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Ari Aster has long held the mantle for the most disturbing mind in Hollywood since his arrival, and even he could not accept the comical absurdity of Morbius. Meanwhile, the director’s dark and twisted genius makes films like Midsommar and Hereditary so utterly unbearable, gruesome, and traumatic to watch that it almost pushes the viewers to the edge of a nervous breakdown.

Now, imagine the same being applied to one of Marvel’s darkest IPs, and it immediately sounds like the studio would have a surefire success in its hands.

Sony had the same idea after greenlighting their vampire action flick set within its Spider-Man Universe. Led by Jared Leto, Morbius not only flopped hard but became one of the most trolled superhero movies of all time [Credit: Sony Pictures]

As Ari Aster rides the wave of his latest hit, Eddington, a scoop involving Sony, superhero movies, and the director...

“Hereditary” and “Eddington” director Ari Aster revealed in a new interview that he has been asked to direct one comic book movie in the past: 2022’s “Morbius.”

During a podcast interview with Semafor published Friday, the famously independent filmmaker was asked if the rumor was true that he had been approached at one point to direct a Marvel superhero movie. “Yes, once,” the writer-director confirmed. After some hesitation over whether or not he should reveal which one, Aster said, “I was asked to do — is it ‘Mobius’? ‘Morbius’?”

In response to Semafor media editor Max Tani’s remark that “Morbius” was a “huge flop” and that it would have been “awesome” if Aster had directed it, the “Eddington” filmmaker joked, “Yeah, we could have added it to my list.”

Aster did not, of course, end up directing “Morbius.” That film starred Jared Leto as its eponymous comic book anti-hero vampire.

Who would have thought that Netflix’s biggest hit of 2025 would be a bunch of yellow troublemakers? While many subscribers have been groaning about a lack of standout originals, The Old Guard 2, Madea’s Destination Wedding, and The Electric State didn’t exactly break the internet, Despicable Me 4 has swooped in to save the day for the streaming giant. According to Nielsen, the animated sequel racked up a massive 6.274 billion minutes viewed, making it the most-watched movie on Netflix this year so far. Not bad for a film that first hit theaters back in 2024. The numbers are even more impressive when you see what it’s up against. Moana 2 dominated Disney+ with a whopping 7.227 billion minutes, while Netflix’s own Back in Action trailed behind at 5.264 billion. Even big releases like The Electric State, Kraven the Hunter, and Gladiator II couldn’t compete with Gru’s bald head...

It’s a “Nosferatu” reunion! Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who starred in director Robert Eggers’ stylish vampire hit, is set to re-team with the filmmaker for his next film, “Werwulf.” Lily-Rose Depp, who led the 2024 gothic horror film, is also in talks to join the project.

Eggers will direct the werewolf horror feature from a script he co-wrote with Sjón. The film is slated for a Christmas Day 2026 release in North America.

Eggers and Sjón, who also co-wrote 2022’s “The Northman” together, are producing “Werwulf” alongside Focus Features, while Maiden Voyage’s Chris and Eleanor Columbus are serving as executive producers.

Focus Features most recently financed and released Eggers’ critically-acclaimed gothic horror film “Nosferatu.” Eggers and Focus have partnered on all his films to date, also including “The Northman,” “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse, for which Focus handled international distribution through Universal International.

A reimagining of F. W. Murnau’s 1922 silent German Expressionist film,...

After rising to fame with his lovable role as Andy Dwyer on NBC's Parks and Recreation, Chris Pratt has since transitioned into a major Hollywood star, especially within the science fiction genre. He became widely recognized for portraying Star-Lord in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and Owen Grady in the Jurassic World trilogy, both blockbuster sci-fi franchises.

Despite his early success, Pratt's more recent ventures into sci-fi movies have been met with less enthusiasm. The shift began with Passengers, a film criticized for its problematic plot. Instead of elevating his status in sci-fi, it marked the start of a disappointing trend. Pratt's attempts to recapture his blockbuster success with similar films have generally failed to resonate with critics and audiences alike.

This pattern continued with streaming projects like Amazon's The Tomorrow War, which drew lukewarm responses for its clichéd plot and lack of originality, with critics...

Cameron Diaz was one of the biggest stars in the late '90s and early 2000s. During that time, she starred in many iconic movies, including There's Something About Mary, Charlie's Angels, Vanilla Sky, and My Best Friend's Wedding. It also saw her take on a role in the more experimental Being John Malkovich.

Her career remained active throughout the 2000s, when she most notably voiced Fiona in the Shrek movies. In 2014, she played Miss Hannigan in the modern-day reimagining of the classic musical Annie.

After 2014, however, Diaz took an unexpected career break. This acting hiatus ended up being fairly extended, as she did not return to the big screen for over a decade. Now, she is gearing up to play Fiona again in Shrek 5, but it's Diaz's comeback film that has now been proven to be a success.

