Avengers: Doomsday Star Wraps Filming, MCU Fans Fear for Character
The fifth installment to Marvel Studios' blockbuster franchise is still slated to arrive in theaters on December 18, 2026, while its follow-up movie Avengers: Secret Wars will debut on December 17, 2027.
What are fans saying about Pedro Pascal's Reed Richards?
Since the next Avengers movie is still in production, it currently unclear if Pascal is the only cast member who had already completed shooting. Fans have already started worrying about Mister Fantastic's fate in Doomsday, with some theorizing that the hero might die because of how short Pascal's time was on the set.
Avengers: Doomsday is being directed by Avengers: Endgame filmmakers Joe and Anthony Russo from a screenplay written by Stephen McFeely. The latest installment will feature the return of Marvel vets Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth, with Chris Evans rumored to appear. However, this time, the Oppenheimer actor will be playing a completely different role in the form of Victor von Doom/Doctor Doom. The ensemble cast will also include Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Florence Pugh, Letitia Wright, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, Kelsey Grammer, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, and Danny Ramirez.
Disney+ Has the Best Bundle in the Business
Sign-up today for access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
Learn More
Sign-ups support Superhero Hypevia affiliate commission
The fifth installment will also feature the return of X-Men stars Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier, Ian McKellen's Magneto, Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn's Mystique, James Marsden's Cyclops, and Channing Tatum's Gambit. Following the movie's viral casting announcement video, Feige previously confirmed they haven't really revealed the entire cast yet, teasing more casting announcements in the future.
(Source: Deadline)
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Geographic
35 minutes ago
- National Geographic
Your brain shrinks after 40. Learning a musical instrument can reverse it.
Experts say the more we challenge our brains as we age, the more resilient it becomes—and 'learning a new instrument is a full-brain workout.' After the age of 40, the average brain decreases 5 percent in volume every decade, and brain degeneration hits peak acceleration around age 67. But one effective method for slowing neurodegeneration is learning an instrument. Photograph by Dimitri Otis, Getty Images No matter how much we may try, we can't fight most effects of getting older. Eyesight fades, wrinkles deepen, and joint pain becomes almost inevitable. But cognitive decline? That might be more flexible than we think. Although research shows the brain loses about 5 percent of its volume per decade after age 40, scientific findings suggest that picking up a new skill—like learning a musical instrument—can help preserve brain function well into our golden years. That's the message underscored in the first episode of Limitless: Live Better Now, streaming on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 15, and on National Geographic starting August 25. In the episode, 41-year-old Australian actor Chris Hemsworth takes up drumming for the first time. In doing so, he's not just preparing to play in front of 60,000 screaming fans at an Ed Sheeran concert—he's demonstrating how learning an instrument later in life could support the health of his own aging brain. This isn't a superpower for Hemsworth alone. A growing body of research suggests that activities that challenge the mind can be powerful tools in combating age-related cognitive decline. (The unexpected ways Ozempic-like drugs might fight dementia.) The gradual loss of brain tissue, known as brain atrophy, can begin as early as our 30s, "but it doesn't happen to everyone at the same rate,' says Daniel Gustavson, a cognitive psychologist at the University of Colorado Boulder. When it does occur, atrophy often affects key areas like the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for problem solving and adaptability, and the hippocampus, which governs memory and spatial navigation. 'You might notice decline in these areas when you struggle to recall details from a conversation or forget where you placed your keys,' explains Maya Shankar, a cognitive scientist featured on the Limitless series. 'When these things occur, they're more than just annoying—they reflect real changes in neural connectivity.' Brain shrinkage is largely driven by the loss of neurons and specialized junctions in the brain called synapses, as well as a reduction in plasticity—the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize. Another contributing factor is the age-related decline in production and efficiency of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine—a chemical messenger critical to memory and muscle movement. As these neurotransmitters decline, so does mental sharpness. To make matters more complex, both gray and white matter also diminish with age. These nerve tissues play critical roles in protecting and supporting neural connections. Their deterioration can lead to a variety of symptoms, the severity of which often depends on genetics and lifestyle, says Golnaz Yadollahikhales, a neurologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. While mild forgetfulness is common, she notes that more significant memory loss could be a sign of the early stages of cognitive decline or dementia. How mentally challenging activities help future-proof the brain The antidote to age-related cognitive decline, scientists agree, is neuroplasticity—the brain's lifelong ability to rewire itself in response to new experiences. 