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The Harry Potter Audible series has packed in some more big names that include a Game of Thrones alum in a prime role!

Much buzz is being made about HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series and how it will be a new take on the beloved fantasy novels. The cast for that continues to grow even as filming gets underway and the hype is huge.

However, there’s another notable Harry Potter remake coming in Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions. These upcoming productions from Audible are good old-fashioned audio adaptations that will be almost word-for-word the novels with audio effects like a radio show. It's a throwback to BBC...

Pottermore Publishing and Audible have revealed another round of casting for Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, the latest take on J.K. Rowling’s seven-book saga as fully immersive audio dramas. Announced as part of the global Back to Hogwarts 2025 showcase, the new roster features stars from Star Wars and Game of Thrones, which expands on an already impressive cast.

Mark Addy (Game of Thrones) will voice Rubeus Hagrid, Daniel Mays is stepping into the socks of the beloved house-elf Dobby, Alex Hassell (The Boys) takes on Lucius Malfoy, and Sara and Avni Deshmukh (Iconicakes) will portray the Patil twins. Addy expressed his excitement, saying:

“Hagrid has a special place...

Stars include David Harewood, Toby Jones, Caitlin FitzGerald, Mark Addy, Jenna Russell, Ralphi Fiennes and Miranda Raison A new production, and two major West End transfers are set for the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London in 2025 and 2026. Shakespeare's Othello is opening this October, with new musical The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry having its West End premiere in January, and new play Grace Pervades following in April. Othello starring David Harewood, Toby Jones & Caitlin FitzGerald (Photo by Oliver Rosser) Othello A major new production of Shakespeare's Othello is opening at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in October. Othello...

A lavish audio production of the Harry Potter novels has revealed its core cast, release date and trailer.

Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions transforms J.K. Rowling’s seven classic novels into immersive productions in Dolby Atmos, complete with an all-star voice cast, original music and real-world sound effects. It marks the first major update to the Harry Potter audiobook library in more than 25 years.

The cast will star Hugh Laurie (House) as Albus Dumbledore, Matthew Macfadyen (Succession) as Lord Voldemort, Riz Ahmed (The Night Of) as Professor Snape and Michelle Gomez (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as Professor McGonagall. Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife) will be the narrator.

“I’m honored to have been trusted with the keys to Albus Dumbledore, and thrilled to be able to take him around the track of this beautiful incarnation by Pottermore and Audible,” Laurie said. “I’m also deeply conscious of previous drivers Richard Harris,...

"A man should hear a little music every day of his life, so worldly cares may not obliterate the beautiful in the human soul." Sony Pictures Classics has revealed an official trailer for a British film titled The Choral, telling another story from the days of The Great War at the start of the 20th Century. The film is premiering at the 2025 Toronto Film Festival first this September, before opening in US theaters in December during Christmas. It will debut first in UK cinemas over there on November 7th. Set in 1916 in England. A choral society's male members enlist in World War I, leaving the demanding Dr. Guthrie to recruit many teenagers instead. Together, the choir experiences the joy of singing while the young boys grapple with impending conscription into the military. "The best response to the chaos that is laying waste to their lives is to make music together.

20th Century life, grief, and music collide in the moving first trailer for ‘The Choral,’ the fourth collaboration between legendary writer Alan Bennett and acclaimed director Nicholas Hytner. The BAFTA, Olivier, and Tony Award-winning duo behind ‘The Madness of King George,’ ‘The History Boys,’ and ‘The Lady in the Van’ return with a deeply human, quietly rousing story set against the backdrop of World War I.

Set in 1916 Yorkshire, the movie tells the story of a small-town choral society in Ramsden struggling to survive as its male singers are swept away by war. With the Western Front swallowing its youth and conscription looming, the choral’s ambitious committee refuses to disband. Instead, they rally to keep the music alive by recruiting younger local men and appointing a new chorus master. Enter Dr. Henry Guthrie (Ralph Fiennes), a stern, enigmatic figure just returned from a life in Germany. Though whispers swirl about his past,...

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This August, Hulu is bringing you a lot of entertainment, from the highly anticipated release of FX’s Alien series to the much-anticipated streaming release of Osgood Perkins‘ The Monkey. However, for the purposes of this article, we are only including the films that are coming to Hulu next month and have a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score. So, check out the ten best films that are coming to Hulu in August 2025 with a 90% or higher Rotten Tomatoes score.

Devil in a Blue Dress (August 1) Rt Score: 92% Credit – TriStar Pictures

Devil in a Blue Dress is a neo-noir mystery thriller film written and directed by Carl Franklin. Based on the 1990 novel of the same name by author Walter Mosley, the 1995 film is set in the late 1940s, and it follows an unemployed World War II veteran, Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins,...

