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Exclusive: In the words of John Rambo: “Nothing is over!”

Action vets Millennium Media, known for the Has Fallen, Hitman’s Bodyguard and Expendables franchises, are launching John Rambo at the Cannes market, a prequel to 1982 action classic First Blood.

Rare Exports, Big Game and Sisu director Jalmari Helander is set to direct from a screenplay by writing duo Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani (Black Adam). The aim is to start principal photography in October in Thailand.

The film’s plot is under wraps, but it will be the origin story of a young John Rambo during the Vietnam War, with casting in early stages. We understand Sylvester Stallone is aware of the project but is not currently involved. We hear the door is open from producers should a fitting role arise.

One of the most iconic action heroes in U.S. cinema, the character was originally created by...

"What's this I hear about you wanting to quit the game?" Empire Ent. has revealed an official trailer for an action comedy movie called Guns Up, the latest from director Edward Drake. This has no US release set yet - even with Kevin James. It looks like it's opening in European countries this summer before anywhere else, hence why this first trailer and other posters are already out. A family-man ex-cop now moonlighting as a henchman for the mob has one night to get his family out of the city – and keep his dark secret hidden from his kids – after a job goes wrong. Kevin James stars as Ray Hayes, who was working as a mob thug and now needs to get his family to safety. Here's a tidbit from IMDb trivia: "Kevin James has stated that he got the inspiration for his performance by watching French bulldogs try to jump up on a couch.

Exclusive: Miroslav “Miro” Barnyashev and his wife, manager and producing partner, Cj Perry, have returned to WWE, in new deals negotiated by Paradigm, their agents. They solidified the rejuvenated collaboration by appearing this evening at Netflix’s Monday Night Raw as part of the ongoing events celebrating WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.

Barnyashev previously wrestled under the name Rusev when he joined WWE in 2014. He originally presented as a dominant, undefeated Bulgarian brute alongside Perry, under the name Lana. He is a three-time WWE United States Champion. He competed at multiple WrestleManias and headlined several PPVs, feuding with top stars including John Cena (WrestleMania 31), Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and Aj Styles. He became a breakout crossover personality due to his comedic timing, crowd connection, and versatility. During pandemic-related talent cuts, Barnyashev was released in April 2020.

Barnyashev pivoted to Aew in September 2020 under the name Miro. He captured the Aew TNT Championship...

After most recently directing episodes of Unicorn: Warriors Eternal and Primal, the next project from director Genndy Tartakovsky just got a major update. Netflix has released the first images from Fixed, the upcoming adult animated comedy starring Idris Elba and Kathryn Hahn. The streamer has also announced that the film will be released on August 23. Fixed follows Bull, an all-around good dog, who discovers he will be neutered the next morning. As the gravity of the situation sets in, he realizes he needs one last adventure with his group of best friends. In addition to Elba and Hahn, Fixed also stars Adam Devine (Pitch Perfect), Fred Armisen (Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy), Bobby Moynihan (Inside Out 2), Beck Bennett (Sing), Michelle Buteau (Happiest Season), and River Gallo (Ponyboi).

Tartakovsky is a five-time Emmy Award winner for his work on projects like Primal, Samurai Jack, and Star Wars: Clone Wars,...

Nearly two years ago, at the outset of the first writers’ strike in 15 years, Edward Drake made some adjustments to the script of the low-budget indie he was directing in the interest of the safety and welfare of his cast and crew. Nearly a year later, his union expelled him after a discipline procedure that he claims violated the union’s own constitution and federal labor law.

That’s according to an appeal letter of the decision from Drake that became accessible to members of the Writers Guild of America on Friday, alongside the union’s position statement and reply to Drake’s allegations, painting a starkly different account of the situation. Drake is one of four WGA West members pursuing an appeal in a bid to change their situations. Members will have a chance to peruse both sides’ arguments before a voting period takes place between May 6 and 9 that...

