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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ana de Armas on ‘Ballerina,' Breaking Barriers and Finding Balance in Hollywood
Ana de Armas has been in a James Bond movie, has been to the Oscars as a nominee and has premiered a film at Cannes — and yet nothing prepared her for the scope of fandom that greeted her at Comic Con in Brazil last fall. 'I had never seen that many people in my life,' the actress recalls. 'It was crazy. That's the closest you can be to being a singer.' More from WWD In 'Great Black Hope,' Rob Franklin Explores Class, Race and the Dark Underbelly of New York Glamour in Bold Debut Novel A Lot to Sea: Inside the World of Superyacht Design Weighted Matters: Make That Workout Tougher Since its announcement, the John Wick spinoff movie 'Ballerina' has been feverishly anticipated, as its star experienced in Brazil. Officially out June 6, 'Ballerina,' which Tom Cruise has already promised 'kicks ass,' sees de Armas step into the lead of the John Wick universe in a new chapter for the Oscar nominee. 'It feels like it's a big responsibility, or at least it feels that way to me,' the 37-year-old says, over avocado toast on a recent morning in New York. The actress, dressed in a white knit Louis Vuitton dress, has been up since pre-dawn hours to tape 'Good Morning America,' but you'd never know it from her enthusiasm for talking about her new movie. 'You also feel the love. And I think people are really excited for this movie, and I think we're going to give them what they expect,' she says. De Armas was approached by the filmmakers when the script was still in process, but she saw the potential 'right away' on the pages. 'I loved what Chad [Stahelski] and Keanu [Reeves] have done with these movies and how the fans loved these movies and how many people these movies bring into the theaters. So it was a big deal,' she says. 'Ballerina' is set between the Chapter 3 and 4 John Wick films, released in 2019 and 2023, respectively. It follows Eve Macarro, an orphaned ballerina assassin who sets out to avenge her father's death. Eve is introduced in other John Wick films but 'Ballerina' is her origin story, and the character depth appealed to de Armas in equal measure to the full-on action. 'As much action as there was on the page, I could see the heart too,' she says of reading that initial script. 'The character has such a beautiful journey. The emotionality of the character is so important in the film, I was just like, 'oh, I have to do this.'' 'Ballerina' is a reunion for de Armas and Reeves, who first worked together in the 2015 movie 'Knock Knock,' which was the actress' first fully English-language film. 'The first day I met Keanu, he had just finished the first 'John Wick,' and he was telling us about it at lunch,' she recalls. 'It's crazy because I grew up watching his movies, 'Speed' and 'The Matrix' and this and that, and back then I couldn't believe I was working with him. But even now, that I'm a part of something that means so much to him and that he's put so much work into…by joining me in the movie, it was kind of like his blessing or passing the torch to me,' she continues. 'Every day on set with him, rehearsals and then on set, I just learned so much from him just by watching him. He's just nonstop. He's like me: we are perfectionists. We want to do it again and again and again, and it's never enough. So it is tough to say 'cut' when we're filming.' De Armas was in Budapest shooting 'Ballerina' in early 2023 when she found out she was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the movie 'Blonde.' The filming schedule meant she missed much of the lead up to the Oscars, including events and opportunities to get to know her fellow nominees, but in hindsight working was a fitting way to mark her nomination. 'I love those kinds of moments, good news days or my birthday or things like that, when I'm filming. Because it's an amazing reminder that I am actually doing what I love to do,' she says. Getting a nomination for a serious dramatic role while at work on a blockbuster action film was especially sweet for de Armas. 'It was a reminder of 'look at the career I'm having, look at all the things I can do. This is exactly what I wanted.' It's usually that you are either only an action star and you can only do that, or you are doing indie low-budget films that not many people get to see because they're barely publicized,' de Armas says. 'So to be able to manage both sides of it and have it all in my own way, it's amazing.' It's especially remarkable considering the actress only moved to the U.S. 10 years ago, and didn't speak much English at the time. In fact, when she first met Reeves, for 'Knock Knock,' they weren't able to have a full conversation. 'Moving to L.A. was never part of the plan,' de Armas says. 'I never thought I was going to move to the U.S. in general, even less to Hollywood or anything like that. It just kind of came my way and it happened. And I did see the opportunity and I took it, because that's what I do. But it was challenging. It made me feel very vulnerable.' While working in Spain after immigrating from Cuba, de Armas spent all her paychecks on English and accent classes. 'I didn't have money for rent — my team, my agents, my manager, my lawyer, everyone had to loan me money to pay my rent and food. But I knew that that was a priority for me,' she says of learning English. 'I wanted to do it. I started doing auditions before I could even speak English, I would just learn this script.' Several of her initial English-language projects, such as her 2016 films 'Hands of Stone' with Robert De Niro and 'War Dogs' with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, were done in this way, where she would memorize the lines without understanding what they meant. 