'When we learn something new, we're literally building new neurons and pathways,' Shankar says. She likens it to finding a new route to work when your usual one is closed. This adaptability underpins what researchers call cognitive reserve—the brain's capacity to compensate for age-related damage or changes. Yadollahikhales describes it as 'mental scaffolding' that helps keep you functioning even if one part of your brain starts to falter. (Use this ancient technique to remember (almost) anything.) An effective way to build cognitive reserve is by learning new, cognitively-demanding skills such as 'picking up a new sport, painting, cooking, writing, coding, dancing, or learning a new language,' says Shankar. These types of activities enhance white matter integrity, support healthy neurotransmitter activity, and improve communication between brain hemispheres by strengthening the corpus callosum, the brain's largest white matter tract. 'It's like a bridge because it plays a crucial role in communication between the right and left hemispheres,' says Yadollahikhales. Stronger inter-hemispheric connections can improve everything from multitasking to emotional regulation. Why learning a new instrument can help offset brain shrinkage While many skills can stimulate the brain, 'learning a new instrument is probably the biggest bang for your brain buck,' Shankar says. That's because playing a musical instrument enhances executive function and working memory by 'engaging nearly every brain region and strengthening communication between them,' she explains. Playing a musical instrument involves bimanual coordination and activates multiple brain structures simultaneously, thereby strengthening the corpus callosum. Some of these brain structures include those responsible for hearing, reading music, and coordinating hand and finger movement. 'Learning a new instrument is a full-brain workout,' says Gustavson. 'And that makes it a potent tool for building cognitive reserve.' (The diet that could make your brain 7 years younger.) Plenty of research backs this up. A 2022 Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience study found that older adults who received piano training for six months showed improved structural connectivity in brain regions associated with memory and language. Other studies show that learning an instrument later in life can also boost memory, executive function, and even brain volume. In one trial, seniors with no prior music experience improved their verbal memory after just three months of learning the keyboard harmonica, a small handheld keyboard powered by the breath. How to get started learning a new instrument If you want to use music to protect your brain health, choosing the right instrument matters. 'Pick one that excites you but also challenges you,' advises Yadollahikhales. 'If it's too easy, it won't stimulate neuroplasticity. If it's too hard, you'll quit. It needs to sit in that sweet spot of 'just hard enough.'' Piano, guitar, and drums are frequently recommended for their demand on bilateral coordination, but Gustavson emphasizes that most instruments can be effective—as long as they require sustained effort. 'Follow your heart, because the best instrument is the one you'll stick with,' he says. Shankar also suggests thinking practically. 'Ask yourself: Will I practice this regularly? Do I enjoy the sound? Do I feel moved by what I'm learning?' Motivation matters, she says, because engagement is key to reinforcing new neural pathways. For those hesitant to take formal lessons, other options include how-to apps, YouTube tutorials, or adult-friendly group classes. 'The social component of learning music can be just as powerful as the cognitive one,' adds Gustavson. 'It improves mood, encourages accountability, and adds a layer of fun.' Most importantly? Start where you are, no matter your age. 'It's never too late,' says Michael Snyder, a genetics professor at Stanford School of Medicine. While it's easy to assume learning is just for the young, he says, it's the struggle itself—not the mastery—that fuels brain growth at any age. In the end, we may not be able to stop the clock, but we can push back against its effects. 'It's easy to despair over age-related degradation of the brain, but all the research on neuroplasticity actually gives us reason to hope," Shankar offers. 'If our brains remain moldable throughout life, we can shape their trajectory and improve both our everyday experiences and our future.' "Limitless: Live Better Now" is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu starting August 15 and on National Geographic starting August 25. Check local listings.
