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2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the release of director Alfred Hitchcock’s first feature film, the silent romantic drama The Pleasure Garden, so it’s nice to see “the Master of Suspense” in the news. Yesterday, we shared the news that Netflix is teaming up with the New York Film Critics Circle to launch a screening series called Hitch! The Original Cinema Influencer at the Paris Theater and will be streaming a collection of Hitchcock films soon, and now it has been brought to our attention that characters from the Hitchcock films Rear Window and The Birds are getting Funko Pop! figures. Images of the figures can be seen at the bottom of this article.

Both Alfred Hitchcock himself and the Psycho character Norman Bates have had Funko Pop! figures before. (There’s also a black & white version of the Norman Bates figure.)

Directed by Hitchcock from a screenplay by...

These days, it’s rare to hear something cool about programming on the Netflix streaming service that involves older films rather than the next batch of “Netflix Original Films” they have in the works – but here’s something very cool: Netflix has announced that they’re teaming up with the New York Film Critics Circle to launch a screening series called Hitch! The Original Cinema Influencer at the Paris Theater, which is the longest-running arthouse cinema in New York City and is also Manhattan’s only remaining single-screen cinema, as well as the borough’s largest movie theater, with 535 seats. If you can’t make it to the Paris Theater for the screenings, you’ll be glad to hear that a collection of classic Hitchcock films will also be available to stream on Netflix as of June 1st.

Here’s the information that was provided by Netflix: Keep the lights...

This news isn't for The Birds! Fans of stone-cold classic thrillers have a reason to rejoice, as a large collection of Alfred Hitchcock's seminal works will be coming to Netflix in June. The collection of films coming to Netflix includes Vertigo, Rear Window, Frenzy, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Family Plot, The Birds and others. In addition to Hitchcock's masterpieces, Netflix will also be including in the collection movies that were inspired by the legendary director's work, such as Us by Jordan Peele, and Barbarian by Zach Cregger.

The collection of films is also being released in conjunction with a program called, "Hitch! The Original Cinema Influencer" Screening Series at the Paris Theater, May 16 through Jun. 29, which will be co-presented with the New York Film Critics Circle. The six-week series will include 50 films, of which 36 will be by the visionary director, while the others will be films...

Netflix will add seven Alfred Hitchcock classics to its U.S. streaming library beginning June 1. The catalog includes iconic suspense films such as Vertigo, Rear Window, and The Birds.

The Hitchcock catalog's streaming debut coincides with a major theatrical retrospective titled Hitch! The Original Cinema Influencer at New York's Paris Theater, co-presented with the New York Film Critics Circle. The film revival will span six weeks, from May 16 to June 29 at the historic single-screen cinema adjacent to Central Park. Netflix acquired the revered theater in 2019 and turned it into a flagship theatrical venue in New York.

The Hitchcock and Netflix team-up has plenty for cinephiles to enjoy. The Paris Theater program complements the legendary director's works, presenting restored classics and 35mm screenings of films inspired by Hitchcock's techniques alongside his filmography. Movies getting the showcase include The Bride Wore Black by François Truffaut and Diabolique by Henri-Georges Clouzot. Even contemporary...

Netflix, the streaming service famous for not streaming older movies and not bringing movies to the big screen, is – in a surprise twist – bringing a bunch of old movies to the big screen!

The Hollywood Reporter has announced this afternoon that the Netflix-owned Paris Theater in New York will be celebrating Alfred Hitchcock with screenings of 36 of his movies.

“The series — Hitch! The Original Cinema Influencer — will run May 16 to June 29 at the Paris Theater, which Netflix purchased in 2019,” THR details. “The films range from Hitchcock’s early works such as Blackmail to enduring hits such as Psycho and The Birds.”

In addition to the big screen series, a collection of classic Alfred Hitchcock films will be available to stream on Netflix in the US featuring some of his most iconic works starting June 1.

Here’s everything you need to know, straight from the Paris Theater…

The Paris Theater is proud to present Hitch!

Netflix is making it the summer of Alfred Hitchcock in New York. The streaming giant will bring 36 Hitchcock films to its Paris Theater in New York, as well as a dozen more features connected to the director — from those he influenced (Robert Zemeckis’s What Lies Beneath) to those which influenced him (Fritz Lang’s M).

The series — Hitch! The Original Cinema Influencer — will run from May 16 to June 29 at the Paris Theater, which Netflix purchased in 2019. The films range from Hitchcock’s early works such as Blackmail to enduring hits such as Psycho and The Birds.

Thirty five of the films will play on 35 mm, including Birds, The Man Who Knew Too Much, North By Northwest, Rear Window and Vertigo. The New York Film Critics Circle is co-presenting the series.

