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Making a truly great comedy sequel is very challenging, as humor is an aspect of cinema that can be very hard to replicate. Although not every comedy sequel is an all-time disaster in the vein of Caddyshack II, Beverly Hills Cop III, Airplane II,or Zoolander 2, they often don’t do enough to differentiate themselves from their predecessors. Wayne’s Worldwas itself a surprise success, as it proved to be the best film inspired by a Saturday Night Live sketch since The Blues Brothers was released over a decade prior. While Wayne’s World was a tremendous exception of an unorthodox premise, Wayne’s World 2 is a hilariously madcap adventure that brings out the best in Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.

Running Point, Netflix's latest addition to its long list of sports-centered works, debuted on February 27, 2025. Comprising 10 episodes, with each episode averaging at just thirty minutes, the heartfelt comedy is the perfect binge-watch. The series follows its protagonist, Isla Gordon, as she struggles to carry on her family's legacy in basketball. Isla takes on the presidency of the Los Angeles Waves basketball team following a scandal that forces her elder brother, Cam, to resign from his position. However, it isn't a smooth sail for Isla, who has to prove herself both to her family and the industry.

Created by the talented Mindy Kaling, together with Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, Running Point has a host of talented names, featuring a diverse cast from different backgrounds. The combination of the cast creates an eccentric dynamic, leading to compelling characters. While some names are well-known in the industry, Running Point also brings...

Owen Wilson is taking to the golf course for the upcoming sports comedy Stick, which has received a first-look ahead of its June 4 release on Apple TV+. The streaming service is teeing the series up for a debut that will see three episodes drop at once, followed by one new episode every Wednesday until the 10th and final episode releases on July 23.

The images (seen below) reveal Wilson's character, Pryce Cahill, "an over-the-hill, ex-pro golfer" whose career "derailed prematurely 20 years ago" (per Apple TV+). In the show, he returns to the green to mentor Santi, "a troubled 17-year-old golf phenom," played by Peter Dager. According to the show's official synopsis, Cahill's mentorship role comes at a turbulent time in his life as his marriage has broken down, and he also now finds himself unemployed after being fired from his job at an Indiana sporting goods store.

In addition to Wilson and Dager,...

The "Me Too" movement allowed women to open up about traumatic experiences with sexual assault and harassment at their jobs, especially in the entertainment business. Olivia Munn was one of the first people to make public accusations against director Brett Ratner in 2017.

The actress has been outspoken about different uncomfortable moments on set, including with Ratner, who she accused of masturbating in front of her in his trailer while visiting the set of After the Sunset in 2004. In a new appearance on Monica Lewinski's podcast Reclaiming, the actress reflected on "traumatic" events on the movie set. She also highlighted she reported the issue, but it came with the obligation of an NDA.

Related'Unsubstantial Hearsay': Justin Baldoni's Team Reacts to Blake Lively's Amended Lawsuit

Blake Lively followed her co-star Justin Baldoni's legal moves and updated her lawsuit on Feb. 18.

Addressing her journey with anxiety, she explained that it all...

Spike Lee has shared the first look at his latest film, “Highest 2 Lowest,” with lead actor A$AP Rocky in a prison jumpsuit. The first-look image was posted just 24 hours after A$AP Rocky was found not guilty in a semiautomatic firearm case.

A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, made his acting debut in 2015 coming-of-age film “Dope.” He went on to appear in “Zoolander 2” (2016) and in a short film with his romantic partner Rihanna. Now, the rapper is staking his claim in the indie-film game: A$AP Rocky stars in two A24 features out this year: Sundance hit “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” and Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest.”

In the film, A$AP Rocky stars as Yung Felon, the lead character in the reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low.” Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Ice Spice also star.

As a director, Ben Stiller is a wily one. After skimming the surface of Gen-x disillusionment with his debut feature "Reality Bites," the son of comedians Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara made his name helming silly-smart films whose zany exteriors belie their depth. Take his 1996 comedy "The Cable Guy." Though it initially proved to be something of a divisively dark curiosity (Roger Ebert actually listed it among his picks for the worst movies of its year), it's since undergone a reevaluation and is now regarded as being prescient in its satirization of the public's true crime obsession. Stiller's 2001 fashion industry burlesque "Zoolander" has likewise become a full-fledged cult classic, while his edgy takedown of Hollywood ego and excess, "Tropic Thunder," is just as audacious now as it was when it first arrived in 2008.

In contrast to their barbed social commentary, these films are pretty broad when it comes to their humor and characterization.