In case you've been living under a rock, Adam Sandler has been on quite a streak. From delivering an award worthy performance (that was sadly snubbed at the Oscars), to going back to his roots with great comedy specials and completely stealing the show in one of the best moments from the "SNL 50" anniversary special, it's a damn good time to be the Sandman. Well over 30 years into his career in entertainment, Sandler shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and this year won't be the exception.

On the horizon, Sandler's got two big movies hitting Netflix in 2025: "Jay Kelly," a dramedy written and directed by Noah Baumbach, will see Sandler team up on screen with George Clooney and Laura Dern, while fans of "Happy Gilmore" will finally get the long-awaited sequel, "Happy Gilmore 2," this summer. In case you've been debating doing a full marathon of Adam Sandler's best roles,...

Exclusive: Vertical has taken North American rights to Brian Kirk’s action thriller The Dead of Winter which stars and was executive produced by Emma Thompson. A Q4 theatrical release is being eyed.

With a screenplay by Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb, The Dead of Winter follows a widowed fisherwoman (Thompson) trapped in a Minnesotan blizzard who interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager (Laurel Marsden), only to realize that she is the young victim’s only hope. The film is Kirk’s follow-up to 2019’s 21 Bridges.

Pic stars Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca, Laurel Marsden, Gaia Wise, Lloyd Hutchinson, and Brían F. O’Byrne.

“The Dead of Winter is a merciless thriller, set in an epic wilderness with a beautiful love story at its heart. Emma Thompson gives a stunning performance unlike anything she has ever done before,” said Kirk. “The movie has been a passion project for all of us...

Adam Sandler's 2015 sci-fi comedy movie Pixels will soon have a new streaming home. It will be available on Netflix starting April 11.

Pixels was directed by legendary filmmaker Chris Columbus. Sandler stars as Sam Brenner, a former arcade video game champion who unites with other players to save the world from an alien attack. When the aliens misinterpret video footage of classic video games as a declaration of war, they use the games as blueprints for their invasion, leading President Will Cooper (Kevin James) to recruit Sam to engage the aliens in an all-out battle where the fate of the planet is at stake.

Pixels was inspired by Patrick Jean's 2010 short film, and Jean served as an executive producer on the film. The story drew on the nostalgia factor of classic retro arcade games, with Pac-Man, Donkey Kong and Space Invaders being licensed for the film. Pixels was released...

Adam Sandler has consistently delivered comedy gold over the years with fan-favorite hits like Happy Gilmore, Big Daddy, and the Hotel Transylvania series. However, every once in a while, a comedic genius delivers a big-screen dud — just ask Eddie Murphy. Grown Ups (2010) and its lazily titled sequel Grown Ups 2 (2013) are two such examples of Sandler sinkers, but that’s the beauty of streaming. Modern-day Sandler fans who haven't seen the movie yet can decide for themselves when both films become available to stream for absolutely free on Tubi beginning April Fools’ Day.

Grown Ups and its follow-up both took advantage of genius creative and marketing strategies as the films teamed up Sandler with some of Hollywood’s best and brightest comedic actors, including Kevin James, David Spade, and Chris Rock. Nevertheless, the original 2010 team-up was lambasted by the critics, and their reviews resulted in Grown Ups receiving an absurdly low 10% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Since its premiere, How I Met Your Mother has become an iconic TV sensation. The series aired for nine seasons starting in 2005 and ending in 2014 while Ted Mosby told his children the long story of meeting their mother. The show portrayed five friends’ experiences in Manhattan while they dealt with adulthood, careers, and relationships in their lives.

Himym established its success through its different storytelling features as well as its humor combined with the undeniable bond among the lead characters. The show designed its plot structure in a non-linear way. Its memorable dialogue and brainchild concepts, such as “Bro Code”, lived on as pop culture references after the series.

Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel, and Josh Radnor in How I Met Your Mother | Credit: 20th Century Fox Television

However, fans of the show wonder about the fates of the original show members who portrayed these TV characters years after the series finale aired.

Adam Sandler is one of his generation's most iconic comedy actors. His early works, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, The Wedding Singer, etc., are among the most well-known and acclaimed. While later movies have seen a more "mixed" critical reception, Sandler has no doubt made his mark. But what if there was a secret Easter egg in several of his movies? And what if that Easter egg was hidden in plain sight?