The screening series coincides with Netflix bringing a collection Hitchcock titles to its service beginning June 1, including Vertigo, Rear Window,...

Alexander SKARSGÅRD has always been drawn towards anarchy: disruptive characters who turn worlds upside down. Now, as he plays a rogue android in Murderbot, we meet him to discover what pushes his buttons

“Is there blood in my hair?”, asked Alexander Skarsgård’s Eric Northman, having just killed, dismembered and feasted upon some unlucky soul in HBO’s vampire saga True Blood. For many, the show was their first exposure to Skarsgård, who was starting as he meant to go on: anarchic, provocative, and unafraid to play characters with an unhealthy moral compass.

True Blood wasn’t *quite* the start. The son of Stellan Skarsgård, he acted in a few things as a child in Sweden before jacking it in, then appeared in 2001’s Zoolander, playing a model, Meekus, who gets blown up in a petrol station. After spending a few years in the Hollywood wilderness, Skarsgård finally broke through...

Some celebrities can just have it all. The world of Tinseltown is the ultimate dream factory, but for some stars, the big screen was just the beginning. While many celebrities stick to presenting their acting chops on screen, others have leveraged their fame and popularity to build empires that stretch far beyond the corridors of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

From tech investments and billion-dollar beauty brands to holding key political offices, these stars have perfectly proved why success isn’t just confined to movie sets or concert stages. Some have turned their early investments into groundbreaking companies, while others have built brands from scratch that have taken the world by storm. There’s definitely something that all of us can learn from here.

Grabbing an opportunity and turning it into a reality, these 24 stars have proved that in order to make it big outside of Hollywood, you need a plan,...

Will Smith truly surprised fans this 2025 by releasing a full length album – his first in 20 years. I bet most Gen Zs didn’t even know that Smith was a rapper once-upon-a-time. Yeah, the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ really was.

Before getting his big break in acting and going on to dominate the movie industry for over two decades, Smith was spitting his rhymes and collecting his stars.

So why didn’t his comeback drive the millions of fans he’s accumulated so far to listen? Some think they may know why, and it has something to do with a certain slap.

Will Smith’s Album Does Dismal Numbers And Fails To Chart Nearly A Month After Its Release

If it should happen to anyone, it’s absolutely strange that it’s happening to Smith. I mean, he’s got millions of fans at his fingertips. Yes, maybe the Oscars slap...

What Did The Director Of Wild Wild West Say About This Bizzare Scene Featuring Will Smith?(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Before Wild Wild West flopped its way into pop culture infamy, Will Smith was riding a red-hot streak. But one scene in that 1999 disaster left even the director shaking his head. Barry Sonnenfeld, who had just directed Smith in the blockbuster Men in Black, later admitted the moment “made no sense” and might’ve dragged the whole film down with it.

It wasn’t supposed to go that way. In the mid-’90s, Smith had been leveling up fast. He scored back-to-back hits from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Bad Boys and Independence Day. Then came Men in Black in 1997. It dropped on July 4th weekend and cemented Smith as the summer box office king. So when Sonnenfeld pitched Wild Wild West, another summer spectacle with gadgets, comedy, and action,...

Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes’true love first blossomed poetically on screen. Gosling often defines his performances through understatement, from a vintage heartthrob in The Notebook to a brooding protector in what this author thinks is the best film ever, Drive, while still featuring in blockbusters like the pink phenomenon, Barbie. Mendes, now happily embracing the beauty of motherhood and entrepreneurship, also dedicated herself to acting, delving into roles like the complicated mistress of Denzel Washington's character in Training Day to a cynical gossip columnist in Hitch, showing she also had the range to tackle both dramatic and comedic contexts.

However, there’s a strong case that their finest work came when they shared the screen in the same movie: Derek Cianfrance's 2012 morality tale The Place Beyond the Pines.The ambitious, multi-generational film brought the couple together off-screen while testing the actors with roles that demanded intensity. In this atmospheric exploration of family,...

The last time Will Smith released a new album, he starred in Hitch, a romantic comedy with Eva Mendes and Kevin James. That was in 2005. In the past 20 years, Smith has gone on to win an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his performance in 2021’s King Richard. Now, for the first time in 20 years, Smith, who is also a four-time Grammy Award winner, is releasing a new album.

Per Deadline, Smith, who has released four solo albums and five with DJ Jazzy Jeff, will be releasing a new solo effort on March 28 titled Based on a True Story.The new album will feature five previously-released singles as well as nine other tracks. Based on a True Story is Smith’s first new album since 2005’s Lost and Found, which reached the Top 10 when it was released.