Every career has to start somewhere, but it's hard to imagine anyone ending up with a truly brilliant career when their first film appearance was in the truly terrible 2000 comedy prequel "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas." Somehow, Brian Levant's critically panned 1994 film adaptation of the 1960s animated series "The Flintstones" was a box office hit for Universal, and it ended up making a prequel that came out six years later. Not only was it an unwanted, bizarre film, but it didn't even have the stars from the original, as apparently John Goodman, who played Fred Flintstone, begged producer Stephen Spielberg to keep him out of any future "Flintstones" films. 

Starring Mark Addy as Fred Flintstone and Stephen Baldwin as Barney Rubble (replacing Rick Moranis), "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas" tells the story of Fred and Barney meeting and falling in love with their future wives, Wilma (Kristen Johnston...

Sir Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe have frequently worked together on different projects, but their most famous and successful release is arguably 2000's Gladiator. However, they worked together again several more times, and their projects weren't always big hits.

2010's historical epic adventure film Robin Hood is one of their misses. Aside from the Crowe-Scott pairing, the film had more A-listers in the cast and was based on the Robin Hood legend, with a big budget. After failing in theaters,Robin Hood has become quite popular on streaming services, and more fans have a chance to rewatch or discover it again, as it's headed to Peacock on July 1.

Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe's Robin Hood was recently a streaming hit on Prime Video. The film, which premiered in 2010, had negative reviews from the critics, who gave it a "rotten" 43% score. Audiences also gave the film a negative score, with 58% on the Popcornmeter.

Six years after Game of Thrones wrapped up, fans are still discussing which powerful leader would have made Westeros a better kingdom: Tywin Lannister or Robert Baratheon. The latter was a celebrated figure for his bravery and fighting skills, while the former was widely recognized for his ruthlessness and clever military strategies.

At first look, many would suggest Tywin would have been a great choice because he is very adept with the game of politics, but more than that, he was respected and feared not only by the commonfolk but also by his fellow lords. However, fans think Robert is the better king because he knows how to handle people without making them feel any resentment.

Game of Thrones Fans Deliberate on Tywin vs Robert as King of Westeros Mark Addy in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO

Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon were both powerful figures who helped shape the history of Westeros.

House of the Dragon Season 2 has already given us one of the most distressing battles in the history of Westeros, but the fight at Rook’s Rest wasn’t supposed to be the first full-on war portrayed on screen. The Battle of the Burning Mill, which took place in the third episode, is widely considered the first-ever battle during the Dance of the Dragons.

Unfortunately, we never know what happened here because the skirmish occurred off-screen. We only saw what seemingly was a prelude to the fight, and then the next scene panned to a pile of dead bodies without so much context.

The Burning Mill Battle Deserved More Than a Single Frame in House of the Dragon Season 2 Battle of the Burning Mill in House of the Dragon / Credits: HBO

The Battle of the Burning Mill was a major event during the Targaryen civil war, most often called the...

Heath Ledger is widely considered a once-in-a-generation actor. His versatility, range, and the kinds of roles he chose to play created a filmography unlike any other. While most fans remember him for portraying Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, his roles in 10 Things I Hate About You, Brokeback Mountain, The Brothers Grimm, and more are equally intriguing. Now, one of his fan-favorite movies, A Knight's Tale,has found a free streaming home for fans to watch.

Written and directed by Brian Helgeland, A Knight’s Tale follows peasant-born William Thatcher (Ledger), who begins a quest to change his stars, find love, and rock his medieval world. With the help of his rag-tag group of friends, he faces the ultimate test of medieval gallantry – tournament jousting – and discovers if he has the mettle to become a legend. The film’s juxtaposition of fictional stories with historical figures like Edward...

It could be argued — and will be argued, by me, right now — that during its series finale in May 2019, "Game of Thrones" squandered all of its cultural goodwill at an alarming speed. That doesn't mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that the show is bad. A lot of it is still great and worth watching! So if you're trying to understand the sprawling world of "Game of Thrones" — created by author George R.R. Martin, who penned the original novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" — over just a few episodes, I'll be the first to tell you that's a big undertaking. Too big, perhaps. You should probably just sit down and watch the whole series and, in the process, prepare yourself for a shocking decline in quality between the season 6 finale and the season 7 premiere.

Anyway, if we're talking about "essential" episodes of "Game of Thrones," that doesn't...

What Do We Know About the various Game of Thrones series in development at HBO? More than you may think. With House of the Dragon heading into its third season and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms coming in 2025, there is a lot still developing from the world of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy realm. From plot, casting news, and more, let’s dive in and look at what is coming up in the new additions to the Game of Thrones franchise.

