Daily News 19

Tag: Film

  • Robert Pattinson’s ‘you see how this looks, right’ Primetime Quote: What It Really Means

    Robert Pattinson’s ‘you see how this looks, right’ Primetime Quote: What It Really Means

    Key Highlights

    • Robert Pattinson portrays Chris Hansen in the A24 film Primetime, now in U.S. theaters, with early trailers going viral for his delivery of Hansen’s iconic line: “You see how this looks, right?”
    • Pattinson, considered an outside Oscar contender, tells LADbible he found it fascinating how the serious Dateline segment To Catch a Predator became an internet meme, and anticipated the trailer’s own viral second life.
    • The film holds an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score; Variety praises “extraordinary performances” that make the “uncompromisingly grimy” movie unignorable. U.K. release is set for 31 October.

    Pattinson’s Chris Hansen Portrayal Ignites Viral Buzz Ahead of Primetime Release

    A24’s Primetime has arrived in U.S. cinemas, propelled by a wave of online attention that began months before opening weekend. The catalyst was Robert Pattinson’s uncanny embodiment of Chris Hansen, the former host of NBC’s Dateline: To Catch a Predator. Early trailers spread rapidly across social platforms, zeroing in on Pattinson’s delivery of Hansen’s signature confrontation line: “You see how this looks, right?” The clip turned the actor into an instant meme and placed him in the early conversation as a dark-horse contender for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

    The Irony of a Serious Sting Operation Becoming Internet Comedy

    In an exclusive interview with LADbible, Pattinson dissected the strange trajectory that took a hard-hitting investigative news segment and transformed it into lasting meme fodder. He explained that the script’s central tension—the gap between the show’s grave purpose and its eventual ironic afterlife—was what drew him to the role. “I think that’s one of the things I found interesting about the characters and the story, it’s one of those weird internet things, why has he been co-opted? When you look at the chronology of how people were receiving the show… it was a segment on the news, that’s what it was,” Pattinson said. He described the speed of the shift as jarring: “To be so popular immediately was so strange, but then it was co-opted so quickly by people doing parodies and people normalising it and it being something which people were imitating just immediately.”

    The actor dug deeper into the “alchemy” that made audiences read a predator sting as entertainment. “You’re like ‘Why? What was it about the alchemy of the different elements that made it first of all something where people interpreted the news as sort of like… funny? Because it wasn’t supposed to be funny,” he observed. Pattinson acknowledged the difficulty of predicting internet culture but admitted he sensed the trailer might follow the same path: “But then it had this second life as this internet thing, which in some ways was ironic, it’s so difficult to understand why anything happens on the internet but I kinda thought there was a possibility that that might happen.”

    Chris Hansen Embraces the Meme Legacy

    The subject of the portrayal has publicly welcomed his unexpected digital fame. Chris Hansen has addressed the phenomenon repeatedly, most notably during a 2019 appearance on the H3 podcast. He framed the meme status as a generational bridge: “It’s amazing to me because a whole generation of people who were kids or not even born when we started doing To Catch a Predator now know me through YouTube clips and memes.” Hansen argued that resistance is futile in modern media: “I think it’s great. You have to embrace it—if you take yourself too seriously in this business, you’re done.” He traced his own acceptance to the shift from rigid network formats to audience-driven clips: “At first, back at NBC, everything had to be very rigid news broadcast format. But when I saw the online reaction, I realized people loved the catchphrases and the dramatic moments. So why fight it?”

    Critical Reception and Release Schedule

    Early critical consensus suggests the film transcends its viral marketing hook. Primetime holds an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes at the time of publication. Variety highlighted the ensemble’s work as the anchor that prevents the film’s bleak aesthetic from alienating viewers: “This uncompromisingly grimy approach would be actively repellent were it not for the extraordinary performances, which make Primetime a thing you cannot stop watching even as the desire to flee to the nearest shower cubicle grows.” The film is currently playing in U.S. theaters and expands to U.K. cinemas on 31 October.

    Why This Matters

    Primetime arrives at a cultural moment where true-crime media, internet irony, and prestige cinema increasingly overlap. The film uses the To Catch a Predator legacy—once a staple of appointment-viewing broadcast journalism, later a staple of YouTube compilation culture—as a lens to examine how digital platforms strip context from serious events and repurpose them as content. Pattinson’s casting signals A24’s continued strategy of pairing bankable stars with challenging, director-driven material. For awards watchers, his “outside contender” status will be tested by the crowded Best Actor field and the Academy’s historical reluctance to reward horror-adjacent or deeply uncomfortable performances. The U.K. release on 31 October positions the film for Halloween-season horror audiences while keeping it eligible for the 2025 awards cycle.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When and where can I watch Primetime?
    The film is currently in wide release in U.S. cinemas. It opens in U.K. cinemas on 31 October. No streaming date has been announced.
    Is Robert Pattinson actually a front-runner for the Best Actor Oscar?
    Industry outlets currently categorize him as an “outside contender” or dark-horse candidate. The race remains highly competitive and will depend on precursor awards and guild nominations in early 2025.
    How did Chris Hansen react to the film and the memes?
    Hansen has publicly embraced the meme phenomenon, stating on the H3 podcast that it introduces his work to new generations and that fighting the internet’s affection for catchphrases is pointless.
  • Robert Pattinson Hopes for Chris Hansen’s Take on His ‘Primetime’ Portrayal

