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Tom Hardy personally requested his longtime friend to take on the directing duties for Venom: The Last Dance. Hardy and Kelly Marcel have collaborated on the Venom trilogy for over seven years. In this latest installment, Marcel had the opportunity to make her directorial debut, an achievement in which Hardy had a role to play.

A still from Venom: The Last Dance | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing

Marcel and Hardy were friends even before they worked together on Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. They met each other when Hardy hosted an acting workshop near the video rental shop in London where Marcel worked part-time in the late 2000s. He brought her in to do uncredited rewrites for his 2008 British film, Bronson.

Tom Hardy Wanted Kelly Marcel As The Director Of Venom: The Last Dance Tom Hardy in Kelly Marcel’s Venom: The Last Dance | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing

Tom Hardy‘s Venom: The Last Dance...

Do you want to watch the "After" movies but you're not quite sure where to logistically begin? I may be able to lend a hand with that.

For the uninitiated, the "After" film series is based on author Anna Todd's book series of the same name — and the backstory here is actually pretty wild. Todd, who once wrote under the username Imaginator1D on the fanfiction site Wattpad, penned "After" as a story about a regular girl who ends up in a torrid, steamy romance with Harry Styles Fanfiction making the leap into legitimate literary territory isn't anything new; "Fifty Shades of Grey" began its life as a work of "Twilight" fanfiction, a fact that I cannot ever possibly unlearn. Knowing that the "After" series is about a very real person, though, might feel a little strange when you sit down to read or watch the stories.

In any case,...

Kelly Marcel and Tom Hardy are fitting dance partners for Eddie Brock and Venom’s final go-round in Venom: The Last Dance. The longtime screenwriter turned director has been friends with Hardy since the early 2000s, as they both worked across the street from one another in Southwest London. Marcel was employed at a video rental store, and after hitting it off one day, she soon started writing scenes for Hardy’s theater company that was run out of the first floor of Battersea’s The Latchmere pub. Eventually, Hardy brought Marcel in to do uncredited rewrites on Nicolas Winding Refn’s Bronson (2008), something she’d again do years later on George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road (2015).

In the intervening years, she launched her career by selling Terra Nova to Amblin and Fox. It would go on to become TV’s most expensive series at the time, and despite creating the concept,...

Not to give you a fright head of Halloween, but an alarming number of fan-favorite movies will be leaving Netflix by the end of October 2024. We all know that movies tend to come and go on Netflix, so even though a long list of movies are departing Netflix this month, the cycle will continue and some might even pop back up in future months.

Last month saw the departures of the Divergent and Fifty Shades of Grey movies, along with beloved movies like A Walk to Remember and The Breakfast Club. This month, as many hit movies are leaving Netflix, too. The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Crazy Rich Asians, It Follows, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and more have already left with lots more still to leave.

If you're hoping to have a Chucky marathon on Halloween, you're in luck. You'll be able to watch right under the wire, as...

In “Baby Girl”, Nicole Kidman is a CEO who can’t control her lust! The film will be released on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, in the USA. Nicole Kidman plays a corporate CEO named Romy who decides to have an affair with a younger intern named Samuel played by Harris Dickinson. The temptation and the allure are not just that the intern is younger but that the affair involves Bdsm, sadism, and masochism). Antonio Banderas plays Jacob, the husband. It’s almost hilariously ironic that the actor once described as “so de sexy” in an SNL skit gets his bed robbed by a younger man. Could the young man possibly be more “de sexy”? It was probably the husband’s gray beard that caused his wife to desire “forbidden fruit”. The CEO is not just willing to risk losing her husband but destroying her entire family relationship, i.e her husband and children,...

Hollywood drama tends to get a little spicy at times, and when things go south, it often shows how hard it is to go about writing, filming, directing, and acting in a movie. This is what the Fifty Shades of Grey controversies conveyed to movie lovers all over the world.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan in Fifty Shades of Grey | Credits: Focus Features/Universal Pictures

Issues stemmed from the initial release itself, with the controversies revolving around the book’s writer and Sam Taylor-Johnson, who directed the first film and dipped right after. Fans also had issues with how things were portrayed on screen, and the casting, and then there was also a rumored feud between both lead actors, which they debunked.

The recent Qantas incident is a reminder of the issue fans had with Fifty Shades of Grey

While traveling, people generally expect to be treated with great hospitality,...

Bdsm became a household name ever since the release of “Fifty Shades of Grey” in 2015. However, the cinematic portrayal of Bdsm had its early encounters even in the nascent years of cinema. Right from early silent cinema to contemporary movies, the theme or trope of Bdsm has traversed a diverse landscape, reflecting the intricate interplay of power dynamics, human desire and sexuality, and societal attitudes. From the veiled insinuations of early cinema to the more explicit explorations of recent years, filmmakers have grappled with representing these complex and often misunderstood aspects of human sexuality.