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
‘The Studio' guide to L.A.: Where your favorite characters live, eat, shop, exercise and more
The characters on 'The Studio' — the Apple TV+ hit that recently earned a record-breaking 23 Emmy nominations, the most ever for a freshman comedy — don't have much of a life outside the confines of their high-pressure jobs running the fictional Continental Studios. But they do get out from time to time. And when they do, the show presents a view of Los Angeles that's both sardonic and affectionate, portraying a place where dreams can come true, provided you're not stuck on the 405 at rush hour. (Which, to be clear, is pretty much any time of day.) 'L.A. is a wild, crazy, partially s—, madhouse,' says Evan Goldberg, one of the show's creators and, with Seth Rogen, its co-director. 'But it's also a magical, artistic haven of crazy people with a lot of ambition and/or creative energy they want to share.' We asked the show's Emmy-nominated actors — Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Hahn, Catherine O'Hara and Rogen — how their characters channel that creative energy into their downtime in the City of Angels. Grab your infrared sauna blanket and pour yourself a sparkling water with three lemons. This is 'The Studio' guide to Los Angeles. Continental Studios' creative exec, a divorced dad, a survivor, albeit one who's anxious (for good reason) about navigating the new sensibilities of Hollywood. Favorite neighborhood: He lives in the Hollywood Hills. Why? It has the name Hollywood in it, and he still thinks that if you're super-successful in this business and single, having a place up is the way to go. You don't need a backyard. You don't need space for your kids to go on walks. You're single, and your kids only come once every other week, so it's just a bachelor living up in the hills. Last concert seen at the Hollywood Bowl: He went on a date with a much younger actress to see Imagine Dragons. And he did not have a great time. Clothing brand that dominates his closet: For Sal, the height of fashion is Tim Robbins' Armani suits in 'The Player,' suits that are ever-so-slightly big. In his downtime, he's the kind of guy who likes to go to Nordstrom and do a lot of damage. Earth tones, no matter what. Go-to date spot: Definitely Sunset Tower. He also has a membership to the San Vicente Bungalows, but he's mad at them because they made a date put the sticker on her phone camera. He got into it with the maître d': 'You don't trust that my date is not going to take pictures?' They finally relented and let her take the tape off, and she took a bunch of pictures of celebrities. So he's not in a great place with the San Vicente Bungalows, which is why he's back at the Sunset Tower. Most-shared wellness tip: He's an IV guy. So when you hit it a little too hard, this guy will come to your office. He hooks you up, the whole thing in and out in 25 minutes, and you feel like you did not drink a bottle of vodka the night before. Favorite place to see a movie: Sal loved the ArcLight because they had great parking and you could smoke weed on the roof and no one ever stopped you. But now that the ArcLight's gone, I could see him doing Mann's Chinese with his daughters. Sal Saperstein is not afraid of Hollywood Boulevard. He loves it. He loves Musso's and he loves the charm of it. And, yes, he still calls it Mann's Chinese. And people are like, 'It's not called that anymore.' And he's like, 'What are you gonna do? Cancel me?' Workout routine: He has hired a guy who comes to his home to do cardio boxing three times a week, but he so often cancels that he's basically just paying this guy $500 a week to do nothing. He has good intentions, but the follow-through is not great. The Grove, adore or avoid? He thinks of it as a gem. It brings him back to when he would go there with his children and they would meet Santa. Also, he's met Rick Caruso and they're friendly. Rush-hour coping mechanism: He has a little weed vape pen that he can hit whenever he's feeling traffic stress. And he has a lot of playlists, classic rock, first wave. He's definitely mourning Ozzy [Osbourne], admiring him for the great music and also pivoting to TV and creating an empire. Local news that would darken his doorstep: He knew people involved in the USC cheating scandal. 