Jason Statham Shows Incredible Stunt Prowess At 57 By Diving Off A Yacht, And Vin Diesel And Ludacris Have Thoughts
Everyone in the world knows Jason Statham as an action star leading films like Crank, The Meg and The Beekeeper in addition to his part within the Fast And Furious franchise... but did you know that he has a serious background as a diver? Years before his breakout in Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels and even before his modeling career (yes, he had a modeling career), Statham spent a dozen years on Britain's National Swimming Squad and competed in multiple events in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Knowing this, it's weirdly not at all surprising to see photos of the actor performing some extreme dives off of a yacht in a new Instagram post filled with vacation pictures – but one nonetheless has to appreciate the love shared in the comments section by some of his Fast & Furious castmates. Check out the gallery of photos below:
If you didn't know about Jason Statham's history as a legit diver, you probably could have figured out that he has some kind of background in the sport from that first photo. The guy might be decades removed from his heyday in the pool, but that shot demonstrates the form of an Olympian (and kudos to the uncredited photographer!).
As for the reactions... I think you can also probably guess what Vin Diesel had to say about this collection of vacation photos. The actor doesn't comment on Jason Statham's diving prowess or skills while operating a jet ski. Instead, he focuses on who his co-star is hanging out with and cites what he has long said (and oft-repeated) is the core theme of the Fast & Furious franchise:
Family…
Perfectly on brand.
Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, on the other hand, left a comment suggesting that he is well aware of Jason Statham's background as an athlete and complemented his maintained skills with three words of adulation and a pair of knowing emojis:
Still got it 🏊♂️ 🫡
It's fun to see Jason Statham, Vin Diesel and Ludacris interacting on social media... but when will we get to see Deckard Shaw, Dominic Torretto, or Tej Parker back together again? That question doesn't have a firm answer quite yet, but at the very least we do now have a release window for Fast X: Part 2 / Fast And Furious 11. At the end of last month, Diesel attended an event in Southern California and told the audience gathered there that Universal Pictures is targeting an April 2027 release date – meaning that production will likely begin at the end of next year or the start of 2026.
Director Louis Leterrier is back in the director's chair after helming Fast X, and Diesel has made three promises about the sequel: the action will return to Los Angeles, the story will return to be about car culture, and Dom will have an on-screen reunion with Brian O'Conner (Paul Walker's character, who has not appeared in a Fast & Furious movie since Walker's death during the production of Furious 7). The film will also need to provide a conclusion to the many cliffhangers in the previous chapter, including the return of Dwayne Johnson's Luke Hobbes; the resurrection of Gal Gadot's Gisele Yashar; the fate of the flight that had Tej, Roman (Tyrese Gibson), Han (Sung Kang), and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) on board; and the peril faced by Dom and his son below a breaking dam.
Stay tuned for more updates about the project here on CinemaBlend, and check out our Upcoming Action Movie guide to learn about all of the ass-kicking projects on the horizon.
