Latest news with #BenedictCumberbatch
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marvel's Kevin Feige Talks Scaling Back, Losing Kang and His Texts to James Gunn After ‘Superman'
In a nondescript conference room on the very descript floor of Marvel Studios (full size Iron Man statues, superhero murals and movie props) is a padlocked door. Behind that padlocked door is a white board featuring a plan for Marvel movies spanning the next seven years. So teased Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, the producer behind the most successful run of movies in Hollywood's history, as he welcomed a select group of journalists into the same room where he first met Doctor Strange star Benedict Cumberbatch and where filmmaker Chloe Zhao pitched her take on Eternals. More from The Hollywood Reporter Why Lyric Ross Cherishes Her AI Natalie in 'Ironheart' Where and When to Watch 'Thunderbolts*' Online Krysten Ritter Joins 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2, Reprising Jessica Jones Marvel's run has been tested of late, this year especially with Thunderbolts* and Captain America: Brave New World, which grossed among the lowest totals for the company. But Feige isn't interested in your theories of superhero fatigue, which he doesn't buy as real. He pointed to DC Studios' Superman, which is doing strong at the box office, at least domestically. Feige said he texted filmmaker James Gunn to let him know how much he liked it. 'I love how you just jump right into it,' Fiege enthused of the film, which Gunn directed after he helmed three Guardians of the Galaxy movies for Marvel before decamping to run DC Studios. 'You don't know who Mr. Terrific is? Tough. You'll figure it out. You don't know what this is? Just go, go. This is a fully fleshed out world.' Even if he doesn't buy the idea of superhero fatigue, Feige and his team have done plenty of post-mortems on this year's underperforming movies, and on all their movies since the massive success of Avengers: Endgame. Right now, the company is prepping for the July 25 release of its latest movie, Fantastic Four: First Steps. It's the first time Marvel Studios is handling the characters, after a trio of movies of various quality and box office made by Twentieth Century Fox before its 2019 acquisition by Disney. There was also the never-released, 1994 feature produced low-budget king Roger Corman. (Fun fact: the four stars of that movie cameo in First Steps.) One thing that Feige seemed to relish is that this new movie is mostly self-contained and is in a fully-fleshed world that doesn't require that dreaded word 'homework.' 'We didn't want to have the Eternals issue of 'Where were they, where have they been, how come they didn't help with Thanos?'' he explained. 'We wanted them to be apart from our reality so that we didn't have to say, 'Oh look, they were hiding over here.'' And highlighting a 1960s aesthetic was more than just a period piece choice. 'It was a unique aesthetic that felt like it could absolutely be its own world, its own reality' said Feige. 'And when we show it to audiences in the screening process that we do leading up to it, people just accept it right off the bat and feel liberated that they can just enjoy what's ahead of them.' He underscored, 'it is no homework required.' In a free-wheeling discussion with the journalists, Feige, wearing a blue Fantastic Four hoodie and a Wonder Man cap, opened up on a range of topics, from what's going on with Blade, his future at Marvel, and the exit of Jonathan Majors from the MCU. Here is what The Hollywood Reporter learned. Yes, Feige knows Marvel made too many movies and shows (and the other things they did wrong) From the first Iron Man in 2008 through Endgame in 2019, Marvel produced around 50 hours of screen storytelling. In the six years since Endgame, the number jumped to an astounding 102 hours of movies and television. 127 hours if you include animation. 'That's too much,' Feige said. He characterized the time period after Endgame as an era of experimentation, evolution and, unfortunately, expansion. And while he's proud of the experimentation – he points to TV series WandaVision and Loki as some of the best stories they've made – he admits, 'It's the expansion that is certainly what devalued' that output. Being high on success also may have pushed Marvel to readily agree to try to deliver more programming at a time when Disney and the rest of Hollywood were engaged in the streaming wars. 'It was a big company push, and it doesn't take too much to push us to go, 'People have been asking for Ms. Marvel for years, and now we can do it? Do it! Oscar Isaac wants to be Moon Knight? Do it!'' recalled Feige. 'So there was a mandate that we were put in the middle of, but we also thought it'd be fun to bring these to life.' Marvel has already pulled back the amount of movies and shows it makes. Some years may even only have one movie. Certainly there will be years with only one TV show. Also, Marvel has started 'grinding down' on budgets, with movies costing up to a third cheaper than the films from 2022 or 2023. Here's why failed (even though it's a 'very, very good movie') The massive expansion into television and focus on Disney+ led to the feeling that watching Marvel was becoming a type of homework. 