'We belong to the Jonathan Club together. He's gone down for that. That really sucks.' What the TikTok / Instagram algorithm serves him most: Vacation spots. People going out on Ritz-Carlton cruises. Plastic surgeons talking about what work Hollywood people have gotten done, because Sal is probably going to be like one of those guys that around 55 starts really f— with his face. Power-lunch order: Grilled chicken paillard with a green salad and two martinis. He's a Vesper boy. It gets him through till 5 o'clock. Most L.A. complaint: Navigating LAX is very stressful, even if you're incredibly wealthy. He's mad that he has to deal with LAX bull—. 'Why are we not moving? Why is traffic completely stopped here?' He just flew back from New York and the driver that they hired for him isn't there, and he has to go up to departures. He believes L.A. is such a great city, it needs to have a better airport. Audacious, profane marketing executive who views herself, quite rightly, as the most creative person in the room. Favorite neighborhood: I'll tell you this, she can't drive 'east of the 405' and has been saying that since the early '90s. In fact, she came up with it. She loves Sycamore Avenue. There's a Tartine and the clothing store Just One Eye, which is insanely expensive but she still loves to shop there. Clothing brand that dominates her closet: Fear of God. Probably her stylist was like, 'It's very niche, uncomfortably raw fashion.' It's very forward, and that's what she likes. Go-to date spot: San Vicente Bungalows. She was one of the founding members. She put her cash down right away because she was so sick of the freaking Soho House. San Vicente Bungalows are cooler and chiller. But honest to God, she hasn't been on a date in two decades, unless you count Raya. Most-shared wellness tip: Ayurvedic, but only because you can s— a lot. For her, it's all about the old-school colonic. A massage takes too long. Favorite place to see a movie: While sweating in an infrared sauna blanket. And she's only watching screeners of upcoming releases. She hasn't watched a movie for pleasure in years. Workout routine: In her office at lunch with Dave, her trainer. She loves to get 'stretched out.' The Grove, adore or avoid? Never. She can't handle the parking garage. It's the same reason she doesn't go to the Hollywood Bowl. The inconvenience drives her crazy. Rush-hour coping mechanism: Matt Belloni — or the sound of her own screaming. Local news that would darken her doorstep: Anything about road closures due to f— marathons. What the TikTok / Instagram algorithm serves her most: Mukbangs. Power-lunch order: The chicken paillard at Il Pastaio — pounded, pounded, pounded. Extra pounded. And a sparkling water with three lemons. Most L.A. complaint: 'I might lose you in the canyon.' Straight-talking former studio head, now a mentor to Matt Remick and enjoying her own production deal at Continental. Favorite neighborhood: Culver City. She likes the history and wants to be close to all the studios. Her work is her life. Last concert seen at the Hollywood Bowl: Oh, it's been a while, I think. She's been busy. Probably Garry Shandling. He was good. God bless him. Clothing brand that dominates her closet: Max Mara. Lots of beige and pumpkin. She definitely got sucked into having her season done, so she knows she's an autumn. The clothes aren't the highest end. She'd rather spend her money on food and booze and travel. Go-to date spot: Chinois on Main. Or Mr. Chow. You can talk over shared dishes. And there's always someone she knows in the room, so if the date goes south, she can call them over to the table. Those places are also good because she can see if they know how to use chopsticks. If they ask for a fork, there's no second date. Most-shared wellness tip: All you need is a solid five hours of sleep. But it's got to be continuous. Favorite place to see a movie: She has a nice home theater, good sound, comfy chairs. Really comfy. Beautiful couches and chaise longues. It doesn't look like anyone else's movie theater. Workout routine: Hiking in the hills. And when I say 'hills,' I mean hilly residential streets, like in Brentwood, so she can look at homes and gardens and in people's windows and get some more good ideas for landscaping and decorating. The Grove, adore or avoid? Avoid. Before the fires, it would have been the one in the Palisades. She hopes it'll come back. Rush-hour coping mechanism: Yacht rock. Michael