The early 2000s were known for a number of outlandish comedy films. With creative minds like Judd Apatow and Adam McKay in the director and producer's seat and hilarious actors like Seth Rogen and Will Ferrell bringing their films to life, many of the films that emerged during this period shaped how modern audiences perceive comedy.

Today, the comedy genre can feel distant from this pivotal period, although more diverse voices are making a name for themselves in the comedic field. It's fun to revisit the past and remember the films that reflected a time that was truly like no other.

This Dramedy Was So Resonant, it Was Nominated For Best Picture Juno

Definitely a more dramatic pick among these entries, hence why it's at the technical last spot, Juno featured a variety of powerful moments ranging from hilarious to heart-wrenching. The film stars Eliot Page as witty teenager Juno...

It’s not often that actors criticise their own work. But whether it’s down to movies being slammed for whitewashing or transphobia – or just shonky sets – occasionally they feel they have no choice

When it comes to what movies can get away with, tastes change fast. Just ask Benedict Cumberbatch, who decided to play for laughs a non-binary character named All in Ben Stiller’s 2016 film Zoolander 2. That said, the role was controversial at the time – there was an online petition urging a boycott. But it has only looked more tone-deaf over time.

Cis actor Benedict Cumberbatch is once again apologizing for playing a non-binary character in Zoolander 2, which was not a ridiculously good look. "I’ve had to apologize for that quite a lot. It’s a difficult one to talk about,” Cumberbatch said when the character, named All, came up...

Benedict Cumberbatch is looking back at his career.

In a new interview, the 48-year-old Oscar-nominated actor reflected on a past controversial movie role that he admits he regrets and says he “wouldn’t do” now.

Keep reading to find out more…Back in 2016, Benedict playing All, a character described as a non-binary fashion model, in Ben Stiller‘s comedy Zoolander 2.

“It’s a difficult one to talk about,” Benedict said of the role in a new interview with Variety.

As soon as the trailer for the movie was first released, Benedict faced a lot of backlash from LGBTQ+ activists, who spoke out against the movie’s apparent jokes surrounding the character’s gender.

“I’ve had to apologize for that quite a lot,” Benedict added.

While talking about his co-stars Ben, Owen Wilson, and Will Ferrell, Benedict said, “I love that group of people and it was the chance...

Benedict Cumberbatch recently reflected on his most controversial movie role to date, and revealed he has apologized profusely to audiences and fans for what was described by many as a transphobic performance. As well as bringing Sherlock Holmes to the 21st Century in the aptly titled Sherlock, and playing another eponymous hero in the McU's Doctor Strange, Cumberbatch has occasionally made some questionable project choices. Easily the worst of them all was to take on a small "satirical" role in the panned 2016 sequel, Zoolander 2, which saw Ben Stiller return as Derek Zoolander and Owen Wilson reprise the role of Hansel. Cumberbatch played a non-binary model, named All, and audiences hated the character.

During a recent interview with Variety, Cumberbatch recounted the controversial role and revealed that he repeatedly apologizes to audiences and fans when it is brought up, saying he will never play another character like that again. "I...

Marvel Cinematic Universe star Benedict Cumberbatch has drawn some high acclaim for his performances, though there's one role he's taken on he's not quite so fond of these days. Looking back at his role in the 2016 film Zoolander 2, Cumberbatch now feels he "probably" wouldn't play a non-binary character after learning that his performance had been offensive to some viewers.

Cumberbatch, who is expected to appear in at least one of the upcoming Avengers films as Doctor Strange, spoke about his Zoolander 2 role in a new interview for Variety's "Know Their Lives" video series. He confirmed that he's had to apologize many times for taking on the role, having siince become more aware of how upsetting it could be to some people watching. Though Cumberbatch noted that his performance was "misunderstood," he also noted how he still understands and respects why it may have been offensive. With that said,...

Benedict Cumberbatch recently participated in Variety’s “Know Their Lives” video series and shared some regret over his controversial role in Ben Stiller’s “Zoolander 2.” The “Doctor Strange” actor played a non-binary fashion model named All in the comedy sequel, which was an infamous box office flop in 2016 with just $28 million at the domestic box office.

“I’ve had to apologize for that quite a lot. It’s a difficult one to talk about,” Cumberbatch said about playing a non-binary role. “I love that group of people and it was the chance to sort of be part of something that the first time around was iconic and I was a huge fan of. But it got complicated and it got misunderstood and I upset people. I respect that, so I probably wouldn’t do that again now.”

Cumberbatch’s role in “Zoolander 2” drew backlash as soon as the...

Ben Stiller has admitted he has no idea why he became one of the most successful comedy stars in Hollywood. The Zoolander star’s films have made more than $3 billion at the worldwide box office.

