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“The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping” has found its Wyatt Callow in “Karate Kid: Legends” star Ben Wang, Lionsgate announced on Thursday.

He joins previously announced co-stars Mckenna Grace, Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jesse Plemons, Maya Hawke and Lili Taylor in the Haymitch-focused prequel film from author Suzanne Collins.

The fifth film in the franchise will be written by Billy Ray and directed by Francis Lawrence, who helmed all but the very first “Hunger Games.”

Meredith Wieck and Scott O’Brien are overseeing the project for Lionsgate. Robert Melnik negotiated the deal for the studio.

“Sunrise on the Reaping” is set for release on Nov. 20, 2026.

Wang will star for Lionsgate later this summer in the feature “The Long Walk,” based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, directed by Francis Lawrence. He is best-known for his starring role of Jin Wang in the Disney+ series “American Born Chinese.

Lionsgate’s return to Panem just got even more exciting. Ben Wang, the breakout star of American Born Chinese and the upcoming Karate Kid: Legends, has officially been cast as Wyatt Callow — the male District 12 tribute in The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. The upcoming prequel will serve as the next film in Suzanne Collins’ blockbuster dystopian saga. Wang joins an already stacked cast that includes Joseph Zada as a young Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, and Lili Taylor as Mags.

Set 24 years before the original Hunger Games trilogy, Sunrise on the Reaping opens on the day of the 50th Hunger Games — the notoriously bloody Second Quarter Quell. Fans of the franchise will remember that Haymitch’s brutal victory in that Quell became a defining chapter in his character’s tragic backstory.

Ben Wang has been cast as District 12 Tribute Wyatt Callow in “The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping,” an adaptation of the bestselling book by Suzanne Collins. He joins previously announced cast members Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee and Lili Taylor as Mags.

Wang is best known for his starring role of Jin Wang in the Disney+ series “American Born Chinese,” in which he starred opposite Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. He will next be seen in the titular role for Sony Pictures’ “Karate Kid: Legends,” which is releasing in theaters worldwide May 30. Wang was cast in the role after an extensive worldwide search where over 10,000 submissions were received. This summer, he will star in Lionsgate’s feature “The Long Walk,” based...

Binge-drinking and smoking countless Luck Strikes were some of the hallmarks of Don Draper (Jon Hamm), in the beloved television series, Mad Men. Acclaimed and highly successful, Mad Men is one of those series for which the question of a reboot is often not far away, and rightly so. However, if Hamm has his way, the story of Don Draper is all done and shouldn't be revisited again. Set in the 1960s and following ad man, Don Draper, Mad Men ran from 2007 to 2015 on AMC. In the business of TV series where it's often difficult to nail a series finale, AMC's Mad Men did exactly that after seven seasons in impressive fashion.

Despite being a successful show and maintaining its relevance after so many years, Mad Men has not been rebooted or, at the very least, had its universe expanded through spin-offs. Despite its perfect ending and with the show being filled with rich characters,...

Versant has locked in its programming slate ahead of the cable network portfolio’s spinoff from Comcast and NBCUniversal later this year, with 16 original series, as well as live events like WWE Smackdown and the Critics Choice Awards.

The lineup kicks off with Kristin Cavallari taking her “Let’s Be Honest” podcast on the road on with “Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour” premiering June 4 at 10 p.m. Et/Pt on E! with two back-to-back episodes, while “Revival” premieres on Syfy on June 12 at 10 p.m. Et.

Also premiering this summer is E!’s “Plastic Surgery Rewind” hosted by Michelle Versage, and USA Network’s series adaptation of John Grisham’s “The Rainmaker,” starring Milo Callaghan, John Slattery, Lana Parrilla, Madison Iseman, P.J. Byrne, Dan Fogler, Wade Briggs and Robyn Cara.

Then in the fall, WWE Legend Braun Strowman as he eats his way across America in “Everything On The Menu...

Jon Hamm and John Slattery will work together again on David Wain and Ken Marino’s new R-rated comedy that currently remains untitled, but I bet they have someone on the team who can come up with something marketable.

Early on in their careers, Wain and Marino had a habit of turning relatively-to-completely unknown actors into massive stars through projects like their cult-hit comedy Wet Hot American Summer. Between Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd and Amy Poehler alone, the veterans of the massively influential sketch comedy group The State are some of the most important kingmakers in the history of comedy, TV and film, and their breakthrough hit parody of 1980s teen sex comedies spawned both a prequel and a sequel series on Netflix that attracted big-name talent.

For Wain and Marino’s next project, they’re returning to the R-rated sex comedy format, only, instead of turning their actors into Emmy-worthy A-listers,...

Jon Hamm has been on fire lately, isn't he? The Mad Men actor has found success with his new AppleTV+ show, Your Friends and Neighbors, and is playing a private eye in a new Audible Original. And now that he's filled up our televisions and audio queues, he's determined to head back to the big screen as well, in a new movie that will reunite him with writer/actor/director David Wain. It's a film so audacious as to be described as "off-the-rails," that producer Anthony Bregman claims the script made him laugh harder than the time he read Wet Hot American Summer (a film Wain co-wrote) for the first time.