Aegon’s Conquest

With The Batman Part II writer Mattson Tomlin attached in early 2024, this series may be the most likely successor to Game of Thrones to debut after House of the Dragon and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Some rumors have said HBO is very interested in this series, with a potential movie leading into the series potentially coming to fruition. The series would follow Aegon the...

With nearly 800 episodes and counting, it’s unlikely anyone could ever run out of episodes of The Simpsons. Still, should you mysteriously find yourself hankering for more Homer Simpson than is available to you, don’t get desperate and turn to Family Guy in the hopes that Peter Griffin will fill the void (he won’t). Instead, you should look to the following live-action shows with their own versions of Homer — with varying amounts of hair.

1 Bill Miller in ‘Still Standing’

While mostly forgotten now, the early aughts CBS sitcom Still Standing was a solidly funny show starring Mark Addy as Bill Miller. Despite the fact that Addy is British, he nailed his role as a sports-loving, beer-drinking, not-too-bright dad from Chicago who screws up more often than not but is also capable of tender moments with his kids. And during his Still Standing days, Addy bore more than a...

Created by author George R. R. Martin, the A Song of Ice and Fire saga has millions of readers around the world. When his novels were adapted into the iconic HBO show Game of Thrones, that’s when the world realized just how unique the storyline is as far as fantasy books go.

Being notoriously known for killing off main characters even before they could breathe properly, George R. R. Martin has killed a number of characters, including Robert Baratheon (who was portrayed by Mark Addy). Although Martin doesn’t regret killing off the character, Mark Addy deeply regretted his character’s unceremonious death.

Mark Addy’s Robert Baratheon died from a wild boar

Well… not a very kingly way to die indeed, but that is the sick world of Westeros and Essos, and that is the sick mind of iconic author George R. R. Martin, who created a world...

If you were a struggling actor in the U.K. in the early 2010s, odds are you probably auditioned for "Game of Thrones." Set in the epic world created by George R.R. Martin and considered one of the best fantasy shows of all time, the series showcased an expansive roster of widely beloved (and horribly loathsome) characters. That cast included all-time greats of British film and theater, like Sean Bean and Charles Dance, as well as future stars like Emilia Clarke and Kit Harington.

However, as with any popular show, many actors auditioned or were offered parts that never materialized, or perhaps not in the way they had anticipated. From future A-listers who HBO unbelievably rejected to big names the show wasn't able to convince to be a part of the pop culture phenomenon, these are 15 actors who were almost cast on "Game of Thrones," but thankfully, for the actors...

Prime Video seemingly censors the opening moments from 2010's Robin Hood starring Russell Crowe.

As noted by TikTok user @theshannonduke0, whose video has subsequently been shared across nearly every corner of social media, the version of 2010's Robin Hood available for streaming on Prime Video has had its opening scrawl completely cut from the film. Ordinarily, the film would feature the words, "In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history," during its opening moments, yet the Prime Video cut features only a blank, yellowed bit of parchment.

Apparently Amazon/Bezos has edited out the opening exposition text from Robin Hood (2010): "In times of tyranny and injustice when law oppresses the people, the outlaw takes his place in history." 🤔 pic.twitter.com/tG9CbAysNX— gato fumador (@KweenInYellow) May 5, 2025

This development quickly gave way to theories that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos...

It's not a particularly unpopular opinion to say that "Game of Thrones" didn't have the best ending (though I'll say that some people right here at /Film might disagree with me). The series, which is based on George R.R. Martin's novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire," came to a close after eight seasons in May of 2019 not with a bang, but with a piteous whimper. So, do showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have any regrets? Yes, apparently — but their regrets aren't related to the series finale "The Iron Throne" at all!

In a January 2024 story for The Hollywood Reporter, Benioff and Weiss said they had one major shared regret: that Mord the Jailer, a small character seen in the show's first season who was played by Ciaran Bermingham, never returned. "One thing I know I wish we could have done is there's the character Mord the Jailer,...

This article contains a discussion of sexual assault.

A lot of people die on "Game of Thrones." No, really; the Washington Post actually tracked all of the show's deaths and figured out that 6,887 characters, both named and unnamed, perish throughout the HBO series (which is based on George R.R. Martin's equally bloody novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire"). Apparently, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss played favorites just a bit when it came to their 8-season series that massacred heroes and villains in equal measure. In a March 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter to promote their Netflix series "3 Body Problem," Benioff and Weiss said there were two characters they just loved killing: Jack Gleeson's King Joffrey Baratheon and Iwan Rheon's dastardly bastard-turned-heir Ramsay Bolton.