Back In Action Is A Top 20 Streaming Title For 2025 It...

A few weeks ago, we launched a contest inviting readers to submit personal essays about what’s gone wrong with the movie business—and how it might win back the audiences that seem to have largely abandoned it. We received many excellent entries, but five stood out as the best. We’ll be publishing one each day this week.

Here’s the fourth, courtesy of Mr. Nicholas Mountjoy!

The biggest focus of the movie industry today is to “put butts in seats” and “give the people what they want.” The problem is that the butts aren’t going to the movies, and the people aren’t (seemingly) getting what they want. For the movie studios, I’d say that’s a big problem.

I’ve thought about this at length, and I have several theories as to why this is happening—and how it could potentially be rectified. Movies are...

Will ticket sales be up, up and away as “Superman” takes off at the box office?

The comic book adventure, starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel, is aiming for $120 million to $130 million domestically in its opening weekend. However, Warner Bros. and independent tracking services are divided on where the initial ticket sales will land. The studio is offering a more conservative estimate of $100 million to $110 million, while others are projecting that strong reviews could propel the debut above $140 million. “Superman” is expected to collect at least $100 million at the international box office, though that’s likely a cautious estimate as well.

Although forecasts are all over the place, “Superman” is bracing for a hero’s welcome on the big screen. That’s would be a relief because the $225 million-budgeted tentpole has the lofty ambition of relaunching the DC Universe. That’s after the last iteration of the comic...

Sony's Kraven the Hunter and Marvel Studios' Spider-Manhave finally joined forces - just not on the silver screen.

As seen in a photo posted to X on July 6 by Film Crave, Kraven the Hunter star Aaron Taylor-Johnson caught up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man, Tom Holland, during the Silverstone Grand Prix. The pair can be seen greeting one another as throngs of race fans move about in the background. The race closed out with McLaren driver Lando Norris taking first place.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Tom Holland at the Silverstone Grand Prix. 📷 pic.twitter.com/cMLODWVAZ9— Film Crave (@_filmcrave) July 6, 2025

Taylor-Johnson made his debut as the titular antihero of Kraven the Hunterwhen the film tore its way into theaters this past December. The film starred Taylor-Johnson's Kraven as more of a conservationist hunter than the ruthless poacher he is known as in the pages of Marvel Comics. Kraven...

28 Years Later has reached a box office milestone, overtaking a Christopher Nolan project and one of the highest-grossing movies in Aaron Taylor-Johnson's filmography. The horror drama, directed by Danny Boyle, continues the 28 Days Later franchise, following a young boy who abandons his isolated community on a dangerous endeavor, discovering the mainland and rage-infected humans.

Along with Taylor-Johnson, the 28 Years Later cast includes Alfie Williams, Jodie Comer, and Ralph Fiennes. According to Deadline, 28 Years Later is projected to hit $60 million domestically in its third weekend, dropping 56% and generating $4.3 million for the three days. Thus, the horror film will now surpass Taylor-Johnson's Tenet, which completed its theatrical release at $58.5 million domestically.

What Overtaking Tenet Means For 28 Years Later The Movie Was Released At A Better Time

Surpassing Tenet domestically suggests that 28 Years Later has benefited from its more preferable release date. Directed by Oscar-winner Christopher Nolan,...

Whenever a Marvel movie is released, audiences sit up and pay attention. For better or for worse, they dominate the conversation as fans discuss whether or not they live up to expectations, honor their source material, and work as part of whatever shared universe of superheroes they belong to. It's a lifestyle for Marvel fans, and a justified one at that.

We can largely thank the success of Marvel Studios' own MCU for that. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has changed the industry so much in its two decades of existence, influencing how other studios approach cinematic storytelling and shared universes of their own. The art of making superhero movies is so different to what it once was. And that's particularly wild when there were Marvel movies being made at a time when the MCU didn't exist.

Though DC had a greater influence on the early days of superhero movies, Marvel...

Bloodaxe, the new Viking drama series in the works at Prime Video, has found a new cast member. The latest casting follows reports that the series would be starring Jessica Madsen and Xavier Molyneux.

Per Deadline, Australian actor Levi Miller (Kraven the Hunter) has joined the cast of Bloodaxe. Miller will reportedly play Haakon the Good, the younger half-brother of Viking Erik Bloodaxe (Molyneux). Madsen is playing the Mother of Kings, Gunnhild, who's Bloodaxe's wife.

Miller recently appeared in the Sony movie Kraven the Hunter, playing the younger version of Aaron Taylor-Johnson's titular character. The actor's previous credits include playing Peter Pan in Pan and Calvin O'Keefe in A Wrinkle in Time. He also had a role in the TV show Supergirl.

Vikings creator Michael Hirst and his son, Horatio Hirst, are the creators and writers of Bloodaxe. They are also serving as executive producers alongside Morgan O'Sullivan of...