Stiller starred in some of the biggest comedy franchises of the 2000s – including Night at the Museum, Meet the Parents and the animated Madagascar movies. Yet, in a recent interview with The New York Times, Stiller insisted he never understood why he became one of Hollywood’s most successful comedic leads. “I remember opening up The L.A. Times, and there was this writer who wrote a letter: ‘Dear God, stop putting Ben Stiller in comedies.’ I was just like, I don’t know, I’m here, I love doing what I do.”

Stiller explained that it’s “only in retrospect” that he realized how “fortunate” he was to be at the forefront of comedy in the 2000s.

Ben Stiller has been in a lot of movies over the years that have been hit or miss with critics, but when it comes to the film of his that he thinks pundits completely missed the point of? That’s easy: Zoolander 2. Stiller reprised his role as male supermodel Derek Zoolander for the 2016 sequel, which – like the first film – he also directed and co-wrote. Produced on a budget of $55 million, the movie was a box-office flop, earning just $56 million in receipts.

Nominated for seven Golden Raspberry Awards, Zoolander 2 was heavily panned by critics (and fans) for being nothing more than a rehash of the first movie. The film sees Stiller’s character reunite with Owen Wilson’s Hansel McDonald after years of living in seclusion, only for the two to team up with Valentina Valencia (Penélope Cruz) to stop someone from killing the world’s most beautiful people.

Ben Stiller is one of the most notable comedic talents of his generation. He is known for his ability to shine in goofy films, such as The Night at the Museum, Dodgeball, or Meet the Parents. The comedian is also known for his work in front of and behind the camera. He made his directorial feature debut in 1994 with the romantic comedy Reality Bites, which was part of his claim to fame. After Reality Bites, Stiller directed other movies and TV episodes, including The Cable Guy and Tropic Thunder.

Stiller's comedies have also gotten sequels fairly often. Meet the Parents, for example, was followed up by Meet the Fockers, which then became a trilogy with the 2010 film Little Fockers. It's now expected to have a fourth installment, with Stiller expected to return. Night at the Museum is also a comedy trilogy, beginning with the 2006 film and ending with Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb...

Ben Stiller has been a key comedic actor throughout the past several decades. His work in the industry has been prominent both on and off-screen, as he has been a director, writer, and producer in addition to his acting work. On the behind-the-scenes side, his current biggest project is as an executive producer on Severance, whose second season comes out on Friday, January 17. In addition to his producing role, Stiller also served as a director on seven episodes of Severance season 1.

While his TV shows are more overtly serialized, Stiller's career has also included several comedy film franchises. These have been met with varying levels of success. Zoolander was followed up by Zoolander 2 over a decade later, but the sequel film was met with a much more negative response than the original. In addition to the Zoolander movies, Stiller also plays the lead role in the family-friendly Night at the Museum movies.

HBO is really committed to this whole "spending 10 years and the gross domestic product of a small country rebooting an improbably good film series for an audience that is more hostile to it than ever" thing, huh?

It would be beating a dead Thestral to go over the laundry list of reasons why a "Harry Potter" TV series is a strange idea at best, though any one of them -- most notably author J.K. Rowling's disturbing anti-trans social media rants -- could potentially make joining the series a real headache for any actor involved. But many can't help but wait with baited breath and perhaps, admittedly, some morbid curiosity to see who will be brave enough to tackle these iconic roles.

One of the most intriguing characters up for grabs is obviously the series' central antagonist -- the evil Lord Voldemort, whose inhuman, snake-like appearance and resurrection through dark...

A$AP Rocky is making moves with his film career: The rapper is starring in “Highest 2 Lowest,” Spike Lee’s upcoming reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s “High and Low” that also stars Denzel Washington.

A$AP Rocky’s casting was rumored after set photos circulated of him in character as Yung Felon. An individual with knowledge of the project has now confirmed to IndieWire that A$AP Rocky will have a leading role in feature. Jeffrey Wright, Ilfenesh Hadera, and Ice Spice are also listed as starring in the film.

“Highest 2 Lowest” is set as an Apple Original film, in partnership with A24 which plans to release the film theatrically before it streams on Apple TV+. This will be the first time that Washington and Lee will work together since 2006’s “Inside Man.” In total, it’s their fifth film together in addition to “Mo’ Better Blues,” “Malcolm X,...

Ben Stiller explains how he advocated to lower Zoolander's R rating. Zoolander has become one of Stiller's classic comedies, gaining more of a cult following in the over two decades since it was released. It follows the story of a ditzy fashion model who is brainwashed and tricked into killing the Prime Minister of Malaysia. It is directed by Stiller himself, who also plays the titular character Derek Zoolander. In addition to Stiller, Zoolander featured a leading cast including Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell, Christine Taylor, and Jerry Stiller.