In several Sandman pictures, his female love interest has the initials "Vv." There's Veronica Vaughn, Virginia Venit, Vicki Vallencourt, and more. But not every onscreen partner has these initials, so what's the story with the ones that do? Have we stumbled down some new conspiracy theory rabbit hole? Is "Vv" a secret sign warning of what's to come? Or is it just Sandler being Sandler and making up funny names? In all likelihood, the latter is the case.

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.

On his way to becoming Hollywood's next action star, Alan Ritchson has signed a deal to star in an upcoming Netflix movie called War Machine. Not much is known about the film, except that it stars Ritchson alongside a notable group of action icons. However, the actor who shot to fame by starring in Amazon Prime Video's action series Reacher has come out to say that War Machine will be Netflix's "biggest movie ever." Talk about confidence.

Ritchson was featured in Wired's web series "Autocomplete Interview," where he answered the internet's most-searched questions about him. One of the most frequent questions is "What new movie is Alan Ritchson in?," and the actor used the opportunity to talk about his upcoming feature film War Machine:

"Got like nine coming out, dude, it's crazy. War Machine for Netflix. I think, and you heard it here first, probably gonna be the,...

Though controversial figures like Joe Rogan and Conor McGregor and organizations like the UFC have turned mixed martial arts into one of the most popular sports in the world, that popularity has failed to translate to the world of cinema. "Rocky" and "Raging Bull" showed what full-contact competitive fighting sports could uniquely bring to the sports subgenre, and the continued success of the "Creed" series proves that the appetite from audiences for this sort of film persists despite the Marvel-ification of the movie theater.

So why aren't there more Mma movies? It's likely because what few have been produced have, on the whole, been critical failures. But that doesn't mean this sub-subgenre is doomed altogether. We've found the 10 best Mma movies ever made, the best qualities of each arguably revealing what qualities future films need to master before entering the theatrical octagon themselves.

Read more: The 25 Best '80s Action...

You’re Next put a delightfully bloody spin on the home invasion genre, earning the film a passionate cult following that has only grown since its release in 2011. Although the ending of You’re Next did leave the door open for a sequel, a follow-up never materialized. However, that doesn’t mean that director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett didn’t consider it.

In a new commentary track (via Bloody Disgusting) on the film’s new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook release, Wingard and Barrett detailed the sequel and explained why they’re glad they never made it.

“Originally, [the Lamb Mask killer] got decapitated in the script with his hand pinned to his head,” Barrett said. “But then we were like, ‘Ah, perfect opportunity, because this film’s gonna be a huge theatrical success, everyone’s telling us, so for You’re Next 2 we’ll just bring [L.C. Holt] back as the Lamb Mask killer.

The 1990s are often considered the golden age of sitcoms. These shows didn't hesitate to showcase the highs and lows of normal life and managed to make them laugh-out-loud funny. They also prompted the careers of stunning actors, most of whom have gone on to become household names.

Yet, since many of these shows were so successful, a lot of them used a lot of similar themes. Whether it was a unique type of character or a type of running gag, these motifs signify what's so great about these sitcoms. So, even though certain themes might get a bit repetitive, fans still adore them.

Everyone Talks to Their Neighbors The King of Queens

Most people give their neighbors a friendly wave and leave things at that. Yet, in the world of '90s sitcoms, it seems that all of the characters are quite happy to live in each other's pockets.

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.

RelatedReba McEntire's New Sitcom Gets Renewal Fate Revealed Ahead of Finale

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

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

Beyond "Aliens" and "Predators," the alien movie subgenre is debatably the crown jewel of cinematic science fiction. It allows visionary filmmakers and effects designers the chance to show audiences creatures they never would have imagined. Sometimes they're meant to strike terror into the hearts of moviegoers afraid of the unknown, but they can also be used to inspire a profound sense of empathy and wonder about the greater universe that surrounds our little blue planet.