The representation of Bdsm in cinema has evolved over time, mirroring changing public opinion, censorship norms, and artistic expression. While some movies have been praised for their nuanced portrayals and exploration of emotional connections within Bdsm relationships, others have faced criticism for sensationalism or inaccuracies in depicting these practices. The Bdsm community has particularly indulged in...

Colin Farrell has been active in the industry for the past two and a half decades, but his best roles appear to have come late in his career. The Irish actor’s only Academy Award nomination came for the role in The Banshees of Inisherin. In the same year as the tragicomedy, he also starred in Matt Reeves’ The Batman as the Penguin, a role that got a spin-off movie of its own.

Colin Farrell in The Banshees of Inisherin | Credits: Searchlight Pictures

The Penguin, which premiered on September 19, has received critical acclaim, proving that Farrell has put the days of dreading his Alexander role behind him. His personal life has been more colorful in the 2000s than his career, as he was romantically linked to several A-list stars and models. Did he settle down with any of them?

Was Colin Farrell Married to Jamie Dornan’s Wife? Amelia Warner...

In the wake of Sony’s success with Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us, which racked up $344.5M worldwide, Universal is getting in on the action with the New York Times bestselling author, having landed rights to her novel Reminders of Him. Though no director or stars are attached as of yet, the studio has aggressively dated the movie for Feb. 13, 2026 — the same Valetine’s Day corridor in which they’ve played their Fifty Shades of Grey movies.

Reminders of Him has sold over 5 million copies domestically, 6.5 million copies globally, and has been translated into 45 languages.

The novel follows Kenna Rowan, who returns to town after a five-year prison stint, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter. But the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild. Everyone in her daughter’s life is determined to shut Kenna out, no matter how hard she works to prove herself. The...

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman had a whirlwind romance. Being two very successful and well-known stars in Hollywood, every step of their relationship was public information. From when they first got together, to when Kidman walked away from her divorce feeling more free than ever, the world knew everything there was to know.

Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in Eyes Wide Shut. | Credit: Warner Bros.

However, the pair parted ways in 2001 and never looked back. Cruise found Katie Holmes, and Kidman found Keith Urban. The question that arises now is, if so much time has passed, why are they making headlines again?

Nicole Kidman Reminisces Past with Tom Cruise

In recent months, Nicole Kidman has been surprisingly reminiscent of her past relationship with Tom Cruise, even though it was rumored that the pair did not end on good terms. During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, the actress talked...

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and wife Sam are enjoying a day out.

The 34-year-old Bullet Train actor and the 57-year-old Fifty Shades of Grey director walked arm-in-arm around Paris, France on Monday afternoon (Sept. 30).

For their outing, Aaron looked cool in a tan trench coat over a denim jacket and white T-shirt paired with jeans while Sam sported an olive-green coat over a black blouse and black leather pants.

The following day, Sam joined tons of other stars at the Chanel Fashion Show.

If you missed it, Aaron showed off his ripped six-packs abs while sharing some shirtless photos from a recent beach vacation with Sam!

Aaron will next be starring in the upcoming horror movie Nosferatu alongside Lily-Rose Depp, Bill Skarsgard, Willem Dafoe, and Nicholas Hoult, which hits theaters on Christmas Day. Watch the trailer here!

The trailer for Nicole Kidman’s Erotic Thriller Babygirl is out for everyone to watch after the film blew the audiences away at the Venice Film Festival. Along with a roaring 7-minute standing ovation, it also won Kidman the esteemed ‘Best Actress’ award. However, after watching the film’s trailer for the first time, many fans couldn’t resist making Fifty Shades of Grey

comparisons and it makes total sense.

Screenshot from Babygirl Trailer (YouTube)

Babygirl boasts a stellar cast lineup that includes Oscar-nominated Antonio Banderas, The Iron Claw Star Harris Dickinson, and more. By now, all of us are well-versed with the film’s risqué themes and the overlap with Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan-led Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) is too hard to ignore. But Kidman’s performance in this film could just be the masterclass Johnson needed before making her claim to fame 2015 film that holds some...

Range Media Partners has signed multi-hyphenate talent Rita Ora for representation in all areas, including music, film/TV, endorsements and more.

As a musician, Ora has accumulated more than 10 billion global streams and scored 13 top 10 U.K. singles, including 4 No. 1 hits in the U.K. In TV and film, Ora just began her second season as a panelist on Fox’s “The Masked Singer” and recently starred in the hit Disney Channel original movie “Descendants: Rise of Red.”

“I’m very excited to be working with Range Media Partners,” stated Ora. “I’ve always approached my career with a 360 viewpoint on the industry. It’s been an integral part of my vision, and it was essential to partner with a team that is fully aligned and experts across music, film/TV, and branding. We have been off to an immediate great start, and I’m really looking forward to all...

While Nicole Kidman has been busy starring in practically every prestige limited drama series as of late, she’s been keeping a secret.