Speaking in his Hot Ones interview, Stiller explains why he tried to get Zoolander's rating changed. The actor-director explained that the "goat orgy" was something that the MPA particularly did not take kindly to when deciding to give Zoolander a PG-13 versus R-rating. Stiller then had to go appeal to them to "talk about other movies that had come out" that featured...

Acclaimed filmmaker Michael Mann wants one of his most beloved movies, the only one to win an Oscar, to get a 4K Uhd release. The Last of the Mohicans, starring the iconic Daniel Day-Lewis, debuted in 1992 and is considered one of the director's best films.

In a recent sit-down with Collider to discuss the 25th anniversary of his 1999 film, The Insider, it was brought to Mann's attention that The Last of the Mohicans had not yet gotten a 4K Uhd release. He also discovered that The Insider and Thief are yet to arrive on 4K, denying the movies the benefits of the upgraded restoration. The Heat director is intent on righting these wrongs. "I didn't realize The Last of the Mohicans wasn't available in 4K," he said. "We absolutely gotta pursue that. Same thing with Insider."

Related 'She Destroyed Me': Ridley Scott Says 1 Critic Shattered Blade Runner's Box Office Prospects...

Zoolander 2 seemed an easy lay-up after the first film's breakout success. The sequel flopped, however, inflamed by scathing reviews from critics and audiences.

Ben Stiller's career had a great run in the 2000s; he appeared in more than 34 films in ten years. He debuted his most iconic roles in that decade, in Starsky & Hutch, Madagascar, Night at the Museum, Tropic Thunder, and Meet the Parents. 2001's Zoolander is also a cult classic with its slapstick satire of the fashion industry. Praised by critics, that film was a modest box-office success; it seemed poised to launch a franchise or a sequel at least. Zoolander 2 was released 15 years later, but it failed to capture the original's magic. Stiller told Hot Ones he still can't figure out why Zoolander 2 was overwhelmingly panned by critics.

Related Benedict Cumberbatch Reflects on Playing Zoolander 2's Nonbinary Character: 'It Backfired'

Benedict...

Ben Stiller is looking back at Zoolander 2 and still doesn’t understand why it didn’t match the first film’s success.

In an appearance on Hot Ones on December 5, Stiller opened up about the Zoolander sequel after host Sean Evans asked which of his movies “was most misunderstood or treated unfairly by critics.”

“It’s very hard to analyze why critics like something or don’t. I’m always surprised when critics love something and I’m always surprised when they hate something because it’s so subjective,” Stiller said.

He added, “It’s hard to think it was that bad, that people didn’t like it that much. But maybe I’m wrong.”

Earlier this year, Stiller said he felt “blindsided” by the comedy sequel’s box office results.

“I thought everybody wanted this,” Stiller said on David Duchovny’s podcast Fail Better (via People). “And then it’s like,...

Ben Stiller appeared on “Hot Ones” and confirmed that the team behind “Meet the Fockers” had to find a real person with the Focker surname in order to prevent the MPA (then called the MPAA) from giving the comedy an R rating. The 2004 film was the sequel to “Meet the Parents” and became a blockbuster hit with $522 million worldwide, which made it the seventh highest-grossing movie of the year.

“I think that is true. Yeah,” Stiller said. “It was a PG-13 and they thought it was too close to ‘fucker.’ Yes. They have to clear names. … Something like that did happen.”

“I also remember having to go to the MPAA when they wanted to give ‘Zoolander’ an R rating because the goat orgy is something they didn’t care for or think was wholesome enough,” Stiller continued about his ratings battles over the years. “I wrote a little speech and...

Plot: A Chicago executive (Ben Stiller) must look after his late sister’s four rambunctious children while trying to find them a foster home the state won’t separate them.

Review: Believe it or not, it’s been seven whole years since Ben Stiller last headlined a movie. Granted, he hasn’t exactly been idle, with him making a whole new name for himself as a director with the limited series Escape at Dannemora and then his major hit for Apple TV +, Severance (which has a second season on the way). Given this new move behind the camera, outside of cameos, he hasn’t headlined a movie since the one-two punch of Brad’s Status and The Meyerowitz Stories back in 2017. The last Frat Pack-style Stiller movie was Zoolander 2 from the year before (a movie whose failure reportedly deeply shook his confidence).

His return to form, Nutcrackers, casts Stiller to type,...

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch gained fame for playing the titular character in BBC’s Sherlock. He later shot to superstardom with his performance as Dr. Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As most of Cumberbatch’s roles have proven to be a hit with audiences, one of his most controversial roles has fallen to the side and been mostly forgotten.