When the majority of fans rejected Sony Pictures' vision for the web-slinger after The Amazing Spider-Man 2, the studio was left with no other option than to finally turn to Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige for help. 

The Amazing Spider-Man 3 and Sinister Six were scrapped, and Tom Holland was cast as the McU's Peter Parker in Captain America: Civil War and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Sony, however, forged ahead with its Venom movie (set in a separate reality), and when that was a hit, Morbius, Madame Web, and Kraven the Hunter followed. 

They were critical and commercial flops, and while the Venom franchise remained successful, each instalment grossed less than the last. El Muerto, Agent Venom, Spider-Woman, and more have since fallen by the wayside, news which comes as more of a relief than a disappointment. 

Insider Daniel Richtman has shared an update today, reiterating previous reports from the trades that...

A Marvel movie centered on a major villain from the comics has reportedly been shelved, with production stopping before it even begins. The greater Marvel universe had had more than its fair share of difficulties, including the MCU suffering through plenty of box office problems over the last three years. However, this is far from the only Marvel franchise having issues, as another set of movies has been struggling for even longer.

A new rumor indicated that Sony Pictures has paused plans for development on its rumored Knull movie. Reported by insider Daniel Richtman, the studio, in association with Marvel, is also said to be putting a hold on all of its plans for live-action Spider-Man spin-offs from Sony's Spider-Man Universe. This comes after Sony released three new movies in 2024, none of which performed particularly well critically or financially.

Knull was initially introduced as an overarching villain in...

Following the conclusion of Vikings and its sequel, Vikings: Valhalla, creator Michael Hirst and his son, Horatio Hirst, have come up with a new series: Bloodaxe. Based on one of the most legendary Viking warriors in Norse history, Eric Bloodaxe, and his wife, the series is already in production with ongoing casting.

Recently, the latest actor to join the series is the newcomer Levi Miller, whom we saw last in Kraven the Hunter. A tale of power struggles, betrayal, and more, it seems like the perfect replacement for Vikings.

What is Prime Video’s Bloodaxe About? A still from Vikings | Credits: Amazon MGM Studios

It was in March that Amazon Prime Video had first ordered Bloodaxe from the father-son duo, Michael Hirst and Horatio Hirst. Created, written, and executive produced by them, this will mark Hirst’s debut as a writer following several acting stints.

Related: All 6 Seasons of ‘Vikings...

Prime Video's new Norse epic series continues to flesh out its cast after adding Xavier Molyneux and Jessica Madsen as its leads. Now, per Deadline, a Kraven the Hunterstar is joining the saga in a royal new role. Levi Miller has been cast as Haakon the Good, the younger half-brother of Molyneaux's famed Viking raider Erik Bloodaxe, in the historical series Bloodaxe, which is set to begin filming between Iceland and Ireland this summer. Vikingsmastermind Michael Hirtz is at the helm as creator, showrunner, and executive producer alongside his son, Horatio Hirst, in what is shaping up to be a spiritual successor to the six-season History Channel epic.

Bloodaxe primarily follows the titular raider and his wife, Gunnhild (Madsen), the Mother of Kings, in their fight for the throne of Norway at a time when the country is divided by bitter rivalries and shifting loyalties. As war and chaos threaten to consume the kingdom,...

Big things are happening in the world of James Bond. The franchise has locked in a director for the 26th movie, as Dune helmer Denis Villeneuve is on board, but the big question that remains is who will be the actor taking on the mantle of 007.

Per Variety, Villeneuve got the job by beating out directors Edward Berger, Edgar Wright, Paul King, and Jonathan Nolan. The plan is to now quickly find an actor to sign on as the new Bond, so fans shouldn't have to wait too much longer to find out who the next 007 will be. Reportedly, a rumored wishlist of names wanted by Amazon for the role has been revealed.

According to the report, execs are ideally seeking a British actor under the age of 30 to play the new Bond. Tom Holland of Spider-Man fame is on the wishlist, with other actors at the top of the...

Exclusive: Australian actor Levi Miller (Kraven the Hunter) has joined the cast of Bloodaxe, Prime Video’s drama created, written, and exec produced by Vikings creator Michael Hirst and his son, Horatio Hirst, sources tell Deadline.

Reps for Amazon MGM Studios declined to comment. Miller will play Haakon the Good, the younger half-brother of Viking Erik Bloodaxe, played by Xavier Molyneux. We were first to tell you about his casting and that of female lead Jessica Madsen, who plays Bloodaxe’s wife Gunnhild, aka the Mother of Kings.

Bloodaxe follows Erik Bloodaxe, one of history’s most famous Norse raiders, and his formidable wife, Gunnhild as they fight for the throne of Norway. In the process, the land is torn apart by fierce rivals, shifting loyalties, and bloody betrayals. With war looming and chaos consuming the kingdom, drawing in the ruthless Kings of other Scandinavian countries, and even a powerful English ruler,...