Finding a good alien movie can be tricky, even on a streaming service like Netflix, despite its seemingly infinite offerings in nearly every genre (even though physical media is where the goods truly are). Admittedly, they don't have what many consider to be the best alien movies ever made, but that doesn't mean there aren't a few hidden gems, forgotten masterpieces, and workable misfires in the catalog to fuel your next intergalactic movie night. From...

Alan Ritchson is a rare breed in Hollywood.

The refreshingly honest A-list action star is unafraid to get candid on everything from his winding journey in Hollywood to his views on politics, religion and the hard work it takes to get to the top. A new profile in GQ offers more of the same as Ritchson opens up on all of the above ahead of Reacher‘s season three debut Thursday.

The comments generating the most traction online happen to be about controversial politician Matt Gaetz, someone Ritchson went to school with while growing up in Florida. “That motherfucker. We are adversaries,” Ritchson told GQ writer Matthew Roberson. “It’s shocking to me that the panhandle of Florida continues to vote for somebody — knowing everything we know about him and the promises that he’s made behind closed doors about pardoning certain criminals — he’s just not a good dude!

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...

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,...

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 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.

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.

RelatedOne of Will Smith's Greatest Movies Sees Streaming Success Nearly 30 Years Later

An Oscar-winning film from Will Smith becomes a strong performance in the streaming world long after its release.

“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...

Exclusive: Vertical has acquired U.S. and UK/Ire rights to Guns Up, a new action comedy starring actor and comedian Kevin James. Hailing from writer-director Edward Drake (Detective Knight film series) and Millennium Media, the studio behind the Hitman’s Bodyguard franchise, the film is set to hit theaters this summer.

Also starring Christina Ricci (Yellowjackets), Luis Guzmán (Wednesday), Melissa Leo (The Fighter) and Keana Marie (Dash & Lily), Guns Up follows Ray Hayes (James), an ex-cop and devoted husband and father who leads a dangerous double life as a mob henchman. On the brink of leaving “The Family” and making his dream of opening a diner with his wife Alice (Ricci) a reality, his final job goes off the rails. With the clock ticking, Ray has one night to get his unsuspecting family out of the city before he gets snuffed out.

Writer-director Drake called the film “a love-letter...

Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2 continues to bolster its star-studded cast as it adds a comedy veteran to the ranks. The anticipated sequel reunites star Adam Sandler with a new addition in acclaimed actor Kym Whitley.

Via The Hollywood Reporter, Whitley will portray Bessie, a friend of Sandler's title character from a support group. Whitley has starred in various comedies dating back to the '90s, appearing in The Wayans Bros., The Parkers, The Upshaws and The Neighborhood, while also having voice roles in The Boondocks and The Cleveland Show.

RelatedAdam Sandler's Back on the Golf Course in New Look at Netflix's Happy Gilmore 2

Netflix unveils a new Happy Gilmore 2 image spotlighting Adam Sandler taking a big swing.

The Happy Gilmore follow-up reunites Whitley with Sandler and Ben Stiller, who starred together in the 2020 horror comedy mystery film, Hubie Halloween. The Netflix film, which also starred the late Ray Liotta,...

A true "chameleon" in the film industry is an actor that can disappear into their work. However, a true monkey in the film industry is an actor that can disappear into their work and is also a huge cash cow. Or maybe that is just the modern industry legend, Crystal the Capuchin.

There is a lot of animal imagery going on here, but what you need to know is that Crystal is a certified movie star, and a rather lucrative one at that. Though you are likely to recognize Crystal from her decades-long, illustrious film and TV career in hits like Night at the Museum, here is the story behind the underrated celebrity, from her stage roots to her billions-making ongoing stint as a supporting lady on screen.

A Star Is Born

Crystal is a Tufted Capuchin monkey. Born on May 6, 1994, she is currently 30 years old. Her owner, now famed Hollywood animal trainer Tom Gunderson,...

Curb Your Enthusiasm just wouldn’t have been the same without Susie Greene, the foul-mouthed kaftan entrepreneur who won’t hesitate to loudly put Larry David in his place — which the real Larry loves, apparently.