The trailer for her new movie “Babygirl” dropped Tuesday morning and it’s teasing more than her return to the silver screen amid some silver bells. In fact, A24 describes the film as: “A high-powered CEO puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern.”

When Kidman’s boss character is saved from a potential dog attack by a young, handsome stranger (Harris Dickinson), the chemistry in their brief interaction is tested when he winds up under her mentorship. Except, he ends up being the one with the power — going so far as making her drink milk and beg for more.

After premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, TheWrap’s Ben Croll reviewed the movie as a...

Here’s how Arnold Schwarzenegger emerged victorious in his box office battle with Sylvester Stallone! (Photo Credit – Koimoi)

Sylvester Stallone just came clean on something action fans have been debating forever—Arnold Schwarzenegger straight-up won their epic box office battle. In Arnold, Netflix’s doc that dives into the legend’s life, Sly admits that Arnie took the crown in their ’80s and ’90s rivalry. The doc breaks down everything—from Arnie’s bodybuilding days, his Hollywood takeover, and even his stint as the Governator. But the juicy rivalry between him and Stallone steals the show.

Both action stars had a fierce rivalry previously. Sylvester Stallone‘s Rambo and Schwarzenegger’s Terminator ruled the big screen, and it wasn’t about who had the biggest explosions or punchlines—it was about who won. Arnold said he “needed an enemy” to keep motivated, and Stallone was it. He thought he was...

Here’s how Venom 3 and Spiderman 4 will set up the Avengers 6 storyline! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Marvel Cinematic Universe and Sony are geared to release another set of big films like Venom: The Last Dance, Avengers: Doomsday, and Avengers: Secret Wars. While Marvel fans must wait years until Secret Wars drops, they can base theories based on the upcoming Venom 3. Many fans have already connected Venom 3 to the highly-anticipated Spider-Man 4, stating that Peter Parker could appear in Secret Wars, which could be somewhat possible. Since the conclusion of Spider-Man’s Homecoming trilogy, fans have been awaiting the return of the iconic superhero, which could happen soon as Spider-Man 4 was recently confirmed with Tom Holland returning in the titular role.

Although the storyline is still under wraps, MCU director Kevin Fiege claimed that Spider-Man will feature more street-level hero characters. However, Sony is rumored to bring another multiverse project.

When Ryan Reynolds became sure that Blake Lively was the one after they had ‘sex’ (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are two of Hollywood’s beloved and heart-throbbing couples, and they are known for their playful and loving relationship. The couple first met on the sets of Green Lantern in 2010 and got married in 2012. Since then, they’ve shared four children and have become known for their witty banter and teasing on social media.

Despite their fame, the couple keeps much of their family life away from the public eye. While their fans always crave to learn about their love story, the Deadpool star once opened up about when he knew Gossip Girl was the one for him.

In a throwback interview with GQ, Ryan Reynolds was asked when he knew he fell for Lively. To this, Ryan Reynolds replied, “Probably after the sex.” Although he corrected himself,...

Dakota Johnson got candid about filming intimate scenes with Jaime Dornan in Fifty Shades Of Grey! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The Fifty Shades of Grey movies took the world by storm, transforming a niche novel series into a global sensation. Based on E.L. James’ bestselling novels, Fifty Shades of Grey featured Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steel and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, which became a cultural phenomenon blending romance with erotic drama. The movie series not only launched Johnson and Dornan’s careers, but their on-screen chemistry is still lingering nearly a decade after its release. While their performances were central to the trilogy’s success, the R-rating movie franchise earned $1.32 billion worldwide. Fifty Shades of Grey followed its sequel, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed.

Though Dakota Johnson and Dornan’s complex and steamy performance in the movie did bring them the global spotlight, it wasn’t easy for them while filming.

Some very big stars were in the running to play Anastasia Steele in the big-screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Of course, Dakota Johnson landed the role alongside Jamie Dornan‘s Christian Grey. The movie took her star power to the next level. However, she faced stiff competition in the audition process.

The risque plot, which flirted with Bdsm and featured multiple intimate scenes, made the franchise a risk for Hollywood, but it was one that paid off. Years later, the movies remain some of the highest-grossing projects with R-ratings.

Casting such a big project generated a lot of buzz at the time. Though we have a hard time imagining anyone but Dakota playing Anastasia, she wasn’t the only actress in the running.

We were curious and did some digging.

Our search revealed 10 actress who were attached to the role. Some of them denied the claims while others...

Dakota Johnson recently reflected on working with Justin Timberlake on the 2010 film “The Social Network.” In an interview with Vanity Fair, Johnson opened up about filming an intimate scene with Timberlake when she was just 19 years old.

Johnson had some preconceived ideas about Timberlake since he was already an established pop star. However, she said her experience was positive. “He was very kind and welcoming to me as a newcomer,” Johnson remarked.