'Acting in a different language is very tricky. But to perform is not about saying the lines — the lines mean nothing. You need to understand what you are saying and how you can change the meaning of that line if you hit different words and the humor and the culture of what you're playing. And the moments where directors would change the line on the spot, as happens all the time, or an actor would improvise, and I would die. I would literally walk to a corner and cry,' de Armas says. 'I remember telling ['War Dogs' director] Todd Phillips, 'Please don't change the line. I can't say that.' And it made me feel less, less of who you know can be, like you're not complete.' The same struggle prevented her from getting to connect with those costars in the way she dreamed of. 'I remember my first movie, 'Hands of Stone,' when I met De Niro, I was dying of frustration because I couldn't just stick to him and ask him a million questions. And the same with Keanu and the same later with Todd Phillips and everybody I worked with. But it only got better,' she says. 'And I still managed to somehow communicate with Keanu and bond with him and show him who I am to him and the kind of artist that I am. And that's how we created that friendship and how all the other jobs came after.' Several of her next moves are still under wraps. She's completed work on the David O. Russell series 'Bananas' with Oscar Isaac, and is currently in London for a couple projects that, given her costar, have been tabloid fodder for months. 'Obviously, everyone knows I'm working with Tom Cruise. We're working on something with Doug Liman and Christopher Mcquarrie, and those guys are unbelievable at everything they do. And they're so lovely and a great team, and the process we're having is amazing,' she says. 'And of course I'm doing crazy training, as you do when you're working with Tom. It's another level that just keeps setting the bar higher and higher. But it's so much fun. And we're not only working on that thing that we're training for, but also a couple other things too,' she adds. 'We just got excited.' Following her Oscar nomination and the completion of 'Ballerina,' after five years of back to back movies, de Armas decided to take a several month break, despite the urge to use the momentum to book the next thing. 'It was a weird time. I wanted to find what was next for me. I really wanted to see what I wanted to do and what I wanted to get involved in and who I wanted to work with. So I just took my time,' she says. 'Yes, I did have meetings and I did get some scripts, but sometimes that's also kind of hard. You make it harder on yourself because somehow you make up your mind and you have certain expectations about something that should be arriving, but it's not. Or maybe it is, but you're so fixed on something that you might be missing out on whatever you have in front of you.' She took some time to regroup at home in Vermont, where she's lived for the past few years, answered Ron Howard's call to take part in his film 'Eden' and now is back at work with renewed focus. 'I was just still finding my thing. And I think I'm in a good place now,' she says. 'I think I know what I want to do, and I also want to be surprised. I want things to come my way. And sometimes you get in that dynamic of project after project after project, and you are doing a project while you're reading the next thing. It works better for me if I just take my time and just see what I really want to do.' View Gallery Launch Gallery: Ana de Armas, Fashion Moments for WWD Weekend Best of WWD Celebrating Lenny Kravitz, Rock Icon, Actor, Author, Designer and Style Star: Photos Cannes Film Festival 1970s: Flashbacks, Celebrities and Fashion Highlights from WWD's 'Eye' Pages [PHOTOS] A Look Back at Cannes Film Festival's Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars: Blake Lively, Angelina Jolie, Princess Diana and More Photos
Geek Girl Authority
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
How to Immortalize Your Favorite Geeky Memory as a Work of Art
We all have that one unforgettable fandom moment. Maybe it was your first cosplay, a season finale watch party with friends, or that slightly blurry but iconic selfie from Comic-Con. These moments aren't just pictures—they're emotional time capsules packed with meaning. Instead of letting them live quietly in your camera roll, imagine reliving them by painting them yourself. That's exactly what you can do when you visit Rather than ordering a finished portrait, you upload a favorite photo—whether it's a cosplay snapshot, your pet dressed as a sci-fi icon, or a candid geeky memory—and receive a personalized paint-by-numbers kit based on your image. You become the artist, turning that special moment into a meaningful piece of DIY art. It's geeky, creative, and seriously therapeutic. Painting Your Fandom, Your Way Paint-by-numbers kits have come a long way from childhood art projects. With high-quality materials, detailed canvases, and custom photo conversions, today's kits feel more like real art and less like filler crafts. It becomes even more personal when that art is based on a photo you love—you dressed as a witcher or your cat in a Baby Yoda hoodie. There's something uniquely satisfying about watching a beloved geeky moment come to life, color by color, under your own brush. It's part nostalgia, part creative expression, and all heart. Why Paint-By-Numbers Works for Geeks Let's face it: geek culture is all about immersion. We don't just consume stories—we live in them. We build costumes, draw fan art, write fan fiction, and argue passionately about character arcs. A custom paint-by-numbers kit fits right into that creative ecosystem. You're not just displaying your love for a show, game, or franchise—you're building it, one color at a time. And because the image comes from your own life, you're not just engaging with a fandom—you're inserting yourself into the narrative. Your face, your friends, your favorite scene. This is fan art that starts with you. The Creative Escape We All Need If you get lost in