Susie Greene is, of course, played by comedian Susie Essman, who seems very kind in real life. It’s hard to imagine her ever calling anybody a “fat fuck” or a “bald piece of shit.” So why was she cast as Curb’s biggest vulgarian?

While Essman knew David from back in their 1980s stand-up comedy days, it wasn’t until a specific performance in 1999 that the Seinfeld co-creator realized that she would be perfect for the role of Jeff’s rage-prone wife.

Essman recently guested on Ted Danson’s podcast Where Everybody Knows Your Name. Obviously the two worked together on Curb, but as Essman told Danson, the interview finally gave them an opportunity...

I, Robot, the 2004 Will Smith-led film that takes its name from Isaac Asimov’s 1950 collection of short stories, is headed to Peacock. Starting Feb. 1, viewers will be able to stream I, Robot, which was nominated for a 2005 Oscar for Best Achievement in Visual Effects.

The film, which also starred Bridget Moynahan, James Cromwell, Bruce Greenwood, and Resident Alien’s Alan Tudyk made $353 million at the worldwide box office against a budget of $120 million. The film currently has a 57% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 70% Popcornmeter Score based on more than a quarter of a million ratings.

When the film was first released, some fans had issues with it since it shares the title with the first of Asimov’s Robot book series and includes Asimov’s three laws of robotics. However, the movie does not share many similarities with any of the author’s works beyond that.

Related...

The world of agents and managers is known for producing wunderkinds, phenoms barely out of school who ride rocket ships from the mailroom to the corner office and beyond.

Rory Rosegarten’s story got off to a similar kind of fast start, but it happened outside of the traditional corridors of Hollywood power. By the age of 20, he was repping comedian Robert Klein and starting to build a client roster, but his trajectory from there got more interesting than the Sammy Glick/Entourage clichés about talent representation. The two-time Emmy winner for Everybody Loves Raymond (Ray Romano is a 38-year client) has become an increasingly prolific producer. Three projects centered around Tom Green, another client, are landing this month on Amazon Prime Video.

Rosegarten, 62, grew up on Long Island and is still running the company he founded in 1982 after meeting comedian Klein on a freelance interview assignment for Playboy. His solo management shingle,...

When Sam Malone showed up to visit on the original Frasier, fans got a thrill seeing old-favorite characters reunite for a one-off episode. But several sitcoms have done those types of cameos one better, casting familiar costars as entirely new characters to add a dose of barely earned nostalgia. Sometimes the ploy works and sometimes it doesn’t, as you’ll see in these five examples of classic sitcom costars who reunited on new shows.

1 Kevin James and Leah Remini

When James tried to reboot his sitcom career with Kevin Can Wait, he soon discovered he didn’t have much chemistry with his new TV wife Erinn Hayes. With little thought to public reaction, James and his producers decided “Why not have Hayes’ character die — off camera — before we start a Season Two?” That’s just what they did, enlisting James’ former TV wife, King of Queens’ Remini, to rekindle some comedy sparks.

Plenty of big-name comics are on tour this year, and Variety figures you want to know how to buy tickets. But before you plunk down your hard-earned cash, you should do a little comparison shopping to see which shows provide the best value for your comedy dollar.

Here’s that list of upcoming stand-up tours, separated into cost-based tiers. Fire up that PayPal and let’s go buy some laughs…

The Bargain Basement $50 Tier

If there’s a no-brainer show on this list, it’s the wicked Wanda Sykes with tickets starting at only $53. She’s much funnier and more accomplished than several of the comics on this list — and what a bargain!

The $60 Glut Tier

There are more comedians in the $60 to $70 range than any other group on this list, including Shane Gillis, Brett Goldstein, Brian Reagan, Nate Bargatze, Jo Koy, Tom Segura, Patton Oswalt and the red-pilled Whitney Cummings.

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Comedians are taking the stage to embark on national tours and debut brand new material.

From Nikki Glaser, fresh off her headline-grabbing Golden Globes hosting gig , to Shane Gillis, currently midway through a nationwide tour, there are dozens of stand-up shows to see this year.