In a new report from Variety, it was revealed that the film will star Zoey Deutch and co-writer Ken Marino (another longtime Wain collaborator). Sabrina Impacciatore (of The White Lotus Season 2 fame), Ben Wang, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley are also in the ensemble.

Jon Hamm is set to reunite with his Mad Men co-star in a new R-rated movie. Running from 2007 to 2015, the AMC period drama series starred Hamm as Don Draper, the charismatic creative director of an advertising firm. The role is widely considered the actor's breakout role, responsible for making him a household name.

Now, Hamm and John Slattery, who played Roger Sterling on Mad Men, will reunite in a new R-rated comedy that takes place in the entertainment industry. David Wain, who is best known for directing Wet Hot American Summer, will helm the project, currently under the placeholder title Untitled David Wain Celebrity Pass Movie. Hamm and Slattery are joined by Zoey Deutch, Sabrina Impacciatore, Ben Wang, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, and Ken Marino. The movie's logline reads:

Midwestern bride-to-be Gail Daughtry (Zoey Deutch) has a “free celebrity pass” agreement with her fiancé… who uses it. Relationship in crisis, Gail sets...

Gold Derby's top news stories for May 6, 2025.

DGA Awards sets 2026 date

The Directors Guild of America Awards has set the date for its 78th annual show. The DGA Awards will take place Feb. 6, 2026 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Beth McCarthy-Miller will return as Chair of the Awards for the fifth consecutive year. “DGA Awards is a unique opportunity to celebrate excellence in our craft, and I could not be more honored to serve another year as Chair of this important event,” McCarthy-Miller said in a statement. “I thank DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter for appointing me to this role, and I look forward to celebrating with all of the incredible 2025 nominees and honorees!”

Practical Magic 2 sets release date

Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman's fan-favorite 1998 romantic fantasy, will be in theaters on Sept. 18, 2026, Warner Bros. announced. The sequel will reportedly be based...

Grab a pack of Lucky Strikes, and pour yourself some Canadian Club rye because a Mad Men reunion (of sorts) is on the horizon. According to Variety, Jon Hamm and John Slattery will star alongside Zoey Deutch for an untitled R-rated comedy from Wet Hot American Summer and Childrens Hospital director David Wain.

The project, which has a placeholder title of Untitled Celebrity Pass Movie, is described as an “off-the-rails odyssey through modern day Hollywood.” David Wain directs the film from a script he co-wrote with Ken Marino, who also stars in the comedy with Sabrina Impacciatore, Ben Wang, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley.

In the untitled film, “a Midwestern bride-to-be, Gail Daughtry (Deutch), has a celebrity hall pass agreement with her fiancé… who uses it. With their relationship in crisis, Gail sets out on an epic journey through Hollywood to even the scales.”

“I have been excited about working with David...

Jon Hamm is bringing a “Mad Men” reunion to his latest collaboration with his “Wet Hot American Summer” director David Wain. Hamm will co-star alongside John Slattery (who also directed him in “Maggie Moore(s)”) for Wain’s yet-untitled R-rated comedy. Hamm previously appeared in the spinoff miniseries “Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp.”

Wain cowrote the script with “Wet Hot American Summer” alum Ken Marino, who also stars in the film. Variety announced the feature as being described as an “off-the-rails odyssey through modern day Hollywood.” Zoey Deutch leads the movie as Midwestern bride-to-be Gail Daughtry whose fiancé lives out their celebrity hall pass agreement. Gail instead sets out to find her own celebrity to cheat on him with while visiting L.A. Sabrina Impacciatore, Ben Wang, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley also star.

The film is being produced by Anthony Bregman and Peter Cron for Likely Story, Crystine Zhang for Oval-5,...

Jon Hamm, John Slattery and Zoey Deutch will star in a new R-rated comedy set against the backdrop of the entertainment industry. The film, which has the placeholder title of Untitled Celebrity Pass Movie, will be directed by David Wain, who is best known for his work behind the camera on “Role Models” and “Wet Hot American Summer.” Sabrina Impacciatore, Ben Wang, Miles Gutierrez-Riley and Ken Marino round out the heavyweight ensemble.

Described as an “off-the-rails odyssey through modern day Hollywood,” the film was written by Wain and Marino. The pair previously collaborated on “Wanderlust,” “Childrens Hospital,” and “The State,” as well as “Role Models.” It shot on location in Los Angeles, and was a recipient of the California Film & Television Tax Credit program.

In the film, a Midwestern bride-to-be, Gail Daughtry (Deutch), has a celebrity hall pass agreement with her fiancé… who uses it. Their relationship in crisis, Gail...