Netflix features no shortage of films -- in fact, /Film's Luke Y. Thompson put together a stellar compilation of the best sci-fi movies on Netflix that everyone should check out. Yet, its kids movies section might be its most underrated aspect, because to quote WWE superstar Sheamus, "It's banger after banger after banger." It's nonstop entertainment for the young and the young at heart.

So, how exactly did we pick the top 15 kids movies on Netflix right now? What was the methodology used? The approach was twofold. One, each movie needed to have a good-to-great critical score on Rotten Tomatoes. And two, a mix of personal preference and general audience reception toward the films played pivotal roles in the final selection. Of course, not everyone will agree on all the movies chosen for this list, but hey, this doesn't mean you can't enjoy what you enjoy. Love it all. Hate it all.

While it took a lot longer than many filmgoers would have liked, director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland finally reunited for "28 Years Later," which hit theaters over the weekend. Serving as a sequel to their horror classic "28 Days Later" (and its follow-up "28 Weeks Later"), the movie picks up with a group of survivors nearly three decades into a zombie apocalypse. It's an intriguing concept that managed to bring out moviegoers en masse, leading to one heck of an opening weekend.

Sony's "28 Years Later" opened to an estimated $30 million at the domestic box office while bringing in an additional $30 million overseas. That wasn't enough to take the crown away from the live-action "How to Train Your Dragon" remake ($37 million), but it's worth noting the latter is a PG-rated family movie that's playing on nearly 4,400 screens in North America. By contrast, "28 Years Later" is an...

Some people meet on dating apps. Others meet through friends. Aaron Taylor-Johnson met his wife through… a decaying fruit bowl and a biro pen. No, we’re not hallucinating; this is an actual love story, not a surrealist short story or an abandoned Wes Anderson script. It’s the fact that someone fell in love with a woman 23 years older before he even knew her name.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson, now 35, married Sam Taylor-Johnson, now 58, after meeting on Nowhere Boy in 2009. But their connection started earlier, invisibly, like a premonition framed in fruit and mold. Is it odd? Yes. Is it enviable? Strangely, also yes. What began as a profound, almost psychic connection to a piece of art, Still Life, ended in a marriage built not on spectacle but on synchronicity.

Did Aaron Taylor-Johnson fall for his wife before they even met? Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars in Kraven the Hunter | Credit: Sony Pictures

Now,...

28 Years Later North America Box Office Day 3 Update(Photo Credit –Instagram)

28 Years Later has announced its arrival at the box office positively. The film landed within the projected range of the industry trackers but failed to outpace How to Train Your Dragon’s second weekend gross to grab the #1 rank. Keep scrolling for the deets.

The film debuted at #2, registering the biggest opening weekend in the franchise. It has outgrossed its predecessors by a vast margin. Aaron Taylor-Johnson might experience a hit after his box office debacle, Kraven the Hunter. The horror movies are a hit this season, which has also received positive reviews and is expected to continue the streak.

How much has 28 Years Later earned at the box office in North America on its opening weekend?

According to Box Office Mojo‘s data, 28 Years Later, directed by Danny Boyle, collected an impressive $30 million on its...

Aaron Taylor-Johnson says the 28 Years Later cast were given "freedom of space to make mistakes" by director Danny Boyle.The 35-year-old actor plays Jamie in the new post-apocalyptic horror movie and praised the experimental approach that the acclaimed filmmaker took to the project.Aaron told Collider: "I think most days were definitely a new experience for me, and for us. Very creative. He was experimenting with these different cameras and different rigs and stuff, and not always with a sense of, like, 'This is how it's going to work.'"Some things he'd be like, 'Look, I don't know', and that was quite refreshing because it meant that there was this freedom of space to make mistakes, but be creative and find something new."He's exceptional. When you're in the hands of Danny, he's got such an enthusiasm and this great energy, he really makes you feel in the safest of hands.

Lionsgate's anticipated Highlander reboot starring Henry Cavill lands its first major casting addition alongside the acclaimed British actor. Cavill is set to share the screen with Academy Award-winning Gladiator star Russell Crowe in the planned reboot.

According to Collider, Crowe has been cast in a significant, though undisclosed, role in the Highlander remake, directed by John Wick franchise helmer Chad Stahelski. Before Crowe's confirmed appearance, Cavill was the only actor attached to the film, which has been in development since 2021 and was officially announced by Lionsgate in 2023.

Crowe, whose most recent big-screen credits include The Exorcism and Kraven the Hunter, is best known for his career-making turn as Maximus Decimus Meridius in 2000's Gladiator, which won him the Best Actor Oscar. The New Zealander is next slated to appear in another historical drama, Sony's Nuremberg, where he stars as Nazi politician Hermann Göring opposite Rami Malek, Michael Shannon and Leo Woodall.

Russell Crowe will instruct Henry Cavill in the ways of the immortals in the remake of “Highlander.”