Doctor Strange star Benedict Cumberbatch appeared in Zoolander 2 (Credits: Marvel Studios).

In an interview, Cumberbatch spoke about his casting in the role of a transgender person for the much-awaited second installment in the Zoolander franchise. However, Cumberbatch’s casting wasn’t received well and faced severe backlash from the LGBTQ+ community, resulting in the actor regretting his decision. Here is what Cumberbatch had to say about his Zoolander 2 role.

Benedict Cumberbatch Regretted His Most Controversial Role to Date in Zoolander 2

Benedict Cumberbatch was cast in the role of All,...

The big-screen adaptation of “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande as the famed young witches Elphaba and Glinda, is filled with all sorts of easter eggs and nods to the hit Broadway musical as well as “The Wizard of Oz.” But one detail of the film caught the eye of Grande’s fanbase in particular.

The Universal movie, directed by Jon M. Chu, began screening for press, critics and influencers last month, and as audience members shared their rave reviews and first reactions on social media, fans quickly noticed that Grande is billed “Ariana Grande-Butera” in the film’s end credits.

It doesn’t take more than cursory Google search to educate the uninitiated, but Grande-Butera is the Grammy-winning superstar’s birth name. Still, it’s a conspicuous addition since Grande has never used her full name professionally.

As the “Wicked” world press tour kicked off on Sunday in Australia,...

Ariana Grande reacts to blacklash over her Wicked casting. The Grammy-winning pop singer was cast to play Glinda, the good witch, alongside Cynthia Erivo's titular witch, Elphaba in Jon M. Chu's upcoming film adaptation of the Tony-winning musical. Ever since the news about Grande's casting was made public in 2021, it has received mixed reactions online.

In an interview with the Sentimental Men podcast, Grande responds to fans doubting her casting. The star admitted that she felt "initial nervousness" about what she "might be able to deliver or not deliver" and whether she'd be "wrong" for the part. With fans who only know her musical side, the actor admitted that she understood why she received backlash about her casting, especially when many had waited decades for the Wicked movie. However, the actor reminded fans "that's bullsh*t," given that she got her start on Broadway. Check out what...

It's often been said that Hollywood loves a sequel, but there are some upcoming comedy seques that nobody could have anticipated. Classic comedies from 20, 30, or even 40 years ago are suddenly being given sequels. This isn't exactly uncharted territory, since franchises like Ghostbusters, Beverly Hills Cop and Bill & Ted have all been resurrected in recent years, but there are some upcoming sequels even stranger than these.

Comedy sequels are notoriously difficult, since so many comedies rely on a solid premise. Once that premise is used up, it isn't easy to construct a movie that brings the best out of the same characters. This can be especially difficult if there is a big gap between sequels, since tastes could change. Movies like Zoolander 2 and Dumb and Dumber To show how much can go wrong with a comedy sequel, but this hasn't prevented studios from bringing some old ideas back to life.

After spending a few years behind the scenes, mainly producing the award-winning drama Severance for Apple, Ben Stiller is back in the acting saddle for good. He is set to star in Hulu's dark comedy Nutcrackers that is releasing later this year on the streamer, but his next role has already been set. Stiller will find himself acting opposite New Girl alum and Spider-Verse actor Jake Johnson in The Dink, a return to a genre all-too-familiar for the Dodgeball: A True Underdog star.

According to several trade reports, Ben Stiller is producing The Dink as well as acting in a supporting capacity opposite Jake Johnson, who will play the lead in the upcoming sports comedy. The film follows a washed tennis pro, played by Johnson, who is forced to break his one rule playing pickleball for a greater cause. Stiller will have an important supporting role, alongside a...

The long-awaited second season of Apple TV+'s hit show, Severance, is inching closer towards its release date. Fans of the show have had to wait nearly three years for the series to begin answering questions posed during the first season's finale, and executive producer Ben Stiller promises it will be worth the wait.

Severance centers around a group of employees at Lumon Industries, who have all undergone the severance procedure, which splits the person's work and personal life memories. As the team in the Macrodata Refinement department uncover a potential conspiracy taking place at Lumon, the group decides to take actions into their own hands and attempt to uncover the real mystery of what is taking place at the mysterious biotechnology company. The series stars Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, Britt Lower, Tramell Tillman, Dichen Lachman, John Turturro, Patricia Arquette, and Christopher Walken.

Related This Recent Sci-Fi Series Has One...

Ben Stiller never intended to go so long without leading a movie. The fan-favorite actor recently opened up about taking a seven-year break (save for the odd cameo) from movies, revealing that it was never the plan.