    Robert Pattinson Hopes for Chris Hansen’s Take on His ‘Primetime’ Portrayal

    Key Highlights

    • Robert Pattinson responds to Chris Hansen’s “hit piece” criticism of A24’s Primetime, expressing hope the To Catch a Predator host will understand the film’s nuanced portrayal after viewing it.
    • Pattinson reveals he drew performance inspiration from the active To Catch a Predator Reddit community rather than consulting Hansen directly, emphasizing the film explores cultural perception over biographical accuracy.
    • Early critical acclaim positions Pattinson for awards contention, with The A.V. Club calling it a “career best” and The Telegraph awarding a perfect five stars, comparing the film to Nightcrawler.

    Pattinson Addresses Hansen’s Criticism Amid Awards Buzz

    Robert Pattinson has broken his silence on Chris Hansen’s scathing pre-release critique of Primetime, the A24 film in which Pattinson portrays the longtime To Catch a Predator host. Hansen, who has not yet seen the completed movie, labeled it a hit piece in a recent interview, claiming a non-disclosure agreement from A24 would have required him to sign his rights away to attend a screening. Studio sources countered that the document was a boiler-plate NDA to avoid spoiling the film. Speaking exclusively to LADbible, Pattinson acknowledged he was kept pretty out the loop regarding Hansen’s public comments but offered a measured defense of the project’s intent.

    Performance Rooted in Cultural Perception, Not Biography

    Pattinson clarified that Primetime does not function as a conventional biopic seeking to dramatize the psychology of a real person. Instead, the actor explained the film operates on a meta-level, examining the public perception of the series and its host. If you look at it, [Primetime is] a very particular tone, Pattinson said. I think when you watch the movie it’s not like you’re watching a guy, a human, you’re trying to do a portrait and you’re heightening some elements, and so hopefully when he watches it, if he watches it, he understands that. The actor reiterated his hope that Hansen would ultimately appreciate the film, adding, I hope when he sees it he’s going to like it.

    Navigating Meme Status and Cultural Relevance

    Pattinson offered a sympathetic reading of Hansen’s complicated relationship with his own legacy. I think he’s someone who’s managed to ride… for doing something where you’re a reporter and I don’t think he’s ever had any intention of becoming the meme figure and to be able to navigate that is complicated in and of itself, and I think he’s done that with grace, Pattinson observed. He noted Hansen’s enduring cultural footprint two decades after the original show’s debut, suggesting the host understands that the different amalgamations of your persona is an organic thing that keeps evolving. Rather than consulting Hansen directly, Pattinson immersed himself in the To Catch a Predator subreddit, which he described as still very active, using the community’s discourse to shape his understanding of how the show and its host are perceived today.

    Co-Star and Critics Signal a Nuanced, Provocative Film

    Skyler Gisondo, who co-stars as Decoy Dan, reinforced the film’s refusal to moralize. I don’t think Lance [Oppenheim, the director] is the kind of filmmaker where he’s telling you what to think in this heavy handed way, Gisondo said. I think it’s just this show happens to be a really interesting inflection point in some way on our culture and a really interesting time capsule to look back at 20 years ago and what the show was doing then. Early reviews validate this approach. The A.V. Club hailed Pattinson’s turn as a career best, while The Telegraph awarded a rare five-star review, writing: Inspired by a 2007 magazine article about the series’ grisly conclusion the previous year, it is the best and nastiest film of its type since 2014’s Nightcrawler: it leaves its audience simultaneously appalled and thrilled, and thereby grubbily complicit. Merrit Weaver’s supporting performance has also drawn significant praise.

    Why This Matters

    Primetime arrives at a cultural moment where the ethics of reality television, predator-sting journalism, and internet vigilantism are under renewed scrutiny. By casting a major movie star as Chris Hansen and filtering the story through the lens of online fandom rather than the subject’s own testimony, director Lance Oppenheim positions the film as a critique of media spectacle itself. The dispute between Hansen and the filmmakers highlights the tension between public figures and the secondary narratives that calcify around them in the digital age. With a limited U.S. release on September 25 and a U.K. debut on October 31, the film’s awards-season trajectory—fueled by Pattinson’s transformative performance and Oppenheim’s rising auteur profile—will test whether audiences and academy voters embrace a project that refuses to settle for easy villainy or vindication.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Has Chris Hansen seen Primetime?
    No. As of the latest reports, Hansen has not viewed the film. He declined a screening invitation citing an NDA he characterized as requiring him to sign his rights away, though A24 sources describe it as a standard confidentiality agreement to prevent spoilers.
    Is Primetime a biopic of Chris Hansen?
    According to Robert Pattinson, the film is not a traditional biopic. It focuses on the cultural perception of To Catch a Predator and its host rather than a psychological portrait of Hansen as a private individual.
    When and where can audiences watch Primetime?
    The film opens in the United States on September 25 and in the United Kingdom on October 31, distributed by A24.
  • Charlie Korsmo, Peter Pan’s Son in ‘Hook,’ Quit Child Acting to Become Lawyer He ‘Hated’