'It's that expansion that I think led people to say, 'Do I have to see all of these? It used to be fun, but now do I have to know everything about all of these?' And I think The Marvels hit it hardest where people are like, 'Okay, I recognize her from a billion dollar movie. But who are those other two? I guess they were in some TV show. I'll skip it.'' This had an effect on Thunderbolts*, which featured characters that were seen on various platforms, including some only appearing on shows before hitting the big screen. 'Some of them were still feeling the residual effects of that notion of, 'I guess I had to have seen these other shows to understand who this is,' Feige explained. ' I think if you actually saw the movie, that wouldn't be the case, and we make the movie so that's not the case. But I think we still have to make sure the audience understands that.' Feige is staying put at Marvel (for now) No Hollywood executive stays in their chair forever. Whether it's because of a change at the top or a bad run of movies, change is inevitable. And succession is a hot topic at Disney, and in Hollywood in general. Feige was a bit circumspect on long he would stay at the company, quietly admitting he has about 'two years, a little less' on his contract. But regardless, he stated his desire is to keep making big movies for the widest possible audience. 'Do I want to be making big movies for big audiences in 10 or 15 years from now? Yes, absolutely. That's all I want to do,' Feige said. 'Marvel's a great way to do that for me right now. But I hope to make big movies for lots of people forever more.' Feige Addresses Jonathan Majors for the first time (without talking about Jonathan Majors) Marvel faced several curveballs in the last few years as it worked on its post-Endgame phases. Yes, there were real world issues of a pandemic and Hollywood strikes. There was the tragic loss of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman. And there was the assault conviction of Jonathan Majors, the actor who was playing villain Kang and seemed to be teed up as the next big arch nemesis for years to come. Feige never mentioned Majors by name, instead calling him 'Kang actor' at one point or 'the actor' or just zeroing on Kang as a character. And, Feige said, Marvel was already preparing to pivot away from Kang before the Majors issue. 'We had started even before what had happened to the actor happened, we had started to realize that Kang wasn't big enough, wasn't Thanos, and that there was only one character that could be that, because he was that in the comics for decades and decades,' said Feige. 'Because of the Fox acquisition, we finally had it, and it was Dr. Doom. So we had started talking about Dr. Doom even before we officially pivoted from Kang. And in fact, I had started talking with Robert [Downey Jr.] about this audacious idea before Ant-Man 3 even came out. It was a long plan that we had, to take one of our greatest characters and utilize one of our greatest actors.' Don't expect a live-action Miles Morales any time soon (thanks a lot, Sony) Many fans have been for years clamoring for a live-action MCU appearance of Miles Morales, the Spider-Man who headlines the acclaimed Spider-Verse movies from Sony Animation. When asked where Marvel was in the development of a live-action version of the character, Feige responded, 'That is nowhere.' And added that Morales' fate was in Sony's hands. 'Sony has their brilliant, genius, incredible Spider- Verse animated franchise going and until that finishes, we've been told to stay away,' said Feige. being sharpened (again) What's the hold up with Blade? Well… 'The obstacle was Ryan Coogler called and said, 'We'd love some costumes for Sinners.' And we said, 'Take them, man.' He's our good friend, take our costumes. We'll hold off on the movie,' said Feige. Feige was, of course, joking, connecting Sinners to a version of Blade that was recently being developed, one that was set in a Prohibition Era, just like Coogler's original hit earlier this year. Feige confirmed there had been four takes of Blade that been developed over recent times, two that were period, two that were not. Marvel has now 'landed on modern day.' And yes, Mahershala Ali is still attached. He didn't reveal a timeline for Blade but did say that he, and Coogler, have a timeline for Black Panther 3. Tonal malleability is a key to Marvel's success (yes, there will be more R-rated stories coming) Deadpool & Wolverine as well as the Daredevil TV show have shown that Marvel is becoming more and more comfortable with pushing stories that are adult-oriented. But its characters can also appear in age-appropriate settings when needed. It's all a way to keep audiences interested and invested. That is how, Feige pointed out, you can have the Green Goblin build snowmen in Disney+'s Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends but then kill Aunt May in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Punisher is another example. The violent vigilante played by Jon Bernthal is the subject of a special that just began shooting last week and will air on Disney+ next year. It is intended to be TV-MA. But 'when Punisher is in the Spider-Man movie, it'll be a different tonality,' said Feige, confirming the character is in the next Spidey film. Feige still likes the flexibility of going into production without a set script The Marvel method of moviemaking has included ever-evolving scripts and heavy-lifting in post-production. Striking a contrarian position, Gunn, after working at Marvel, has publicly stated that his DC Studios won't begin a project without a locked script and a definite ending. Feige says Marvel has never started a movie without a full script but also added that he's never been satisfied with a script the company has had. 