"With Thrones, there was so much killing of good guys," Weiss said when asked about his favorite on-screen kills, "and...

For most Bob Newhart fans, his original sitcom, The Bob Newhart Show, is his crown jewel, but I’ll admit a slight preference for his 1980s show Newhart. Perhaps it’s because I grew up watching the second show on Nick at Nite or maybe it’s because broader characters — like Larry, Darryl and Darryl — seemed to make Newhart slightly angrier (and even funnier) than he was in the original.

Whatever the reason, when I revisited the series last year, I was enjoying the eight-season trip down memory lane until I realized that the show’s series finale — which is usually regarded as one of the greatest in TV history — was missing from Amazon Prime. Not only that, but several other episodes were missing, too. It turns out, YouTube is the only place where you can watch the entirety of the show.

While people might not think of YouTube as...

2001’s A Knight’s Tale, starring Heath Ledger, is coming to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray for the first time. More on the release here.

Fairly recently on the Film Stories podcast (in this episode here), I dug into the story of 2001’s much-loved A Knight’s Tale. Directed by Brian Helgeland and with a cast led by the much-missed Heath Ledger, it’s a really entertaining blockbuster, that’s very much stood the test of time. Attempts to get a sequel off the ground have failed, but there’s now a stage musical, and – relevant to this story – the film is making its 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray debut.

Arriving in Steelbook form first, the movie has been scheduled for release on 19th May 2025. You can find the listing for it, and order yourself a copy, right here.

The previous DVD and Blu-ray releases of the film were generous when it came to extra features,...

On Sunday 23 March 2025, ITV broadcasts Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh!

Season 7 Episode 12 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh” promises a delightful mix of guests and topics. Scheduled to air on ITV, this episode features Tessa Peake-Jones and Rishi Nair from the beloved series “Grantchester.” Their visit is sure to bring charm and warmth to the farm setting.

Mark Addy, known for his memorable roles in film and television, will join Alan Titchmarsh for a reflective conversation. Viewers can expect Mark to share stories about his iconic performances and the experiences that shaped his career. This segment is likely to be filled with laughter and nostalgia, highlighting the joys of acting.

In addition to the engaging discussions, Camilla Bassett-Smith will offer practical springtime planting tips. Her expertise will add a splash of colour to the episode, encouraging everyone to embrace the beauty of the season.

It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since Heath Ledger charmed audiences in 2001’s A Knight’s Tale as the peasant William Thatcher. The movie, also starring Paul Bettany, known for his turn as Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Alan Tudyk

(Andor, Resident Alien), Mark Addy (The Full Monty), Rufus Sewell (The Diplomat), and Shannyn Sossamon (Sleepy Hollow), is finally being released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook.

A Knight’s Tale, written and directed by Brian Helgeland, who won an Oscar for Best Writing for 1997’s L.A. Confidential, will debut on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Steelbook on May 20. Per Collider, the limited-edition Steelbook will includea newly restored Uhd disc and a single Blu-ray disc bundled into one package suitable for collectors.

Image via Sony

Set in the 14th century, A Knight’s Tale follows the late Ledger’s William Thatcher as he quests to change his path and...

The Heath Ledger period film that rocks out with a modern soundtrack is coming to physical media in a brand-new crisp ultra-high-definition transfer of both the theatrical edition and extended edition. A Knight’s Tale stars Heath Ledger, Rufus Sewell, Shannyn Sossamon, Paul Bettany, and Laura Fraser. The film is directed by Brian Helgeland and he brings a uniquely fun flavor to the Medieval jousting world. Blu-ray.com reports that the new home release from Sony Pictures is due to hit retailers on May 20.

The description reads,

“The 14th century takes a rocking new twist in A Knight’s Tale, a stylish, music driven, action packed adventure starring Heath Ledger, with heroic performances from Mark Addy and Rufus Sewell. Ledger plays William Thatcher, a peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that...

As one of the most affordable streaming services currently in the field, Peacock continues to offer its subscribers a slew of great movie options. As is the case with March, the platform is slated to provide viewers with a plethora of choices. In fact, there’s even a major award winner in the mix that audiences certainly won’t want to pass on.

With a host of action films, comedy films, and horror films, there’s bound to be something for everyone, no matter what their interests might be. Whether viewers want to laugh, cry, or lose themselves in a majestic fantasy world, the streaming service has something for them. As such, Peacock has everything audiences could possibly want next month.

'A Knight’s Tale' Stream on March 1

A medieval action comedy set in 14th-century England, A Knight’s Tale follows a peasant squire named William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) who...

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This post contains spoilers for HBO's "Game of Thrones" and the "A Song of Ice and Fire" book series.