    Charlie Korsmo, Peter Pan’s Son in ‘Hook,’ Quit Child Acting to Become Lawyer He ‘Hated’

    Key Highlights

    • Charlie Korsmo, who played Jack Banning in Steven Spielberg’s 1991 film Hook, left child acting at age 12 to pursue academics and law.
    • Korsmo earned a juris doctorate, passed the bar, and became a corporate lawyer—ironically the same profession as his on-screen father, Peter Pan (Robin Williams).
    • He later quit corporate law to avoid the grueling hours that mirrored his film father’s absentee parenting, becoming a professor of corporate law and finance while occasionally returning to acting.

    From Neverland to the Courtroom: A Child Star’s Unlikely Pivot

    When audiences revisit Steven Spielberg’s 1991 fantasy adventure Hook, the conversation inevitably centers on Robin Williams’ grown-up Peter Pan, Dustin Hoffman’s flamboyant Captain Hook, or Julia Roberts’ tart-tongued Tinker Bell. Yet the film’s emotional core rests on Peter’s neglected children, Jack and Maggie. Jack Banning was portrayed by Charlie Korsmo, a 12-year-old who had already built a remarkable child acting résumé with roles in Dick Tracy (1990) and What About Bob? (1991). Hook would become his final major role for decades, as Korsmo made the rare decision to step away from Hollywood at the height of his early success.

    The Ironic Career Mirror: Life Imitating Art

    The symmetry between Korsmo’s fictional and real-life trajectories is striking. In Hook‘s opening act, Peter Pan has abandoned Neverland to become a high-powered corporate lawyer whose absence poisons his relationship with his son. Years later, Korsmo followed a nearly identical professional path. After quitting acting in 1991, he pursued higher education with intensity, earning multiple degrees including a juris doctorate. He passed the bar examination and entered corporate law—the very vocation that had driven his on-screen father away from his family.

    Korsmo eventually transitioned into academia, becoming a professor of corporate law and corporate finance. Far from disowning his entertainment past, he acknowledges its tangible benefits. Speaking to Chambers Associate about his “big break” in the legal field, he stated: “If I’m honest with myself, getting into the movies – I’m sure it has gotten my resume plucked out of the pile on more than one occasion. Plus, if I hadn’t had the money I made from movies to pay for college, I might have been forced to just go wherever I could get a football scholarship.” In a separate interview with People, he revealed that after wrapping Hook, he realized he had no friends his own age, prompting his desire to return to a normal school environment and leave acting behind.

    Quitting Corporate Law to Avoid Becoming His On-Screen Father

    The decision to leave a lucrative corporate law career came from a place of deliberate self-awareness. In a 2021 conversation with YouTuber Sienna Boccio, Korsmo drew a direct line between his lived experience and the film’s cautionary tale. He recounted: “[Him and his wife] decided to move to New York, I worked as a lawyer for a couple of years. Then, when we wanted to have kids, working as a lawyer at a big law firm is… well, if you’ve seen Hook you know my father in Hook, Robin Williams, is a corporate lawyer. That is an accurate depiction of what a corporate lawyer’s life is. You never see your family, you’re working 3000 hours a year. I really didn’t want to do that.” This realization propelled his move into academia, where he could maintain a legal career without sacrificing the family life his character Jack had craved.

    A Selective Return to the Screen

    Retirement from full-time acting has not been absolute. Korsmo has accepted occasional roles that align with his current life, most recently appearing in a supporting capacity in the 2024 A24 psychological thriller A Different Man, starring Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson. The project marks a thoughtful re-engagement with the craft he left behind as a child, undertaken on his own terms and without the pressures that once drove him away.

    Why This Matters

    Charlie Korsmo’s journey offers a rare counter-narrative to the cautionary tales that often dominate discussions of child stardom. His story illustrates the possibility of agency: a former child actor who recognized the personal cost of a high-pressure profession—whether in Hollywood or a Manhattan law firm—and chose a different definition of success. The irony that his on-screen father’s fictional career foreshadowed his own real-life dilemma adds a layer of cultural resonance, making his eventual pivot to academia a form of narrative correction. For an industry still grappling with the welfare of young performers, Korsmo’s trajectory—child star, Ivy League graduate, corporate attorney, law professor, and intermittent character actor—stands as a testament to the value of education, financial literacy, and the courage to rewrite one’s own script.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What movies did Charlie Korsmo appear in as a child actor?

    Charlie Korsmo’s notable child acting credits include Dick Tracy (1990), What About Bob? (1991), and Hook (1991), in which he played Jack Banning, the son of Robin Williams’ Peter Pan.

    Why did Charlie Korsmo quit acting and become a lawyer?