Smith: “It’s Official”

Smith took to Instagram to announce the new project.

Was Will Smith and Eva Mendes’ on-screen Kiss in Hitch almost a disaster?(Photo Credit – YouTube)

During an interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Mendes spilled the hilarious backstory of their kissing scene. Nervous before filming, she calmed herself with a tuna fish sandwich, extra onions, and a side of Doritos—bad move. Smith, known for his charm and professionalism, was reportedly not fond of the scent. Mendes admitted, “I never asked you how it was?” to which Smith, ever the gentleman, replied, “It was wonderful.”

The moment became one of the film’s funniest behind-the-scenes stories. Mendes, realizing her mistake, popped some Altoids before the scene resumed. The minty fix worked, and their kiss went down in rom-com history. But for a moment, Hitch almost had an unintentional blooper reel addition.

Released in 2005, Hitch starred Smith as Alex ‘Hitch’ Hitchens, a dating consultant who had all the answers, except...

Our old favorites are getting sequels – think Ben Affleck’s ‘The Accountant,’ Lindsay Lohan’s ‘Pink Friday’ and Anne Hathaway’s ‘Princess Diaries’ and ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ – so why won’t a Will Smith hit movie make a return as well?

Well, ‘Hitch’ is coming back and with it the memories from the first film, both the good and the bad.

Andy Tennant Calls Working With Will Smith “A Battle”

‘Hitch’ remains one of Will Smith’s most popular movies, having grossed over $370 million worldwide. However, the filming wasn’t as smooth as the final product would have us believe.

Speaking to Business Insider on the rom-com’s 20th anniversary, Tennant revealed that working with Will Smith on the project was an uphill battle. Unfortunately, they had an immediate clash from as early on as the drafts.

“Will tried to back out three days before we started shooting. He...

Actor-comedian Kevin James may be best known for his starring role in the classic CBS sitcomKing of Queens, which ran from 1998 to 2007, amassing over 200 episodes. However, James returned to the world of the half-hour comedy in 2016 to star in CBS's Kevin Can Wait, which will stream on Tubi starting March 1.

The show was created by James, Rock Reuben, and Bruce Helford (The Conners), and directed by Andy Fickman. Kevin Can Wait stars James as a recently retired cop named Kevin Gable. In the first season, Erinn Hayes (A Christmas Story Christmas)co-stars with James as his wife, Donna Gable, but by the second season, Donna was killed off the show, leaving Kevin Gable to raise his three children alone.

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The sitcom veteran's new series has been a hit for NBC and Peacock.

Leah Remini Co-Stars in the Second Season...

Will Smith's first venture into the superhero genre flies onto a new streaming service next month. The Oscar-winning actor's 2008 film, Hancock, is set for an imminent debut on the NBCUniversal streamer, Peacock.

Peacock confirmed Hancock among its movies to watch in March, with the film locked in for a Mar. 1 premiere on the popular platform. This is good news for subscribers, considering Hancock is only available to rent/purchase on digital platforms. The film was available on Netflix before leaving the service in 2022.

Related18 Years After First Film, I Am Legend 2 Gets Exciting Update From Will Smith

Will Smith himself shares a big update on the long-gestating sequel I Am Legend 2.

A satirical action comedy that mirrors Prime Video's award-winning series, The Boys, Hancock tells the story of Smith's central protagonist, John Hancock, a reckless and alcoholic superhuman based in Los Angeles who the public has shunned...

Fans of I Am Legend have been waiting for a sequel to the Will Smith movie for almost two decades. Now, the sequel is closer than ever to happening, as teased by Smith himself with the latest update on the long-gestating film.

Smith spoke about I Am Legend 2 during a recent appearance on xQc's live stream on Twitch. The Oscar-winning actor was questioned about the reports of I Am Legend 2, and he verified that they are accurate, as the sequel is indeed in the works. He added that he just recently met with Michael B. Jordan to collaborate on the project, revealing that the sequel is being actively worked on. Smith went on to praise Jordan as a collaborator, noting his excitement at getting started on the movie.

Will Smith just confirmed to xQc that he's doing a sequel to ‘I Am LEGEND’ with Michael B. JordanðŸ...

Long before The Boys, Will Smith explored the idea of a story about superheroes in the "real word" as the star of the 2008 film Hancock. Nearly two decades later, a sequel could finally be moving foward wtih a Spider-Man franchise star joining Smith this time.

During a recent appearance on xQc's Twitch stream, Smith shared an exciting update on a possible sequel to Hancock. While the project appears to still be in its infancy at this point, Smith teased that there's a "really cool" idea in mind for where to take Hancock 2. While nothing is guaranteed at this stage of the possible sequel's early development, the Oscar-winning actor also revealed how Zendaya is being courted for a role if the film ends up moving forward.

Will Smith teases "Hancock 2" with Michael B. Jordan and Zendaya 👀 pic.twitter.com/kqYfmnkRyT— slushy (@xqcreviews) February 19, 2025

Related'Hey, That's Hollywood': Director of...

Will Smith recently opened up about two eerie moments from his past that still haunt him. During a conversation, the actor and musician reflected on how he unknowingly spoke to two legendary figures in the music industry just hours before their untimely deaths. At the time, he had no idea those conversations would be their last, but looking back, he admits the experience left him shaken.

The actor has spent decades in the entertainment industry and has met countless celebrities and icons throughout his career. But these two encounters stood out for a much darker reason.

The Notorious B.I.G in Juicy music video | Credits: YouTube

He once met The Notorious B.I.G. for the first time, only hours before the rapper was tragically killed. Years later, he had a conversation with Prince the night before the music icon passed away.

The eerie reason Will Smith still thinks about his...

Andy Tennant, the director of the Will Smith-led romantic comedy Hitch, says that the star is now working on a seque...without his involvement. The 2005 rom-com was one of the year's highest-grossing films, making more than $371 million at the global box office from a $70 million production budget. The reception by critics was also pretty solid, and today it sits at 68% on Rotten Tomatoes. Thus, the film, which turns 20 this year, stands as one of Will Smith's most successful films from that decade.

Tennant recently spoke to Business Insider about Hitch and revealed that Smith is developing a sequel for the film. At one point, Sony Pictures planned to make a TV show based on the same concept, but the project fizzled out. However, according to Tennant, Smith is still planning a follow-up film to be produced by his studio, Overbrook Entertainment, and the actor has decided to go forward...

Will Smith’s 2005 blockbuster movie Hitch‘s sequel is reportedly in development. If the stars align, this could be his chance to correct a mistake from the original movie.

Will Smith in Hitch | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing

Although Smith is admittedly more of an action and sci-fi hero, his rom-com avatar came as a fresh surprise to fans. Eva Mendes’ hard-edged cynic against him presented the perfect contrast. So it was no surprise that the movie became such a big hit across the world.

However, things might have been completely different if the makers had gone for the original plan with Cameron Diaz. Regardless, now that Will Smith himself is the one making the sequel, he has the perfect opportunity to rectify that mistake.

Will Smith claimed Cameron Diaz was supposed to be cast against him in Hitch

Hitch admittedly remains to this day one of the most beloved movies of Will Smith’s career.

It is no secret that Will Smith is one of the biggest and most influential stars of today. While you may associate him with the Slapgate controversy of 2022, even you cannot deny that his charm and aura are unmatched. From The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to movies like Men in Black and Bad Boys, he has done it all.

Of course, we cannot forget the time he dabbled in the music industry either. Will Smith has many prestigious awards to his name including 4 Grammys, an Oscar, a Golen Globe, and more. All in all, a very celebrated artist.

Will Smith in Men in Black | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing

However, things haven’t always been easy for the man, especially not romantically. Before finding Jada Pinkett Smith and breaking barriers in Hollywood, Will Smith had trouble dating, resulting in heartbreaks that made him want to turn his life around.

The first...

Twenty years after the release of the romantic comedy “Hitch,” director Andy Tennant has opened up about the behind-the-scenes tensions with star Will Smith that nearly derailed the film’s production.

In a candid interview with Business Insider, Tennant revealed significant creative differences that plagued the movie-making process. Just three days before shooting was set to begin, Smith considered backing out of the project, highlighting the intense creative struggles between the director and lead actor.

Despite the challenges, the film became a massive commercial success, grossing over $370 million worldwide. Tennant described the collaborative process as complex, noting that “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together.”

The production was marked by heated debates over key scenes, including the doorstep sequence with Kevin James and the Ellis Island segment. However, the director...

Andy Tennant is looking back on his 2005 film, Hitch, with less than fond memories.

Tennant, who directed the rom-com that stars Will Smith, Kevin James and Eva Mendes, and which just celebrated its 20th anniversary, recently told Business Insider about how he had disagreements and didn’t get along with the movie’s lead, Smith. According to Tennant, the two did not see eye to eye on drafts and the film’s direction. So much so that Smith wanted out just a few days before filming began.

“Will tried to back out three days before we started shooting. He wanted to shut down and work on it some more,” Tennant said.

“We had our difficulties,” the director said. “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together. It was a battle.”

Elsewhere,...