We're told over and over again throughout "Game of Thrones" that Jon Snow's whole deal is "being a bastard." Played by Kit Harington, Jon shows up in the pilot as the apparent bastard son of the honorable Ned Stark (Sean Bean), the patriarch of House Stark in the northern reaches of Westeros, and some random tavern wench. But when you learn more about Ned and his nature, the idea that Jon could possibly be the result of an affair seems sort of ludicrous. Despite that, Jon is constantly met with hostility from Ned's wife Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley), who thinks Jon is a reminder of Ned's greatest misstep as a husband, and he's not treated with as much kindness and respect...

There are a slew of characters in the world of A Song of Ice and Fire that fans love and enjoy. However, thanks to the nature of the story, they are not too long for this world. The show, which was notorious for killing off characters that were alive in the books, managed to do some characters justice, even more than what they have received in the novels.

Jason Momoa as Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones || Credit: HBO

As is the case with most adaptations, sometimes characters from the books receive a makeover in the adaptation. What this does is make them more likable, which is the case with Khal Drogo (played by Jason Momoa) and Robert Baratheon (played by Mark Addy).

Game of Thrones fleshed out Robert and Drogo well Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon || Credit: HBO

Robert Baratheon and Khal Drago both had their stories very well represented on TV.

The upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will fill in the gap left by the anticlimactic end of House of the Dragon Season 2, with HBO continuously feeding fans with excitement following the rumors of several planned Game of Thrones spinoffs. One major part of Westeros’ history that isn’t getting enough hype is Robert’s Rebellion, and it’s baffling to think why it’s constantly being ignored.

Mark Addy in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO

This period is perhaps the closest to the events we’ve seen in the original show. It has familiar characters such as Ned Stark, Robert Baratheon, Jaime Lannister, Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, so what’s stopping the studio and George R.R. Martin from bringing this story to the screen?

George R.R. Martin may still change his mind and do Robert’s Rebellion

We can recall George R.R. Martin’s disinterest...

Throughout "Game of Thrones" — HBO's massively popular fantasy series based on George R.R. Martin's novel series "A Song of Ice and Fire" — we hear quite a bit about King Aerys II Targaryen, who earns the very flattering nickname "the Mad King" before his reign is officially cut short in 283 AC. The father of Daenerys Targaryen, the self-crowned Mother of Dragons played throughout the series by Emilia Clarke, Aerys is ... a troubled man, to say the very least. It didn't help matters that his parents, King Jaehaerys II Targaryen and Shaera Targaryen, were siblings; the whole Targaryen clan was a little too fond of incest, which led to a saying repeated throughout "A Song of Ice and Fire" and "Game of Thrones" — "Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin."

Earlier on in his reign, Aerys II Targaryen, who took over the Iron Throne in 262 AC — which...

The news of a possible Game of Thrones movie elated many fans as it symbolizes another chance at returning to Westeros but on a bigger screen. Of course, the first thought that everyone had in mind upon announcement was the plot. In a universe as vast as A Song of Ice and Fire, many potential stories can be adapted into a film, but not as massive and important as Robert’s Rebellion.

Mark Addy in Game of Thrones / Credits: HBO

So far, this has been the major event that we haven’t heard of any possible adaptation, not even as a spin-off series, which is sad because it has a direct link to the Game of Thrones saga. Imagine seeing some of the characters we loved in the HBO show! Apparently, the author has no interest in exploring this even further on the screen.

George R.R. Martin doesn’t want...

Created by David Macpherson, ‘The Rig’ (Season 1) is a supernatural thriller series streaming on Prime Video. It follows the crew workers of a Scottish oil rig who witness a mysterious phenomenon that takes them through a horrifying struggle for survival. While it can be termed as an aquatic horror narrative, the writing also delves into the aspects of environmentalism and workers’ rights while building intrigue about the unknown. With a confounding blend of varying moral, political and ethical belief systems, it develops a drama that is stimulating and riveting.

The Rig (Season 1) Recap: Why is Kinloch Bravo surrounded by a mysterious fog?

On an oil rig stationed off the Scottish coast named Kinloch Bravo, the crew is waiting to return to their homes. Magnus (Iain Glen from Game of Thrones), who leads the crew, has been told to keep the news of the future layoffs away from them. Upon knowing about it,...