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Anyone Who's Skipping Out On Ironheart For Certain 'Reasons' Is Missing Out
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you know me, you know I'm a big fan of superheroes. Of course, a big reason why was originally was due to the MCU. Yes, the MCU, which once felt as if it ruled the world. Going to a movie was an event that we all looked forward to. Now, in an age where we're all a little superhero-fatigued, it's rare that we find a show or movie from that universe that really captures the lightness as well as the quality of some of the original MCU movies. But honestly, I think Ironheart is really up there, and it's a shame that a lot of people aren't checking it out nearly as much as they should. MCU TV Shows Have Been Hit Or Miss First things first, let's talk about the MCU TV shows, overall. While there are plenty of upcoming Marvel movies that I'm sure we're all looking forward to, like the long-awaited Fantastic Four reboot or the next Avengers movies, it feels as if the MCU TV shows haven't been as popular lately. I mean, sure, Daredevil: Born Again was a big hit, but I think that's also mainly because it showcased actors reprising characters from a past series. It was a show that everyone was eagerly anticipating. Other than that, when was the last time there was a significant amount of hype for an MCU TV show? I really can't remember. I think that's because most have been hit or miss. You can have a runaway hit like WandaVision or Hawkeye, but then you could also have bombs like Secret Invasion, She-Hulk (even though I enjoyed the series), and Echo. There are all moments of fun in those series, but in comparison to some of the others, they're not nearly as good. Because of this, fans have developed a lot of whiplash, and as a result, the hype for any new MCU TV show has significantly declined. But now, Ironheart has finally come out – and I have to say, I love it. So much. Ironheart Is Such A Fun Time And A Breath Of Fresh Air Look, I knew I was going to love Riri Williams the first time I saw her in Wakanda Forever. She just had this spunk, attitude, and charisma that the MCU was lacking for some time. In that film, which was particularly poignant considering the real-world circumstances surrounding its production, following the passing of Chadwick Boseman, she was a ray of light. So, of course, when I found out a TV series would follow her, I was excited – more so than others, but we'll get to that in a bit. This show is excellent and a breath of fresh air, especially considering everything else going on in the MCU and the world as a whole. While critics have called it 'a bit of a mess,' it's still enjoyable. Is it perfect? No, not by any means. But there's still a lot to love. Ryan Coogler Delivers Some Intense Action And A Fun Story As A Producer One of the big draws for me when I first started watching this was that Ryan Coogler was acting as a producer on the show. As someone who has fallen in and out of love with Marvel over the years, Coogler's involvement was a big green flag for me. Obviously, everyone is familiar with him now, but if for some odd reason you aren't, he directed both Black Panther movies, as well as the first Creed film, and recently had success with Sinners in theaters. That movie reminded me of why I love film, so I have an intense admiration for Coogler's work. Having him as an executive producer on this was the move. Because really, this almost feels like an extension of Wakanda Forever. No, it's not the same story whatsoever, but it feels like the same tone. It's an exploration of Riri's life, delving deeper into not only her intelligence but also how her technology interacts with magic. It's whimsical technological warfare, and those are three words I would never think to combine. While Coogler isn't the only producer on this miniseries, you can feel his impact on the show, mixed with the talent of the creator, Chinaka Hodge. The action, combined with the story, makes this a fun time. Riri Williams Is An Amazing Protagonist I might get hate for this, but I love Riri Williams the most out of the new, younger heroes. More than Kate Bishop and Wiccan and everyone else. I absolutely love her and I don't care who knows. First off, Dominique Thorne needs every kind of job after this because, wow, she's so enjoyable as Riri. She has become one of those characters where I literally could not picture another actress playing her at this point, and that's a huge compliment. She rocks the personality and