'I've never been satisfied with a movie we've released,' he even added on top of that. What he and the company like to do is 'plus-ing at every turn.' 'There's plus-ing happening every day on the Avengers: Doomsday set right now, and it is amazing to watch because what those filmmakers, those actors, both the ones that are playing these characters for the first or second time and the one playing them for the 10th or 12th time, are the best in the world at it, and know these characters so well,' said Feige. 'So if they have an idea, you want to listen to it and you want to adjust to it and you want to improve it. I wouldn't want to change that.' Stephen McFeely is writing the script, but Feige revealed that Loki creator Michael Waldron is also helping. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
TALK OF THE TOWN: Sherlock star Benedict and the mystery of the vanishing photographs
It's a mystery that would baffle Sherlock Holmes himself... just why was Benedict Cumberbatch so secretive about doing a stint as a barman for charity? The actor who played the eccentric but brilliant detective on TV, recently spent an evening mixing margaritas at Trejos Tacos, a Mexican bar on Portobello Road, Notting Hill, after he auctioned off his time for a good cause. The highest bidder put him to work in the trendy West London eatery, serving cocktails and shots of tequila to her and her friends. Insiders tell me everyone was enthralled by the attention of their celebrity mixologist, who took to the role exceptionally well. I hear he doted on his starstruck customers and shook hands with fans. But news of the actor's good deed was supposed to be kept under wraps, with a strict 'no photographs' policy in place at the restaurant, which is owned by fellow Hollywood actor Danny Trejo. Despite the ban, pictures of Benedict the Barman did emerge from the night and find their way on to Instagram. But I hear the over-excited punter responsible for the leak was given a terse telling off and the images removed. The Doctor Strange star – soon to be seen with Olivia Colman in a remake of the comedy War Of The Roses – had sold off his services at a gala dinner raising money for the London Academy Of Music and Dramatic Art, of which he is president. Perhaps, Cumberbatch, 58, did not want to be pictured with booze as he's long valued his 'near sobriety', preferring yoga to alcohol. That explanation would be elementary, my dear... Nepo babies assemble! Nico Parker, the daughter of Mission: Impossible actress Thandiwe Newton, made her name in post-apocalypse drama The Last Of Us. Now I can reveal she is dating actor Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. The pair have been cast in Poetic License, with Jake Bongiovi, son of singer Jon Bon Jovi. It's being made by Maude Apatow, daughter of director Judd. You're just like your ex's mamma, Mia Is Romeo Beckham's ex following in the illustrious footsteps of his fashion designer mother Victoria Beckham? Model Mia Regan has set up a company called Mr Designs Ltd, listing herself as a designer. Last week she unveiled a new collection with high street chain H&M, but the launch party for her collaboration was not, shall we say, 'Posh'. I'm told the low-key affair was hosted at a cafe next to the Woodberry Wetlands in North London, which costs up to £4,000 to hire. Jazzy has landed a film role to dye for Socialite Jazzy de Lisser recently made a dramatic change when she dyed her hair from her natural brunette to a bright blonde and now I think I know why. The 33-year-old daughter of fashion designer Serena Bute has been cast in a new film called Pretty Ugly alongside Nicola Peltz Beckham. De Lisser will play a woman obsessed with social media beauty while Peltz Beckham, 30, will play 'a provocative make-up influencer'. Their characters will face a murder and learn the real meaning of the American Dream. Expect it to be, well, pretty ugly. Make Ellen a De Generes offer... A new life in the Cotswolds has not been without its challenges for ex-US chat show host Ellen De Generes and her actress wife Portia de Rossi, as their house suffered flooding which led to them buying a second home nearby. Now their first mansion, which they bought for £15million, is up for sale – not on the open market but only to the 'right buyer should they approach'. I think the biggest draw is that the house has its own pub. What's not to love? Clangers on air Poor Woody Cook is paying the price for having a famous broadcaster for a mum – everyone gets to know about his howlers. In her new podcast, Radio 2 star Zoe Ball reveals how Woody forgot to pay his car insurance, an error that somehow resulted in bailiffs knocking on the door. Zoe also discloses Woody's nicknames for her. 'He calls me Mum and Bass, because I like drum and bass. But also, we're Mumford and Sons. I'm Mumford, he's Sons.' Sheeran's old togs Want to dress like Ed Sheeran? I'm told the pop star donates his old clothes to the East Anglia Children's Hospice shop in Framlingham, Suffolk. Ed's no style icon but if you fancy jeans, hoodies or checked shirts, you know where to go!