Heath Ledger will always be remembered for his iconic portrayal as The Joker which won him a posthumous Oscar at the 2009 Academy Awards, but years before his tragic passing he teamed up with a current MCU star for a romance film that just landed a new streaming home. A Knight’s Tale, which has currently only been available to stream for those with a Prime Video membership, has been announced as one of the new additions coming to Vizio Watchfree+ on January 1. In addition to Ledger in the leading role, A Knight’s Tale also stars Paul Bettany and Alan Tudyk alongside Mark Addy and Shannyn Sossamon, and the film sits at a 59% score from critics but a 79% rating from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

An MCU star's adaptation of an H.G. Wells classic gets a glowing review from VFX artists 22 years after its release. The English author, a pioneer in science fiction, has seen his imaginative works frequently adapted to the screen since the 1930s. Early adaptations include Island of Lost Souls (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), Things to Come (1936), and The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1937), which captured audiences with their groundbreaking special effects and blended the author's thought-provoking themes with cinematic spectacle.

Later adaptations continued to bring the sci-fi author's visionary stories to life, and often reflected contemporary concerns. The War of the Worlds (1953) and The Time Machine (1960) highlighted Cold War fears and a fascination with time travel, respectively. Subsequent remakes – such as The Island of Dr. Moreau, Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds (2005) starring Tom Cruise, and the visually updated The Time Machine (2002) – introduced new interpretations of the author's themes, and almost always with impressive visual effects.

Quick Links George Clooney Dodges a Major Box Office Bullet Michael Keaton's Notorious Holiday Flop Both Hollywood Greats Had Epic '90s Duds

George Clooney and Michael Keaton are two of Hollywood's most illustrious leading men, and it's hard to remember a period when they weren't completely dominating every film and role they tackled. However, the late '90s proved to be a precarious time in both prolific actors' careers, as the movie stars notably appeared in the biggest box office flops that tarnished their otherwise impressive resumes.

Keaton ended up headlining the holiday stinker Jack Frost and Clooney the epic superhero flop Batman & Robin, both of which were major critical and commercial duds that garnered unwanted attention for the actors and left them questioning their statuses in the entertainment industry. As we all know, the pair were able to bounce back after these cinematic stinkers, but some...

HBO pulled a Game of Thrones-level oops with Dune: Prophecy, and fans aren’t letting it slide. The network accidentally dropped the show’s biggest twist way too soon, leaving viewers less shocked and more spoiled.

Desmond Hart in Dunes: Prophecy | Credit: Legendary Pictures

The buzz around Dune: Prophecy was massive, but this misstep left fans scratching their heads and venting online. HBO might’ve hoped for Dune magic, but instead, they got a plot fumble of Thrones proportions.

Dune: Prophecy’s six-episode gamble leaves fans comparing it to Game of Thrones season 8 Desmond Hart in Dunes: Prophecy | Credit: Legendary Pictures

[Spoiler]

HBO just pulled a Game of Thrones-level blunder with Dune: Prophecy, and fans are not holding back. The six-episode format has left the show’s biggest twist — a jaw-dropping reveal about Desmond Hart’s true identity — feeling more like a spoiler than a shocker.

Without enough time to connect with the characters,...

Now that the entertainment industry is buzzing with tantalizing reports of HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter reboot and casting of the iconic characters from J.K. Rowling’s beloved novels, netizens are taking to social media to fan-cast certain A-list actors into the titular roles. Recently, Cillian Murphy, Andrew Garfield, and Hugh Grant made their way onto that list.

A still from the Harry Potter films | image: Warner Bros.

Considering how HBO is currently eyeing actors for the upcoming reboot, fans shared AI-made pictures of Cillian Murphy as Voldemort, and Andrew Garfield as Remus Lupin, on Instagram. Meanwhile, several other actors were also transformed into beloved Harry Potter characters through AI, which took the internet by storm. So let’s check them out with a swish and flick of a wand.

Fans shared AI images of Cillian Murphy and Andrew Garfield in Harry Potter roles

The Harry Potter fandom has undoubtedly...

Pub- based comedy drama Mother’s Pride will be in cinemas next year, and the cast has now been confirmed.

The British film industry has been releasing a steady stream of comedy dramas over the last few years, full of homegrown talent both in front of and behind the camera.

In 2018, Stephen Graham and comedian Dave Johns led the cast of wrestling comedy Walk Like A Panther, although perhaps the most notable example is the Fisherman’s Friends series, which chronicled the unlikely story of a group of fisherman who form a band and release an album of sea shanties to critical and commercial acclaim.

This led to life imitating art, as the actual band the film was based on saw a huge surge in popularity, with albums climbing up the charts and multiple sell out national tours.

According to the British Comedy Guide, the team behind Fisherman’s Friends is now producing...

The world of Game of Thrones is a modern mythology that has captured fans’ hearts over the years. It’s easy to see why people loved the show – it has the same appeal as the famous myths of the world, such as the Greek, Roman, and Norse.