Hitch didn’t go off without a hitch. In fact, the film’s director recently told Business Insider that Will Smith’s 2005 romantic comedy almost didn’t get made at all thanks to all the “crazy shit” that went down during preproduction.

The problem, explained director Andy Tennant, was that he and Smith had completely different visions for the comedy. “Neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together. It was a battle. Jada (Pinkett Smith) was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back.”

Smith pushed back, too. He kept coming to the table with “crazy story ideas,” including a draft so misguided that Tennant said he was more afraid that Smith would make that version than he was about getting canned. The idea that the studio would fire Tennant,...

Will Smith is a bonafide movie star, and you don't get to become a movie star if you're not multi-faceted. Smith's career is one that clearly demonstrates his versatility and then some; he's got a physicality and swagger that lends itself easily to an action film lead, as seen in the "Bad Boys" franchise as well as movies like "Suicide Squad" and "Bright." He has the emotional depth and soulfulness to take on a variety of dramatic roles, as in "King Richard," "The Pursuit of Happyness," "Ali," and "Six Degrees of Separation." He also has a natural comic timing — honed during his years starring on the wildly successful sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" — which crops up in many of his performances, but has also led to winning leading roles in the rom-com "Hitch" and Disney live-action remake "Aladdin."

Despite his considerable range and his continued appeal, Smith has one...

Will Smith's romantic comedy Hitch scored with theatergoers back in 2005, but "it was madness" trying to make the movie, according to the film’s director, Andy Tennant. The filmmaker clashed with the A-list actor who hired him to helm the classic rom-com, because of conflicting story ideas, and Smith even threatened to drop out of the project three days before filming began. Nevertheless, Tennant claims not to “have anything against” Smith in a new interview published at the time of Hitch’s 20th anniversary. Tennant said (via Business Insider):

"He [Smith] hired me to make this movie. It was not an easy job for anybody, but we went around the world with the movie. Even [during] the hard times he’d always say, 'Wait until the junket. We’re gonna go around the world with this.' And we did, and it was great. It was the most amazing trip I had ever been on.

Will Smith is developing a sequel to 'Hitch'.The 56-year-old actor played the lead role in the 2005 romantic comedy film and director Andy Tennant revealed that he learnt that the Oscar-winning star is moving forward with a flick that does not involve him behind the camera.Tennant told Business Insider: "I submitted a proposal for a sequel, which was quite fun, but I guess Will is developing a 'Hitch' sequel without me."I just found out about it three months ago. I had a really good idea for a sequel, and I was talking to an executive at Sony, and he said Will's production company is developing a sequel. Hey, that's Hollywood."The 'Sweet Home Alabama' filmmaker admits that he has not had contact with Will since they finished work on the film but does not "have anything against" the 'Independence Day' star.Tennant explained:...

Will Smith tried to quit Hitch just days before filming started!

The 56-year-old actor starred in and produced the 2005 rom-com, alongside co-stars Kevin James, Eva Mendes, Amber Valletta and more.

However, director Andy Tennant, who also helmed Sweet Home Alabama, recently revealed that the movie had a rough start during pre-production, including clashes with Will.

Keep reading to find out more…

Andy shared with Business Insider that he was sent the script after another movie failed to get off the ground, and the next day he met with Will.

“But, like a lot of scripts, it needed a whole lot of work, but the concept was great,” he dished. “I think my main contribution to the early conversations with Will was about Hitch not being a misogynist.”

“But we had our difficulties. The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make neither one of those movies...

Andy Tennant, the director of the 2005 romantic comedy Hitch, said that Will Smith is developing a sequel to the film but did not include him.

In a new interview, Tennant revealed he had an idea for a sequel to the hit comedy and recently found out Smith is working on a follow-up movie.

“I submitted a proposal for a sequel, which was quite fun, but I guess Will is developing a Hitch sequel without me,” Tennant said in an interview with Business Insider. “I just found out about it three months ago. I had a really good idea for a sequel, and I was talking to an executive at Sony, and he said Will’s production company is developing a sequel. Hey, that’s Hollywood.”

Tennant said he doesn’t “have anything against Will,” adding, “He hired me to make this movie. It was not an easy job for anybody,...

Hitch director Andy Tennant recalls the “difficulties” in filming Hitch and working with Will Smith.

In a new interview, the filmmaker looked back at how it was shooting the 2005 romantic comedy that also starred Eva Mendes, Kevin James, Amber Valletta, Michael Rapaport, and Adam Arkin.

“We had our difficulties. The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together,” Tennant told Business Insider. “It was a battle. [Smith’s wife] Jada [Pinkett Smith] was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back. A lot of crazy shit that was happening.”