    After filming Hook, Korsmo realized he had no friends his own age and wanted a normal school experience. He left acting in 1991, earned multiple degrees including a juris doctorate, passed the bar, and practiced corporate law before becoming a law professor.

    Has Charlie Korsmo returned to acting since becoming a professor?

    Yes. While focusing on his academic career, Korsmo has taken occasional acting roles, most recently a supporting part in the 2024 A24 film A Different Man alongside Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, and Adam Pearson.

  • Gremlins’ Billy Actor Starred in Controversial 1984 Film Released in 2015

    Gremlins’ Billy Actor Starred in Controversial 1984 Film Released in 2015

    Key Highlights

    • Warner Bros. has officially confirmed a new Gremlins film for theatrical release on October 6, 2028, with original franchise director Chris Columbus returning to write and direct.
    • The announcement arrived via a teaser showing Gizmo peeking from a backpack, posted to Warner Bros.’ social channels on September 23, 2026, following initial confirmation during an investor call in 2025.
    • Original star Zach Galligan, who played Billy Peltzer in both Gremlins (1984) and Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), has previously indicated Columbus plans a “darker, more adult” tone akin to a “Batman tone” for the third installment.

    Warner Bros. Unveils Gremlins 3 Release Date with Gizmo Teaser

    Warner Bros. has moved the long-gestating third Gremlins film from development limbo to a firm calendar slot, releasing a brief social-media teaser on September 23, 2026, that confirms a October 6, 2028 theatrical debut. The clip—just a few seconds long—shows the franchise’s iconic mogwai, Gizmo, peering out from an unzipped backpack, accompanied by the on-screen text “10.6.28. Only In Theaters.” The studio had first signaled the project’s existence during an investor call in 2025, but the new footage marks the first public-facing creative asset and a definitive release commitment.

    Chris Columbus Returns to the Franchise He Launched

    The film will be written and directed by Chris Columbus, whose directorial debut was the original 1984 Gremlins (produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment) and who later helmed blockbusters including Home Alone and the first two Harry Potter adaptations. Columbus’s return signals a desire to reconnect with the practical-effects-driven, horror-comedy alchemy that made the original a cultural touchstone. In a 2021 interview with Screenrant, original star Zach Galligan revealed that Columbus’s script “is going to go darker and more of a Batman tone. It’s a lot darker and more adult and gloomier and scarier—just more menacing. Which is a good way to go, because we haven’t done one of those.” Galligan, who reprised his role as Billy Peltzer in the 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, has not yet been officially confirmed to return, though his comments suggest he has been kept abreast of the creative direction.

    The Curious Case of Nothing Lasts Forever: Galligan’s Lost 1984 Vehicle

    While Gremlins catapulted Galligan to stardom, his other 1984 feature, Nothing Lasts Forever, embarked on a three-decade odyssey before reaching audiences. The film, produced by Lorne Michaels and boasting a cast that included Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and—prior to his sudden death six weeks before shooting—John Belushi, was intended as a major metropolitan satire. Instead, after what Galligan described as a “disastrous” test screening, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer shelved the picture, claimed it as a tax write-off, and locked it in a vault. It surfaced only after a 2011 YouTube leak (quickly struck down by copyright claim) and finally received an authorized broadcast premiere on Turner Classic Movies in 2015.

    Reflecting on the experience in a 2008 conversation with Den of Geek, Galligan recalled his high expectations: “Here I am doing a movie with Saturday Night Live people, with Lorne Michaels producing it, and Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and even John Belushi was going to be in it, until he passed away about a month before we were going to start shooting it. So here I am the lead, with all this stuff going on. And then I did the movie, and it turned out very differently. MGM just had no idea how to market it. They were just baffled. So it kind of fell between the cracks, and to be honest, MGM took it as a tax loss, which meant they couldn’t make any kind of profit on it.” The filmmaker added that occasional private screenings occurred over the years, but no commercial release materialized until the 2015 television airing.

    Post-Gremlins Career: Erotic Thrillers and Cult Horror

    In the wake of Nothing Lasts Forever‘s disappearance and the Gremlins franchise’s dormancy, Galligan built a resume heavy on direct-to-video erotic thrillers—including Mortal Passions and Caroline At Midnight—and low-budget horror titles. He has spoken candidly about the sharp tonal pivot, acknowledging the “bizarre” trajectory while maintaining a cult following among genre enthusiasts. The announcement of a Columbus-penned, theatrically released Gremlins 3 therefore represents not only a franchise revival but a potential career inflection point for the actor most closely identified with the property’s human protagonist.