the wit, and I need so much more. Overall, Riri's character perfectly exemplifies how you really don't have to try too hard to make a character likable. You need to make them relatable, and she is. While she's obviously brilliant, she's also funny, has her struggles, and uses the best of her mind to make sure she succeeds. That's the kind of hero we all like. It's a reason why I ended up enjoying superheroes like Spider-Man, Daredevil, and, of course, Iron Man – because they feel a little more relatable and they rely solely on their smarts and skills to get out of tricky situations. They aren't Gods or super soldiers. I love characters like that, and Riri falls in that category. If You're Not Watching Because She Wears An Iron Man Suit, Or For Who She IS, You Need To Read The Comics I'm not even going to get into the significant details about why people aren't watching this show. But if you aren't, you're seriously missing out. Sure, some not-so-nice-named people will review-bomb Ironheart just because of her character, and to that, I really have nothing to say to you. If that's how you choose to live your life, I hope you find fulfilment in that because I genuinely can't understand your point of view. For those who are less than inclined to watch it because she feels too close to Iron Man, I'm telling you this is not Iron Man. At all. Sure, the suit is reminiscent of his – hence the name Ironheart – but Riri is not Tony Stark, and that's a good thing. It would be a copout to create another version of that character as a young woman. Instead, they gave Riri her own personality, goals and virtues, and created a standout character who happens to have an Iron Man suit. Think of her as a variant of Spider-Man – same powers, different morals and values. That's what I love about it. Seriously, if you haven't had the chance to watch this series, I would thoroughly recommend it. All six episodes are available to watch with a Disney+ subscription, so be sure to check them out when you can. Solve the daily Crossword
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'Some of the guys never wanted to do that song. ‘This is crap!'': The '70s hit that reinvented a legendary band
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In 1978, guitar hero Ritchie Blackmore reached a crossroads. It was time to revamp his band Rainbow – even if that meant losing one of the greatest rock singers ever to draw breath. After quitting heavy rock pioneers Deep Purple in 1975, Blackmore had enlisted four members of American band Elf for the first line-up of Rainbow, with vocalist Ronnie James Dio his collaborator in chief. After the 1975 album Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, only Dio was retained as Blackmore turned to more experienced players such as powerhouse drummer Cozy Powell. The following albums Rising (1976) and Long Live Rock 'N' Roll (1978) had a grandiose quality enriched by Dio's sword-and-sorcery lyrics – typified by epic tracks such as Stargazer and Gates Of Babylon. But as Blackmore sought to reinvent the band with a more modern, radio-friendly sound, Dio had resigned in late 1978. And with Dio gone, a very different kind of singer joined the band. Graham Bonnet, born and raised in the seaside resort town of Skegness in Lincolnshire, was no new kid on the block. In the '60s pop he'd been one half of pop duo The Marbles and had hits with songs by the Bee Gees. In the mid-'70s he'd been an MOR crooner who made it big in Australia. There had also been some lean years in which he paid the rent singing TV ad jingles for Ski yoghurt and Ritz crackers. In 1978, Bonnet turned down a job with glam rock stars Sweet, whose singer Brian Connolly had left the group. When the invitation to audition for Rainbow arrived a year later, Bonnet was mystified. As he told Planet Rock magazine: 'I didn't know who Rainbow were. When I heard the name I thought it was a hippy-dippy folk group.' He was at least aware of Ritchie Blackmore's past. 'I knew what Deep Purple was,' he said, 'even though I was never into that kind of music.' It was a Deep Purple song, Mistreated, that Bonnet sang for his audition at a French chateau where Rainbow were working on a new album. Dressed in a suit, he belted out this heavy blues number with such power that Cozy Powell exclaimed: 'You're the guy!' Ritchie Blackmore's response was more measured. The guitarist was famed for smashing up guitars on stage, and feared for his volatile temperament, but as Bonnet recalled, 'Ritchie was actually very shy.' Eventually, Blackmore pulled Bonnet to one side and told him: 'You've got the job if you want it.' For a few days, Bonnet remained unconvinced. He didn't fancy singing material from Rainbow's early albums. 