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Another Simple Favor is a dark comedy mystery crime film directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay co-written by Jessica Sharzer and Laeta Kalogridis. The 2025 sequel film is set five years after the events of A Simple Favor, and it follows Stephanie, who’s now a popular true crime vlogger, as she is invited by Emily to her wedding in Italy. The wedding is soon interrupted by a brutal murder, forcing Stephanie to investigate it. Another Simple Favor stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Elena Sofia Ricci, Henry Golding, and Allison Janney. So, if you loved the biting dark comedy, thrilling mystery, and compelling characters in Another Simple Favor, here are some similar movies you should check out next.

A Simple Favor (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Lionsgate

A Simple Favor...

Newly announced programming for the 2025 Atx TV Festival, being held Thursday, May 29 through Sunday, June 1, in Austin, Texas, includes:

▶ A screening of Max’s Duster (premiering May 15), followed by a Q&a with co-creator/EP Latoya Morgan and cast members Josh Holloway, Rachel Hilson, Keith David and Asivak Koostachin

More from TVLineElsbeth EP Promises 'We'll Still Honor Female Friendship as Major Part of This Show' Following Kaya's DepartureElsbeth Co-Star Not Returning as Series Regular for Season 3Andor Creator Tony Gilroy Shrugs Off That Star Wars 'First' in Episode 6, Stands by 'Tough' Cinta Decision

▶ A conversation with The Gilded Age cast members Carrie Coon,...

Did You Know Jon Hamm Nearly Lost A Major Role Because He Wasn’t Considered Appealing?(Photo Credit –YouTube)

Jon Hamm nearly missed out on playing one of TV’s most iconic men — all because a network thought he wasn’t sexy enough. Yup, you read that right. The network wasn’t exactly swooning over him before Hamm swaggered into living rooms everywhere as Don Draper on AMC’s Mad Men. In fact, they needed a lot of convincing.

When Hamm first auditioned, AMC had its sights set on a big Hollywood name. After all, Mad Men was their first original series. They wanted a star with instant sizzle. Hamm? Well, he wasn’t that guy yet. He wasn’t famous, and apparently, he wasn’t hot enough either.

Jon Hamm shared a slice of humble pie during his visit to The Graham Norton Show (via FandomWire), saying, “It’s...

A new Audible Original debuts today, Thursday, April 24, exclusively from Audible. Led by Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Jon Hamm, reprising his role as Jack Bergin and featuring an all-star cast including Ana de la Reguera, John Slattery, Alia Shawkat, Omar Epps, and Erin Moriarty, The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery is a cinematic audio drama that transports listeners to 1957 Los Angeles, offering a riveting tale of corruption, power, and displacement. Created by John Mankiewicz (House of Cards, Bosch, House, M.D.) and directed by Aaron Lipstadt, the series explores the often-overlooked Chavez Ravine evictions and the Brooklyn Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles, weaving historical events into a character-driven mystery.

It’s 1957, four years after Jack Bergin left the FBI, and he’s quickly established himself as L.A.’s hottest private investigator who can handle the most sensitive cases for the city’s biggest players. When Jack’s ex-girlfriend,...

With many scripted series slowing down for the summer, Audible has an exciting new audio drama for listeners.

The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery premieres on Audible today, Friday, April 24.

The Audible original features Jon Hamm‘s return as the titular detective and is described as a “tale of corruption, power, and displacement.”

(Courtesy of Audible)

The project is “set amidst the backdrop of real-life events around the battle for the land that surrounds Dodger’s stadium,” the logline teases.

“It’s 1957, four years after Jack Bergin left the FBI, and he’s quickly established himself as L.A.’s hottest private investigator who can handle the most sensitive cases for the city’s biggest players,” Audible says of the series.

Jon Hamm’s The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery Is Great

“When Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Lala Portal, asks him to help a young man wrongly accused of murder,...

Jon Hamm is one of those actors who seem to have emerged from the past, who was born wearing a slick suit and holding a dry martini. That's why he's so perfectly utilized in the period drama Mad Men. His masculine baritone is also used to great effect as Jack Bergin, the protagonist of Audible's The Big Lie and now The Big Fix, which finds the former FBI special agent now working as an intrepid private eye in glorious film noir fashion. MovieWeb has an exclusive clip from the Audible Original, which is out today, April 24, and also features Ana De La Reguera, John Slattery, Alia Shawkat, Omar Epps, and Erin Moriarty.

You can find Audible's official synopsis below:

"A gripping, cinematic audio drama that transports listeners to 1957 Los Angeles, this standalone story in The Big Lie series combines historical significance with modern relevance, offering listeners both entertainment and...

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Your Friends and Neighbors is a dark comedy crime drama series created by Jonathan Tropper. The Apple TV+ series follows Andrew “Coop” Cooper, a recently divorced hedge fund manager who is fired from his high-paying job. After becoming unemployed, he resorts to stealing from his wealthy neighbours to maintain the life he and his family have become accustomed to. Your Friends and Neighbors stars Jon Hamm, Olivia Munn, Amanda Peet, Mark Tallman, Hoon Lee, Lena Hall, and Aimee Carrero. So, if you loved the thrilling story, hilarious dark comedy, and compelling characters in Your Friends and Neighbors, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Mad Men Credit – AMC

Mad Men is a period drama series created by Matthew Weiner. The AMC series is set in the 1960s in New York City, and it follows Don Draper,...