While speaking with Variety about his new comedy Nutcrackers, Stiller admitted, "I never thought Id take this much time away from acting," promising his fans that "it wasnt intentional; it was just how things evolved." The actor explained that he got busy with Severance, the Apple TV+ series he executive produces and directs, which largely prevented him from taking on other jobs. However, when the 2023 Hollywood strikes happened, delaying production of Severance Season 2, Stiller found himself unexpectedly available, leading him to board Nutcrackers, which received a waiver from the unions to shoot given that it was made outside the studio system.

Related 'Hollywood Just Gets Funnier': Tropic Thunder Co-Writer Teases Potential Sequel

The...

Quick Links The Self-Awareness Behind the 21 Jump Street Franchise 22 Jump Street Keeps the Key Creative Team in Place 22 Jump Street Doesn't Take the Action Too Far Ice Cube Has a Bigger Role in 22 Jump Street 22 Jump Street Features Plenty of College Movie Tropes 22 Jump Street Pokes Fun at Studios' Obsession With Franchises Rare comedic sequels like 22 Jump Street succeed by being self-aware and expanding on what made the first film great. The sequel doesn't rely on bigger action but focuses on the humor and chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. The end credits hilariously poke fun at the obsession with franchises and possible sequels, showcasing the film's self-awareness.

Even when comedies were thriving and healthy at the box office, comedic sequels, for the most part, largely missed the mark. Sometimes it's only possible to catch comedic lightning in a bottle once, and...

Famed for his portrayal of FBI agent Fox Mulder, David Duchovny has branched off into quite a few successful stints as an actor, writer, musician, and producer. In his latest tryst with fate, the X-Files actor kick-started his podcast Fail Better. In a reflection of his trials and missteps, his latest venture goes as far as to invite esteemed guests and talk about failures. The unconventional approach, however, has a deeper meaning, especially to him, on a personal basis.

David Duchovny | Gage Skidmore for Wikimedia Commons

To answer the burning question as to why he switched his tracks from being a popular actor to now hosting a talk show of sorts, the 63-year-old opened up on the same. Additionally, he also dished out why he would invite some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry and have them walk him through their defeats and constraints, in front of a global audience.

Maggie Gyllenhaal has added another cast member to her upcoming take on The Bride of Frankenstein, and it's someone she knows very well.

In a new piece on the Spider-Man: Far From Home and Roadhouse star, THR reports that Jake Gyllenhaal has joined the cast of The Bride!, but don't reveal any details on his character.

Gyllenhaal (Maggie) recently took to Instagram to share the first ever production stills from the film, giving us a glimpse of Christian Bale as Frankenstein's Monster, and Jessie Buckley as the misunderstood creature's titular Bride.

We first heard about this project back in 2022 when it was being developed for Netflix, but a follow-up report indicated that the film had been shelved shortly after the Hollywood strikes got underway, and was being shopped elsewhere. More recently, we'd learn that Warner Bros. had acquired The Bride!, which is now set for a theatrical release on October 3rd,...

James Gunn's Superman movie has recruited a former Saturday Night Live star to join the cast. Beck Bennett has joined the upcoming film and his role has already been revealed.

The Hollywood Reporter has reported that Bennett has boarded the cast of Superman, though this hasn't yet been officially confirmed by Gunn or DC Studios at this time. Bennett is reportedly playing a "notable reporter" at the Daily Planet, joining David Corenswet's Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo's Jimmy Olsen, and Wendell Pierce's Perry White. The movie also stars Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and Mara Gabriela de Fara as The Engineer.

Related Superman: Dcu Fans Believe New Cast Photo Has Revealed Steve Lombard Actor

DC fans think they have figured out who James...

There's been chatter online for a while that James Gunn's Superman might include Steve Lombard. While it's still not confirmed, a new behind-the-scenes photo of the movie's cast has sent speculation into overdrive.

As you'll see below, Saturday Night Live alum Beck Bennett was spotted alongside the cast and crew, leaving many fans convinced he's playing the Daily Planet's cocky sports columnist.

He may have just been visiting friends, of course, but the facial hair does feel like a dead giveaway!

In the comics, Lombard - created by Cary Bates and Curt Swan in 1973's Superman #264 - is a sports reporter and later sports anchor for the Daily Planet, the same newspaper where Clark Kent and Lois Lane work.

Known for his brash and often arrogant personality, Steve is depicted as a former professional football player who brings his jock mentality to the newsroom. He is notorious for playing practical jokes on his colleagues,...

Six TV showrunners will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2024 Emmy Awards and other TV awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Thursday, May 30, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Ray Richmond and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.

RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.

The Daily Show

Synopsis: A comedy news show featuring humorous takes on top stories.

Bio: Jen Flanz is an 8-time Emmy winner for “The Daily Show” among 21 career nominations.

Lawmen: Bass Reeves

Synopsis: About the legendary lawman Bass Reeves, one of the greatest frontier heroes and...

Comedy movies require the perfect mix of writers, actors, and a great premise, making successful sequels a rare feat. Attempts to replicate the magic of original comedies often fall short, especially if the joke has gone stale. Big-name casts and cameos are not enough to save sequels if they lose the essence of what made the original movie great.

Great comedy movies can feel like catching lightning in a bottle, and this often means that sequels fail to live up to the originals. Comedy is notoriously difficult to replicate. A brilliant comedy movie requires the perfect combination of writers and actors working together with an interesting premise and plenty of room to explore. Changing any of the many parts involved in making a movie can lead to a complete collapse, and a disappointing sequel.

Because comedy is so hard to replicate, there aren't very many successful comedy franchises. However, some...

While Ben Stiller has seemingly shifted into filmmaking full-time, he directed most of the hit sci-fi psychological thriller series, “Severance,” for Apple TV+; he’s obviously known for a celebrated comedy career. Directing and starring in hit comedies like “Zoolander,” “Tropic Thunder” and “The Cable Guy” (though only a tiny part in the latter), the comedian has reflected on the failure of “Zoolander 2” in a new interview with Fail Better podcast.

Continue reading Ben Stiller Was Shocked By “Blindsiding” Failure Of ‘Zoolander 2’: “I F—ed This Up” at The Playlist.

"Zoolander 2" didn't have the best debut back in 2016. The sequel to Ben Stiller's 2001 comedy classic made just $55 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. Considering movies generally need to double their budget in order for the studio to start seeing a return on investment, that isn't all that great. Such a poor box office showing was made worse by the critical response, with the film currently sitting at a dismal 22% on Rotten Tomatoes. Indeed, /Film's review criticized "Zoolander 2" for being as stupid and out of touch as Derek Zoolander himself.

There was no reason why "Zoolander 2" needed to be as bad as it was, though. The sequel reassembled the stars of the original, with Stiller joined by Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell. Like its predecessor, the film also featured multiple celebrity cameos, including one particularly distasteful turn from Benedict Cumberbatch as a non-binary character. Okay, maybe there...

Zoolander 2 failed to reach the success of the original film, leading Ben Stiller to rethink his comedic approach. Despite the disappointing turn of the sequel, Stiller used the experience as an opportunity for introspection and growth. The aftermath of Zoolander 2 prompted Stiller to explore new genres, leading to successful projects in crime drama and television.

Ben Stiller has had a fair share of hits over the years and one of them was 2001's Zoolander, a film that scored at the box office and became a comedic cult hit in the process with movie fans. Despite the success of the film, a sequel wouldn't arrive until 15 years later, when Zoolander 2 was released in 2016. All signs pointed to the movie being a potential hit, but it was met with dismal reviews and a pitiful box office. Now Stiller is admitting that the film's disappointing turn completely blindsided him.

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Ben Stiller still can’t get over just how much “Zoolander 2” flopped.

Despite the writer/actor/director previously crediting the critically-panned sequel for jumpstarting his dramatic directing career with “Escape From Dannemora” and “Severance,” Stiller revisited the box office bomb during David Duchovny’s “Fail Better” podcast (via People).

“I thought everybody wanted this,” Stiller said of the 2016 sequel to his 2001 classic comedy. “And then it’s like, ‘Wow, I must have really fucked this up. Everybody didn’t go to it. And it’s gotten these horrible reviews.'”

Stiller even questioned his own comedic take given the reception to the feature.

“It really freaked me out because I was like, ‘I didn’t know was that bad?’” Stiller said. “What scared me the most on that one was l’m losing what I think what’s funny, the questioning yourself … on ‘Zoolander 2,’ it was definitely blindsiding to me.

It is quite a common occurrence that if a comedian is extremely funny, they have probably dabbled in writing, creating, and directing at some point. While a lot of them see great success through this, there are the rare few who fail miserably and never look that way again. Unfortunately for Ben Stiller, his case was the latter.

Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum

Although he is primarily known for his comedy, the actor was also the man behind the camera in the 2001 film Zoolander, acting as director. The film was a hit and became a cult classic in the best of ways. This is why, when the decision to make a second film was announced, fans were excited. However, when Zoolander 2 hit theaters, the reaction was concerningly negative.