Credits: Mark Addy in Game of Thrones / HBO

While the story of A Song of Ice and Fire – the book series on which the HBO show was based – was inspired by a bloody historical event, some of the characters were speculated to have been designed after the likeness of the legendary gods of mythology.

Game of Thrones fan postulated a theory about the Baratheon brothers

A fan on Reddit expressed a fascinating theory about House Baratheon, particularly the famed Baratheon brothers: Robert, Stannis, and Renly. Noticing their resemblance to the three popular Norse gods, the netizen speculated that George R.R. Martin must have based them on Thor,...

This week's episode of Dune: Prophecy features a major escalation of stakes in several ways. Not only does Desmond Hart's (Travis Fimmel) fiery demonstration at the Landsraad pit Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) against the Great Houses, but the death of Evgeny Harkonnen (Mark Addy) in the episode's final moments likewise marks a turning point for the future of Valya's (Emily Watson) disgraced house. Yet, despite Episode 4's public executions and private betrayals, one of the most unnerving scenes in the latest installment of Max's prequel series is when Lila (Chloe Lea) is seemingly resurrected in the depths of Wallach IX, with the character's unnatural return bringing audiences one step closer to the true villain of Dune: Prophecy.

The latest episode of Dune: Prophecy, "Twice Born," got us even better acquainted with the Harkonnen family. We've already spent a lot of time with Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), sisters who became part of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood. But lately we've been getting to know their great-uncle Evgeny Harkonnen, a surly old man played by Game of Thrones veteran Mark Addy; as well as their nephew Harrow (Edward Davis), the current steward of House Harkonnen who is aiming to raise its profile.

In "Twice Born," Harrow gets his chance when Aunt Valya offers to get him a seat at the Landsraad, the governing body of great houses. She has her own reasons, of course, but Harrow is willing to follow his ambition and go along with her, despite Evgeny's stringent objections; Evgeny never forgave Valya for the incident in her youth where her brother Griffin...

Denis Villeneuve didn’t just bring Dune: Part 2 to life — he dreamed up moments that could’ve blown Frank Herbert’s mind. The kicker? The scene Villeneuve wished Herbert could see wasn’t even about Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides. Instead, it dived deep into the sand-drenched chaos of Dune’s epic world, with visuals so crazy they might’ve left even Herbert speechless.

Denis Villeneuve | Image by Gage Skidmore, licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Villeneuve’s love for Herbert’s universe wasn’t just about spotlighting its leading man but celebrating the awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping pieces that make this saga unforgettable. If you thought Dune was just about Chalamet, think again — it’s an all-out cinematic thrill ride.

Zendaya’s Chani, Tears, and Triumph: Denis Villeneuve’s Tribute to Frank Herbert Zendaya as Chani in the Dune films | Credits: Warner Bros

Director Denis Villeneuve revealed the one...

[This story contains major spoilers through Dune: Prophecy season one, episode four.]

For those whose Dune experience is limited to Denis Villeneuve’s two films, the latest episode of HBO’s prequel series Dune: Prophecy was likely a bit of a shock.

Not just because Travis Fimmel’s Desmond Hart incinerated several high-rankings members of imperial houses, and not just because Mother Superior Valya (Emily Watson) basically shouted her uncle to death. Instead, it’s because of two of the people who were opposite Hart and Valya in this episode: Harrow and Evgeny of House Harkonnen, the deadliest house in the known Dune universe.

Played by Edward Davis and Game of Thrones star Mark Addy, respectively, the two Harkonnens could not be more different from one another in appearance and personality. But the distinction is even greater when compared against Vladimir Harkonnen and his nephew Feyd-Rautha, played in Villeneuve’s movies by Stellan Skarsgard and Austin Butler.

Editor's note: The below interview contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Episode 4.It wouldn't be a Dune TV series without some Harkonnens plotting and scheming their way into power — and the latest episode of Dune: Prophecy, "Twice Born," is proof of just how much plotting and scheming this house has always pursued in the name of authority, even if it leads to some of their members' downfall along the way. This week, Mother Superior Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson) reluctantly arranges a long-lost reunion with her uncle Evgeny (Mark Addy) as well as the current Baron Harkonnen, Harrow (Edward Davis), in order to position them as the new replacement for House Richese on the High Council. Valya's desire isn't completely selfish, though; she wants Harrow to accuse the Corrinos of Pruwet Richese's murder, which will all but certainly put him in the crosshairs of the Emperor's willing soldier, Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel...

Spoiler Alert !!!This article contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy

Mark Addy had his second high-profile onscreen death with Dune: Prophecy, which saw his character, Evgeny, meet his end. However, there was something odd and uncharacteristic about how the moment was shot, getting much less reverence behind the scenes when compared to his death as Robert Baratheon on Game of Thrones.