Jon Hamm will return to host Saturday Night Live for the fourth time this weekend. And while there’s no Four-Timers Club, maybe we’ll get another sketch about the joy of eating cured meats while you’re taking a dump?

Play

Hamm first appeared on the show way back in 2008. In addition to “Jon Hamm’s John Ham,” the Halloween episode also found the actor impersonating James Mason for a Vincent Price-themed sketch, playing the unfortunately-named Butts City Council candidate Pat Finger, and interrogating a trick-or-treater who may or may not be a registered sex offender.

But coming just one year after Mad Men premiered, there were obviously a number of sketches dedicated to the award-winning AMC drama. Like “Don Draper’s Guide to Picking Up Women,” which featured helpful tips such as “look fantastic in a suit,” “lie to everyone about everything” and “drink and smoke constantly.

Exclusive: Actor Milo Callaghan has signed with WME for representation.

Callaghan will next be seen in a leading role opposite John Slattery in The Rainmaker series adaptation for USA Network and Peacock, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name. In the series, Callaghan portrays Rudy Baylor. Fresh out of law school, Rudy is an inexperienced attorney with a medical malpractice case against legendary attorney Leo F. Drummond (Slattery) that exposes a shocking conspiracy.

Callaghan was recently seen in the Disney+ series Rivals, Max’s Dune: Prophecy and BBC series Video Nasty.

His past credits include FBI: International, Doctor Who and The Spanish Princess, as well as the feature film The Strangers: Chapter 1.

Callaghan continues to be represented by Hamilton Hodell in the UK and Granderson Des Rochers.

Actor Jon Hamm rose to prominence with his performance as Don Draper in the critically acclaimed series Mad Men. It ran for seven seasons and earned Hamm multiple Emmy nominations while being regarded as one of the greatest modern cable television shows.

In a recent interview, Hamm discussed his work on the iconic series and was asked about some of his favorite lines from it, which have formed quite a trend on social media.

Jon Hamm in Mad Men (Credit: AMC).

In response, Hamm picked two of the most savage lines from the series. Here is what Hamm had to say about his favorite quotes from Mad Men, and why the two lines are a standout amid the show’s brilliant writing.

Jon Hamm revealed his favorite quotes from Mad Men

Jon Hamm played the role of Don Draper, the creative director of an advertising agency. Hamm played the role...

They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, but in Talia Balsam’s case, it might be more accurate to say the ‘Oscar-winning apple’ rolled a little further than expected.

Born into the Hollywood elite, the daughter of Martin Balsam, Talia Balsam could have easily followed the well-trodden path of fading into the backdrop of A-list spouses. Instead, she has strutted her stuff, leaving a lasting mark on Hollywood, one meticulously chosen role at a time.

George Clooney’s ex-wife Talia Balsam in a Sill from Mad Men | Credit: AMC

Before George Clooney was gallivanting around with Amal (and becoming the global heartthrob we all know and love), he was once a starry-eyed bachelor trying on the role of husband to Talia Balsam.

Yes, Clooney had a brief marriage to Balsam back in 1989. It wasn’t a fairy tale with a happy ending, but as the former confessed,...

Elisabeth Moss has really upped her game since her career started decades ago in 1990, though her breakthrough role as Peggy Olson in Mad Men, which made her a household name in Hollywood’s entertainment industry, continues to be regarded as her best one to date. For years, she perfectly embodied her to the point where her name started being used simultaneously with Peggy’s.

Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson. | Credits: Mad Men / AMC.

In fact, to say that Moss is as equally resilient and strong in her mindset and opinions, if not more, wouldn’t be an understatement. This is because, just like her strong-willed character, the 42-year-old actress boldly refused to follow in Jon Hamm’s footsteps with one decision that other major actors seemed to be taking: Going not only in front of the lens but behind them too.

Elisabeth Moss refused to direct on Mad Men, unlike her co-stars Moss as Peggy.

Mad Men was a loved show among fans and one aspect that drew them to the series was the near-accurate portrayal of the ’60s. The Jon Hamm series not only covered the small details of the time but also often delved into the politics of the period. During the sixth season portraying the year 1968, creator Matthew Weiner made sure to include many references from the country’s political history.

Jon Hamm in a still from Matthew Weiner’s Mad Men | Credits: AMC

When asked about the historical references in Mad Men Season 6, Weiner shared that he wanted to address these issues primarily because of the political landscape of the country during the time of the airing of the series. The political events of 1968 are accurately reflected in the series, where the characters struggle to adjust to the changing office dynamics.

Matthew Weiner of Mad Men opened up about portraying America...