The Oscar-winner is set to play Cavill’s mentor in a variation on the part played by Sean Connery in the 1986 original film. “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski will oversee the remake, which has a script by Michael Finch (“John Wick: Chapter 4”). “Highlander” is being backed by Amazon MGM Studios and United Artists, which is being run by former Netflix film chief Scott Stuber. The film will open theatrically.

Crowe was one of the biggest stars of the late ’90s and early aughts, appearing in action heavy roles in the likes of “Gladiator” and “Master & Commander,” and earning critical raves for more dramatic work in “The Insider,” “A Beautiful Mind,” and “L.A. Confidential.” In recent years, he’s taken on more character parts in the likes of “Kraven the Hunter...

This week already saw the release of four new horror movies on Tuesday, and six more have arrived to keep you company all weekend long – including 28 Years Later in theaters!

Here’s all the new horror that released on Friday, June 20, 2025!

For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.

First up, NBC is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Jaws with a special presentation of the classic film Tonight that will feature a new introduction from Steven Spielberg.

The 1975 film will air across three hours beginning at 8pm Et on Friday, June 20, which Variety notes is “the exact 50th anniversary date of when it was released.”

What else can you expect for the Jaws 50th anniversary this Summer? A new documentary titled Jaws at 50: The Definitive Inside Story comes to National Geographic on July 10 followed by Hulu and Disney+ on July 11, while a 50th anniversary...

The new James Bond may have just revealed himself with a suspicious five-word response to a simple question. Or, at least, that’s what 007 fans think. Rumor and speculation have been running rife for months regarding who will be chosen to take over from Daniel Craig as the next Bond in Amazon’s upcoming reboot, with one of the consistent favorites potentially now revealing that he will slip into the iconic tuxedo.

Asked about what he’s doing next in his career following the release of the long-awaited horror sequel 28 Years Later, Aaron Taylor-Johnson cryptically replied, “I can’t talk about it,” before being ushered away. The actor, who is best known for roles in the likes of Kick-Ass, Bullet Train, and Kraven the Hunter has long been rumored for the role of James Bond, often finding himself at the top of bookies' lists. Now, fans are convinced that...

Alongside Avengers: Doomsday, Spider-Man: Brand New Day is one of the most highly anticipated MCU movies in recent memory. It's been a while since Spider-Man: No Way Home swung into theaters, and Tom Holland's return as Peter Parker is long overdue. 

With little to no official details revealed about the movie, it's hardly a surprise that social media scoopers have shared a seemingly never-ending list of potential villains.

It can be hard to keep track of the rumours, which is why we've now rounded up every single bad guy who has been rumoured to appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Some are more believable than others, but chances are we'll see at least one of them in theaters next year. 

You can check them out by clicking on the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 

8. Savage Hulk

Marvel Studios' Spider-Man movies always feature a big MCU cameo, and it...

Tom Cruise can currently be seen in theaters in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, but one year after the release of Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation, the action icon starred in a controversial adaptation that’s returned to streaming charts. Cruise reprised his role as Jack Reacher in Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, the 2016 action film following the events of his 2012 Jack Reacher movie. Never Go Back is streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S., and the film has been one of the top 10 movies on the platform globally for the last week, charting in countries such as Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Jack Reacher: Never Go Back earned “rotten” scores of 37% from critics and 42% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, and it grossed $162 million at the global box office against a $60 million budget.

Both of Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher movies are based on the popular novel series by Lee Child,...

Sony Pictures' Madame Web was nominated for six Razzie Awards this year, and ended up walking away with three "wins" for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Actress, with star Dakota Johnson singled out for her... uneven performance.

The Materialists star took this dubious honor in her stride, and has now revealed that something positive did come out of her Razzie win, as she ended up being contacted and congratulated by one of her screen idols.

"I got a voice note from Sandra Bullock, because I don’t know if you know, but I won the Razzie for Worst Actress," Johnson said on the latest episode of Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” podcast. "Sandra Bullock sent me a voice note being like ‘I heard you are in the Razzie club and we should have brunch, we should have a monthly brunch.’ Because I guess she won that the year that...

Three more actors have joined the cast of American Love Story.

Grace Gummer, Sydney Lemmon, and Alessandro Nivola will all have roles in the upcoming FX anthology series from Ryan Murphy, according to Deadline. The series will follow John F Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy‘s whirlwind romance. Grace will play Caroline Kennedy, Sydney will play Lauren Bessette, and Alessandro will play Calvin Klein.

Grace has worked with Ryan Murphy before, as she played the role of Penny in the fourth season of American Horror Story. Sydney played the central character of Ana in the Hulu series Helstrom, while Alessandro has had roles in films such as The Brutalist and Kraven the Hunter.

Keep reading to find out more…

American Love Story was first announced in 2021. In March 2025, it was announced that Sarah Pidgeon will be playing Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

If you didn’t see, last month, a newcomer was cast...