    Why This Matters

    The Gremlins franchise occupies a unique niche in 1980s cinema: a Spielberg-produced, Dante-directed (Joe Dante helmed the first two films) blend of practical creature effects, dark satire, and holiday-season horror that grossed over $153 million domestically on an $11 million budget for the original alone. A third film has been attempted repeatedly—most notably a 2010s reboot effort that stalled—making Columbus’s direct involvement and a locked release date the most concrete progress in decades. The October 2028 slot positions the film as a major autumn tentpole, likely capitalizing on the franchise’s Halloween-adjacent appeal while avoiding the crowded summer corridor. For Warner Bros., the project leverages deep library IP at a time when legacy franchises (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Twisters) have demonstrated strong box-office appetite for nostalgia-driven sequels that retain original creative voices.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Will Zach Galligan reprise his role as Billy Peltzer?
    Warner Bros. has not confirmed casting. Galligan told Screenrant in 2021 that he was aware of Columbus’s script direction but no formal offer has been publicly disclosed.
    Is Joe Dante involved in the new film?
    No. The teaser and studio announcement credit Chris Columbus as writer and director. Dante directed the first two films but has not been attached to this iteration.
    What is the significance of the October 6, 2028 release date?
    The date falls on a Friday, the traditional theatrical opening day, and positions the film for the lucrative pre-Halloween corridor—a natural fit for a franchise rooted in creature-feature horror-comedy.
  • ‘Incredibles’ Director Brad Bird Discusses New Netflix Movie ‘Ray Gunn’ and Its 30-Year Development

    ‘Incredibles’ Director Brad Bird Discusses New Netflix Movie ‘Ray Gunn’ and Its 30-Year Development

    Key Highlights

    • Brad Bird has pursued development of the “Ray Gunn” project for over three decades, marking one of animation’s longest gestation periods.
    • Netflix has signaled strong commitment by hosting a confidential press event for the project, positioning it as a major upcoming animated feature.
    • The film represents the latest original feature from the Oscar-winning director of “The Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles,” and “Ratatouille.”

    Brad Bird’s Three-Decade Quest to Bring ‘Ray Gunn’ to Life

    Few projects in animation history can claim a development timeline spanning more than 30 years, but “Ray Gunn” stands as a testament to Brad Bird’s singular creative persistence. The Oscar-winning director, whose filmography includes landmark achievements like The Iron Giant, The Incredibles franchise, and Ratatouille, has reportedly nurtured this concept since the early stages of his career. For a filmmaker celebrated for blending emotional depth with visual innovation, the longevity of this pursuit suggests a project of unusual personal and artistic significance.

    Netflix Bets Big on a Secretive Unveiling

    Streaming giant Netflix has moved “Ray Gunn” from dormant concept to active production priority, evidenced by a top-secret press event designed to introduce the project to select media. The clandestine nature of the gathering underscores the platform’s confidence in the property’s commercial and creative potential. By positioning the film as a centerpiece of its animated slate, Netflix signals an intention to compete directly with theatrical animation heavyweights, leveraging Bird’s proven track record of critical acclaim and box office success.

    A Career Defined by Original Vision

    Bird’s attachment to “Ray Gunn” arrives at a pivotal moment for original animated storytelling. After directing live-action ventures including Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and Tomorrowland, his return to a wholly original animated feature carries weight. The director has consistently championed handcrafted artistry over formulaic franchise building, a philosophy that aligns with Netflix’s recent push for auteur-driven animation. Industry observers note that the project’s extended incubation period may have allowed its conceptual framework to mature alongside evolving animation technologies.

    Why This Matters

    The “Ray Gunn” announcement arrives amid a transformative period for feature animation. As major studios increasingly prioritize established intellectual property and sequel franchises, Bird’s three-decade commitment to an original concept represents a rare counter-trend. Netflix’s investment reflects a broader strategic shift: the streamer has emerged as a primary financier of high-budget original animation, filling a void left by theatrical studios’ risk aversion. For audiences, the project promises a synthesis of Bird’s signature strengths—character-driven narrative, genre deconstruction, and technical innovation—unfettered by pre-existing franchise constraints. The coming months will reveal whether this long-gestating vision can translate into the medium’s next benchmark.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is “Ray Gunn” and why has it taken so long to develop?

    “Ray Gunn” is an original animated feature concept that Brad Bird has pursued for over 30 years. Extended development timelines of this magnitude typically reflect a creator waiting for the right alignment of technology, studio support, and creative readiness to execute a vision faithfully.

    Why is Netflix’s involvement significant for this project?

    Netflix has become a leading patron of original animated features, offering budgets and creative autonomy comparable to traditional theatrical studios. Their confidential press event indicates a high-priority positioning for “Ray Gunn” within their content strategy.

    How does this fit into Brad Bird’s filmography?

    Bird is an Academy Award winner for The Incredibles and Ratatouille, with The Iron Giant achieving cult-classic status. “Ray Gunn” marks his return to original animated features after directing live-action films, representing a full-circle moment for the director.

  • Sisters Who Filmed Threesome With Orlando Bloom Reveal How It Changed Their Dynamic

    Sisters Who Filmed Threesome With Orlando Bloom Reveal How It Changed Their Dynamic

    Key Highlights

    • Real-life sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara co-star in Werner Herzog’s latest film Bucking Fastard, portraying twins who speak in unison and share a romantic interest played by Orlando Bloom.
    • At the Venice Film Festival press conference, both actresses revealed that speaking in perfect sync came surprisingly naturally, drawing on their lifetime of shared history and childhood play.
    • Herzog described stepping back during the intimate threesome scene, telling Bloom: “You are in bed, and you have two women in your arms. How you deal with it, I cannot give instructions.”