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Ben Stiller’s Zoolander is an infinitely quotable cult classic among comedy aficionadoes, and a sequel should have been easier to pull off than turning left. Still, the film failed epically, creating a reckoning for Stiller. Speaking with David Duchovny on the actor’s Fail Better podcast, Stiller says he was “blindsided” by the box office bombing of Zoolander 2 after thinking it would surprise fans more than David Bowie’s cameo in the original film.

“I thought everybody wanted this,” Stiller said about the sequel to his 2001 meme-worthy comedy. “And then it’s like, ‘Wow, I must have really f—ed this up. Everybody didn’t go to it. And it’s gotten these horrible reviews.”

“It really freaked me out because I was like, ‘I didn’t know it was that bad?’ ” Stiller continued. “What scared me the most on that one was I’m losing what I think what’s funny,...

Ben Stiller opens up about Zoolander 2’s box office when it premiered, saying he felt “blindsided” by the results.

Stiller directed the action comedy sequel, which he co-wrote alongside Justin Theroux, Nick Stoller, and John Hamburg. It was released in 2016 and opened to $15.9M over a Valentine’s weekend. The film grossed domestically $29M with a $50M budget.

“I thought everybody wanted this,” Stiller said on David Duchovny’s podcast Fail Better (via People). “And then it’s like, ‘Wow, I must have really f***ed this up. Everybody didn’t go to it. And it’s gotten these horrible reviews.”

He continued, “It really freaked me out because I was like, ‘I didn’t know was that bad?’ What scared me the most on that one was l’m losing what I think what’s funny, the questioning yourself … on Zoolander 2, it was definitely blindsiding to me.

Ben Stiller recalls questioning his comedic sensibilities after the failure of Zoolander 2. The sequel to his 2001 comedy was lambasted by critics and earned only $56.7 million at the box office, making it a major disappointment. Zoolander 2 failed due to a weak script and a reliance on celebrity cameos over the funny jokes and satire that made the first movie such a success.

Zoolander 2 director and star Ben Stiller candidly reflects on the negative reception to his 2016 sequel. After the success of the first film in 2001, which he also directed, Stiller returned as fashion model Derek Zoolander for an Italy-set follow-up. The movie was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews and was a box office flop, earning only $56.7 million on an estimated production budget of $50 million.

In a recent interview with People, Stiller recalls the profound impact that Zoolander 2's failure had on him at the time. According the actor,...

Ben Stiller has just opened up about Zoolander 2 flopping, and revealed he didn't expect the film to be a commercial failure. The first movie premiered in 2001, with the sequel following in 2016.

2001's was a satire on the wacky industry, and it became a cult classic that found so much success over time that it received a sequel. However, the sequel wasn't as well received, and Ben Stiller, who directed, wrote, produced, and starred in the film, didn't anticipate the commercial and critical failure. Stiller opened up about the Zoolander 2's disappointing reception with David Duchovny on Duchovny's upcoming podcast, Fail Better.

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"I thought everybody wanted this," Stiller said of the follow-up to the 2001 comedy (via People). However, the movie was poorly received and the target of several memes.

Ben Stiller has opened up about the film which turned him onto TV: the controversial comedy Zoolander 2. More below…

With a career packed with some of the most beloved comedies of the 2000s (including the original Zoolander in 2001), it’s safe to say that Zoolander 2 doesn’t find itself gracing many Ben Stiller “best of” lists.

As it turns out, the critical and commercial flop of the modelling industry follow-up came as a bit of a shock for Stiller, as the actor-director reportedly told David Duchovny on an upcoming podcast (per People).

“I thought everybody wanted this,” Stiller said. “And then it’s like, ‘Wow, I must have really fucked this up. Everybody didn’t go to it. And it’s gotten these horrible reviews.'”

Critics and audiences alike rejected the 2016 sequel, which debuted to pretty sniffy reviews and grossed just $56.7m off a $50-55m budget.

Ben Stiller has said in the past that “Zoolander 2” flopping at the box office was “not a great experience,” but he now admitted on an upcoming episode of David Duchovny’s “Fail Better” podcast (via People) that he was blindsided by the disastrous results that met his 2016 sequel. After all, the original “Zoolander” became one of his most beloved and quoted movies in the years after its 2001 theatrical release.

“I thought everybody wanted this,” Stiller said of the “Zoolander” sequel. “And then it’s like, ‘Wow, I must have really fucked this up. Everybody didn’t go to it. And it’s gotten these horrible reviews.'”

“It really freaked me out because I was like, ‘I didn’t know was that bad?'” Stiller continued. “What scared me the most on that one was l’m losing what I think what’s funny, the questioning yourself … on ‘Zoolander 2,...