a work that embodied the very values that Supes himself stood for: hope, justice, truth. "Superman" also proved every naysayer wrong, demonstrating that comic book material could make for successful Hollywood fare.

In the years since that original movie and its three sequels, we've had numerous cinematic iterations of the Man of Steel.

Hugh Jackman wasn’t the first choice for Wolverine’s role? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Nope, before Hugh Jackman snagged the role, director Bryan Singer tried to hand the claws to Dougray Scott. But thanks to a scheduling nightmare with Mission: Impossible 2, those plans went up in smoke faster than an exploding stunt scene. Tom Cruise reportedly made sure Scott couldn’t juggle both films, effectively kicking Wolverine out of his grasp.

Scott was ready to bring his own take on Logan’s gritty persona, but let’s be real: did we really need another aristocratic Wolverine? Scott was known for roles like Captain Robert Graves in Regeneration, not exactly the wild, primal energy Wolverine required. Logan isn’t supposed to be elegant—he’s supposed to be messy, feral, and gnarly. That’s where Hugh Jackman swooped in with his towering charisma and that unmistakable mix of charm and savagery.

Red Sonja has become an iconic character in comic book and fantasy culture. She is known for her strength, independence, and warrior spirit, often serving as a symbol of empowerment, especially for female characters in action genres.

Over the years, Red Sonja has appeared in numerous comic series, movies, and TV shows, gaining a loyal fanbase and inspiring other strong female characters in comics and popular media.

Two years ago, it was announced that Red Sonja is getting one more live-action adaptation, and now after a long time of almost no news regarding the state of the movie, some action footage has leaked online as well as some set images. You can check them out below:

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A post shared by Red Sonja (@redsonjaofficial)

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A post shared by Red Sonja (@redsonjaofficial)

Lutz’s armor in the footage closely matches later comic book versions of Red Sonja,...

Directed by Rian Johnson, Knives Out creates its own unique world and characters but is influenced by murder mysteries whodunnits that leave a lot of movies like Knives Out that fans can check out next. Knives Out was released in theaters in 2019 and was a huge success, earning 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and making $312 million at the box office, (via Box Office Mojo). Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is a private detective from the American South hired to investigate the death of the patriarch of a wealthy family.

Knives Out was something of a throwback when it arrived. The movie starred several actors best known for their franchise work and put them in a chamber-piece. With an all-star cast, a clever script, and great humor, Knives Out sparked a renewed interest in whodunnits and led to a sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Though it feels like a unique film that plays brilliantly with genre expectations,...

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stan Lee was known as a Marvel Comics writer and editorial director. He was instrumental in creating some of the company's most prominent characters and oversaw the entire comic book universe's direction. Lee went from the voice of Marvel to its cameo king over the course of his illustrious career, and even fans who weren't familiar with him before soon got to know the guy, thanks to Lee's frequent MCU appearances. However, he was stealthily starting his cameo career well before the MCU, and unbeknownst to many, his résumé includes a truly offbeat appearance in Disney's "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement."

In this 2004 romantic comedy that depicts the further adventures of Princess of Genovia Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), Lee has a brief but fun turn as a foreign wedding guest who does his best to greet Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews) with language skills that,...

Was Hugh Jackman almost fired from X-Men? ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

The start of his superhero journey was anything but smooth. Between creative clashes, wild hairstyles, and a chilly morning routine, Hugh Jackman’s X-Men debut in 2000 had significant hiccups.

One of the early snags? His Wolverine hair. Yes, the untamed, comic-book-inspired ‘do wasn’t a hit immediately. Jackman once joked that while the look works on screen, in real life, “it looks ridiculous… like Elvis is leaving the building.” And someone on set agreed. “Three weeks into shooting, a crew member said it straight—Elvis vibes.” That led director Bryan Singer to halt production and demand a hair revamp. Jackman admits, “I watch that first movie, and you can see my hair changing—sometimes nearly flat.”

But the hair drama was just one part of Jackman’s rocky start. Behind the scenes, tensions rose between the actor and the producers,...

Hugh Jackman first began acting in the mid-1990s, securing supporting roles on various TV shows in Australia and winning awards for his performances in Australian productions of hit Broadway musicals. His first feature film was 1999's "Erskineville Kings," a drama about two brothers who return to their hometown to attend their father's funeral. Also in 1999, he starred in "Paperback Hero," a delightful comedy wherein Jackman played a tough-as-nail truck driver who, contrary to his personality, writes a hit romantic novel.

The following year, however, Jackman came to the world's attention playing Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine, in Bryan Singer's superhero movie "X-Men." Jackman, unknown to American audiences, was instantly embraced as Wolverine, and he became a superstar overnight. He has gone on to play Wolverine in several additional films, and is now considered one of Hollywood's more reliable leading men. One can thank the casting directors on "X-Men...

Which Hollywood Actor Passed On Wolverine Role To Hugh Jackman? (Photo Credit – Facebook)

Picture this: Russell Crowe as Wolverine. Wild, right? It almost happened. Crowe was the first pick to play the clawed mutant in X-Men, but he passed—and in a legendary twist, he pointed director Bryan Singer toward a then-unknown Hugh Jackman. The rest, as they say, is history.

Jackman spilled the tea during a chat with Howard Stern, revealing Crowe recommended him for the role. “He called Bryan and said, ‘I don’t want to do it, but you should look at this guy,’” Jackman shared. One call and Logan found his claws. Imagine being so cool that you casually hand over an iconic role to someone else—and that someone dominates it for 20+ years.

So, why did Crowe pass? It wasn’t because he couldn’t pull it off (this is Maximus we’re talking about...

Currently dominating Disney+ as one of the most streamed films this month, Deadpool & Wolverine is a roaring success that unites Ryan Reynolds’ wisecracking mercenary with Hugh Jackman’s iconic portrayal of Wolverine. The film, which marks the adamantium-clawed mutant’s tenth big-screen appearance, owes much of its success to Jackman’s unwavering commitment to the character. Yet, in an alternate universe, the blockbuster could have had a very different face donning those claws.

The journey to Wolverine’s cinematic immortality began with an unexpected twist. Dougray Scott, a rising star at the time known for Ever After and his villainous turn in Mission: Impossible II, was originally cast as Logan for Bryan Singer’s X-Men (2000). The Scottish actor seemed destined to step into the rugged, brooding role. However, a series of unfortunate events saw Scott sidelined just as X-Men began production.

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds as...

Here’s how Scarlett Johansson’s fate lef her to be Black Widow (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Picture this: Scarlett Johansson as Lois Lane. She was this close to joining the DC universe in Superman Returns in 2006. But fate had other plans, and Scarlett made her mark at Avengers Tower instead of the Daily Planet. That detour? It led to her iconic role as Black Widow in the MCU—game changer.

Scarlett was in the running for Lois while McG was set to direct, with J.J. Abrams on the script. But when Bryan Singer took over, the role went to Kate Bosworth. Johansson’s near-miss? It worked out perfectly. We might never have seen her dominate as Black Widow if she had been Lois. And let’s face it, the MCU wouldn’t be the same.

Fast forward to 2010, and Scarlett made her MCU debut as Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2.

In the history of the Oscars, certain movies have forced the Academy to change its rules in terms of who wins the prestigious award, and also who qualifies to be nominated. The Academy Awards were first established in 1929, to recognize different achievements in the movie industry; since its first ceremony, many actors, directors and producers have received recognition from the Academy for their achievements in film. The 96th ceremony is set to take place on March 3, 2025, and there is plenty of speculation over which acclaimed movies could receive 2025 Oscar nominations.

Despite its reputation as the most prestigious award in the movie industry, the Oscars have received criticism and faced controversy. In the 96-year history of the Academy Awards and the Oscars' quirky records, there has been criticism of the Academy's rules regarding how certain movies can receive awards and how nominations can be made. Sometimes, certain movies have even caused...

Viggo Mortensen might’ve conquered Middle-earth, but his next big-screen quest probably won’t involve the MCU. The Lord of the Rings star made it clear he wasn’t exactly thrilled by Marvel franchise life. Perhaps massive blockbuster worlds don’t really call his name anymore.

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in a still from the Lord of the Rings trilogy | Credits: New Line Cinema

While we did hope to see Mortensen wield a new kind of weapon among the Avengers, his take on the franchise formula sounds like a gentle ‘hard pass’. So, if you were waiting for Aragorn to suit up with Iron Man or Thor, consider that fan-casting dream on hold—Mortensen’s staying out of the Marvel multiverse.

Viggo Mortensen Puts Story First, and MCU Might Not Make the Cut Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings | Credits: New Line Cinema

“Unless I’m broke.” Those...