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I tested the Leica Q3 43 for a week and fell in love — there's just one problem
I test some of the best mirrorless cameras here at Tom's Guide. I've tested ones from Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, you name it. And I own a Nikon and Fuji for personal use too. And when you think real hard about cameras, there's one name that always comes up, and that's Leica — premium, classic, sharp, and usually out of most people's budgets. But as is the nature of my job, I'm very lucky that I get to test Leica cameras too. I recently reviewed the Leica M11-D rangefinder and the Leica Q3 43 compact camera. Both of them got glowing recommendations for me, and when I had to return the loan units, I had tears in my eyes (slight exaggeration but you get the sentiment). Pin-sharp precision is what the Leica Q3 43 is all about. Featuring a 60.3MP CMOS sensor and utilizing Leica's best-in-class autofocus system, the Q3 43 captures stunning images with beautiful color reproduction. The new 43mm lens has a standard field of view and comes with a dedicated macro mode. The camera itself is compact and comfortable to use, and for those who like shooting video, it can record 8K/30fps and 4K/60fps footage. Leica cameras are the pinnacle of sharpness and image quality, as my in-depth testing has proven. And I, for one, wish I could get one for myself. But there is a very big hurdle here: four figures that usually come after or before a currency symbol. So what makes the Q3 43 worth the premium? Let me show you. If you were active back in the good ol' days of Tumblr, remember how everyone used to say things like, "That's sharper than Benedict Cumberbatch's cheekbones"? (Or Tom Hiddleston's or Cate Blanchett's, fill in the blanks with your celebrity of choice.) That's how I'd describe the Leica Q3 43's image quality — it's sharper than all the knives in my kitchen. The Q3 43 has a 60.3MP sensor and utilizes Leica's latest Maestro IV processor to make images feel almost ethereal yet lifelike. Color reproduction is absolutely fantastic with a great balance between shadows and highlights. Plenty and plenty of detail is packed in these images, even when you zoom in. Just take a look at the photo of the swan in the gallery above. Feathers? Sharp. Water droplets? Crystal clear. You could use these images straight out of the camera without having to do any post-processing. That's the beauty of the Q3 43. It is a ridiculously good camera that gives you barely anything to complain about. The Leica Q3 43 won me over as soon as I took it out of the box, to be honest. Its ability to capture gorgeous photos and video were the cherries on top of an already delicious cake. There aren't many cameras I test that make me go, "That's a beautiful camera," but the Q3 43 did. It made me actually gasp when I unboxed it. It looks like a million bucks, sporting a compact yet premium look, its front wrapped in a leather-like material. It's as comfortable to hold as it is a treat for the eyes to look at. If you think the Q3 43 is good for stills only, think again. This camera can shoot 4K/60fps and 8K/30fps video, making it great for casual video — I say "casual" because it doesn't have a 3.5mm headphones/mic input/output port, limiting its use out in the field for videography. "So, Nikita, should I buy the Leica Q3 43?" I hear you ask, and I say yes, you should. But if you aren't familiar with the vast world of cameras and have heard whispers about Leicas being great, I have some news for you. These cameras do not come cheap. The Q3 43 retails for $7,380 / £5,900 — but at least it's a fixed-lens camera so you won't need to spend extra on glass over the years. If money is a concern, I completely get it. If you can afford it, though, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't buy the Q3 43. I wouldn't let the price tag put me off because this camera is so ridiculously easy to use with a straightforward control scheme. If it's pure power and image clarity you're after, I can't think of a better camera to recommend. I'm transferring some extra money to my savings account every month now so that I can eventually, one day, get the Q3 43 for myself. That red dot sure costs a lot but to me, it feels like it's worth every cent.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Horoscope for Saturday, July 19th, 2025