Below are the most anticipated comedians hitting the stage this year — and where to buy tickets.

Shane Gillis

When: Jan. 17 – Jun. 28

Where: U.S Tour

Price: Starting at $60

Buy Now: Shane Gillis Nikki Glaser

When: Jan. 30 – Sept. 6

Where: U.S Tour

Price: Starting at $120

Buy Now: Nikki Glaser Ricky Gervais

When: Jan. 21 – Dec. 4

Where: U.K + Tour

Price: Starting at $120

Buy Now: Ricky Gervais Kevin Hart

When: Jan. 17 – Apr. 13

Where: U.S Tour

Price: Starting at $120

Buy Now: Kevin Hart Theo Von

When: Feb.

Quick Links Kevin Can F**K Himself Was Based on a Real-Life Scandal This Show Is Teeming With Brilliant Twists Fans Were Blown Away by This Tense Black Comedy

Sitcoms are an integral part of modern television, and with so many great options to choose from, it can be hard for some shows to stand out from the cast. A lot of writers strive to think outside the box and experiment with different formats and mediums to attract new audiences. Others keep things light and aim to call back to a simpler time in comedy history. As such, audiences are forced to scour through countless shows, all of which are determined to be the next best thing.

Kevin Can F**k Himself doesn't try to give the audience something new, nor does it use the same tactics seen in earlier sitcoms. Instead, this show takes the nuts and bolts of...

Martial arts sequences in films are often impressive, but they take a lot of work behind the scenes, with a few actors putting in the work to learn martial arts to pull off such scenes. Many of the iconic martial arts films and scenes that come to mind are carried out by martial arts legends like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jean-Claude Van Damme, but these actors had already trained in martial arts years before they got their start in films.

Other actors such as Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, and Michelle Yeoh learned martial arts in preparation for a particular project, with only a few continuing to be known for their other martial arts films after the fact. The commitment to the physicality that comes with a martial arts role isn't always necessary. Still, it adds an appreciated layer to the actor's performance, improving the overall believability of the film's fight scenes.

Movie buffs are choosing to spend Christmas devouring classic and contemporary holiday movies alike. While many tuck into their 12th helping of Elf and The Holiday, and the Bruce Willis-stans are loading up their old VHS copies of Die Hard, Letterboxd users are tuning in to Netflix's best action film in ages, and it just so happens to be a Christmas movie. Carry-On stars Taron Egerton as Ethan Kopek, a Tsa agent who gets blackmailed to allow a dangerous package to pass through security on Christmas Eve. Not content with sitting by, Ethan tries to out-maneuver the mysterious terrorist and save everyone in the airport.

Carry-On (released on Dec. 13) is already a massive hit, flying to the top of Netflix's Top 10 ranking upon release, and earning a solid 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. In the lead-up to Chrismtas, Carry-On is also at the top of Letterboxd's most popular movies list,...

Appearing on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show a record 13 times certainly boosted Nate Bargatze’s profile ­­­­— as did his quick succession of stand-up specials, the majority of them via Netflix. Nothing, however, compares to a visibility bump from hosting Saturday Night Live, which he did for the first time in the fall of 2023. “It changed everything in my life,” he says now, “or just sped it up to where we shot out of a rocket and now we’re just trying to keep our feet on the ground.”

In the year or so since, Bargatze, a married father of one, solidified his status as the No. 1 earning comedian in the world, according to Pollstar, and was invited back to SNL this fall. The Tennessee native, who followed his magician dad into the entertainment business, also founded a family-friendly content company, Nateland Entertainment, and over the course of a single week...

Comedy actor and podcast host Zach Justice has launched his own indie production banner, Dropouts University Studios.

After the launch of Justice’s Dropouts podcast in 2020, the media venture will produce new podcast shows. That includes The Lunch Table, which teams childhood best friends Justice and Skyler Horne at an old school lunch table to chat about all things sports, comedy, and navigating life in Los Angeles.