McDonald. The Doobie Brothers. Christopher Cross. What the TikTok / Instagram algorithm serves her most: She scans it every once in a while if she's bored or if she can't sleep. But social media isn't her thing. She's got people to monitor that. Power-lunch order: A salad with grilled chicken or salmon. It used to be with a glass of rosé, but she's cut back on that. It got her in trouble a couple of times. She's mostly quit the booze and the swearing. Most L.A. complaint: The traffic. Always the traffic. New head of Continental Studios, a people pleaser trying to balance his love for filmmaking with the demands of commerce. Favorite neighborhood: He has a fixation with Old Hollywood — the Chateau Marmont, Musso and Frank. I'm sure he finds himself at the Soho House and the Sunset Tower. Last concert seen at the Hollywood Bowl: One of those nights where John Williams conducts a movie score. Like the 'Jaws' night. It doesn't even have to be John Williams. Hans Zimmer would do. Anything connected with the movies. I don't think he has much taste in music beyond music from movies. Clothing brand that dominates his closet: Brunello Cucinelli, one of the most unbelievably expensive clothing brands there is. It's an Italian brand that makes a lovely double-breasted suit, but, again, just incredibly priced. You have to be pretty vain to make that leap, which Matt is. Go-to date spot: Matt does not date much. I would start there, first and foremost. But if he were to go out, he'd want to go someplace he feels sort of cool and where he feels like they know him. Dan Tana's. Again, Old Hollywood vibe. And the waiters know him by name, so when he walks in, they go, 'Matt!' I think he's jockeying to have a dish named after him. That would be the ultimate accomplishment. Most-shared wellness tip: Matt has a high-end doctor who comes in and does blood work and tells him what he should be doing to be healthier, and then he just neglects everything he heard. Matt likes talking about health and wellness. Like, 'Celebrities are into wellness. This is something we could talk about.' I bet he has a sauna and a cold plunge somewhere, but never uses them. He tells people to meditate, but never meditates. He talks about the importance of sleep, but he doesn't sleep very well. Favorite place to see a movie: If the Cinerama Dome were open, it'd be the Cinerama Dome. But it isn't, so it's the Chinese. Beautiful theater, incredible sound, and the dress from 'The Wizard of Oz' is in the lobby. It's a genuine piece of Old Hollywood that's still functional today. And you can get harassed by a guy in a Spider-Man suit on the way in! Workout routine: Just running up and down those stairs in that office is a large part of his workout routine. He's probably like, 'I stand a lot. That counts.' Like many Hollywood men, he doesn't work out and runs off of eating half a salad and drinking 100 cups of coffee and then having a couple martinis at the end of the day. They're not overweight, but they're not in any way healthy or fit. The Grove, adore or avoid? He's OK with the Grove because he likes the Farmers Market next door. Again, Old Hollywood. He would probably like telling people that James Dean ate his last meal there before he went on his ill-fated car ride. Rush-hour coping mechanism: He's rolling calls in a convertible in 105-degree heat, you know, yelling at someone's agent. Local news that would darken his doorstep: Things like production in Los Angeles is down, California subsidies and tax credits aren't where they should be. He runs an entire movie lot. He wants to see the soundstages full, contributing to the bottom line. What the TikTok / Instagram algorithm serves him most: Film stuff. Letterboxd reviews. Little clips of filmmakers like, say, William Friedkin talking about making 'To Live and Die in L.A.' Power-lunch order: He orders something healthy, probably the salmon, and then doesn't eat it because he's talking through the whole lunch. Like, he goes to the Beverly Hills Hotel, orders the McCarthy salad, and it stays on his plate. Most L.A. complaint: Matt loves L.A., so his biggest complaint is people coming to the city and making disparaging comments. Like, it's an ugly city or it has no history or culture. It's a beautiful city! And it has a storied history and a lot of culture! Matt sees the city's magic and wonder and gets very defensive when people don't like it.