Tennant made Hitch after Sweet Home Alabama and detailed that some of the “crazy shit” happening started right from the get-go.

“There was a draft that Will brought in that I was not a fan of.

Ahead of the 20th Anniversary of “Hitch,” director Andy Tennant sat down with Business Insider to talk about his experience making the film – including big clashes with star Will Smith. Apparently, tensions came to a head just three days before filming was slated to start when Smith tried to back out and rework the script.

Admitting to difficulties on both sides, Tennant said, “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together. It was a battle. [Smith’s wife] Jada [Pinkett Smith] was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back on a lot of crazy s–t that was happening.”

Smith brought in his own draft of the 2005 film which Tennant said he was not a fan of. So much so, that he threatened to quit.

In 2005, Will Smith starred alongside Eva Mendes in the romantic comedy film Hitch. Two decades later, director Andy Tennant has shared that a sequel appears to be in the works with Smith back on board — but without Tennant returning.

Per Business Insider, Tennant reflected on Hitch in honor of the movie turning 20 years old in 2025. He noted how there was some friction with Smith when making the first movie, as they had different ideas on what would be best for the project. However, Tennant feels that the two having their disagreements helped make Hitch become as good as it was, feeling that it was the collaboration that resulted in an excellent film.

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“I didn’t want cheap jokes, but he didn’t trust me,...

Hitch celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, but director Andy Tennant told Business Insider that it took a lot of effort to bring the Will Smith romantic comedy blockbuster to the big screen. Tennant and Smith didn’t always agree, and the star even tried to drop out of the movie just three days before shooting was slated to begin.

“We had our difficulties,” Tennant said. “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together. It was a battle. [Smith’s wife] Jada [Pinkett Smith] was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back on a lot of crazy shit that was happening.”

He continued, “There was a lot of fear doing a big, expensive romantic comedy with Will. It was fraught with peril.

Well, the production of iconic rom-com “Hitch” certainly did not go off without a… hitch.

Director Andy Tennant told Business Insider for the 20th anniversary of the film that lead star Will Smith almost left production three days before filming to revise the script. The 2005 film “Hitch” starred Smith as a professional dating coach who is hired by a man (Kevin James) to woo the woman of his dreams (Amber Valletta). In the meantime, the titular Hitch is trying to win his own date (Eva Mendes).

“There was a lot of fear doing a big, expensive romantic comedy with Will,” director Tennant recalled of the film. “It was fraught with peril. Will tried to back out three days before we started shooting. He wanted to shut down and work on it some more. It was madness.”

IndieWire has reached out to Smith’s representatives for comment, but we did not immediately hear back.

“Hitch” director Andy Tennant marked the 20th anniversary of the romantic-comedy with a new Business Insider interview in which he opened up about clashing with star Will Smith. As the filmmaker put it: “I didn’t want cheap jokes, but he didn’t trust me.”

“We had our difficulties,” Tennant said of his relationship with Smith. “The movie I wanted to make and the movie Will wanted to make, neither one of those movies is as good as the movie we made together. It was a battle. [Smith’s wife] Jada [Pinkett Smith] was a big help. She kind of seconded some of my instincts. There was a time during prep when I was pushing back on a lot of crazy shit that was happening.”

“Hitch” starred Smith as a professional date doctor who helps teach men how to impress women, but he’s shocked to discover that his usual tricks and advice don’t...

It’s been 20 years since Will Smith played the “date doctor” Alex “Hitch” Hitchens in 2005’s romantic comedy, Hitch. In the movie, "Hitch" is hired by Kevin James’ Albert Brennaman to help win over the woman of his affection. On Feb. 1, just in time for Valentine’s Day, Hitch will drop on Peacock.

Although known as a big-budget action movie star, Will Smith’s turn in the romantic comedy was a breath of fresh air for the actor who has since gone on to win an Academy Award for his role in 2021’s King Richard. Cbr named Hitch one of the best Will Smith movies.

The movie, which had a budget of $70 million, went on to gross over $371 million worldwide. It also stars Eva Mendes (The Other Guys), Amber Valletta, Julie Ann Emery (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew), and Michael Rapaport. Hitch was directed by Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama) and...

Valentine's Day may be just an opportunity for brands to create heartwarming ads to engage their audiences, with chocolate brands and flower shops getting one of the biggest boosts of the year, but streaming services are getting ready for it, too. At least Peacock is.

Ahead of the day that celebrates love, Peacock made sure to include some of the best rom-coms of all time for those who want to watch them alone or with a partner. The lineup includes a series of choices for every taste. It will include beloved rom-coms like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, the classic Ghost, the slightly-out-of-season Love Actually, and even steamy options like the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and its inspiration, the Twilight Saga.