'I really didn't like Ronnie's voice or the music,' he said. 'All that dungeons and dragons stuff was a bit airy-fairy.' But the new Rainbow material was more to Bonnet's taste – straightforward hard rock. And after some sober advice from his manager – 'We can make a lot of money out of this' – Bonnet took the job. The album he made with Rainbow, Down To Earth, was aptly named. There was a link to the band's past in the epic track Eyes Of The World, but the main focus was on short, catchy rock songs such as All Night Long and Since You Been Gone, the latter written and first recorded by former Argent singer and guitarist Russ Ballard. In July 1979, Down To Earth reached No.6 on the UK chart. Since You Been Gone also hit No.6, while the second single, All Night Long, made number 12. 'It's funny,' Bonnet said. 'I never thought that album would be as big as it was. And some of the guys never wanted to do Since You Been Gone in the first place. 'Cozy was going, 'This is crap – too poppy!' I thought it was great, but I had no idea that it would become the signature tune for Rainbow.' In that era, Bonnet's image – with slicked-back hair and Hawaiian shirts – was viewed as heresy by longhaired, denim-and-leather-clad headbangers. During the Down To Earth tour, Blackmore tried to talk the singer into growing his hair and wearing regulation rock 'n' roll gear. Bonnet was having none of it. 'Ritchie was stuck in that image of the long hair and the leather pants,' he said. 'He did throw away some of my clothes on tour – some of my best jackets! But in the end he realised: this is how Graham is. It's not how he looks, it's how he sings.' The final date of that tour was momentous – for Rainbow and for heavy metal music as a whole. On 16 August 1980, the first Monsters Of Rock festival was staged at Donington Park in Leicestershire, with Rainbow topping a bill that also featured Judas Priest, Scorpions, Saxon and others. It was the beginning of what would become the biggest metal festival in the world. It also proved to be the last show that Graham Bonnet and Cozy Powell performed with Rainbow. At the time, Bonnet had no intention of leaving the band. Powell, however, had already made his decision – even after Bonnet and keyboard player Don Airey had, in Bonnet's words, 'begged him to stay'. For all the mixed emotions that he experienced during that show, Bonnet remembered it as the pinnacle of his career. Playing to an audience of 60,000, the band powered through new songs and old, with Bonnet mastering those from the Dio era. 'It was the most incredible night I've ever had,' he said. 'I'll remember it for the rest of my life.' What led Bonnet to leave Rainbow, at the height of the band's popularity, was a sense of unease created by Cozy Powell's departure. In late 1980, when work began on the follow-up to Down To Earth with new drummer Bobby Rondinelli in place, Bonnet felt the ground shifting. 'We started rehearsing,' he said, 'and some days Ritchie wouldn't turn up. Don Airey said, 'If it carries on like this I'm going to leave.' I said to Don, 'If you leave, I will too.' I thought the band was coming to an end.' With only one new song recorded – I Surrender, again written by Russ Ballard – Bonnet retreated to his home in Los Angeles to consider his future. This was decided after a call from the band's management. 'They asked me to come back,' he said, 'and they asked if I was okay for them to use another singer on any tracks that I didn't like. So I said, 'No, I don't think that will work.' And I just quit. It turned out that Don stayed, which I should have done really.' Rainbow subsequently recruited American singer Joe Lynn Turner to record the 1981 album Difficult To Cure, and with a new version of I Surrender came the band's biggest hit, No.3 in the UK. For Bonnet, that hurt. 'I felt a little bit envious,' he confessed. 'Dammit! Why didn't I stay?' But even though Graham Bonnet's time in Rainbow was short, it's been good to him in the long run. As the voice of one of the all-time great rock hits, he's still able to tour all over the world at the age of 77. As he told Planet Rock: 'I'm very lucky to have sustained a long career. I can't knock what I've got.' Solve the daily Crossword
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Any Other Marvel Fans Worried About Kevin Feige's Comments About The MCU's Future?