The scene in question introduced Timberlake’s character Sean Parker to the concept of Facebook. It required Johnson, playing a Stanford student, to straddle and whip Timberlake with her hair multiple times under director David Fincher’s demanding direction.

Due to Fincher’s exacting approach, Johnson estimated they filmed the scene over 30 times. She said this intensive process left an impression. “I feel like I remember it vividly, even though it was over 10 years ago,” Johnson stated. While the extensive filming was challenging,...

Dakota Johnson is looking back at one of her first film roles, which saw her star opposite Justin Timberlake in The Social Network.

The actress was recently asked during a video interview with Vanity Fair if she had any “preconceived ideas” about the “SexyBack” singer before filming together in the 2010 David Fincher-directed movie.

“Are you kidding? I was just like 19 and straddling Justin Timberlake and like whipping him in the face with my hair,” the Fifty Shades of Grey star said. “100 percent had preconceived notions, but he was lovely and kind and really welcoming for a person that was just a stranger.”

The Social Network featured a dramatized version of how Mark Zuckerberg founded the social networking site that would become known as Facebook and the legal battles that followed. Jesse Eisenberg portrayed Zuckerberg while Timberlake played Sean Parker, founder of Napster and first Facebook president.

“I think that...

Sandra Bullock knows a thing or two about George Clooney that Hollywood refuses to acknowledge. Sure, they paint him as the suave, charming silver fox with that permanent air of sophistication. But Bullock? She’s seen the real deal—the man behind the million-dollar smile who’s actually a master of pranks.

And it’s starting to frustrate her. Clooney, the legendary practical joker, is not just the dashing A-lister everyone thinks. Nope, he’s the guy who’ll go to absurd lengths just for a laugh.

Sandra Bullock as FBI Special Agent Gracie Hart in Miss Congeniality | Warner Bros

While Hollywood keeps polishing his ‘perfect’ image, Bullock’s sitting back, rolling her eyes, because she knows his real face—the one that’s always plotting his next joke. Turns out, Mr. Perfect’s got a mischievous streak no one talks about.

Behind the Charm: Sandra Bullock Reveals George Clooney...

Partway through “Emmanuelle,” the French filmmaker Audrey Diwan’s third feature, a sleazy producer strikes up a conversation with the title character in a hotel spa. “Only two types of guests frequent luxury hotels,” he purrs to Emmanuelle, “those on the prowl and those on the run.”

The fact that Emmanuelle (a simmering Noémie Merlant) is of the former type is one of the foundational principles of this sporadically sexy, frequently aloof, and occasionally ridiculous movie, which marks something of a departure for Diwan. Like her excellent character study “Happening” — about a woman seeking an abortion in midcentury France — “Emmanuelle” is again a literary adaptation, although that’s about where the similarities end. The new film is based on Emmanuelle Arsan’s 1967 novel, which in 1974 spawned a very different adaptation: a soft-core porn phenomenon of the same name.

In readapting the book, Diwan — who was approached to make the movie...

It's a bummer every single month, but a handful of fan-favorite movies leave Netflix at the end of the month before a new collection of movies arrives the following month. In September, a number of popular movies are leaving Netflix, including two throwbacks and two beloved trilogies.

This month already saw a large number of unfortunate removals from Netflix, including a handful of complete series fans love to watch. The CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, iZombie, and Jane the Virgin have already departed and soon Great News, Good Witch, and How to Get Away with Murder will join them in the final week of the month.

Looking to quickly watch your favorite movie before it leaves Netflix? We shared four good movies watch to add to your watch list before time runs out!

The Divergent Series

Leaving Netflix: Sept. 30

If you need a quick fix of young adult dystopian adventure after watching the current No.

The Fifty Shades of Grey movies are some of the steamiest blockbusters of all time, and they featured a very wealthy cast!

Inspired by E.L. James‘ novels of the same name, they centered around the dramatic romance between Dakota Johnson‘s Anastasia Steele and Jamie Dornan‘s Christian Grey.

After kicking off in 2015, the franchise concluded three years later with Fifty Shades Freed. Years later, they’ve still got people taking.

We got a little curious and decided to do some digging and looked at the estimated net worth of the biggest celebrities to appear in the movies and ranked them. You might be surprised when you see who comes in first place with an estimated net worth of $150 million!

Scroll through the slideshow to find out who is the richest star in 50 Shades of Grey…...

Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin are at it again, stealing the limelight with their split rumors. Both top-rated celebrities in the entertainment industry with commendable credits to their name including the actress’ Am I Ok? and the singer’s all-time fan-favorite A Head Full of Dreams, it seems like things aren’t exactly working out for this duo.

Chris Martin (L) and Dakota Johnson (R). | Credits: @coldplay/Ig and Fifty Shades/Universal Pictures.

Of course, Hollywood has seen quite a lot of iconic pair-ups with unexpected people finding chemistry that either resulted in marriage or a split, and Martin and Johnson were a fan-beloved addition to that list. However, recently, the actress was seen without her $450,000 ring while out in public, and now speculation is rising about the presumed high tensions between the duo.

Dakota Johnson is Fueling Breakup Rumors With Chris Martin

While Johnson had been garnering much attention...

Stephen King has never been shy about expressing his opinions, and his 2013 comments on popular YA and erotic fiction series simply proved his outspoken attitude. Sending shockwaves through the literary world and fandom, the horror genre writer surprisingly took aim at Twilight and even attacked Jennifer Lawrence’s The Hunger Games.

Stephen King on CBS’ Saturday Morning show

In an interview with The Guardian, Stephen King dissed popular works of fiction that have been adapted into films, earning millions. Criticizing Stephenie Meyer’s series, while going ballistic on Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, King also dismissed Fifty Shades of Grey. However, amid showers of criticism, King lauded one writer with utmost praise—J.K. Rowling.

Stephen King’s Attack on Twilight, Hunger Games, and Fifty Shades of Grey

Popularly known as the legendary master of horror, Stephen King shared his take on some of the biggest literary phenomena of recent years. Appearing...

“Patience is a virtue”, they say, and for Marvel fans, it’s practically a superpower. While the cinematic universe has had its fair share of hits and misses—think the underwhelming reception of The Marvels—there remains a flicker of hope. Who could forget the grippingly twisty tales of Loki or the pure fun of Deadpool & Wolverine? But what’s adding a spring to everyone’s step and perhaps even shooting some web-fluid high into the sky? None other than the highly anticipated Fantastic Four: First Steps, slated for a 2025 release.

Dakota Johnson in Fifty Shades of Grey | Credit: Universal Pictures

With Pedro Pascal, who reportedly can’t stop bragging about his big MCU debut as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, and Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach rounding out the iconic super quartet, can you blame fans for marking their calendars with excitement? Even Dakota Johnson is humorously irritated...

Grammy- and Oscar-nominated songwriter Savan Kotecha, who has crafted hits for Ariana Grande, The Weeknd and Britney Spears, is launching a platform to help songwriters in India reach global audiences.

Kotecha, who is Indian, is partnering with A&r executive and songwriter Murtuza Gadiwala and talent management company Represent to launch Outwrite. Kotecha’s mission with the newly established music publishing and management company is to create a global community that fosters diversity and innovation, while also delivering fresh and groundbreaking music.

“Helping bring India’s incredible pool of songwriting talent to the world’s stage has become a lifelong passion of mine. For the majority of my over 20-year career, I was the only ‘Indian guy’ in the room. I’m eager to help change that,” Kotecha, 46, tells The Hollywood Reporter. “The songwriting and producing talent in India is unparalleled. Everything starts with a song, and Outwrite will provide...

The 2024 Venice Film Festival kicked off August 28 with the long-awaited Tim Burton-Michael Keaton sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice opening the 81th edition, which runs through September 7 on the Lido. Deadline is on the ground to watch all the key films.

The lineup for the world’s oldest fest also includes world premieres of Todd Phillips’ Joaquin Phoenix-Lady Gaga pic Joker: Folie à Deux, Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, Pablo Larrain’s Maria Callas biopic Maria starring Angelina Jolie and new works from the likes of Alfonso Cuarón, Walter Salles, Harmony Korine, Thomas Vinterberg, Brady Corbet, Takeshi Kitano, Claude Lelouch, Errol Morris and others.

Below is a compilation of our reviews from the fest, which last year awarded its Golden Lion for best film to Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things, starring Emma Stone, who went on the win the Best Actress Oscar. Isabelle Huppert heads the competition jury this year.

Dakota Johnson was feeling a little jittery while shooting “Loser Baby,” a short film that serves as her directorial debut and will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. But it wasn’t nerves that put her on edge.

“I discovered Celsius on day one of filming,” she said at Variety’s Toronto Film Festival studio, sponsored by J. Crew and SharkNinja. “I didn’t know that it was like Red Bull. I thought it was a natural drink.”

At first, she attributed the energy surge to being in the zone. “I was like, ‘I’m so creative. I’m so inspired. I’m awake all night long. I’m not sleeping, because I’m just thinking…,’ Johnson recalled. “And it’s because I was having like two Celsius a day. I thought it was vitamins. I didn’t realize I was basically overdosing on caffeine.”

Talia Bernstein, who wrote and stars in “Loser Baby,...

Daniel Craig’s stellar run as James Bond came to an end with the 2021 movie, No Time To Die. Starting from 2006’s Casino Royale, Craig has established himself as one of the best iterations of the character seen to date. Now, with Eon Productions looking for a replacement, all eyes are on the studio as they attempt to finalize the creatives that will be behind the upcoming movie.