Related The Twilight Saga Gets New Streaming Home in Time for Valentine's Day

Relive the love triangle between Edward, Bella, and Jacob when The Twilight Saga hits Peacock next month.

"The Age of Adaline" — directed by Lee Toland Krieger and released in 2015 — is, put simply, a movie centered around the idea that Blake Lively is an inhumanly beautiful creature. This makes it hard to imagine that anyone else could have played Adaline Bowman, a woman unstuck in time who's incapable of aging. What you may not know, though, is that "Grey's Anatomy" veteran Katherine Heigl was originally supposed to play the titular role but ended up dropping out ... so what happened here?

Heigl, who originated the role of Dr. Izzie Stevens on the long-running ABC medical drama — and left the series partway through its 6th season — was initially cast in the film against Angela Lansbury, who was supposed to play Adaline's much older daughter, Flemming. Long before the movie came out, Heigl exited the project in 2010, according to a report in Deadline; at first, the outlet said that Heigl's departure was due to on-set strife.

It’s all about award shows and football on Sundays in January. Things kick off that way on TV tonight, Sunday, Jan. 5.

One of the reasons most networks don’t bother bringing their Sunday shows back in January is due to the award shows and football. Something big takes up Sunday night viewing, and Sunday, Jan. 5 kicks it all off with the Golden Globes. You will not want to miss them.

Golden Globes, Sunday Night Football, and more

Let’s start with the Golden Globes. The 82nd annual event will take place on CBS throughout the night. The award show needs little introduction, as you’ve seen it all before. This is a chance for top shows and movies to take away big awards, and we’ll be sure to keep an eye on the biggest wins and losses for you!

What about something for the sports fans? NBC continues...

The 1990s were ripe with terrific sitcoms, namely "Seinfeld," "Frasier," "Friends," "Home Improvement," and "Everyone Loves Raymond." However, tucked between these shows was "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," a snappy, energetic, incredibly entertaining family comedy that launched star Will Smith to superstardom, was nominated for and won a slew of awards, spawned a modern-day spinoff series, and crafted a beloved theme song that Quincy Jones believes cemented hip-hop into pop culture. It also packed quite the emotional punch and it wasn't afraid to hit the dramatic beats. 

"Fresh Prince" ran for six solid seasons, garnering positive reviews for its cast and strong viewership ratings. Nearly everyone involved used their time on the show to achieve fame and fortune on other projects, whether television, movies, or video games. While most of the main cast never rose to the same success they enjoyed on "Fresh Prince," they remained relevant in the decades following its conclusion in 1996. So,...

The most enjoyable additional extras on this disc, aside from Becoming Hitchcock, are interviews with Neil Brand about the scores. Even on The Ring, which is presented here with a score he didn't write, he proves an excellent guide to the mood of the film. Melodrama à la Manx: Stephen Horne on scoring Hitchcock is less detailed in terms of the film itself, but offers an insight into Horne's working on the score.

Davina Quinliven's conversation on Hitch's Leading Ladies - which can be found on The Manxman - is an excellent and accessible dive into the stars of the films on this set and their thematic connections to Hitchcock's later work. From Silent Film Idol to Superman: John Stuart by Jonathan Croall also gets down to specifics about John Stuart, whose long career would extend to Richard Donner's superhero film of 1978.

Charles Barr provides excellent additional insight.

The new Texas Chainsaw Massacre video game from Gun Interactive was just released for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One last year, and the developers have been keeping a steady flow of updates coming ever since. The next update is coming up on December 12th – and with this one comes the addition of Skeet Ulrich from the Scream franchise as a new victim character named Wyatt and Chainsaw franchise veteran Bill Moseley as a new killer family member called Bones. Moseley is best known for playing the character Chop Top in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (and he also appeared as Drayton Sawyer in Texas Chainsaw 3D), but since the makers of this video game only have the rights to base the game on the original film, Moseley has been given a brand new character to bring to life. You can see Bones and Wyatt in the trailer embedded above,...

Romantic comedy is one of cinema's most underrated genres. Some lucky rom-coms have managed to make it big at the box office, becoming remembered as culturally significant films.

These are the highest-grossing rom-coms since 1995, after adjusting for inflated ticket prices. Coincidentally, these films are not only ones that raked in cash while in theaters but are also beloved among fans. Whether it's the Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen-led Knocked Up or Will Smith's 2005 flick Hitch, the last 29 years have seen plenty of successful romantic comedies.