Tom Cruise is a very powerful celebrity in terms of influence and popularity, but many are probably unaware of how much grip he has on the casting of his own projects. Obviously, this means he can forbid actors from leaving or let them go just as easily.

Credits: Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One / Paramount Pictures

It only goes to show how much he values the art and process of filmmaking. After all, it’s taxing to find actors for movies only for them to leave. Two celebrities had their fair share of dealing with Cruise, but they had different experiences.

Tom Cruise Helped Jessica Chastain Play the Role of Her Dreams

Jessica Chastain was supposed to star in 2013’s Oblivion opposite Tom Cruise but had to back out due to scheduling conflicts. The actress, known for her role in Fox’s Dark Phoenix, was encouraged...

Few events in movies are more satisfying to an invested audience than a well-executed plot twist. Unfortunately, many movies, while great the first time around, can lose their appeal and become frustrating once the viewers already know about the dramatic reveal. Knowing the twist in advance can fully erase any dramatic tension that the film works tirelessly to build up. Therefore, filmmakers have to work extra hard to make sure that their plot twists not only significantly contribute to the overall story, but that they are captivating enough to still be enjoyed on a second watch.

Fortunately, many movies have twists so exciting, they can be watched over and over again without losing any of their punch. In fact, some twists actually manage to make films even more enjoyable the second time around. This is typically the case when the ultimate reveal has been carefully foreshadowed throughout the movie. These...

It's that time of year again when millions of people snuggle with friends and family to watch some stuff that'll scare them to their very core, or stuff that's very campy and easy for anyone to enjoy.

Here at Bam! Smack! Pow! we focus on the nerdy comic and superhero content out there, so I wanted to make a list of recommended horror/supernatural comic movies and shows that would be perfect for long-time fans and newcomers. So sit back, relax, and in no particular order, these are my recommended comic-based movies and shows to watch this Halloween season!

1. Del Toro's Hellboy

Ah yes! The iconic del Toro Hellboy films, with legendary creature effects, compelling stories and characters, and of course the iconic portrayal of the titular character by Ron Perlman. Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army are essential viewing for anyone wanting to get into the more demonic...

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness might not have received top compliments from critics, but we cannot disagree that it brought us the baddest version of Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlett Witch. Obsessed with bringing her family back, Wanda turns to dark magic to wander through universes.

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) | Credits: Marvel Studios

With the Darkhold, she was able to transfer her consciousness to a counterpart of herself in other worlds and bend them to their will, even if it meant turning the mighty Illuminati into pasta. Now, a new theory suggests that Wanda might not be the first Marvel character to have dreamwalked in the superhero universe.

If Not Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda, Then Who? Elliot Page as Kitty Pryde | Credits: 20th Century Fox

There is no denying that Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff is one of...

2018's Bohemian Rhapsody was an incredibly polarizing musical biopic, but many can agree that Rami Malek knocked it out of the park with his portrayal of the late Queen lead singer Freddie Mercury even though Malek wasn't the one providing the vocals. The film follows a young Mercury, from his joining Queen in 1970 through to the band's iconic performance at 1985's Live Aid concert. A smash hit with audiences, Bohemian Rhapsody broke box office records and grossed over $910 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).

The movie was also an awards season darling, snapping up four out of five of its Oscar nominations, including a Best Actor win for Malek. However, Bohemian Rhapsody wasn't without its detractors. Sitting at a barely-Fresh 60% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics dinged it for being superficial, particularly with regards to its depiction of Mercury's sexuality. Many pundits also criticized controversial Bryan Singer's "messy" direction. However, almost...

After working with filmmaker Matthew Vaughn on several movies - including Layer Cake and Kick-Ass - Jason Flemyng boarded the cast of 2011's X-Men: First Class as the villainous Azazel.

Vaughn seemingly had big plans for the character, only for Bryan Singer's return to the franchise with X-Men: Days of Future Past to result in Magneto's original Brotherhood being killed off-screen. Nightcrawler's father got a second chance in Deadpool & Wolverine as one of The Void's Variants, but he was played by stuntman Eduardo Gago Munoz in place of Flemyng.

X-Men: The Last Stand star Vinnie Jones previously revealed that he turned down the chance to return as Juggernaut due to the hassle of donning the costume for such a minor role, and it was a similar situation for Flemyng.

Talking to us earlier today about his role in The Stoic, the British screen icon confirmed that...

A Marvel star making headlines for an epic action scene? Predictable. Marvel star getting real about surgery in a Kim Kardashian Skims campaign? Now that’s a plot twist. In a world where superheroes save cities, this star’s stepping into a different kind of limelight—sharing a surprisingly candid revelation about their body and the changes that came with surgery.

Olivia Munn in The Predator | Credits: Davis Entertainment

Forget capes and spandex, this is about confidence, self-love, and a Skims campaign that’s turning heads for all the right reasons. The Marvel universe might be filled with epic battles, but this honest conversation about body image? That’s some real-world bravery we can all get behind.

Olivia Munn Embraces Her Journey: The Actress Shines in Kim Kardashian’s Empowering Skims Campaign Olivia Munn as Evie – Tales of the Walking Dead | Credit: Curtis Bonds Baker/AMC

Olivia Munn’s done hiding.

Most of Tom Cruise’s films could be certified as masterful works of the craft of acting, if not masterpieces in themselves. From the highly fantastical Interview With the Vampire that turned even the novel’s dissenting author into a fan of the actor to Tropic Thunder where he skirted dangerously close to parodying Hollywood producers without the fear of consequence, Tom Cruise has always been the herald of greatness hiding behind an action hero persona.

Tom Cruise – the definite action hero of the 21st century [Credit: Paramount Pictures]

When it came to Valkyrie, a film that is seldom associated with Cruise’s filmography, not only did it fail to establish a presence in pop culture (like his films usually do) but it was not a generally favorable situation to begin with. With opposition from an entire nation of dissenters and critics, Cruise’s most challenging role to date is that of a former Nazi officer-turned-resister,...

It’s no secret that Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. With each movie, he pushes himself to make his characters as real as possible — just look at the Mission Impossible franchise still going strong. But while he’s famous for ditching stunt doubles in crazy, high-risk scenes, he also makes a point of taking on scenes that show off his physicality in other ways.

Tom Cruise in American Made (Credits: Universal Pictures)

Tom Cruise is usually seen as the clean-cut, polished actor of the industry. Even though he fully commits to his roles, it’s still hard to picture him in more daring or revealing scenes. However, audiences have gotten a glimpse of this side of him in a couple of his past films, and he’s even talked about it.

Tom Cruise Challenged The Public’s Perception Of Him In American Made Tom Cruise as...

Biopic of The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein Midas Man needed a lot of Help! to get over the finish line. Here’s the trailer.

Rock biopics, it seems, are a difficult genre to navigate. Bohemian Rhapsody originally had Bryan Singer at the helm before Dexter Fletcher finished the film, for instance.

A similar fate has befallen Midas Man, a biopic of The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. It began production in 2021 with Jonas Åkerlund directing, only for Sara Sugarman to take over later that year. When Sugarman departed, Joe Stephenson eventually took the reins to finally get the film over the finish line. In each case, the directors are said to have left over “creative differences”.

Midas Man wrapped production in 2023, and just over a year later, the once troubled movie is only a few weeks away from release.

Jacob Fortune-Lloyd stars as Epstein, Ed Speleers as Tex Ellington, Jay Leno as Ed Sullivan,...

Matt Bomer may not be a huge Hollywood A-Lister, but had he landed this major role in 2003, it's likely his entire career would have been different, and his biggest show, White Collar, would never have taken off. Matt Bomer began his acting career in 2000 when he first landed a credited TV role in All My Children for one episode. Over the next couple of years, Bomer was auditioning for bigger and better roles as he tried to get his acting career to take off, and he managed to land several more TV shows, with some recurring parts.

However, it wasn't until 2009, nearly 10 years after Matt Bomer had begun his TV career, that he made big waves as Neal Caffrey on White Collar. After this, Bomer's life was forever changed, and he was able to command bigger roles, break into more feature-length films and gain a considerable fan base of his own.

Sir Patrick Stewarts iconic run in the X-Men franchise was made better because of a previous role. Marvel fans have grown to know and love Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier ever since his debut in 2000s X-Men. He would go on to play the character for over 20 years, and Stewarts Professor X has now become one of the longest-running superhero portrayals. However, Stewart was a well-established sci-fi icon before X-Men thanks to his other popular role.

Stewart first appeared as Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, becoming a prominent figure in the shows 90s run then returning in the 2020s with his solo series, Star Trek: Picard. Initially, Stewart wanted to turn down the role of Professor X because of his time as Picard, citing that the two sci-fi roles may be too similar for audiences and himself. The actor wasnt looking to play any more fantasy roles for the time being,...

The farther removed we get from that initial batch of X-Men movies, the uglier they seem to get. No matter how much Deadpool would like to paper over the past by getting Wolverine in his yellow spandex again, the allegations against Bryan Singer, apparent studio disinterest, and inconsistent quality have curdled the series' reputation.

Fox's X-Men universe created an incredible Marvel universe with some exciting and iconic villains. Across 13 films and more than 20 years, it can be difficult even to know the order to watch the X-Men movies. The franchise overall worked so well because of how much time and effort was spent developing incredible villains for the series that could stand up to the beloved team of heroes.

Across all of Marvel, X-Men might have one of the best libraries of villains, second only to perhaps Spider-Man. With the animated X-Men '97 villains taking up much attention in 2024, it is worth reviewing the villains that filled the feature films Fox produced over the years. While iconic foes like Mister Sinister are likely ahead for the franchise when the MCU reboots it, so much ground concerning X-Men villains has already been covered with these incredible foes.

Deadpool Appeared In X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Before going...

The Marvels ended with a massive mid-credits scene surprise when X-Men: The Last Stand star Kelsey Grammer reprised his role as Henry "Hank" McCoy for the hero's MCU debut.

With Photon trapped in a parallel universe that the X-Men call home (presumably Earth-100005 following the events of Deadpool & Wolverine), the stage has been set for those characters to eventually make their way to Earth-616, a world which currently has only a handful of mutants.

Today, we have even more concept art of Grammer's new-look Beast - from the new Marvel Studios: The Art of Ryan Meinerding book - and it's clear this version was heavily inspired by X-Men: The Animated Series and the character's classic comic book appearance.

Bryan Singer, Brett Ratner, Matthew Vaughn, and Simon Kinberg all failed to nail Hank's live-action appearance, and Marvel Studios' decision to head down the CG route clearly paid off.

It's unclear...

Kevin Feige may be president of Marvel Studios today, but he got his start in movie producing the first "X-Men" film in 2000. During "X-Men," Feige was one of the biggest Marvel Comics fans on the crew; he smuggled "X-Men" comics to the actors after director Bryan Singer banned them from the set. I'm sure Feige appreciates his time working on 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" movies (there must be a reason Marvel Studios has been trying to fit them in rather than doing a clean break), but he's steered the MCU in a more colorful direction.

At a press conference for "Deadpool & Wolverine" not too long ago, Feige mentioned one long-standing controversy among comic nerds: how "X-Men" put the heroes in dull black leather costumes instead of the colorful comic book suits. Feige confirmed, as has long been suggested, that these costume designs were trend-chasing "The Matrix". Feige recounted,...

Superman flew back to the big screen in 2006 with the titular feature Superman Returns starring Brandon Routh. But before he was in Man of Steel, Henry Cavill also auditioned for the ambitious reboot. However, there was one particular reason why Routh was ultimately chosen over Cavill.

How Brandon Routh won ‘Superman Returns’ director over Henry Cavill Henry Cavill | Anthony Harvey/Getty Images

Controversial filmmaker Bryan Singer tried resurrecting Superman for a more contemporary audience with Routh as his lead. But before Routh was cast in the role, several hopeful actors were vying to don the superhero’s costume. This included Cavill, who was just 22 years old at the time when he auditioned for the role. But in an interview with Refinery 29, Cavill explained that a shift in management was what ultimately cost him the role.

“I screen tested for that role, yeah. McG was attached and there was a different script.

There was a time when if someone could act, sing, and dance, they were called a "triple threat." The idea was that they were viable, versatile performers for both stage dramas and musicals, making them a threat to any actor who only had talent for one or two of the above techniques. In modern cinema, where musicals are largely out of vogue, the "triple threat" might now refer to someone who can act, perform martial arts, and do their own stunts. In the modern landscape, fighting is more common than dancing. 

Many actors, however, still undergo voice and dance training on the regular, wanting to be as versatile as possible. Many modern film actors, one might find, started on the stage, sometimes belting out some of Broadway's most famous showtunes, before becoming genre stars on the big screen. Case in point: Hugh Jackman. Jackman rose to worldwide fame in 2000 after...