Mad Men is one of the most essential works of period drama created in recent history. Influenced by the storytelling format of The Sopranos, the show bears all the markers of a classic and is often credited with launching the second Golden Age of television. However, the ’60s era drama refuses to be defined by its central theme and delves further than the cutthroat world of the ad industry.

Mad Men stands out as a surprise to the fans and critics alike for its inherent ability to depict history and historical events by weaving it into the everyday lives of the show’s characters.

Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Don Draper (Jon Hamm) at the bar — again. [Credit: AMC]

Considering the period setting of the show, there were one too many historically significant events in American political history that unfolded in the ’60s – one of the most important ones being the...

Runaway Jury, one of the best legal thrillers based on a John Grisham novel, has entered Netflix's top 10. The film features an incredible cast, which includes John Cusack, Gene Hackman, Dustin Hoffman, and Rachel Weisz, and was directed by Reacher's Gary Fleder. Runaway Jury currently sits at number seven in the United States and in the Netflix top 10 worldwide.

The movie is about a lawyer named Wendell Rohr (Hoffman), who is up against Rankin Fitch (Hackman), a shady jury consultant who is able to stack juries in the favor of the defense. In a high-stakes trial against a gun manufacturer following a workplace shooting in New Orleans, one juror (Cusack) and his girlfriend (Weisz) appear able to manipulate the jury to deliver the verdict they wish.

RelatedThe Best Movies Based on John Grisham Books, Ranked

In the '90s, John Grisham was a brand itself. One that was the base for many incredible movies.

January Jones played the forever-troubled Betty Draper in AMC’s Mad Men. Initially paired up with Jon Hamm’s Don Draper, Jones’ character has an incredible arc as the seasons progress and for her performance, she received a Primetime Emmy and two Golden Globe Award nominations.

One of the most interesting arcs for Betty Draper is her weight condition in season five. While the makers had already wanted to explore that storyline, January Jones’ pregnancy at the time reportedly gave them the perfect opportunity to explore it. However, Jones reportedly had to undergo severe preparation to perform that season.

January Jones reveals the strenuous filming of Mad Men when she was pregnant Jon Hamm and January Jones in Mad Men | Credits: AMC

January Jones is not the first person in a TV show to have been pregnant during the shooting schedule. Modern Family’s Julie Bower was reportedly pregnant even...

Russell Crowe and Ethan Hawke are set to unite for a new historical drama from director Padraic McKinley.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Crowe and Hawke are set to star in The Weight, a historical period drama set in 1930s Oregon. The film will be directed by McKinley, from a script written by Shelby Gaines, Matthew Chapman, and Matthew Booi. McKinley is an editor and producer known for American Gods and Kingdom. He recently served as an executive producer for Crowe's The Exorcism and has directed episodes of Debris and Kingdom. The Weight will serve as his feature film directorial debut.

RelatedGladiator Producers Confirm a Controversial Actor Was Nearly Cast in Russell Crowe's Role

The Gladiator team initially considered a controversial Hollywood star for the role of Maximus in Ridley Scott's epic.

In The Weight, Hawke portrays "Samuel Murphy who, after the death of his wife, is imprisoned in a labor camp run by Clancy,...

While improvisation is often welcomed by filmmakers as a way for actors to tweak dialogue and add their own touch, Matthew Weiner, creator of the Emmy-winning series Mad Men had a firm rule for his show, no improvisation.

Mad Men | Credit: AMC

John Slattery, who played the role of Roger Sterling in the period drama, reflected on the showrunner’s unbreakable rule on the set, saying that Weiner was committed to preserving his meticulously crafted show exactly as written.

John Slattery reflected on the Mad Men creator’s preference of avoiding any improvisations

John Slattery took on the role of Roger Sterling in the Emmy-winning drama Mad Men, one of the two senior partners at Sterling Cooper and a mentor to the series’ protagonist, Don Draper, throughout its seven-season run.

John Slattery in Mad Men | Credit: AMC

And during an interview with The Guardian, the actor revealed how the show creator Matthew Weiner,...

Mad Men has contributed more to the world of television entertainment than most other series. From launching the Second Golden Age of television to revolutionizing the storytelling format, the AMC period drama marked a shift in pop culture by tapping into the stark reality hiding behind the illusion of the American Dream.

Mad Men [Credit: AMC]

However, Mad Men represented more than the New York ad sector and the hypercompetitive market boom of the 1960s. It also highlights the fears and desires that drive people to realize their potential. The series steps beyond the margins of drama and questions the fundamental truth about identity itself.

Within its engrossing narrative, Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, and others worked to carve out a distinct space for themselves even surrounded by such intricate actors like John Slattery and Christina Hendricks.

John Slattery’s challenging scene in Mad Men Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Don...