    Sisterly Sync: The Mara Siblings Tackle Herzog’s Unconventional Twins

    Real-life sisters Rooney Mara and Kate Mara have opened up about the unique challenges and unexpected ease of portraying deeply intertwined twins in Werner Herzog’s latest feature, Bucking Fastard. The film, which premiered on September 3 at the Venice Film Festival, casts the Mara siblings as sisters who, according to the synopsis, “speak in unison, love the same man, and have the same dreams.” Their co-star Orlando Bloom plays the shared romantic interest, leading to a controversial threesome scene that has drawn significant attention ahead of the film’s wider release.

    Venice Press Conference Reveals Creative Process

    Speaking to Variety at a press conference during the Venice Film Festival, Rooney Mara admitted the concept was initially intimidating. “At first, it was very daunting, the idea that we were going to be playing this kind of same person,” she said. However, the sisters quickly discovered their lifelong bond provided an unexpected shortcut. “But I think we found pretty quickly that having a lifetime together and all this history and a childhood of playing together. There was just an unspoken world between us that we didn’t have to work very hard to create at all. I’ve never laughed so much, it was a very once in a lifetime, unique experience.”

    Kate Mara echoed her sister’s sentiment, describing the synchronized dialogue as almost musical in nature. “We had this unspoken sort of rhythm together. It was very musical,” she said. “It sort of happened quite naturally. Surprisingly, it came with a lot more ease than we were expecting.”

    Herzog’s Directorial Approach: Stepping Back for Authenticity

    Director Werner Herzog, known for classics such as Nosferatu the Vampyre, offered insight into his handling of the film’s most talked-about sequence. Regarding the intimate scene involving both sisters and Bloom, Herzog explained his decision to withhold specific direction. “In the love scene, I said to Orlando: ‘You are in bed, and you have two women in your arms. How you deal with it, I cannot give instructions.’ It is beautiful because it has such charm and depth,” the director said.

    Herzog revealed he had wanted to make Bucking Fastard for several years but struggled to find the right casting for the twin roles. He said it only became “clear it could be done” when he met Rooney and Kate Mara, noting they “hardly needed any rehearsals” for the simultaneous speaking scenes. The production had allocated two weeks for synchronization practice, yet the sisters required only five days.

    Why This Matters: Real-Life Inspiration Meets Herzog’s Vision

    Bucking Fastard draws inspiration from the true story of Freda and Greta Chaplin, identical twins from the United Kingdom who garnered tabloid attention in the 1980s after becoming fixated on their neighbor. The situation escalated to the point where the neighbor obtained a restraining order against the pair. The film’s title originates from a remark the twins allegedly made simultaneously during a court appearance. Herzog’s fascination with this case aligns with his career-long interest in extreme psychological states and the boundaries of human behavior. The casting of actual sisters—both established actors with distinct filmographies including Rooney’s Academy Award-nominated work in Carol and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and Kate’s roles in House of Cards and The Martian—adds a layer of meta-textual authenticity to the project. Early reception metrics show an IMDb rating of 6.7/10 and a 75% score on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting a polarized but engaged critical response.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Bucking Fastard based on?

    The film is inspired by the real-life story of Freda and Greta Chaplin, identical twins from the UK who became obsessed with their neighbor in the 1980s, leading to a restraining order and a court appearance where they allegedly spoke in unison—providing the film’s title.

    How did Rooney and Kate Mara prepare for the synchronized speaking scenes?

    According to Werner Herzog, the sisters “hardly needed any rehearsals.” Though two weeks were set aside for practice, they mastered the unison dialogue in just five days, crediting their lifetime of shared history and childhood play for the natural rhythm.

    What was Herzog’s direction for the threesome scene with Orlando Bloom?

    Herzog deliberately gave no choreography or line readings for the intimate scene. He told Bloom: “You are in bed, and you have two women in your arms. How you deal with it, I cannot give instructions,” aiming for organic authenticity.

  • Top Gun Actress Kelly McGillis Lives a Quiet Life After Leaving Hollywood for Heartbreaking Reason

    Top Gun Actress Kelly McGillis Lives a Quiet Life After Leaving Hollywood for Heartbreaking Reason

    Key Highlights

    • Kelly McGillis, known for her role as Charlie Blackwood in Top Gun, stepped away from Hollywood to focus on motherhood and addiction recovery, working as a full-time addiction counselor for women since 2013.
    • She has survived multiple traumas including a 1982 rape at knifepoint, a 1981 mugging at gunpoint, and a 2016 home invasion, which led her to obtain a concealed carry permit.
    • McGillis came out as a lesbian in 2009, married Melanie Leis in 2010 (later divorced), and now lives a quiet life in South Carolina, with her last acting credit in 2020’s Dirty John.