Los Angeles Times
2 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
‘Somebody Somewhere' showed Joel's ‘naked and real' truth — and Jeff Hiller's too
'I know it's a cliche to say I wasn't expecting it, but I was not expecting it,' says Jeff Hiller of his surprise Emmy nomination for his supporting role in the HBO comedy 'Somebody Somewhere.' One could forgive Hiller's low expectations. Starring Bridget Everett as Sam, a single, middle-aged woman navigating small-town life in Kansas alongside her best friend, Joel (Hiller), the critical darling was named one of the AFI's best TV shows of the year in 2023 and won a Peabody in 2024, yet failed to earn attention from the Television Academy. And in a crowded field of comic competitors — Emmy winners 'Abbott Elementary,' 'The Bear' and 'Hacks,' plus the celeb-stuffed 'Only Murders in the Building' and 'The Studio' — it seemed unlikely for the small-town dramedy to break through in its final year. 'No one had said, 'I bet it's gonna happen,'' says Hiller. Which is why Hiller wasn't tuned into the Emmy noms announcement last month, and even ignored the call from his manager that morning. 'I was on the phone with my sister, and I was like, 'They'll call back.'' says Hiller. When that conversation was interrupted by another call, this time from his agent, Hiller assumed that he was in trouble. 'I [was about to] shoot a movie, and I thought, 'Oh, crap. Am I supposed to be in Boston right now?'' As for how he clinched the nom, Hiller's best guess is the timely publication of his comic memoir, 'Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success,' which hit bookstores just two days before Emmy voting opened in June. Among his cohort of Emmy-nominated performers, the rest of Hiller's day may have been the most humble of them all: 'I hung up with my agent, went to the airport to go to Boston and spent the night alone in a Residence Inn.' But there's something perfectly thematic about a no-frills Emmy nom celebration, particularly for the actor playing 'Somebody Somewhere's' sweet and lovable sidekick Joel. A local of Manhattan, Kan. — where Everett's Sam returns following the death of her sister and, over time, builds a chosen family of misfits and weirdos — Joel is the best friend everyone would want, someone who is supportive to a fault and often pushes Sam to find joy in the everyday. Just as the show introduces Joel and Sam in the pilot, Hiller was a fan of Everett's before they began their collaboration. Both actors moved to New York and established their own chosen families around performance: Everett in the downtown cabaret scene, centered on Joe's Pub at the Public Theater; Hiller at Upright Citizens Brigade, where he taught and performed improv. While Everett made a name for herself with her bawdy shows blending rock ballads and blue humor, Hiller appeared on and off-Broadway and steadily won bit parts in film and TV, often playing gay waiters, assistants and salesmen. Their worlds in New York naturally overlapped, and it was Everett who reached out to Hiller about an audition for Joel's character in 2019. Compared to the smaller roles that populate Hiller's IMDb page, Joel — one of the more nuanced queer characters on television in recent years — is more finespun. Having grown up in a Lutheran family in San Antonio, Hiller recognized a lot of himself in a 40-something gay man who attends church, even if a queer Christian may seem unfamiliar to metropolitan viewers on either coast. 'I know people in Texas who are gay and who go to church every week, and that's where they found their community — that's the place that is nice to them,' he says. 'I know this guy so well. I would have been this guy if I hadn't moved to New York.' Hiller commends series creators Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen (who, alongside Everett, earned an Emmy nomination this year as writers of the series finale) for Joel's complexity and for building a world in which its marginalized characters aren't constantly burdened by what makes them different. 'I'm sure there are small-minded people in Manhattan, but our show just wasn't focused on that part,' he says. 'That takes a lot of work in the storytelling for a mainstream audience. I kind of [worried] we'd never get picked up.' But Joel is much more than 'a gay guy who goes to church,' as evident in his Season 3 arc, which sees him settling into a relationship with the equally sweet, if more introverted, Brad (played by Tim Bagley). Entering his first real relationship at middle age is bittersweet for Joel, who always imagined achieving the typical milestones — including having kids. 'He's grateful for the life he's had, but he's also mourning the things he dreamed of having that he can no longer have,' explains Hiller. 'I found that to be true to me in my life. It's scarier to portray things that are so naked and real, obvious and truthful.' Joel also has a cathartic reunion with a childhood bully, spun from conversations in which Bos and Thureen asked Hiller what he would want to hear from his own past tormentors. 'That's for me and my therapist to discuss,' he jokes. While he's still processing his Emmy nom and planning for the HBO after-party ('Do they let you in even if you don't win?'), he treasures the experience of making 'Somebody Somewhere' as its own reward. 'If I could play a role like that for six weeks once a year, for the rest of my life? I'd be more than fulfilled.'