Updated as of June 6, 2025

Comic book movies remain a must-see aspect of the Hollywood landscape, even in 2025. The genre of films dominated the 2010s and, with plenty more to come in the years ahead, they are continuing to make their presence felt on the silver screen throughout the 2020s.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been evolving its release strategy over the past few years as it figured out how to expand its Multiverse Saga without oversaturating the market at the same time, ensuring that it can continue moving forward to develop content for many years to come. Sony Marvel movies have also been supplementing the genre with sporadic releases, however limited financial success may prevent Sony from continuing with their separate Marvel universe - especially after the failure of Kraven the Hunter in 2024. On the contrary, DC is restarting its Justice League-based franchise, with big promises from studio heads...

Dakota Johnson has continued to be candid about her thoughts on the 2024 film she headlined, Madame Web, and the people who made the creative decisions behind it.

Even before Sony’s Spider-Man spin-off Madame Web was released in February 2024, its star Dakota Johnson talked candidly about her experiences of working on an expensive superhero film. Trying to act in front of a blue screen was, she said, “psychotic”. Days before the film debuted, she talked about the “drastic” changes made to the script after she’d signed on to play the clairvoyant protagonist, Cassie Web.

Over a year later, Johnson still has some strong opinions about the much-maligned film, which ended up being both a critical and financial disappointment for Sony. Talking to The LA Times about her new film The Materialists, directed by Celine Song, Johnson was asked about Madame Web, and whether it had made her think twice...

Dakota Johnson has moved to separate herself from the fortunes of Sony’s 2024 superhero outing Madame Web, telling the Los Angeles Times that the picture’s fate was sealed by “a lot of creative decisions … made by committee” and insisting “it wasn’t my fault.” Her remarks, echoed in fresh interviews published this week, underscore a year-long post-mortem on one of the weakest performers in the recent wave of Marvel-branded releases.

The $80 million production opened to $15.3 million in the United States and finished its run with $43.8 million domestic and $100.5 million worldwide. By comparison, Sony’s 2024 slate included several titles that doubled or tripled that figure, leaving Madame Web at the bottom of the studio’s annual ledger.

Critics registered a rare 11 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, and the film collected Razzie trophies for Worst Picture and Worst Actress, further intensifying the spotlight on its shortcomings.

Johnson, who played clairvoyant paramedic Cassandra Webb,...

Dakota Johnson starred in Madame Web, which was a box office flop amid the discussion of superhero movie fatigue.

In a new interview, the Materialists star says the film’s failure was due to some “people who don’t have a creative bone in their body.”

“It wasn’t my fault,” Johnson told The Los Angeles Times. “There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body. And it’s really hard to make art that way. Or to make something entertaining that way.”

She continued, “And I think unfortunately with Madame Web, it started out as something and turned into something else. And I was just sort of along for the ride at that point. But that happens. Bigger-budget movies fail all the time.”

Johnson noted that she...

Dakota Johnson reflects on what went wrong with Madame Web, the 2024 Sony Pictures Marvel adaptation. When the plans for Madame Web were first announced, the film faced much trepidation. It was another in Sony Pictures' attempts to make a Spider-Man spin-off shared universe without the webhead. The film's trailer became widely mocked, and when the movie opened in theaters on Feb. 14, 2024, it became a box office and critical flop. It was only saved from the embarrassment of being the lowest-grossing Spider-Man spin-off thanks to Kraven the Hunter.

Speaking with People to promote her latest film, Materialist, Johnson talked about what happened on Madame Web. "It wasn’t my fault," Johnson said, laughing alongside Materialist director Celine Song. Johnson went on, hinting that the Madame Web film she signed on for was not the finished product and that it was tampered with by studio executives. Johnson said:

"There’s this...

New insight into Madame Web's box office failure has come through the star of the Sony/Marvel movie. Sony's Spider-Man Universe is over. The franchise came to an end after Kraven the Hunter marked another disappointing box office run for the franchise, with movies like Morbius and Madame Web previously going down that route. Even Madame Web's cast, which counted with popular stars like Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Adam Scott, could not fare well at the box office, ending its worldwide run at a measly $100.5 million. Over a year later, the film's star opens up.

Speaking with the Los Angeles Times, Dakota Johnson opened up about why Madame Web did not work and how she feels about the movie's negative performance. Given how she is the main star of the film, Johnson has been targeted by many of the complaints about Madame Web being underwhelming.

Superhero movies have experienced a bit more of a rough time than usual in a post-pandemic world. From the struggles that the DC Extended Universe was already facing to Marvel Studios' struggles relaunching the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Endgame, it just hasn't been as smooth-sailing for the genre that dominated Hollywood throughout the 2010s. Of course, there is still plenty of domination with a lot of heavy-hitters, but it's not all as foolproof as it once was.