While today may not be ideal for fun and leisure, it will be useful for getting chores done or completing any unfinished work. With Mercury currently in retrograde, today is largely beneficial for taking care of time-consuming tasks that we've been putting off. Handling money matters or taking on a project that enables us to improve our homes (or ourselves) are great options for making the most of the day. We can best enjoy the evening by making space in our schedules to rest and recharge or spend time with family. ARIES (March 21 to April 19) It's easy to forget about self-care when you're so busy. For today, carve some time out to take care of yourself. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) It's a good day for rediscovering a hobby or activity that you love. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You may need to step away from work or your social life for a little while so that you can tend to your private life. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Plan an activity day with friends or get involved with a community project like volunteering. LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) A practical and proactive approach to managing your finances is needed now. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) You may have some energy you need to burn off. Go for a hike, take in some fresh scenery, or find a cultural event to attend. LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) You may finally find the resolve or strength you need to move on from something or someone you've outgrown. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Teaming up with folks whose skills or talents complement yours can be good for your productivity. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) Use the day for fulfilling responsibilities and making good on your promises. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Your creative energy is strong. Have some fun with it. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) Do something good for your emotional well-being, even if it's challenging. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) It may be necessary to advocate or speak up for yourself. Face a hard discussion head-on. FOR TODAY'S BIRTHDAY You have a gentle soul and a kind heart. You're naturally funny and charismatic. You have an affinity for anything deemed magical, spiritual or innovative. At your core, you are a creator. You're the kind of person who colours outside the lines, refusing to be labelled, limited or confined. Playing small is not something you do. You would rather go big or go home. However, finding a healthy balance between being practical and idealistic will aid you in finishing what you start. This year, surrounding yourself with people who inspire and motivate you will also help you hit your mark. BIRTHDATE OF: Benedict Cumberbatch, actor; Jared Padalecki, actor/producer; Popcaan, DJ/reggae singer.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Famous birthdays for July 19: Anthony Edwards, Romee Strijd
July 19 (UPI) -- Those born on this date are under the sign of Cancer. They include: -- Inventor Samuel Colt in 1814 -- Artist Edgar Degas in 1834 -- Famed murder suspect Lizzie Borden in 1860 -- Physician Charles H. Mayo in 1865 -- Musician Florence Foster Jenkins in 1868 -- Former CIA agent/writer Philip Agee in 1935 -- Musician Vikki Carr in 1941 (age 84) -- Actor George Dzundza in 1945 (age 80) -- International Tennis Hall of Fame member/politician Ilie Năstase in 1946 (age 79) -- Musician Bernie Leadon (Eagles) in 1947 (age 78) -- Musician Brian May (Queen) in 1947 (age 78) -- Businessman Howard Schultz in 1953 (age 72) -- Filmmaker Atom Egoyan in 1960 (age 65) -- Musician Kevin Haskins (Bauhaus) in 1960 (age 65) -- Actor Campbell Scott in 1961 (age 64) -- Actor Anthony Edwards in 1962 (age 63) -- Sportscaster Stuart Scott in 1965 -- Actor Clea Lewis in 1965 (age 60) -- TV personality Chris Kratt in 1969 (age 56) -- New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in 1970 (age 55) -- Musician Urs Buhler (Il Divo) in 1971 (age 54) -- Musician Jason McGerr (Death Cab for Cutie) in 1974 (age 51) -- Actor Benedict Cumberbatch in 1976 (age 49) -- Actor Vinessa Shaw in 1976 (age 49) -- Actor Chris Sullivan in 1980 (age 45) -- Actor Jared Padalecki in 1982 (age 43) -- Actor Trai Byers in 1983 (age 42) -- Actor Ryan Dorsey in 1983 (age 42) -- Comedian/actor James Austin Johnson in 1989 (age 36) -- Actor Steven Anthony Lawrence in 1990 (age 35) -- Model Romee Strijd in 1995 (age 30) Solve the daily Crossword