Daniel Craig stars as James Bond in Skyfall I Columbia Pictures

For a long while, legendary director Christopher Nolan had been earmarked as the ideal choice. However, that seems to have changed for the time being, with the producers reportedly looking for a more traditional approach, and a “safe and seasoned pair of hands” to ensure the franchise’s continuity without overshadowing Bond’s character with a distinct directorial style.

Christopher Nolan no longer in the running for the upcoming James Bond...

Could Nicole Kidman score a fifth Best Actress nomination for her performance in racy thriller Babygirl, which has just debuted at the Venice Film Festival?

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is that it’s complicated.

In the Halina Reijn-directed erotic-thriller, Kidman plays a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with her much younger intern (played by Harris Dickinson).

The early word on Kidman from critics here on the Lido is very positive. Deadline’s Damon Wise said: “It’s hard to ignore the amount of dedication, not to mention naked flesh, that she brings to the role….Kidman really goes the distance, imbuing Romy with a psychological vulnerability that is missing from the film it most obvious sounds like (50 Shades of Grey) and presenting a unique reversal of the film it most obviously looks...

Boosted by Locarno-awarded debut Instinct, Dutch actor-director Halina Reijn fit nicely in the A24 canon with her satirical thriller Bodies Bodies Bodies. Yet the latter elicited rather lukewarm critical responses and it almost seemed Reijn might have been a one-hit European wonder fallen prey to the American dream. Then came Babygirl. As one of the first competition titles to grace the Lido, it promises a lot: not only does its title roll off the tongue with a delightful ring, it leaves one feeling a bit giddy (and a little naughty) for having uttered it aloud. Let’s not forget this is a film about a tech CEO / star mom / perfect wife (played by none other than ice queen Nicole Kidman) submitting to a much-younger intern (Harris Dickinson) to the point of literally eating from his hand.

It’s not too early in the festival to say Reijn wrote and directed...

Like a sheep in wolf’s clothing, Halina Reijn’s surprisingly genteel “Babygirl” might bare the occasional fang, but it doesn’t have much bite. For all the superficial similarities to “50 Shades of Grey” — here too setting a lightly sadomasochistic relationship within a world of affluence, all while tacking on a much dreaded age-gap imbalance to send social media’s most ardent moralists into a tizzy — this dom-com plays more like an outré spin on “Working Girl,” updating Reagan-era wishcasting for the social set that has decided Kamala Is Brat.

Premiering at this year’s Venice Film Festival and set for release this December, “Babygirl” could easily emerge as a holiday season guilty pleasure, a sexy-but-never-dangerous star romp that streamlines kink for maximum commercial play. Teasing out fantasies of power exchange in the safest possible space, audiences can have their cake and eat it too — even if the...

Unless you’ve been living on a secluded island or Amish country, adaptations of novels to screen is not a new concept to you.

It’s become one of the most common formulas for creating movies and TV shows.

From Netflix to Amazon, everyone wants a piece of the action.

(Courtesy of Apple TV+)

While not every project is a knockout, audiences have seen some successful franchises flourish from this method.

Just off the top of my head are the Harry Potter movies, Twilight, Hunger Games, 50 Shades of Grey, and even the Bridget Jones movies.

And it’s not just the big screen. TV saw the opportunity and jumped on board with shows like The Vampire Diaries, Game of Thrones, Percy Jackson, and The Witcher.

The Ark Season 2 Episode 7 Exclusive Sneak Peek: What Did You Do?!by Joshua Pleming Sunny Season 1 Episode 9 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Hunger And Loneliness Are...

Netflix is removing a Ton of hit titles in September and fans are going to want to thoroughly go through this list.

Each month, the streaming service removes various movies and TV shows for a variety of reasons. In September, they’ll be removing several CW hits including all five seasons of Jane the Virgin, Dune, all six seasons of How to Get Away with Murder, all three Fifty Shades movies (despite them just becoming available in June and July), the Divergent films, two Conjuring movies, and more.

Keep reading to see the full list of titles being removed…

Every title leaving Netflix in September 2024:

Leaving 9/3/24

Beverly Hills Cop

Beverly Hills Cop II

Leaving 9/5/24

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Seasons 1-4

iZombie: Seasons 1-5

Jane The Virgin: Seasons 1-5

Leaving 9/8/24

Cuties

Leaving 9/19/24

Bodies Bodies Bodies

Leaving 9/24/24

A Walk to Remember

Leaving 9/27/24

Force of Nature

Great News: Seasons 1-...

The big-screen adaptation of Fifty Shades of Grey was one of the biggest projects in Hollywood from the moment it was announced, and fans could not stop wondering who would portray their favorite characters.

Of course, Dakota Johnson was cast as Anastasia Steele alongside Jamie Dornan‘s Christian Grey. The movie took her star power to the next level. However, she faced stiff competition to land the role.

The risque plot, which flirted with Bdsm and featured multiple intimate scenes, made the franchise a risk for Hollywood, but it was one that paid off. Years later, the movies remain some of the highest-grossing projects with R-ratings.