Since 2020, there have been a number of box office failures within the superhero genre. Some were already anticipated (due to either the franchise they belonged to or the lack of interest in their central character) but some were unanticipated too, which highlights how unpredictable things have become in today's day and age.

Sony Pictures' Universe of Marvel Characters, however, is a franchise that hasn't appealed to the fans' good nature. Outside of...

It was previously confirmed that 28 Days Later star Cillian Murphy would not be appearing in upcoming sequel 28 Years Later. Director Danny Boyle has confirmed that the actor will officially appear in the planned trilogy’s second installment.

28 Years Later brings the rage virus back to theaters on June 20, 2025. Its follow-up, Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, is slated to release in theaters on January 16, 2026.

The third installment of the planned trilogy has yet to secure financing, which is where Cillian Murphy factors in.

“She gets a bit of Cillian at the end,” Boyle told Business Insider when speaking about DaCosta’s sequel. “All I can say is you have to wait for Cillian, but hopefully he will help us get the third film financed.”

Cillian Murphy played protagonist Jim in 28 Days Later back in 2002, a bicycle courier who ends up being one of...

It’s barely been 24 hours since Danny Boyle cast a shadow of uncertainty over Cillian Murphy’s potential status in 28 Years Later, but now the director has delivered a much more clear update on his role in the film. 28 Days Later was one of Cillian Murphy’s earliest roles, and since it was announced that a legacy sequel to the film was in the works, fans have been curious about whether he’ll have a role to play. It’s also been confirmed that 28 Years Later will be the first installment in a new trilogy, and we now know definitively when he will show up. During a recent interview with IGN, Boyle confirmed that Murphy will not star in 28 Years Later, but will have a role in its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple:

"He is in the second one. I shouldn't give away too much.

Tickets are now on sale for 28 Years Later, the long awaited sequel to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, and Bloody Disgusting can exclusively unveil an exclusive, limited edition t-shirt available only at Alamo Drafthouse theaters with ticket pre-orders.

28 Years Later will be unleashed in theaters on June 20, 2025.

The exclusive t-shirt features the emaciated zombie that captured audiences’ attention in the trailer and is designed by Alamo Drafthouse’s own Chris Bilheimer.

The new limited shirt is $30 and available as a ticket add-on purchase when booking tickets to see the film via drafthouse.com. Drafthouse notes, “While supplies last, add it to your ticket order and pick it up at Concierge before your showtime.” Any items not picked up within 30 days will be void.

Considering the trailer was the second most watched new horror movie trailer in history upon its debut, behind only It: Chapter Two (2019), it feels...

Downton Abbeyfans are getting their first glimpse of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. The third movie will bring the beloved ITV franchise to a close, and based on the teaser trailer released on June 2, it also pays tribute to late star Dame Maggie Smith.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the first official teaser for Downton Abbey 3 reveals that numerous fan-favorites from the TV series are returning. The cast includes Michelle Dockery, Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Elisabeth McGovern, Allen Leech and Harry Hadden-Paton. They are joined by the likes of Kraven the Hunter actor Alessandro Nivola and Surface star Joely Richardson. But Smith, who passed away in September 2024, is also represented in the trailer.

Downton Abbey began with the hit ITV series in 2010. It followed the lives of the Crawley family and the many people employed at their sprawling Yorkshire estate in the early 1900s, running for 52 episodes across six seasons.

We’re only a few weeks away from the release of 28 Years Later, and the director of the film has finally shed some light on how it connects to the original. After not returning in any capacity to work on the controversial sequel, 28 Weeks Later, both director Danny Boyle and scribe Alex Garland are back to write and direct 28 Years Later, the legacy sequel to the hit 2002 horror film. Although it was first reported that Cillian Murphy would reprise his role as Jim in the film, this has since been debunked despite his continued involvement as a producer. During a recent Q&a hosted by ScreenRant at an early showing of 28 Years Later, director Danny Boyle was asked how it connects to the original film and what happened to Jim (Murphy) and Selena (Naomie Harris):

“So, it's independent from the first film, but it's still the same...

Sony & BeIN Extend Content Pact

Sony Pictures Entertainment (Spe) and beIN Media have extended their content deal. First struck in 2021, the deal will see beIN take multi-year rights to upcoming Sony projects across the Middle East, North Africa (Mena) and Türkiye following their theatrical window. Sony’s upcoming slate includes I Know What You Did Last Summer, 28 Years Later and Karate Kid: Legends, and the agreement could see recent projects like Venom: The Last Dance and Kraven the Hunter come to beIN. Mark Young, EVP, Distribution & Networks, Emea, Sony Pictures Television, said: “Our passion at Sony Pictures is to bring great stories to great audiences, and our friends and partners at beIN remain the perfect home to bring this plethora of amazing content to audiences across Mena and Türkiye.”

‘Law & Order Toronto’ Scores At Canadian Screen Awards

Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent won Best Drama Series at the 2025 Canadian Screen Awards yesterday.