    From Hollywood Stardom to a Life of Service

    Kelly McGillis captured global attention as Charlie Blackwood, the astrophysicist and love interest to Tom Cruise’s Maverick in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun. Yet behind the glamour of Hollywood’s golden era, the actress navigated profound personal struggles that would ultimately reshape her life’s trajectory. Following her divorce from husband Fred Tillman, McGillis made the deliberate choice to prioritize raising their two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora, while confronting her own battles with alcohol and drug dependency. She has maintained sobriety since 2001, a milestone that redirected her professional purpose toward advocacy and recovery support.

    A Career Dedicated to Healing Others

    By 2013, McGillis had traded film sets for a counseling office in New Jersey, working a standard five-day, 40-hour week as an addiction counselor for women. “I work a five-day, 40-hour week,” she said of her work in an interview with The Oklahoman. “It’s just an amazing gift to see people come in hopeless and to be given some hope.” This vocation emerged from her own hard-won journey through trauma and recovery, offering her a platform to extend the compassion she once needed herself.

    Surviving Trauma and Reclaiming Safety

    McGillis’s path has been marked by harrowing violence. While studying at New York’s Juilliard School in 1982, the then-24-year-old was raped at knifepoint by two men in her apartment—a year after she had been mugged at gunpoint in the same city. The psychological aftermath was severe. “The first few weeks after the incident I couldn’t eat or sleep. I twitched incessantly,” she explained in a 1988 interview with PEOPLE magazine. “I would gasp suddenly without being able to control it.” The trauma fueled substance issues and influenced the roles she accepted as an actor. “Finally in 1984 I went into therapy for a year because I was tired of beating myself up for something I didn’t do, and I realised I would have no future if I didn’t stop.”

    A Second Home Invasion and a Decision to Protect Herself

    Decades later, in 2016, McGillis endured another violation when a woman broke into her home. The incident compelled her to apply for a concealed carry permit, a decision she detailed publicly. “All I have ever wanted is to feel safe. Safe in my own home.” The statement underscores a lifelong pursuit of security after repeated invasions of her personal sanctuary.

    Personal Evolution and a Quiet Chapter in South Carolina

    In 2009, McGillis publicly came out as a lesbian, marrying Melanie Leis in 2010. The marriage ended in divorce several years later. She made a brief return to acting with roles in independent films such as The Innkeepers and We Are What We Are, with her final credited appearance in 2020’s Dirty John. Today, she resides in South Carolina, embracing a life far removed from the spotlight. “I am a home person. I’m really rooted in my home life. I can’t remember the last time I worked,” she told Entertainment Tonight in 2019. “I feel really blessed that I don’t have to work, you know? But I get the option to work, so I’m really blessed in that way. Not many people get that option later in life, so I feel very lucky.”

    Why This Matters

    Kelly McGillis’s journey reflects a broader narrative about the hidden costs of fame and the resilience required to rebuild after trauma. Her transition from A-list actress to addiction counselor highlights the often-overlooked labor of recovery work—particularly for women—and the importance of accessible support systems. Her openness about sexual assault, decades before the #MeToo movement, contributed to early public discourse on survivor stigma and the long-term psychological impact of violence. As she lives privately in South Carolina, her story remains a testament to the possibility of reclaiming agency, finding purpose in service, and defining success on one’s own terms.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is Kelly McGillis doing now?

    Kelly McGillis lives a quiet, low-profile life in South Carolina. She has not worked as an actor since her uncredited appearance in the 2020 series Dirty John. Previously, she worked full-time as an addiction counselor for women in New Jersey, a role she discussed in 2013.

    Why did Kelly McGillis leave Hollywood?

    Following her divorce from Fred Tillman, McGillis chose to step away from acting to focus on raising her two daughters, Kelsey and Sonora, and to address her struggles with alcohol and drug dependency. She has been sober since 2001 and later pursued a career in addiction recovery counseling.

    What traumas has Kelly McGillis survived?

    McGillis has survived multiple violent incidents: a mugging at gunpoint in New York in 1981, a rape at knifepoint in her apartment in 1982 while attending Juilliard, and a home invasion in 2016. She has spoken publicly about the lasting psychological effects, including PTSD, substance issues, and her decision to obtain a concealed carry permit for personal safety.

  • ‘Heart of the Beast’ Global Premiere Red Carpet: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, Jana Kramer and More

    ‘Heart of the Beast’ Global Premiere Red Carpet: Brad Pitt, J.K. Simmons, Jana Kramer and More

    View the complete red carpet coverage featuring all the attending celebrities and their fashion highlights.

  • New Clue Appears to ‘Confirm’ Identity of New James Bond

    New Clue Appears to ‘Confirm’ Identity of New James Bond

    Endless speculation continues to surround the casting of the next James Bond following Daniel Craig’s departure. A new development involving Slow Horses star Jack Lowden has intensified rumors that he may be the chosen successor for Agent 007.