Mark Addy as Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones | Credit: HBO

Mark Addy’s death on Game of Thrones was one of the most shocking deaths in the show, especially because the character was introduced as a principal cast along with Sean Bean’s Ned Stark, who also met his end towards the end of the first season. This was considered largely uncharacteristic at the time of the show’s airing. However, Addy’s death in Game of Thrones was shot a little more seriously, in that the scene was shot more traditionally,...

Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Dune: Prophecy season 1, episode 4, "Twice Born."

Dune: Prophecy actor Mark Addy compares Evgeny Harkonnen's death to the demise of his Game of Thrones character, King Robert Baratheon. Despite ruling the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Robert infamously dies from being wounded by a boar while drunkenly hunting the creature. As for Addy's Dune: Prophecy character, Evgeny is the uncle of Valya (Emily Watson) and Tula (Olivia Williams) Harkonnen and blames Valya for being the source of the family's misfortune and their inability to reclaim their former glory. Evgeny dies on the floor after Valya refuses to give her uncle his medicine.

While speaking with Screen Rant's Tatiana Hullender, Addy explains that he believes both Evgeny and Robert deserve their "inglorious deaths." He discusses how Robert is more regretful toward the end of his life, with the character reflecting on how he could have...

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Dune: Prophecy episode 4!Evgeny Harkonnen (Mark Addy) met his demise under Valya's uncaring gaze in Dune: Prophecy episode 4, leaving his great-nephew Harrow (Edward Davis) to clean up the latest mess that the family finds itself in. Valya's best-laid plans to regain Emperor Javicco Corrino's favor through Harrow at the Landsraad were destroyed when Desmond Hart turned the tables and murdered "traitors" to the throne. But while she is temporarily stymied, the Mother Superior seems to have a few tricks left up her sleeve.

Dune: Prophecy boasts a stellar cast, led by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams as the sisters (and Sisters) Valya and Tula Harkonnen. In addition to the main characters, the guest stars have been equally exciting — including Addy, who played Robert Baratheon in Game of Thrones, and Sanditon's Davis. Both of them shine opposite Watson in the scenes at the Harkonnen apartment, which lay...

Episode 4 of Max's Dune: Prophecy saw Emily Watson’s Valya reunite with her Harkonnen family, Mark Addy’s Evgeny, and Edward Davis’ Harrow to try and sway the favor of the Imperium in her direction.

While Evgeny has hated Valya since she was young (and expressly shown in Episode 3), Harrow knows very little of her—but is intrigued by the promises of power she has to offer.

Sadly, his first attempt at grabbing power doesn't go so well, as he’s upstaged by Sarah-Sofie Boussnina's Princes Ynez, who makes the criminal accusation before Harrow can.

Read full article on The Direct.

The following contains spoilers for Dune: Prophecy Season 1, Episode 4, "Twice Born," which premiered Sunday, Dec. 8 on HBO.

Dune: Prophecy continues to expand the Harkonnen household. Season 1, Episode 3, 'Sisterhood Above All" featured the backstory of Valya and Tula Harkonnen on their home planet Lankiveil. Season 1, Episode 4, "Twice Born," adds a new member to the family: Harrow Harkonnen (played by Edward Davis). Joining him in the family's lavish new home, likely thanks to the whale fur industry, is an older and sicklier Evgeny Harkonnen (portrayed by Mark Addy).

The reunion between Evgeny and his niece Valya is unsurprisingly hostile. Evgeny still blames Valya for the death of Griffin and the downfall of the family -- despite her attempts to elevate their name with a Truthsayer and a spot on the High Council. Valya eventually gets her way, allowing Evgeny to die of natural causes and using Harrow as a puppet for the family and Sisterhood's benefit.

Life as a Harkonnen 10,000 years before their rise to monstrous power isn’t for the faint of heart – just ask Mark Addy and Edward Davis.

Episode 4 of “Dune: Prophecy” spends much of its time in the Harkonnen family apartment on Salusa Secundus, and it’s a bitter place. Addy plays family patriarch – and Valya’s (Emily Watson) uncle – Evgeny, and Davis is the younger Harkonnen Harrow, who has higher aspirations for himself and his family. The pair told TheWrap a lot of focus went into creating a penetratingly cold environment to the episode to underline the animosity between Evgeny and Valya.

“It’s a very bleak feel,” Addy said. “They wanted it to feel like a cold place you’ve got to stick by the fire if you want any semblance of warmth. A place that the cold would would get right through to your bones. That kind of manifests itself also in the characters.