Doha-based beIN Media Group has inked a multi-year extension with Sony Pictures Entertainment (Spe), locking down exclusive content rights across the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey.

The renewed agreement gives beIN first and second window rights to Spe’s film slate and television series following theatrical releases. Content will roll out across beIN’s entertainment channels, beIN On Demand and streaming platforms Tod and beIN Connect in Arabic and English for Mena territories, with English and Turkish versions available through Digiturk’s entertainment channels in Turkey.

Sony’s theatrical slate includes horror sequel “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” zombie thriller “28 Years Later,” video game adaptation “Until Dawn” and martial arts franchise entry “Karate Kid: Legends.” Recent Sony releases that could land on beIN’s platforms include “Venom: The Last Dance,” “Kraven the Hunter,” Saturday Night Live origin story “Saturday Night,” Oscar winner “I’m Still Here” and family film “Paddington in Peru.

When it comes to video game movies, The Legend of Zelda is easily among the most anticipated, and the titular character might have been cast. Despite The Legend of Zelda typically following the hero Link, the series is named after Princess Zelda, the Hylian princess of the kingdom of Hyrule and the bearer of the Triforce of Wisdom. The feature film adaptation, set to be directed by Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director Wes Ball, is slated for release on Mar. 26, 2027, meaning casting is about to pick up.

Scooper Daniel Richtman, via Game Fragger, says that Hunter Schafer is being eyed to play the role of Zelda. Schafer is best known for her role as Jules Vaughn on the HBO series Euphoria. Her other credits include Kinds of Kindness, The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and Cuckoo. Neither Nintendo nor Sony Pictures has commented on the rumored casting choice.

Second only to "Morbius" in the dreaded "horrible movies about characters that are only relevant because they have connections to Spider-Man" category, "Madame Web" seemed like one of the final films of the superhero era when it arrived in 2024. Deeply disliked by critics and only barely tolerated by viewers, the origin story of Dakota Johnson's titular seer figure (plus a couple of spider-heroes played by Sydney Sweeney and Isabela Merced), "Madame Web" initially seemed to struggle with passing the $100 million box office milestone. While it did ultimately end up barely clearing that hurdle, its production budget of $80 million means that it was a solid flop -- both commercially and critically.

All of this almost certainly contributed to the apparent death of Sony's Spider-Man Universe (Ssu), which has been eerily silent since "Kraven the Hunter" dropped (and flopped) in 2024. With Sony's superhero franchise taking hit after hit, it's no...

Rumors have been swirling since as far back as 2022 that Bullet Train star Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be the perfect actor to play the next iteration of the iconic James Bond character. Now, a new social media post has fans wondering if the rumors are one step closer to becoming reality.

Per Screen Rant, the Nosferatuactor and watch company Omega shared a joint post on Instagram of Taylor-Johnson, the brand’s ambassador, posing in a very Bond-like way to show off an Omega watch. The photo features Taylor-Johnson posing in front of an Omega sign wearing one of the company’s signature watches with the caption: “Omega welcomes Aaron Taylor-Johnson to our watchmaking home in Bienne. The actor and Golden Globe winner stepped into our watchmaking home for an exclusive tour, meeting the watchmakers behind our timepieces.”

View this post on InstagramA post shared by Omega (@omega) “Hello, Mr. Bond”

So far,...

Hey, remember "Madame Web?" It's fine if you don't, but I'll quickly refresh your memory. Just as Sony's weird little cinematic universe of sidelined "Spider-Man" characters started petering out in earnest (after "Morbius" but before "Kraven the Hunter," to give you a sense of the timeline), S.J. Clarkson's "Madame Web" hit theaters on Valentine's Day 2024 and deeply underwhelmed audiences in the process. Not only was it critically panned, but it also absolutely bombed at the box office, throwing yet another nail into the coffin of what was once called "Sony's Spider-Man Universe" or the Ssu.

The film stars Dakota Johnson, Sydney Sweeney, and Isabela Merced, and the three of them have all moved onto greener pastures (by which I mean critically or even commercially successful projects). So, what does Sweeney think about the movie that now sits comfortably in her filmography right between the massively successful romantic comedy...

Is Henry Cavill Finally Taking Over As James Bond? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Henry Cavill stands tall, both literally and figuratively, as the most natural choice for the next James Bond. The man has been orbiting the 007 role for nearly two decades, and back in 2005, he did come close to claiming the tuxedo, only to lose out to Daniel Craig. At the time, Cavill was a young, charming actor who probably learned too hard on his looks, but after all these years, with a career packed with global blockbusters and spy-ready roles, he’s back in the conversation. The 42-year-old Brit, although older than before, is now much sharper and honestly, ready to take the wheel of an Aston Martin.

Amazon MGM Now In Charge Of Bond’s Future

What brings this discussion into sharper focus is the tectonic shift behind the scenes. Longtime Bond gatekeepers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli...