News

Most people can’t conceive of the hardships and strife inflicted on others. It’s not entirely their fault. Television places onlookers behind a screen while horrors lurk outside their door, and news outlets are questionable these days at best. What I’m trying to say is oppression is omnipresent, and Los Frikis, the latest film from The Peanut Butter Falcon directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, is ready to throw audiences into a mosh pit of drama for a story about breaking the chains that bind us. What? You don’t believe me? Watch today’s emotionally charged trailer for Los Frikis and then decide.

Inspired by true events, Los Frikis is a coming-of-age story set in early 90s Cuba, where a group of punk rockers in search of freedom deliberately inject HIV to live at a government-run treatment home so they can create their own utopia. Produced by...

Screenreveals a snapshot of the latest high-end TV and film productions shooting in the UK for the big studios and streamers.

Pleasecontact us hereto add or update changes to the following or new productions taking place in the UK.

Films

UntitledAlejandro G Iñárritu film

Plot under wraps.

Dir:Alejandro G Iñárritu

Prod: Warner Bros, Legendary Entertainment

Where:uk

When:November-ongoing

Distributor: Warner Bros

Cast:Tom Cruise,Sandra Hüller, John Goodman,

The Running Man

A man competes in a deadly gameshow where he must outrun professional killers over 30 days.

Dir:Edgar Wright

Prod:Edgar Wright,Simon Kinberg and Nira Park

Where:London

When:November-ongoing

Distributor:Paramount

Cast:Glen Powell,...

Over the weekend, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse star Hailee Steinfeld announced her engagement to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Not long after that, Miles Morales actor Shameik Moore posted what many believed must be a response to the news.

Taking to X, he shared, "There’s still more people to meet. More opportunities to come. And more chances to try. Live, learn, apply."

His comments went viral and in a since-deleted post, Moore later added, "Had no idea Hailee is engaged! That's amazing, I'm here reflecting on my 2024 goals that are rolling over into 2025. Gods timing." No one was buying it, prompting the actor to later say, "yall been twisting my words and f*ckin wit my name for years now."

The internet being the internet, a fan soon compiled a video of Moore and Steinfeld on the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse press tour, with the former seemingly making...

Shameik Moore has been dealing with a constant barrage of friendly fire, ever since his Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse co-actor, Hailee Steinfield, announced her engagement. On November 30th, the pop star and actor broke the news of her engagement with long-time boyfriend, Josh Allen. As she and the Buffalo Bills quarterback have been dating for quite a while, this does not exactly come as a surprise.

Shameik Moore in The Gutter (2024) | Credit: Magnolia Pictures

The same energy could be seen in the comment section where fans have been showering the couple with congratulatory messages with a fun jest here and there about how it should have been them. However, on the same day, Shameik Moore’s post on X with vague wording somehow stole all the spotlight and prodded the fans into a joke fest. Now responding to the rumors, Moore has finally tried to set the record straight.

Shameik Moore, the voice of Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, appeared upset after his co-star Hailee Steinfeld announced her engagement to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. While social media celebrated the couple, Moore faced backlash for his poorly timed and specific post on X.

There’s still more people to meet. More opportunities to come. And more chances to try. Live, learn, apply.

— Shameik Moore (@shameikmoore) November 29, 2024

After his tweet about Hailee Steinfeld’s engagement went viral and got criticized, Shameik Moore tried to backpedal, saying he hadn’t heard the news: “Had no idea Hailee is engaged! That’s amazing, I’m here reflecting on my 2024 goals that are rolling over into 2025. Gods timing.“

He deleted a tweet where he congratulated her and talked about his goals but kept another tweet up, commenting on what people choose to focus on. Later, he shared a video of his...

Shameik Moore, who voices Miles Morales in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,’ seemed unhappy after his co-star Hailee Steinfeld announced her engagement to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Social media was flooded with congratulations for the couple, who started dating in May 2023.

Shameik Moore seemed upset about her engagement to Josh Allen and promptly faced online roasting after his oddly specific and ill-timed X post.

There’s still more people to meet. More opportunities to come. And more chances to try. Live, learn, apply.

— Shameik Moore (@shameikmoore) November 29, 2024

After his tweet about Hailee Steinfeld’s engagement went viral and sparked criticism, Shameik Moore tried to backtrack, claiming he hadn’t heard the news: “Had no idea Hailee is engaged! That’s amazing, I’m here reflecting on my 2024 goals that are rolling over into 2025. Gods timing.“

He deleted a tweet where he congratulated her and reflected on his goals, but left another up,...