The fallout of Ivy’s actions continues in “Back to School.” While she tried to kill off her former professor, lover and attempted murderer, Ivy might have made him into a far more powerful monster. The news of Jason Woodrue’s death spreads fast, forcing Harley to reckon with her partner’s dishonesty. Harley Quinn works best when it frames conflicts through the Harley/Ivy relationship, and “Back to School” is a perfect example of its value. Plus, we get the overly theatrical Clayface back, a huge win for comedy in general.

Harley Quinn – “Back to School” – The Recap

Like other members of Harley’s former crew, Clayface (Alan Tudyk) has made his way over to Metropolis. He performs his one-man-show in the Metropolis Theater in front of a surprisingly thin crowd (given the success of his Vegas show). In his show, Clayface plays an Italian man who died 20 years before Pearl Harbor.

Jon Hamm has done plenty of voice acting over his career, but voicing 1950s FBI agent-turned-private investigator Jack Bergin has proven unique.

Instead of recording his lines in a silo, Hamm was joined in the recording studio by a murderer’s row of performers — including Alia Shawkat, Ana de la Reguera, Bradley Whitford, Giancarlo Esposito, Omar Epps, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Hamm’s “Mad Men” co-star John Slattery — for the Audible Original series 2022’s “The Big Lie” and the upcoming new installment “The Big Fix.”

“This is better in every way, but mostly because the story is so intimate that it’s super helpful to have the personal connection with the person that you’re acting opposite,” Hamm said, discussing the series, created by John Mankiewicz and directed by Aaron Lipstadt, during Variety & Audible’s Cocktails and Conversations at Sundance. (Watch the full conversation in the video above.) “It’s like...

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for 'Harley Quinn' Season 5.Harley Quinn Season 5 may be off to a hilarious start in Metropolis, but this week's episode, "Back to School," proves a new city doesn't automatically put an end to old pains. After previously exploring Ivy's (Lake Bell) backstory in Arkham Asylum with Harley (Kaley Cuoco), the latest installment in the hit DC series revisits the incident that created the eco-friendly supervillain when Ivy visits Lena Luthor's (Aisha Taylor) Green Initiative. Taken by surprise when she's introduced to her partner in the project, Dr. Jason Woodrue (John Slattery), a series of flashbacks subsequently explores the pair's history, and the episode gradually unveils a backstory for Ivy that is even more heartbreaking than it previously seemed.

In Harley Quinn, Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (Lake Bell) are officially in Metropolis! After leaving the horrible-smelling and crime-ridden city of Gotham, they’re joining the too-clean-for it’s own good Metropolis. “The Mess Is the Point” confronts also provides some backstory for this version of the DC universe. Serving as both a backstory for Ivy and setting up the future, “The Mess is the Point” hits its marks. Along the way, also helps Harley and Ivy adjust to their new lives.

Related Harley Quinn – “The Big Apricot” Season 5 Episode 1 Spoiler Review and Recap Harley Quinn – “The Mess is the Point” Recap

Harley shows off the spotless and shiny new condo, which Ivy loves because of its cleanliness. They’re about to “break in” the new apartment when they’re interrupted by a doorbell. King Shark (Ron Funchess) waits outside, revealing he’s also moved to Metropolis for his kids.

John Grisham‘s beloved novel The Rainmaker is being turned into a USA Network television show and we have photos from set!

Milo Callaghan and P.J. Byrne were spotted on the set of the upcoming TV show on Thursday (January 9) in Dublin, Ireland.

Here is USA’s official synopsis of the show: “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor (Callaghan) goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Lana Parrilla and Dan Fogler will also star in the series.

Milo was most recently seen in the Disney+ series Rivals and the movie The Strangers: Chapter 1.

Browse through the gallery for more photos from set…...

While war movies can offer a glimpse into major historical conflicts, the unfortunate reality is that the end of a war is just one part of the story for many soldiers. Over the years, there have been many great post-war movies, most of which examine the physical and psychological effects of war on returning soldiers, with trauma, survivors' guilt and society's treatment of veterans all being common themes.

Many of the best post-war movies were made in the years directly following a conflict, and they managed to capture the mood of an entire society. In some cases, these movies don't have to address the war head-on, since the shadows of large conflicts can hang over countries for years in one way or another. Even the best war movies rarely have time to appropriately address the aftermath of war, both on a personal level and on a broader societal scale.

Flags Of Our Fathers...

For many Marvel Cinematic Universe fans, it may have felt like it took forever for Thanos to begin his crusade to obtain the six Infinity Stones. However, the Mad Titan's patience clearly paid off, since he was able to defeat Earth's Mightiest Heroes and complete the Infinity Gauntlet during the unforgettable events of Avengers: Infinity War.

The timing of Thanos' attack was not random but was instead chosen with the utmost attention to detail. In fact, it would appear that Thanos had been lurking in the shadows for years, merely waiting for specific powerful MCU characters to disappear or die so that he would have fewer threats standing in his way when he finally made his move.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on December 19, 2024: The Marvel Cinematic Universe has its new big bad for the Multiverse Saga in Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Victor von Doom, who will appear in...