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. In this day and age, we live in a world where Marvel surrounds us. Whether it is upcoming Marvel movies or maybe upcoming Marvel TV shows, there's a lot to look forward to in the MCU. But I have to admit something to you all – I'm a little concerned about the future of Marvel after what Kevin Feige just said regarding recasting old heroes. I'm the kind of person who really loves new ideas and stories, so revisiting old ones never really sat right with me. However, I want to get into the why in this article, so let's dive deep. It Has Been Hard To Adjust, But I've Been Liking The New Heroes If you're wondering what the quote was, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige spoke to Variety in July 2025 and said that eventually, they would 'recast' characters like Tony Stark and Captain America. He compared it to other major franchises that recast roles as time goes on, like James Bond and Superman. Recasting characters, in and of itself, is fine. I'm not going to be the person who gets up on her soapbox and says that we can't recast characters at all. I know how the world works, and I'm not about to get cancelled for that. But it's the messaging behind it as well as what we've already established in this world. I'm not going to lie – it was hard to adjust to all the new heroes that we were given over the last couple of years, ever since Avengers: Endgame. There have been numerous changes in structure, as well as speculation about who will become the next big villain and who won't. I have to admit, now that I'm here, I love the new heroes. Thunderbolts* depicted depression so wonderfully and was one of the best MCU films in a long time, featuring some incredible acting and storytelling from several new and returning characters who played much larger roles within the MCU. I also have loved that older characters have gotten more chances to shine. I'm the biggest supporter of Wanda having her time in the sun and all of those kick-butt Scarlet Witch instances. But when it comes to recasting those old heroes – the ones that we've grown so used to – it doesn't feel great, I'll tell you that. Recasting The Old Heroes Within This MCU Feels Like A Huge Step Back As I said in the section above, I'm not opposed to recasting overall. I don't mind it if it's done with intention, and it isn't just an excuse to make more money off of a new character. We've had three different recasts of Spider-Man at this point, and everyone still debates who the best Spider-Man is. This is essentially how Hollywood works. However, the issue I have with this kind of recasting is that it creates a singular universe. Sure, we have been made aware that there are millions of variants of the same character. We saw that at length, when it came to Loki. But at the same time, it feels like a stab in the back to recast a character when their stories have already come to an end. This feels worse than bringing back Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. It feels like it somehow tarnishes the legacy of Tony Stark. The story of his character was complete, and honestly, we don't need to see his character recast again in this same universe for us to love him still. He is, and will always be, Tony Stark. So, the idea of recasting him – even if it is a long time away – feels like a slap in the face to those who not only love his interpretation of the character but also the story of him as a whole, with the movies we've watched. The same goes for Steve, Natasha, Thor – everyone. How Are We Going to Explore New Characters and Stories If We're Revisiting the Same Ones? This is something else that worries me. Do you know how many heroes are in the Marvel line-up? There are a ridiculous number. Hundreds, if not thousands. How are we going to explore new heroes if we keep looking at the ones everyone knows? How are we going to build new fan bases if we continue to focus on the characters that Marvel insists we do? Let me tell you – I knew next to nothing about Ironheart, otherwise known as Riri Williams. I didn't know who she was or what she stood for. But you want to know what turned me onto her? The Ironheart TV show was great. Now, I have a new favorite character. Would I have been able to experience that if the show had been featured around Tony? No, because it would have been the same character that we all already know. Recasting characters takes away the chance to introduce new ones to the world. And in the world of Marvel, there are so many we could get into. Another character I ended up loving more this time around was Yelena, played by Florence Pugh. She's become one of my favorites, but she didn't appear until after Avengers: Endgame. If she had been around the same time as Natasha, she probably would have been overshadowed. I want these characters to survive on their own, not to become just sidekicks to recast characters that we all already know. What Does This Mean For The Multiverse? Is It Just Going To Forever Expand? And this is the biggest thing – if we're recasting characters within this MCU, what does that mean for the Marvel Multiverse as a whole? Are we recasting them as if they were variants from another planet, and that's how they're infused back into the story? Or are we just not bothering with that anymore and just throwing them right back into the ringer in order to take on the next big baddie? I don't know. To me, it sounds like this universe really is just never going to stop expanding, and now Marvel Studios might just be using this as an excuse to bring back these characters. That's where this really suffers. The only way to truly make this work is if they completely redo the entire universe. Start from the very beginning because then, there will be that exact distinction of who plays who and what universe we are in. If not, all of this sounds like a confusing mess. Things like this really make me wonder what Marvel will do in the future. I've been an avid Marvel supporter over the last few years, particularly with some of their releases, from a personal favorite of mine, Agatha: All Along, to their latest release, The Fantastic Four: First Steps. But recasting these characters might be where I draw the line. Only time will tell. I'm sure we'll see more in the next Avengers film. Until then, I'll enjoy my MCU movie marathons and live in the good old days of simple movies and fewer multiverses. Solve the daily Crossword