Casting such a big project generated a lot of buzz at the time. Though we have a hard time imagining anyone but Dakota playing Anastasia, she wasn’t the only actress in the running.

We were curious and did some digging. Our search revealed...

Hollywood star Dakota Johnson returned to the screen taking on the titular role in the superhero film Madame Web. The movie, however, has been widely panned as one of the worst superhero films. It also became notorious not only for its lukewarm reception but also for Johnson’s blunt and disinterested attitude during its promotions.

Madame Web | Credit: Sony Pictures

However, her behavior might not be entirely surprising considering her challenging experience with the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, a chapter that had a significant impact on her career. And it might also explain why she appeared so unhinged while promoting Madame Web.

Dakota Johnson Opened Up About Behind-the-Scenes Turmoil on Fifty Shades of Grey Set

Dakota Johnson had her breakthrough playing the role of Anastasia Steele in the Fifty Shades of Grey film series. Despite being critically panned, the films received significant success at the box office, making $1.3 billion worldwide.

Dakota Johnson is undoubtedly one of Hollywood’s most promising actresses, famous not only for her acting but also for her beautiful features. While celebrities engage in a lot of things to keep their appearance and face in check, Johnson has a rather unconventional approach to maintaining her Greek goddess looks.

Dakota Johnson in a still from Madame Web || credits: Sony Entertainment

Further, she has incorporated an unexpected beauty tool – a vibrator – into her self-care regimen. She detailed the same in an interview, further highlighting the evolving landscape of self-care and challenging traditional beauty norms.

The Unlikely Skincare Hack Dakota Johnson Uses to Preserve Her Goddess-Like Charm

Dakota Johnson, best known for her role in Fifty Shades of Grey, made headlines in 2022 for her unconventional beauty tool and massage routine. She detailed her skincare regimen in an interview with Vanity Fair, and it’s safe to say that it raised a lot of eyebrows.

Opposed to El James’s novels, the adaptations have significantly less full-frontal male n-dity. However, prior to the release of Fifty Shades Freed, the final installment in the Dakota Johnson-led trilogy, it was rumored that her costar, Jamie Dornan, was offered $1.5M to bear it all.

But despite these rumors, the theatrical release didn’t see the actor going full-frontal n-de onscreen, and Dornan even later debunked the rumors of being offered $1.5M to do so. Moreover, according to director James Foley, he did go full n-de for the film, which never made it out of the editing room.

Going Full-Frontal N-de Didn’t Serve the Movie’s Story per Jamie Dornan Fifty Shades Freed | Credit: Universal Pictures

For most of his adult scenes in the trilogy, Jamie Dornan preferred wearing a modesty pouch, and when asked about the rumors of being offered an additional amount, the actor joked...

What was once old is completely anew at the box office with the booming success of Sony and Wayfarer Studios’ It Ends With Us which opened to a surprising $50M this weekend.

Nobody saw this coming weeks ago, the pic arriving on tracking to around $15M, and it was only evident in the final run-up this week that this Blake Lively starring and produced, Justin Baldoni starring and directed title would pop to somewhere north of $40M+; which makes perfect sense given how movies, particularly those aimed at women, are marketed in the final run-up to their opening to stoke the fanbase.

Young female moviegoers per studio marketing suits make their decisions at the last minute, and they head to cinemas in packs when there’s an event for them to see. It Ends With Us pulled in the under 35 demo at 68% with women snapping up tickets at 84%. Screen Engine...

Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine delivered $54.2m in its third weekend as the newly crowned $1bn global smash surged to $494.3m in North America, staying top ahead of a spectacular $50m debut for Sony’s romantic drama It Ends With Us.

It was a great weekend for the Ryan Reynolds-Blake Lively household that maintained an encouraging summer season and for the first time saw two films earn $50m or more in the same weekend in the traditionally slow month of August. Studios will confirm numbers on Monday.

Active in 4,330 locations, Deadpool & Wolverine overtook Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on $454m...

Sunday Am Update: Here’s how the weekend is settling: Ryan Reynolds is first with Marvel Studios/Disney’s Deadpool & Wolverine‘s third weekend at $54.2M. Blake Lively is second, but with a very strong $50M for It Ends With Us.

This is the first time that two movies in August both played to north of $50M.

The expectation is that the Justin Baldoni directed and starring movie based on the Colleen Hoover novel will have a good Sunday. Sony’s Where the Crawdads Sing only eased -13% off its Saturday. These female lit feature adaptations may fall on Saturday as the fan fevered turnout occurs on Thursday and Friday, but sometimes they they can see a matinee audience recovery on Sunday, which is what is expected here.

Many of the top theaters for this movie were in between the coasts, i.e. Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Nashville, Charlotte,...

Die Zeichen verdichten sich, dass es auch im August noch einen neuen Sommer-Blockbuster in den USA geben könnte: „Nur noch ein einziges Mal“ legte gestern furiose Previewzahlen vor.