Note: The following story contains spoilers from “What We Do in the Shadows” Season 6, Episode 9.

From its first season, “What We Do in the Shadows” has been a show unafraid to cheekily drop big names, especially if the actors in question have a vampire on their IMDb page. And in its final season, the FX comedy embraced its chaotic, star-studded side once more.

“Come Out and Play” once again finds the Staten Island crew among the many, many, many throngs of vampires that inhabit New York, from the Meatpacking hotties to the aspiring artist vampires who have to hold down day jobs as baristas. But there’s one especially tall, pale and questioning vamp that may have caught viewers’ eyes. Here’s your guide to the “True Blood” star who’s casually in this latest season.

Alexander Skarsgård in a crowd shot on “What We Do in the Shadows” (Photo...

Fans can enjoy a beloved Francis Ford Coppola legal drama movie on a major streaming platform. 1997's The Rainmaker, starring Matt Damon, has arrived on Paramount+ as of December 1.

Based on John Grisham's 1995 novel of the same name, The Rainmaker follows Damon's Rudy S. Baylor, a young and idealistic Memphis State University Law School grad who takes on a corrupt insurance company. The film has a stacked cast, which includes Mickey Rourke as J. Lyman "Bruiser" Stone, a determined and successful ambulance chaser who hires Rudy. Danny DeVito plays Deck Shifflet, a former insurance adjuster of questionable ethics who works with Bruiser and Rudy. The Rainmaker's ensemble also includes Claire Danes as Rudy's love interest Kelly Riker, Jon Voight as the opposing attorney Leo F. Drummond, Danny Glover as Judge Tyrone Kipler, Roy Scheider, and Mary Kay Place.

Related The Coen Brothers' $172 Million Neo-Western Masterpiece Lands a New...

Two decades after its theatrical release, Bobby Cannavale revisits the path that led to creating the critically acclaimed film The Station Agent. During a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Cannavale reveals that the creation of The Station Agent lingered for four years, primarily due to Peter Dinklage's casting.

Written and directed by Tom McCarthy (in his feature directorial debut), The Station Agent centers on Dinklage's Finbar McBride, a man with dwarfism who inherits an abandoned train station in a small New Jersey town. There, he meets Joe Oramas (Cannavale), a hot dog vendor, and Olivia Harris (Patricia Clarkson), an artist, and the three develop a close friendship. At the time, Dinklage wasn't an "A-list-type" actor, so studios were looking to recast him; according to Cannavale, studios also wanted to do away with one of the film's central points: Fin's dwarfism.

"I remember everything about that movie, because it took forever to get made,...

Child characters in television series are always a little tricky when it comes to casting. It's very common for a show to recast its young characters. One example is Ben in Friends, who was played by three actors over the years. Similarly, multiple actors have played Bobby Draper in Mad Men. The role was recast very frequently. While Don Draper's young son easily goes overlooked since the character doesn't receive any development until Season 5, many fans still manage to spot the recast.

Mad Men was particularly lucky with Sally Draper's casting. The show stuck with the same actor for the entire series, but with Bobby Draper, who's three years younger than Sally, things were very different. It took Mad Men four seasons to finally be able to lock one actor down for the role of Robert Draper, which led to the character's most memorable scenes in the last two seasons of the show.

Quick Links Clint Eastwood's Poignant and Powerful War Drama Roger Ebert Was Blown Away by 'Flags of Our Fathers' Eastwood's Critically Acclaimed Two-Part Cinema Spectacle

Silver screen icon Clint Eastwood is undeniably one of the cinema's most decorated and brilliant presences, with the revered actor and director's illustrious career spanning nearly seven decades. Eastwood has helmed a slew of critically acclaimed masterpieces like Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, and American Sniper, and in 2006, he tugged on the heartstrings of audiences all across the world when he created two companion war dramas depicting the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima: Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima.

Flags of Our Fathers is told from the perspective of American soldiers and the five Marines and Navy corpsmen who participated in the iconic raising of the flag, while Letters from Iwo Jima depicts the harrowing conflict from the point-of-view of Japanese soldiers.

Turn a true auteur like Alfonso Cuarn loose on his first major TV project, and its no surprise audiences are eating up his Apple TV+ series Disclaimer. A slow burn of a show combining mystery, psychological thrills, and a complicated narrative, the five-time Oscar-winning director keeps ratcheting up the secrets and lies throughout. Disclaimer's all-star cast includes Cate Blanchett as journalist Catherine Ravenscroft, who learns shes the lead character in a new book that somehow exposes the darkest deed of her past.

As highlighted in the reviews for Disclaimer, the show plays with viewer expectations throughout, mixing truth and perception into a time-hopping story that doesnt reveal all of its cards until its final episode. Disclaimer cleverly dices up how personal biases, murky pasts, and even the modern media landscape shape how people view their own reality. Once audiences have digested all of Disclaimer's seven episodes and its shocking end,...