Knocked Up Finds Humor in the Chaos of Unexpected Parenthood Knocked Up (2007)

Domestic Box Office Returns for Knocked Up

At Time of Release

$149 Million

Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation

$233 Million

After a one-night stand results in an unexpected pregnancy, total opposites Ben Stone and Alison Scott, played by Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl, must navigate the realities of impending parenthood. As the couples worlds collide,...

Since transitioning from TV to movies, Will Smith has become one of Hollywoods biggest stars, with the catalog to back up his status. Smith first rose to prominence as the star of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Not many TV actors can move on to films so easily, but Smith clearly had the talent, the charisma and the pure intangible star power. Throughout the 1990s, he starred in a string of huge box office hits.

Although Smith was initially seen as a comedic actor, with movies like Bad Boys and Men in Black, he has shown a more impressive range. With three Oscar nominations to his name, Smith has proven his chops in biopics, action movies and traditional dramas. This means that his best movies show many sides to his acting talents, and they span from the early 1990s to the here and now.

Related The 8 Movies That Defined...

Hollywood has its share of glamor, glitz, and golden status, but some stars have snagged a very different kind of prize, a spot in Guinness Book of World Records. Since 1955, the most recognized title has kept a track record of the most bizarre, extraordinary, and even ridiculous accomplishments. While most of us think of Guinness Records as home for the world’s longest fingernails, a surprising number of celebrities have found their places within its pages.

Whether it’s for holding the longest film career or record-setting stunts, Hollywood’s biggest names have carved out their names in ways that most people would never imagine. Curious to know the names of the star-studded lineup that made Hollywood proud by earning an entitlement in the Guinness Book? Here are the most popular celebrities that have taken home global recognition.

Will Smith

Will Smith has been in the industry for over three...

Mark Cousins has long established himself as one of film’s most thoughtful commentators, crafting illuminating documentaries that uncover new layers of understanding. In his latest, My Name is Alfred Hitchcock, the director works his analytical magic on one of cinema’s true legends. What makes this film especially fascinating is the innovative format—it plays like an evening spent chatting with Hitchcock himself.

Through the skilled vocal impersonation of Alistair McGowan, the droll yet perceptive Master of Suspense acts as our guide. He walks us through his own vast body of work, bringing a personal touch lacking in other analytical profiles.

Cousins has divided the film into thematic chapters, with Hitchcock pointing out recurring motifs and ingenious techniques. We cover topics like escape, desire, loneliness, and the tantalizing effects of suspended time.

By imagining this lively dialogue with Hitchcock across the ages, Cousins keeps the late director’s mystique alive while offering fresh insights.

In 1980, acclaimed horror director John Carpenter brought together two of the genre's biggest "Scream Queens" in one motion picture, The Fog. Shot on a limited budget in anamorphic widescreen to make the film feel much bigger than it actually was, the grandiose nature of this movie was further helped by being just one of two films to feature the mother-daughter pairing of Jamie Lee Curtis and her mom, Janet Leigh.

For those who might not be aware, "Scream Queen" is a term used to describe the generic "damsel-in-distress" type characters that populated the horror genre for so very long. While actresses like Fay Wray (King Kong) and Anne Gwynne (House of Frankenstein) are typically considered the progenitors of the trope, actress Janet Leigh became the most famous "Scream Queen" in the 1960s and would later share that title with her daughter, Jamie Lee Curtis, who rose to similar prominence in...

Eva Mendes says she may consider acting again if the right role came along — as long as it involved working alongside her husband Ryan Gosling. In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the actress known for titles like The Place Beyond The Pines and Hitch opened up about the challenges she faced early in her career and what might bring her back to film roles.

While Mendes says she was “never in love with acting,” facing barriers like typecasting and ethnic bias made her determined to prove herself. “They would say ‘she’s too ethnic for this, too ethnic for that,'” Mendes recalled of casting calls in her early career. This “fueled” her to work harder. Although times changed and “being Latina became cool,” the obstacles stayed with Mendes.

The Cuban-American star stepped away from films nearly a decade ago to focus on raising her two daughters with Gosling.

Eva Mendes says the only way that she could be convinced to return to acting is if it’s alongside her husband Ryan Gosling.

It’s been a decade since Mendes stepped away from acting. Her last role was a small part in Gosling’s feature directorial debut Lost River. The actress’ last credit, though, was lending her voice to a 2021 episode of Bluey.

“I was never in love with acting. I don’t mean this in a self-deprecating way, but I wasn’t a great actress. I had my moments when I worked with really great people,” she said in an interview with the U.K.’s Sunday Times.

Mendes says her best work was opposite Gosling in films like Lost River and The Place Beyond the Pines, which is the 2012 film where they first met.

“He gets something out of me that’s never been accessible before,” she said.