Justin Baldoni und Blake Lively in „Nur noch ein einziges Mal“ von Justin Baldoni (Credit: Sony)

Und wieder einmal sieht es so aus, als könnte das Tracking eine sehr, sehr schlechte Figur machen bei den Prognosen für einen attraktiven Neustart. Lange rangierte die Verfilmung des sensationell erfolgreichen Bestsellers von Colleen Hoover beim Tracking bei einem Start in der Marge von 15 bis 20 Mio. Dollar, zuletzt wurden die Zahlen bis auf 40 Mio. Dollar hochkorrigiert.

Nun hat es den Anschein, als könnte „Nur noch ein einziges Mal“ mit Blake Lively diese Zahlen bei Weitem übertreffen und an diesem Wochenende womöglich völlig überraschend „Deadpool & Wolverine“ an der Spitze der Charts ablösen. Gestern wurden bei den Previews 7,0 Mio. Dollar umgesetzt. Das rückt die 130-minütige Romanze tatsächlich...

The box office is still relying heavily on “Deadpool and Wolverine” to get us through the slower month of summer, but this weekend could offer an unlikely surprise. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

After two weeks at #1 and hitting $400 million domestic, “Deadpool and Wolverine” may finally have some competition, though it’s going to be tough to beat if it’s able to make $50 million or more in its third weekend, which is definitely possible.

Who better than to take on Ryan Reynolds‘ mega-blockbuster than Reynolds’ own wife, Blake Lively, starring in the romantic drama “It Ends With Us,” based on the best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover from 2016, which sold over a million copies worldwide by 2019 but only debuted as #1 in the New York Times bestsellers list in January 2022, thanks to a surge via TikTok.

In the movie, Lively plays Lily Bloom, a woman who moves...

“Soap opera” is a term that conjures cliché images. In hindsight it’s a rather sexist phrase, like the studio-system category of “women’s pictures.” Soap operas have always dealt, at times in depth, with women’s experiences. When the phrase came into vogue, in the 1960s, soap operas were what housewives watched on network television in the afternoon (I’d watch my mother get absorbed into them). One of the many ways that they were unfairly sneered at is that the culture gave no credibility to the fact that soap operas were a serial form, which allowed them to slip into the nuances of a dramatic situation. Sure, they featured broad acting and a certain mannequin-model handsomeness and beauty, yet they gripped people — mostly women — because there was something vital and alive in them.

“It Ends with Us” is an overripe saga of love and romance that’d also...

Ryan Reynolds is infamous for lacing his Deadpool movies with industry jokes. In the 2018 sequel, the irreverent antihero ponders whether his movies will ever be able to pass up the $370.8 million collected by Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ in North America and become the biggest R-rated film of all time, not adjusted for inflation. While the first Deadpool overtook Passion of the Christ globally ($782 million versus $612 million), it couldn’t claim that same feat stateside.

Reynolds finally got to see that wish come true over the Aug. 2-4 weekend, thanks to Deadpool & Wolverine, which has smashed one record after another since its launch more than a week ago, including stellar midweek business that put its seven-day domestic cume at a stunning $298.3 million through Thursday.

It continued to make history into its second weekend. While everyone expected the movie to take in $85 million to $95 million in North America,...

“Deadpool & Wolverine” has quickly taken its place among the highest grossing R-rated movies of all time after spending less than a week in theaters.

The Marvel blockbuster just reached spot #19 on the list, surpassing iconic films like “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Hangover.” It even bumped “The Matrix” down to spot #25. Both of its predecessors “Deadpool” and “Deadpool 2” sit at the fourth and third spots.

There is no consistent trend or genre in the top 25, but horror films seem to consistently lurk towards the front. The 2019 film “Joker,” a member of the billions club, sits at spot number one. The first “It” from 2023 holds #6, and the sequel “It Chapter 2” at sits at #21.

The oldest film on the list is 1991’s “Terminator 2: Judgement Day.” The film currently sits at spot #17 with a total gross of over $520 million The only other film from the ’90s on the list is of course,...

Keira Knightley has been captivating her audience ever since she played a small role in the Star Wars franchise. She went on to find her breakthrough role in Bend It Like Beckham and soon became the actress on top of everyone’s favorites list. Keira Knightley’s most recent performance was in Matt Ruskin’s Boston Strangler where she starred as Loretta McLaughlin, the reporter who broke the news about the serial killer murdering thirteen women in the 1960s.

Keira Knightley in Bend it Like Beckham (2002) | Kintop Pictures

As for her personal life, the actress is married to musician James Righton with whom she tied the knot back in 2013. Just like any other good husband, James Righton is happy with his wife’s success and does not feel undermined by her popularity. However, the same couldn’t be said for Keira Knightley’s ex, Jamie Dornan.

Did Keira Knightley’s Success Overwhelm Jamie Dornan?...