    Jack Lowden’s Absence from Slow Horses Season 8 Announcement Fuels Bond Rumors

    Although Lowden has been considered a contender for some time, the recent announcement regarding the hit Apple TV+ series suggests he may be exiting the show. The renewal for an eighth season arrived ahead of season 6’s release on Wednesday, September 16, with production for season 7 already underway. Notably, the press release issued by Apple mentioned only Gary Oldman’s lead character Jackson Lamb and Diana Taverner, played by Kristin Scott Thomas, omitting Lowden’s character, River Cartwright.

    Jack Lowden emerges as a leading candidate for the next 007.

    Gary Oldman Hints Bond Decision Has Been Made

    Lowden’s co-star Sir Gary Oldman added significant weight to the speculation during an appearance on Canada’s The Morning Show. Oldman stated:

    “It’s been rumoured that [Jack Lowden is] on the shortlist. We’re going to find out pretty soon, aren’t we? Because they have picked him. They have made their choice, but they have not announced it yet. So my fingers are crossed for Jack.”

    Gary Oldman and Jack Lowden at Apple event
    Gary Oldman has publicly endorsed Jack Lowden for the role of James Bond.

    Slow Horses Director Adam Randall Endorses Lowden for 007

    Adam Randall, who directed the current season of Slow Horses, spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about Lowden’s suitability for the iconic role:

    “I don’t know anything beyond what everybody else knows. I think you’ve seen from six seasons that he’d be pretty perfect. I love James Bond, and I love all the iterations of James Bond. Obviously, Daniel Craig and Sean Connery have sort of the tougher [style], but I also grew up with Roger Moore and that kind of winking to the audience. The thing that Jack can do so well is bring comedy and humor into the most serious moments. He can play it very straight, he’s an amazing drama actor, he can play action, but he can also always find the funny. It’s that combination that would make him a very good pick.”

    James Bond 26 not yet officially announced
    The next James Bond film has not been officially announced by producers.

    Bond 26 Timeline and Other Contenders

    Speculation about Craig’s replacement has been a dominant topic since he stepped down in 2021 after No Time to Die. Other actors frequently linked to the role include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner, and Theo James, though James has since withdrawn from consideration.

    While the next installment, commonly referred to as James Bond 26, has not received an official announcement, industry reports indicate a potential theatrical release window in 2028.

  • Miriam Margolyes Calls Harry Potter Pay ‘Rubbish,’ Laments Typecasting as Professor Sprout

    Miriam Margolyes Calls Harry Potter Pay ‘Rubbish,’ Laments Typecasting as Professor Sprout

    Miriam Margolyes, the acclaimed actress who brought Professor Pomona Sprout to life in the Harry Potter franchise, has reignited discussion regarding her compensation and her relationship with the Wizarding World. More than two decades after the release of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the 85-year-old performer remains candid about the financial terms of her involvement and her personal disinterest in the phenomenon.

    A Brief but Memorable Tenure at Hogwarts

    Directed by Chris Columbus, the 2002 blockbuster Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets introduced Margolyes as the Herbology professor and Head of Hufflepuff House. By that point, she was already well-established for her role in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence. Her screen time in the series was limited; she appeared in the second film and returned only briefly for the franchise finale, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Despite the brevity of her appearances, the character of Professor Sprout—particularly the mandrake repotting scene involving a fainting Neville Longbottom—left a lasting impression on audiences.

    Margolyes Criticizes “Rubbish” Pay Packet

    According to The Sun, Margolyes recently addressed her enduring association with the franchise during a panel appearance, expressing frustration over the public perception of her career.

    “I’m not thrilled that everybody thinks of me as Professor Sprout. Because I have done other, better things.”

    She then disclosed the specific figure she received for her work on Chamber of Secrets.

    “Want to know how much I got? £60k – it’s f**king rubbish!”

    Margolyes contextualized the payment within the industry standard, acknowledging the disparity between her earnings and those of the franchise’s lead actors.

    “I mean I don’t mind that everybody else got more, I don’t mind… it’s just the way the business works. It’s like that.”

    A Distinguished Career Beyond the Wizarding World

    The actress’s resume extends far beyond Hogwarts. Her extensive body of work includes an uncredited role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, voice work as Fly in Babe, Aunt Sponge and the Glowworm in James and the Giant Peach, and The Nurse in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. Despite these credits, she notes that the Potter role remains her primary identifier in the public eye.

    “I’ve Never Seen a Film”: Margolyes on Her Disinterest in Potter

    This latest commentary follows previous admissions made via a personalized Cameo video, where Margolyes clarified her stance on the source material to a fan.

    “I understand you and Chris are huge Harry Potter fans. Here’s the thing, I’m not.”

    She elaborated on her detachment from the franchise, emphasizing gratitude for the financial benefit without emotional investment in the property.

    “I’m not against it, I’m just not interested. I’ve never seen a film. I’ve never seen the books, I’ve never read them. I just pocket the money when it comes and I’m very grateful for it.”

    Margolyes offered a diplomatic assessment of J.K. Rowling’s creation while maintaining her personal distance.

    “I think that JK Rowling is a terrific writer and I’m sure Harry Potter’s world is a good world. But it’s not my world.”