What Do We Know About the upcoming comic book series Spider-Noir? More thank you may think. The first Sony-produced television series as part of their Spider-man Universe, Spider-Noir, has many fans excited about what the series will be. We know some cool stuff about the upcoming series, from set photos to casting details. So, let’s jump in and discuss.

Nicolas Cage is not playing Peter Parker.

After voicing the character’s animated version in Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and Across The Spider-Verse, Nicolas Cage’s casting as the Noir version excited people. To differentiate the project from the film adaptation and the various versions of Spider-Man’s alter ego, the series will present a different take on the Noir hero by making him someone other than the character played by Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, or Tobey Maguire in live-action. Who this Spider-Man’s alter ego is remains to be seen.

If you’re looking for the best movies to watch on Netflix, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve put together an expertly curated selection of some of the most exciting, compelling, emotional and funny movies currently streaming right now.

While it can be daunting thumbing through the streamer’s catalog to find out what to watch, we’ve taken the guesswork and mindless scrolling out of it. This post will be frequently updated with new recommendations, keeping you up to date with all the Netflix movies you should be prioritizing in your queue.

So peruse our list of the best movies on Netflix right now below, and happy watching!

21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street Sony Pictures

If you’re in the mood for a comedy, make it a double feature with Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s “21 Jump Street” and its sequel “22 Jump Street.

Regardless of how many times directors like Guillermo del Toro, Phil Lord, and Chris Miller try to kill the stereotype that the medium of animation isn’t just for kids but for adults as well, and establish that “animation is cinema,” the evidence points to the fact that most animated properties are primarily aimed towards children. Just as an experiment, if I look at some of my favorite animated projects from the 2020s, I’ll come across stuff like Wolfwalkers, Cryptozoo, Luca, Mad God, Turning Red, Apollo 10 ½, The Bad Guys, My Love Affair with Marriage, The Sea Beast, Entergalactic, Oni: Thunder God’s Tale, Gdt’s Pinocchio, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Across the Spider-Verse, Nimona, Carol & the End of the World, The Peasants, Orion and the Dark, and Ultraman Rising. And maybe only 7 of them can be considered unsuitable for children. The rest are uncomplicated and digestible enough for little kids.

Don’t worry, nothing to see here. That’s the sentiment one Marvel insider is spreading amid a new rumor connected to the highly anticipated closing chapter to Sony’s Spider-Verse franchise which suggests the final film in the trilogy has hit a major setback.

Earlier this week, a new rumor began circulating online that suggested Sony’s Beyond the Spider-Verse was undergoing some serious setbacks that could result in a severe delay in the film’s release. According to the rumor gaining traction and being spread by multiple sources, Sony ordered a new script for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse following the release of Across the Spider-Verse which basically had the writers starting from scratch.

As the reports suggested, nobody at the studio was in agreement over how the film should end, and as a result, the film’s release was said to be “very far off” with speculation that...

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It has been nearly five years since a "Star Wars" movie graced the silver screen. That movie was "Star Wars: Episode IX -- The Rise of Skywalker" and it brought the sequel trilogy to a close on an uneven note. What just about everyone seems to agree on is that the second and third entries in that trilogy were divisive, leaving Lucasfilm on uncertain ground when it comes to the future of the franchise. The future is, slowly but surely, starting to come into focus, with several "Star Wars" feature projects currently in development. And while much remains mysterious, it does seem that Disney and Lucasfilm have learned at least one lesson from the recent past.

Previously, Disney had not one but two new "Star Wars" movies dated for 2026, which seemed like a mistake. We'll get into the why in a moment.

Over the weekend, it was announced by Variety that a Star Wars film was bumped off the December 2026 release date for Ice Age 6. While we don't officially know what this film was, all sources seem to point out that this was the Rey Skywalker film setting up the return of Daisy Ridley to the franchise and directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

And I'm okay with this news.

There are several back-and-forth reports around the signing of Simon Kinberg taking on the next trilogy, which we discussed here in the "I'll believe it when I see it" category of news. Some seem to hint that it will be a Rey trilogy, which makes sense as she can be a major focus to build the next Star Wars era for a new generation.

I do understand there can be some frustration around this delay as we watch the Marvel Cinematic Universe churn out film after film,...

Call it a blue wave. A host of actors, directors, musicians, journalists and other prominent people are dumping X (formerly Twitter) and flocking to social media platform Bluesky.

In the past week, an increasing number of bold-faced names have announced that they plan to post less on X, or leave the platform altogether, citing myriad issues with the social media company, including far right content, hate speech, transphobia, racism, harassment, pornography, crypto scams, bots and the political views of owner Elon Musk, the billionaire oligarch who is a vocal supporter and financial backer of Donald Trump.

Musk’s ownership of X and his updates to content moderation on the platform have been pushing brands and media groups closer and closer to the exit. This week, The Guardian media group announced that it will stop posting on X, describing the site as a “toxic media platform.” On Nov. 4, the Berlin Film...

The Star Wars franchise is a mess. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy's time in charge of the studio has been chaotic, disorganised, and directionless. Meanwhile, a small section of the fanbase has become increasingly vocal and grotesquely toxic. 

Over the years, a lot of hate has been directed at Kennedy because she's a woman. If that sort of misogynistic Bs is what you're hoping to find here, move along now. The fact is, the executive has delivered a lot of hits for the Disney-owned studio, breaking box office records and helping put Disney+ on the map with The Mandalorian.

However, those achievements are quickly being overshadowed and this week's reports about a new Star Wars trilogy are the final straw. It's time for Kennedy to go before the damage done to this franchise becomes irreparable. 

You can find our take on where it's all gone wrong for Star Wars on...

Will an animated movie ever win Best Picture at the Oscars? It’s a question many people have asked ever since Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” became the first nominated in the prestigious category 32 years ago. Since then, just two more have been nominated: “Up” in 2010 and “Toy Story 3” in 2011.

In 2020, “Parasite” made history as the first international film to win Best Picture. The victory for director Bong Joon-ho‘s South Korean thriller was a sign that the Academy’s concerted effort to become more diverse had paid off, resulting in new possibilities for what kind of film could claim Hollywood’s top prize.

SEEOscar Best Animated Feature gallery: Every winner in Academy Awards history

In a recent interview with Gold Derby, “Ultraman: Rising” directors Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima discussed why there hasn’t been an animated Best Picture winner yet, and if they think they’ll...

Lego has proven it can deliver when it comes to animated fare, but what about live-action? Deadline reports that The Lego Group is developing three live-action movies with Universal Pictures and has tapped some major directors to help. Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), Jake Kasdan (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle), and Joe Cornish (Attack the Block) will each direct a Lego movie.

As for the plot of these three movies, they’re under wraps, but I’ll admit that I’m intrigued by what Lego has planned for these live-action projects. Jenkins will direct her project, which she also co-wrote with former DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns and will produce through her Wicious Pictures banner. As for Kasdan, he will direct from a script by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul based on an original idea and a previous draft by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows. He will also produce with Melvin Mar...

Exclusive: The Lego Group under its deal with Universal Pictures is making three live-action movies with directors Jake Kasdan, Patty Jenkins and Attack the Block filmmaker Joe Cornish.

The plots of all yet-untitled three movies are under wraps. Jill Wilfert and Ryan Christians from The Lego Group are producing all three projects. Universal’s EVP Production Development Matt Reilly and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the projects for the studio.

Kasdan is directing off a script by Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul based on an original idea and previous draft by Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows. Kasdan will produce with Melvin Mar through their production company Detective Agency. The director of the $1.76 billion-grossing recent Sony Jumanji movies and Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming Red One is repped by WME and Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo. Mogel and Paul are...

As the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand, adapting bigger and bolder storylines to live-action, Sony too is moving ahead with its Spider-Man Universe. Having access to some 900 or so characters related to the fan-favorite web-slinger, the studio is now moving to the small screen to bring yet another story to live-action.

Spider-Man Noir | Credit: Marvel Comics

Starring Nicolas Cage, the studio has been developing the series Spider-Noir for quite some time now, and the first looks of the series were recently leaked. Reprising his role from the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, this time in live-action, fans are excited and waiting eagerly for the series.

Despite Sony’s track record of Marvel flicks (other than the Spider-Verse movies) being, bluntly stating, terrible, the prospect of seeing Cage as the live version of his character does seem alluring. So, without further ado, here is all we know about the latest and upcoming series.

Nicolas Cage was spotted on the set of Spider-Noir earlier this month but wasn’t in his Spidey costume at the time. Thankfully, our first look at the live-action Spider-Man Noir costume has arrived, thanks to a handful of set photos. There’s also a video that showcases a stunt sequence in which Spider-Noir is perched atop a vehicle while shooting webs. You’ll have to view that through the link. Given the nature of the scene, it’s not Cage in the costume but rather a stunt double.

Nic Cage's 'Spider-Man Noir' Costume Seen for First Time on Set | Click to read more https://t.co/zpyv46vUzp

— TMZ (@TMZ) October 25, 2024

The Spider-Noir costume looks pretty great to me, even under harsh outdoor lighting. It’s sure to look even better in the finished scene.

Cage stars in Spider-Noir as an “aging and down on...

In a surprise to no one, the Rey film, which disappeared after being pushed back for “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” has hit yet another setback. This time, the new writer, who Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy got to replace the other two writers they fired, has also left the film.

Steven Knight was brought in March 2023 to replace the original writers Damon Lindelof and Justin Britt-Gibson. Lindelof has said publically that he was asked to leave Star Wars.

This isn’t even the first time this has happened. Kathleen Kennedy has a trail of people who either quit or were fired for “creative differences.”

There is a list of 18 from 2022, which has increased since then! Some of the people removed include,

Michael Arndt, Gary Whitta, Gareth Edwards, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Colin Trevorrow, Josh Trank, Stephen Daldry, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, Stephen Schiff, J.D. Dillard and Matt Owens, Stuart Beattie,...

Nachdem Sandra Hüller aus terminlichen Gründen aus dem Projekt ausgestiegen war, übernimmt Greta Lee an der Seite von Willem Dafoe die Hauptrolle in Kent Jones‘ „Late Fame“, dessen Dreharbeiten im Januar beginnen sollen.

Sandra Hüller, hier in „Anatomie eines Falls“, ist aus „Late Fame“ ausgestiegen (Credit: LesFilmsPelleas)

Auf dem Marché du Film in Cannes war Kent Jones‘ „Late Fame“ Verkäufern erstmals präsentiert worden. Damals noch mit Sandra Hüller in der Hauptrolle, die aber jetzt aus dem Projekt aus terminlichen Gründen ausgestiegen ist, wie „Deadline“ berichtet. So wird Hüller zusammen mit Ryan Gosling in der Verfilmung von Andy Weirs Roman „Project Hail Mary“, die Phil Lord und Christopher Miller nach einem Drehbuch von Drew Goddard inszenieren werden, vor der Kamera stehen und außerdem eine Rolle an der Seite von Tom Cruise eine Rolle in Alejandro G. Iñàrritus nächstem Film übernehmen.

Bevor im Januar die Dreharbeiten zu „Late Fame“ beginnen, wurde laut...

Hulu has greenlighted Phony, a comedy pilot starring and executive produced by Connie Britton, from Drew Goddard’s Goddard Textiles and 20th Television.

Written, directed and executive produced by Nick Paley (Marcel The Shell With Shoes On), Phony is a comedic coming-of-age mystery about a teenager, Sonny, who wakes up in the hospital after a car accident to discover his mom — his only parent and his best friend — appears to have been replaced by an impostor.

Britton will play Sonny’s single mom Ellen and the principal of his high school.

The pilot brings Britton back to her comedy roots — she started her career with an arc on Ellen before landing a lead role opposite Michael J. Fox on Spin City.

Britton and Paley executive produce Phony alongside Charlie Alderman of Charlie’s Production Company and Drew Goddard and Sarah Esberg via Goddard Textiles. Goddard Textiles’ Andrea Massaro is a producer.

Nicolas Cage, an actor known for his performances that span the whimsical to the intense, has real-life love stories that are just as captivating. At 60, he has been married five times, with his current wife being more than 20 years his junior, reflecting a love journey as unpredictable as the roles he embodies.

Nicolas Cage in National Treasure | Credit: Walt Disney Studios

Cage, a nephew of the legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, boasts a chapter of romances that include unions with Patricia Arquette and the late Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of the iconic Elvis Presley. Currently basking in marital bliss with his fifth wife, Riko Shibata, 29, whom he wed in 2021, Cage demonstrates how love knows no bounds—even when technology steps in and one has to propose virtually.

Nicolas Cage & Riko Shibata: A Love Story Like No Other

In the words of the great poet Maya Angelou, “Love recognizes no barriers.

It would take the power of Ken to bring Eva Mendes back to the big screen. The actress hasn’t appeared in anything in nearly a decade, last taking a small role in her husband Ryan Gosling feature directorial debut, Lost River.

“I was never in love with acting,” Mendes explained of her career choices in a new interview with the Sunday Times. “I don’t mean this in a self-deprecating way, but I wasn’t a great actress. I had my moments when I worked with really great people.

The Lego Movie, the 2014 cartoon from Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, challenged a lot of preconceptions about what a movie based on a toy line could be—and, as such, became a text of permission for plenty of middling-to-bad ideas. At the center of these new misconceptions was the idea...

“Los Frikis,” the Spanish-language film from producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller and directors Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, has landed U.S. distribution from Wayward/Range releasing and will open in select markets, including L.A., New York, and Miami, on Dec. 25, 2024.

The film marks directing duo Schwarz and Nilson’s follow-up to their critically acclaimed drama “The Peanut Butter Falcon” (2019), which earned them a DGA nomination for outstanding directorial achievement for a first-time feature film. Produced by Academy Award-winning filmmakers Lord and Miller (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), it features a stellar Latino cast, including Adria Arjona (“Hit Man”) who also executive produces, Héctor Medina (“Viva”), Jorge Perugorría, Luis Alberto García and newcomer Eros de la Puente.

Inspired by true events, the film follows a young man, Gustavo, in 1990s Cuba as he idolizes his older brother Paco and his punk bandmates — the “Frikis.” As oppression and extreme poverty grip Cuba,...

We’ve all been eagerly awaiting the first look at Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man for some time. We got a taste of his portrayal as Spider-Noir via Sony’s amazing 2018 Into the Spider-Verse. Now we have the real thing!

X user @CanWeGetSomeToast posted two shots of Nicolas Cage as the alternate universe Spider-Man, thanks to @JustJared.

While the on-set photos don’t show Cage in the full Spider-Noir getup, we do see the trademark black trenchcoat.

It’s unclear if Cage will go full-Spidey in the show since it picks up after Peter Parker’s prime as New York’s web-slinging superhero. What we do know is that at least one recognizable supporting character will pop up, Robbie Robertson (Lamorne Morris).

During the same month Spider-Noir was set to start shooting (August), it was rumored that the production was suffering from budget issues. Since then, things have been pretty quiet.

Longlegs star Nicolas Cage voiced the Marvel Comics character Spider-Man Noir in the animated feature Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and we’re going to have the chance to watch him play the character in live-action in the upcoming MGM+ and Prime Video series that’s going by the title Spider-Noir. That show is currently in production, and Cage has been spotted on set. Images of him can be seen in the Instagram embeds below – but before you scroll down, I’ll warn you that you shouldn’t expect to see Cage in the full Spider-Man Noir costume in these images. The spy pics only show him wearing a trenchcoat, with no sign of his mask.

Spider-Noir has Cage taking on the role of an aging and down on his luck private investigator in 1930s New York who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

Prime Video's live-action Spider-Noir series officially began filming this week, and we got our first glimpse of star Nicolas Cage shooting a scene last night.

Now, Just Jared has shared some more set photos, giving us a much better look at Cage in his '30s attire while also confirming the show's main(?) villain.

As you'll see below, Cage is carrying a Daily Bugle newspaper prop in several photos, and the headline reads: "Silvermane Survives in Skivvies." Previous rumors have claimed that Silvio Manfredi, aka Silvermane, will be the primary antagonist. While that remains to be seen, he is clearly going to be a part of the show.

Hopefully, we'll get to see Cage suited-up as Spider-Man Noir soon (though the full costume really only adds a mask to the get-up he's wearing here). For now, have a look at the new set photos at the link below and let us know what you think.

Cameras are now rolling on Prime Video's Spider-Noir series, which will introduce a live-action take on Nicolas Cage's Spider-Man Noir from the animated Into The Spider-Verse movies.

Just Jared has shared the first photos from the set, and they reveal Cage filming a scene as the titular washed-up crime-fighter. We don't have much context for the sequence being shot, but the site notes that Cage's character appears to have been "knocked over by something in the scene."

The show's official logline says Spider-Noir “tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.”

Though this has yet to be officially confirmed, Cage is believed to be playing a new take on Peter Parker's genetic clone, Ben Reilly, aka the Scarlet Spider.

According to...

As Prime Video's live-action Spider-Man Noir (now titled Spider-Noir) series continues to cast its supporting players, we have a late addition in the form of Karen Rodriguez.

Variety is reporting that the Swarm actress - who has also appeared in the likes of Acapulco, Shining Girls, Power Book IV: Force and The Big Leap - has joined the production in a series regular role, but details on her character are being kept under wraps.

Rodriguez joins Nicolas Cage as the titular hero (believed to be a new take on Ben Reilly), along with Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li, and Jack Huston.

An official synopsis was released, but according to a more detailed breakdown (via Daniel Richtman), Ben Reilly (Cage) will be up against Silvio Manfredi, aka Silvermane, and Yuri Watanabe, aka Wraith.

"We follow Ben Reilly, a Pi, as he stumbles down a rabbit hole of corruption in 1933 New York City,...

“Spider-Noir” has cast Karen Rodriguez in a series regular role, Variety has learned exclusively.

The series, which is the first live-action project to feature the character Spider-Man Noir, was picked up to series in May. Rodriguez will appear alongside series lead Nicolas Cage as well as series regulars actor Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li, and Jack Huston.

Per the official logline, the show “tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.”

Rodriguez previously appeared in the Amazon series “Swarm.” She is also known for her roles in shows like “Acapulco” and “Shining Girls” at Apple TV+, “Power Book IV: Force” at Starz, and “The Big Leap” at Fox. She will next be seen in the Starz drama series “The Hunting Wives.

Behind the scenes, filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller weren’t the happiest of campers when their critical darling Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse opened to $35 million domestically in early December 2018. After all, the CGI-animated film had earned effusive reviews and a coveted A+ CinemaScore from audiences, with many predicting a $40 million opening or more.

Their angst turned out to be for naught. Thanks to exceptional word of mouth — the most precious of commodities to Hollywood marketers — the PG pic took off. Embraced by both families and fanboys, the Sony film topped out at $190 million domestically, an unheard of multiple. Expanding its marquee superhero franchise to include both an animated film series and a live-action stable of films was an IP coup, since it meant being able to grow the kid and family side of the aisle.

Paramount had much the same intention when making Transformers One, the latest installment in...

Channing Tatum, a natural athlete who found that college was not to his liking, moved to Tampa in his teens to work construction and found an outside gig as a male stripper at night. To Tatum’s credit, he never denied his stripping gig but instead turned it into artistic gold (years after he became an actor) with a hit franchise you may have heard about: “Magic Mike” (2012), “Magic Mike Xxl” (2015) and “Magic Mike’s Last Dance” (2023).

After being discovered by a talent scout, Tatum started his career with small movie parts until he snagged the lead in “Step Up,” (2006), a successful dance/romance mash-up. Tatum’s looks and athleticism, as well as his dancing and acting skills attracted casting directors, who began to place him in bigger and bigger films.

With Tatum’s skills, that led to films with better and better directors, a list that any actor would envy...

The “Spider-Noir” series at Amazon has added eight recurring cast members, Variety has learned.

The series, which is the first live-action project to feature the character Spider-Man Noir, has cast: Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, Cary Christopher, Michael Kostroff, Scott MacArthur, Joe Massingill, Whitney Rice, and Amanda Schull. Exact character details are being kept under wraps.

The new additions join series lead Nicolas Cage as well as fellow cast members Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li and Jack Huston. As previously reported, the show will debut domestically on MGM+’s linear channel and then globally on Amazon Prime Video.

Per the official logline, the show “tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.”

Haas is repped by Paradigm, Lbi Entertainment,...

Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, Cary Christopher, Michael Kostroff, Scott MacArthur, Joe Massingill, Whitney Rice and Amanda Schull are set to appear as recurring guest stars in “Spider-Noir.”

The group joins previously announced series regulars Nicolas Cage, Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li and Jack Huston.

Based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir, the live-action series tells the story of an aging and down-on-his-luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

The series is executive produced by co-showrunners Oren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Amy Pascal and Harry Bradbeer, who is set to direct the first two episodes. Lord and Miller executive produce through Lord Miller along with Aditya Sood and Dan Shear, while Pascal EPs via Pascal Pictures.

“Spider-Noir,” which is produced by Sony Pictures Television,...

Amazon’s Spider-Man Noir, a live-action series based on the Marvel comic, has added recurring roles played by Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, Cary Christopher, Michael Kostroff, Scott MacArthur, Joe Massingill, Whitney Rice and Amanda Schull.

They join Nicolas Cage previously announced to don a Spidey suit, alongside Lamorne Morris, Brendan Gleeson, Abraham Popoola, Li Jun Li and Jack Huston. The series revolves around an aging and down-on-his-luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and Amazon MGM Studios. Spider-Man Noir is part of the larger Marvel universe that Amazon is assembling, with the streamer already working on Silk: Spider Society with The Walking Dead alum Angela Kang.

The series will first debut on MGM+ — the premium cable network formerly known as Epix that is now...

Beyond the Spider-Verse Producer Addresses Rumors that Movie Has Been Scrapped - Main Image

Fans were hoping that Beyond the Spider-Verse was going to release this year, but it looks like the movie has a lot of catching up to do before it’s ready to officially release.

A rumor had been going around that the film has been mostly scrapped and the release date has been delayed indefinitely, but someone close to the production has come out to address the word going around online.

Chris Miller on the Status of Beyond the Spider-Verse

For context, the InSneider had reported that Sony had scrapped most of what’s already been done for Beyond the Spider-Verse, and the movie was likely going to release in 2027. Here’s the post from @DiscussingFilm:

Sony hadn’t addressed anything official, but producer Chris Miller had decided to post about the rumors, confirming that nothing...

Wherever Empire goes, the news follows — and the news smells like fresh Spider-Noir casting. Ever since we first found out that Nicolas Cage is set to bring his fedora and trench coat wearing Spider-Man Noir into live-action, we've been chomping at the bit to learn more about what the folks at Sony and Prime Video are cooking up with their Spider-Verse inspired series. Now, per Deadline's reporting, we're getting word that The Banshees Of Inisherin's Brendan Gleeson and Boardwalk Empire alum Jack Huston are the latest talents tooling up for some early 20th century crime-fighting shenanigans.

Back in July, it was revealed that New Girl star Lamorne Morris has signed on to play Daily Bugle journo Robbie Robertson in the show, with The Marvels' Abraham Popoola and Babylon's Li Jun Li also joining the increasingly buzzy cast in recent weeks as a World War I veteran and a nightclub singer respectively.

Jack Huston has joined the cast of Spider-Noir. He will star as a series regular alongside Nicolas Cage, who plays an “aging and down on his luck private investigator in 1930s New York who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.” Cage first voiced the character in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

I’ve been re-watching Boardwalk Empire recently, and Huston is just phenomenal as Richard Harrow, a heartbreaking character who is one hell of a badass. It’s not known exactly who Huston will play in Spider-Noir, but it’s said he will be a bodyguard. Perhaps he’ll be watching over Brendan Gleeson’s character, who is expected to be the main villain of the series. The cast also includes Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, Abraham Popoola as a World War I veteran, and Li Jun Li as a...

Jack Huston has been cast as a series regular in the Spider-Man Noir live-action series “Spider-Noir” at Amazon, Variety has learned.

Huston will appear alongside series lead Nicolas Cage as well as fellow series regulars Brendan Gleeson, Lamorne Morris, Abraham Popoola, and Li Jun Li. As previously reported, the show will debut domestically on MGM+’s linear channel and then globally on Amazon Prime Video.

Exact details on Huston’s character are being kept under wraps.

Per the official logline, the show “tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.”

Huston recently made his directorial debut with the film “Day of the Fight,” which he also wrote and co-produced under his Cysa Films banner. The film had its world premiere at the 2023 Venice...

Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse is the planned third film in the animated trilogy – but it sounds like the problems are piling up.

Update: Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-Verse composer Daniel Pemberton has addressed the reported delays to the film. Pemberton’s tweet, which you can see below, throws Jeff Sneider’s report of a new delay into question. According to Sneider’s newsletter The Insneider, Sony had scrapped large sections of the film, making it unlikely for Beyond The Spider-Verse to hit cinemas until 2027.

Pemberton doesn’t mention a solid release date, his post does imply that we’ll be seeing the film sooner than that, but Sony or the film’s directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson haven’t commented on the situation. We’ll keep you posted if they do.

Don’t really ever want to weigh in on this sort of stuff But would...

The world awoke to two new reports on Sony’s Spider-Man films. While Tom Holland’s Spider-Man 4 reportedly got its director in the form of Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton, the animated film Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-verse got some bad news. A report mentioned that the film’s work had been scrapped and it might face a delay till 2027.

Sony’s Across the Spider-verse released last year to amazing reviews and box office collections. While it did not make its previously planned March 2024 release date, music composer Daniel Pemberton has now debunked the report that the film was delayed till 2027.

Spider-Man: Beyond The Spider-verse Music Composer Debunks Delay And Sony’s Creative Overhaul Rumors The climax of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse | Credits: Sony

Ever since the cliffhanger ending of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse promised the showdown between an alternate Miles Morales, the Og Miles, and the Spider Society, fans have been relentlessly waiting.

The Spider-Verse franchise has emerged as one of the most notable animated superhero projects in recent years. The first film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, was a major success, and its sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, broke multiple records.

As Sony Pictures Animation’s first global release since The Angry Birds Movie 2 in 2019, Across the Spider-Verse received rave reviews and achieved remarkable box office success. It grossed $690.5 million worldwide, surpassing its predecessor and becoming the third-highest-grossing film in the U.S. for 2023. It also claimed the title of Sony Pictures Animation’s highest-grossing film and won Best Animated Film at the National Board of Review. Furthermore, the American Film Institute included it in its top 10 films of 2023.