Dropouts University Studios will also produce Stop the Bit, hosted by Ryan Leader and Ben Ball and offering audio content that blends sketch comedy and longform podcasting. Justice’s production banner also has in the works a PBS kids education show, a deal with MGM Alternative, a division of Amazon MGM Studios, and other unspecified film and TV projects.

Justice as a comedy writer, actor and content creator has around 9 million fans across social media platforms. He most recently wrote and sold the...

TV finales are by their very nature emotional, which often complicates matters when it's time for a comedy to say its goodbyes. Unlike adventure programs or dramas, sitcoms don't have a built-in final act. There's no battle to win or mystery to solve. And yet, there is a sense that something special must happen in the series finale. As a result, many sitcoms choose to build their final episode around major moments of transition in the lives of their characters.

The end of a show can mean it's time for fans to part ways with characters they've known and laughed along with for years of their lives. Many sitcoms respect this by taking a break from their normally hilarious antics to imbue the plot with weight and emotion.

Doug and Carrie Consider Divorce Their Marriage Is the Show's Driving Force

Number of Seasons

9

Finale Title

China Syndrome Part 2

Airdate

May...

Plenty of comedy stars have popped in for a cameo when their old sitcom costars get a new gig — think Cheers’ Ted Danson visiting the original Frasier or most of the Community cast stopping by Ken Jeong’s Dr. Ken. But some sitcom stars have such amazing chemistry that they need to keep a good thing going.

Here are five pairs of funny people who costarred together in multiple sitcoms…

1 Danny McBride and Walton Goggins

McBride and Goggins headlined Vice Principals as competing a-holes vying to rule the school via promotion to the top job. When McBride went on to create The Righteous Gemstones for HBO, he again enlisted Goggins as a failed child star who once headlined a gospel song-and-dance team. Goggins told Conan O’Brien that McBride “is the funniest person I have ever met in my life.” The two even teamed to desecrate the reputations of Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar.

Alan Ritchson’s career has exploded ever since the Prime Video series, “Reacher,” really took off during the pandemic. Now it’s a bonafide hit, and Ritchson is getting cast in movies alongside Henry Cavill, Shailene Woodley, Kevin James and more. But before he leaves everything behind for full-blown stardom, he hasn’t forgotten “Reacher,” which returns for season three on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Read More: The 75 Most Anticipated TV Shows Of 2025

Yesterday, Prime Video announced the new date with the release of an adrenaline-fueled teaser trailer.

Continue reading ‘Reacher’ Season 3 Trailer: Alan Ritchson Returns To Kick Ass On February 20 at The Playlist.

The new NCIS episode tonight featured some interesting cast members.

NCIS guest stars Sara Paxton and Sam McMurray had many viewers wondering about their characters.

The December 2 episode was called Hardboiled. It served as NCIS Season 22, Episode 7.

“Torres receives intel from a confidential informant regarding top secret naval information that’s at risk of being sold,” reads the brief synopsis for Hardboiled.

Only one new episode remains before the NCIS fall finale arrives later in December.

After the fall finale, the show begins its long winter break before returning in 2025.

Sara Paxton and Sam McMurray guest star on NCIS Season 22, Episode 7

A dead naval researcher leads to an intriguing case during the new NCIS episode. That researcher is Roger Carnahan, the new head of Weapons and Warfare at the Office of Naval Research.

It is later discovered that his wife Amber (Sara Paxton) is holed up in a hotel with...

Do you look like Twisters and Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell? Are your parents aspiring actors? Well, you could kill two birds with one stone by winning Austin’s Glen Powell lookalike contest, where the actor says whoever takes home the prize could see their parents or a family member cameo in one of his movies. I’m just learning this, but Powell’s parents “frequently show up” in his films, and he wants someone else to have the same experience. I’m not kidding.

Glen Powell couldn’t attend a Glen Powell lookalike contest in Austin, Texas, because he was busy filming Edgar Wright’s version of Stephen King’s The Running Man. Still, his mother and aunt helped judge the competition. How adorable is that? According to Fox 7 Austin, a physician’s assistant, Maxwell Braunstein, won the top prize. Want to know what he won? I hope you’re sitting down.