Imagine Mad Men without Jon Hamm’s brooding Don Draper—impossible, right? Well, it nearly happened. And oddly enough, his devastatingly good looks were the problem. Studio execs fretted that Hamm might be too handsome for viewers to buy him as the complex, troubled ad man, fearing his charm could overshadow the gritty 1960s narrative.

Credits: Jon Hamm in The Morning Show | Credits: Kerry Ehrin Productions

As if that weren’t enough, The Sopranos icon James Gandolfini almost sealed the show’s fate before it aired, as his powerhouse performance left everyone questioning if another morally gray lead could ever work. The combo of Hamm’s looks and Gandolfini’s shadow nearly killed the series, but luckily, Mad Men managed to break through—proving that charm, danger, and a killer suit could redefine TV drama.

How Jon Hamm’s Star Power and a Risky Casting Decision Shaped Mad Men‘s...

Despite his demise in Avengers: Endgame, Thanos could return and wreak havoc on the Multiverse again if the opportunity arises. Josh Brolin, who portrayed the terrifying supervillain, suggests he could portray Thanos in Avengers: Secret Wars, though the character "has to fit" the story being told.

Speaking with Collider at New York Comic Con, Brolin addressed the possibility of Thanos appearing in Secret Wars, the anticipated Phase Six closer and Multiverse-collapsing event. However, Brolin thinks the right narrative needs to be introduced for a Thanos comeback to make sense. "Im not kidding Theres a thing with playing Thanos. Its like, Oh, theyre gonna bring Thanos back. Its like Sicario ; it has to be right. Its like Ryan Reynolds and I talking about Taylor Swift and we should be talking about Deadpool 4. But we go back and forth. Again, its what in his mind fits, what in my mind fits. Thanos...

Is Charlotte a secret Super Pac fundraiser? Would Samantha sleep with Donald Trump?

Less than two weeks before election day, these are the important questions that tens of thousands of voters need answered.

For a show that was so centered around the complexities of sexual politics among the modern metropolitan classes, HBO’s Sex and the City steered clear of party lines during its influential six-season run in the 1990s. Sure, there was an episode about abortion here and there, and Carrie briefly dated a local politician played by John Slattery, but, by and large (or Big), the Sex and the City girls didn’t dish about political donations or important referendums over their cosmopolitans. This stands in stark contrast to the sequel series, And Just Like That…, which has desperately attempted to wedge itself into national conversations about social issues with all the poise and grace of Steve trying to roll his Rs.

Exclusive: Tommie Earl Jenkins (Wednesday) has joined the cast of the upcoming USA Network drama series The Rainmaker, based on the John Grisham novel of the same name. Production on the series is currently underway.

From showrunner and executive producer Michael Seitzman, the Lionsgate and Blumhouse series follows Rudy Baylor (Milo Callaghan) who, fresh out of law school, goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (John Slattery) and his law school girlfriend Sarah Plankmore (Madison Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss (Lana Parrilla) and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.

In a recurring role, Jenkins will play Prince Thomas, owner of Yogi’s Bar, where Rudy works as a bartender when we meet him. Prince is a mysterious character whose motives are often as murky as his loyalties.

The previously announced cast also includes Dan Fogler as Melvin Pritcher, a...

“The Rainmaker” series adaptation at USA Network has added Wade Briggs in a series regular role, Variety has learned exclusively.

Based on the John Grisham novel of the same name, the show was picked up at the basic cabler back in June. Briggs will appear alongside previously announced cast member Milo Callaghan, John Slattery, Madison Iseman, Lana Parrilla, P.J. Byrne, Robyn Cara, and Dan Fogler.

The official logline for the series states, “Fresh out of law school, Rudy Baylor (Callaghan) goes head-to-head with courtroom lion Leo Drummond (Slattery) as well as his law school girlfriend (Iseman). Rudy, along with his boss and her disheveled paralegal, uncover two connected conspiracies surrounding the mysterious death of their client’s son.”

Briggs will play Brad Noonan, described as “a high-powered attorney at the Tinley Britt Law Firm and enforcer to the firm’s managing partner, Leo Drummond.”

Briggs’ recent TV credits include “Foundation...

Ever thought about betting the farm on a hunch and coming out smelling like roses? That’s exactly what Christina Hendricks did when she hitched her wagon to the ’60s-era drama Mad Men. Well, fortune favors the bold! And, this actress owned that phrase like a boss.

When she first laid eyes on Matthew Weiner’s script, she couldn’t resist the allure of becoming Joan Holloway, the sharp-witted and glamorous secretary who would become a pivotal character in this iconic series.

Christina Hendricks in Mad Men | Credit: AMC

But, curveball ahead! While her excitement was through the roof, her agency was singing a different tune. Instead of backing her enthusiasm, they were playing it safe and raising eyebrows. Just imagine if she had walked away from that script—we would have missed out on a career spectacle for the ages!

Against the Odds: How Christina Hendricks Became Joan Holloway...