We’ve known since December 2023 that Beyond the Spider-Verse, the third installment in the franchise, was in development. Chris Miller and Phil Lord updated us at that time, stating that the team was working...

One of the standout animated superhero projects in recent years is the ‘Spider-Verse’ franchise. The first film, ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,’ was a huge hit, and its sequel, ‘Across the Spider-Verse,’ set numerous records.

This film, which was Sony Pictures Animation’s first global release since ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ in 2019, received great reviews and achieved impressive box office results. It earned $690.5 million worldwide, surpassing the first movie and becoming the third-highest-grossing film in the U.S. for 2023.

It also became Sony Pictures Animation’s highest-grossing film and won Best Animated Film at the National Board of Review. Additionally, the American Film Institute named it one of the top 10 films of 2023.

We knew that ‘Beyond the Spider-Verse’ the third installment in the franchise, was in development since Chris Miller and Phil Lord gave us an update back in December of 2023 claiming that the team is working on the movie full steam.

The Spider-Verse has inevitably been one of the most successful franchises for Sony, having spawned two movies that broke multiple records. While the first film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, not only had a tremendous run but also received critical acclaim and acknowledgment at the Oscars, the sequel, Across the Spider-Verse, performed even better, especially at the global box office.

A still from the Spider-Verse. | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing.

That said, it was only a wise idea that a third installment in the film series, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, was greenlit. But now the studios seem to be having second thoughts, as reports surface about it having taken the worst decision for the film due to creative reasons, seemingly further delaying it in return. And, as expected, fans are anything but happy about this news.

Sony’s Decision May Further Delay Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse

After the much-awaited spectacular release of...

Did Amazon’s live-action Spider-Man Noir series find its main villain? Variety seems to think so. According to the entertainment outlet, Brendan Gleeson is officially joining the cast of the hard-boiled Spider-Man series, possibly in a villainous role. Details about Gleeson’s character remain a mystery. However, Variety believes he could play the main villain in the show that stars a stacked cast, including Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir, with Lamorne Morris as Robbie Robertson, Abraham Popoola as a World War I veteran, and Li Jun Li as a singer at a premiere New York nightclub.

Here’s the official logline for Amazon’s Spider-Man Noir series courtesy of Amazon and MGM+:

The show “tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

Brendan Gleeson has been officially confirmed as a series regular opposite Nicolas Cage in Spider-Noir, the upcoming MGM+ and Prime Video live-action series based on the Marvel comic Spider-Man Noir.

From executive producers/co-showrunners Oren Uziel and Steve Lightfoot and Sony Pictures TV, Spider-Noir tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

Gleeson, whose casting had been making the rounds for weeks, is believed to be playing a New York mob boss. In addition to Cage, he joins previously announced series regulars Lamorne Morris, Li Jun Li and Abraham Popoola.

Harry Bradbeer is set to direct, and executive produce the first two episodes of the series, which Uziel and Lightfoot developed and executive produce with Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal. Spider-Noir...

It’s official. Brendan Gleeson is set for a major role in the upcoming Spider-Man Noir live-action series at Amazon.

Variety exclusively reported in July based on sources that Gleeson would be a part of the show, but his role has now been fully confirmed. Exact details for Gleeson’s character are being kept under wraps, but he is believed to be playing the main villain.

Gleeson will star alongside series lead Nicolas Cage in the show, which is currently titled “Spider-Noir.” Additional cast members include Lamorne Morris, Abraham Popoola, and Li Jun Li. As previously reported, the show will debut domestically on MGM+’s linear channel and then globally on Amazon Prime Video.

Per the official logline, the show “tells the story of an aging and down on his luck private investigator (Cage) in 1930s New York, who is forced to grapple with his past life as the city’s one and only superhero.

Barney Stinson, the lovable, suit-wearing, womanizing bro from How I Met Your Mother, has left an indelible mark on pop culture. His witty dialogue, clever antics, and suave personality made him a fan favorite, even years after the show’s conclusion.

However, few fans know that the character narrowly escaped a fate worse than death – becoming a one-dimensional joke, reliant on catchphrases and gimmicks. Matthew Perry also publicly expressed his disdain for his Friends catchphrase, even begging the show’s producers to remove it.

The catchphrase conundrum: How Himym avoided a common TV trap

Neil Patrick Harris‘s portrayal of Barney Stinson was ‘legend-wait for it-dary’ on How I Met Your Mother. Fans often remember the character by his popular catchphrase, but most don’t know the origin behind it.

Neil Patrick Harris in How I Met Your Mother | Credits: CBS

That script was written by Chris Miller and Phil Lord,...