pixel-perfect builds or elaborate DnD story arcs, you'll probably love the meditative experience of painting your image. Unlike sketching or digital art, paint-by-numbers is approachable—no art degree or special skills required. It's a perfect unplugged activity for winding down after a long day of work, screen time, or doom-scrolling fandom Twitter. Plus, it scratches the same itch as building a LEGO set or solving a puzzle: it's a relaxing and deeply satisfying process. The more you paint, the more your image takes shape—and the more it becomes a part of you. From Fan Moments to Meaningful Gifts One of the most popular reasons people order these custom kits? Gifting. A finished paint-by-numbers portrait makes an incredible present for a fellow fan, partner, or friend. It's personal, handmade, and thoughtful—especially when the image comes from a shared experience. Imagine gifting a painted scene from your first convention together, your partner's beloved dog dressed as Chewbacca, or a snapshot from your group's last cosplay meet-up. Whether you paint it yourself or gift the kit for them to paint, it's a gift that goes far beyond merchandise or posters. It's meaningful, memorable, and custom-built for someone you care about. How It Works The process is surprisingly simple: ● Upload your photo to the site (think: a geeky moment you want to relive). ● Choose your kit size and canvas type. ● The team transforms your image into a detailed, beginner-friendly paint-by-numbers design. ● Your kit arrives with a printed canvas, numbered paints, and brushes—everything you need to start. Best of all, works with real artists to ensure your image translates well to canvas. That means intelligent color mapping, clean details, and results that look like you know what you're doing, even if you've never held a paintbrush. Why This Feels Different from Regular Fan Art There's plenty of amazing fan art out there, but there's something special about working on a piece that's yours in every way. You're not just admiring someone else's creation—you're engaging in the creative process with your own hands. It's a slower, more intentional kind of connection. And when it's finished, the artwork means more because you made it. It's your moment. Your fandom. Your story, painted by you. Final Thoughts: Celebrate Your Geekiness Creatively Fandom is full of fun, but it's also full of meaning. The shows and stories we love shape how we see the world—and each other. Capturing those memories in a custom paint-by-numbers kit is a way to honor them with care. So the next time you're scrolling through your photos and stumble upon that perfect geeky moment, don't just share it—paint it. Immortalize the joy. Frame the fandom. And have a whole lot of fun in the process. MURDERBOT Recap: (S01E04) Escape Velocity Protocol RELATED: David Dastmalchian Joins Apple TV+ Murderbot Adaptation
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Which celebrity autographs are most expensive at this weekend's Niagara Falls Comic Con?
It's Comic Con weekend in Niagara Falls. The three-day event, running from May 30 to June 1, features a variety of attractions, including a 'Transformers' exhibit that's more than 5,000 square feet in size, along with a life-sized, fan-made Optimus Prime replica truck. There are also exhibits featuring Bill Diamond's Hollywood Movie Museum, the 501st Canadian Garrison displaying screen-accurate 'Star Wars' costumes, the Doctor Who Society, Ontario Ghostbusters and much more. The event also hosts more than 60 celebrities. This year, you'll find many WWE legends, cast members of 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' 'Trailer Park Boys,' 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,' 'The Big Comfy Couch,' the original cast members of 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,' the various iterations of 'Degrassi,' as well as numerous other TV, film and voice actors. For fun, we thought we'd look at the cost of celebrity autographs to see whose signature would cost you most. The information below is based on posted prices on the Niagara Falls Comic Con website. Certain celebrity autograph prices are to be announced, so they're not mentioned in the list below. At the top of this year's list of most expensive celebrity signatures belongs to Robert Englund, an American actor and director best known for playing Freddy Krueger in the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' franchise. An autograph from him costs $200. The price goes up to $300 if the item he's signing is gloves, sweaters, hats or apparel. You can also ask him for a quote or doodle at additional cost. Englund doesn't do selfies, but a photo op picture costs $225. Additionally, a 'Freddy vs. Jason' reunion photo op, featuring Englund and Jason actor Ken Kirzinger, will run you $345. Kirzinger, by the way, charges $70 for a signature and $70 for a selfie. Here are the most expensive celebrity autographs at the event: Some celebrities may appear only certain days of the three-day event. The event also has various group photo ops available, including the 'Freddy vs. Jason' reunion mentioned above, as well as group photos with cast members of 'Beverly Hills, 90210,' 'The Big Comfy Couch,' 'Degrassi Junior High,' 'Degrassi: The Next Generation,' 'Power Rangers' and more. The full celebrity lineup, schedules, more detailed pricing information, and event information are available on the Niagara Falls Comic Con's website . Entry tickets are available at the door. The event happens at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, located at 6815 Stanley Ave. in Niagara Falls.
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
London's newest tourist town in ‘forgotten' district is £1.3bn attraction with hotels, theatre and rooftop bar
A MAJOR UK attraction has revealed plans to start reopening later this year after a £1.3billion upgrade. Olympia London has undergone the huge renovation to turn it into a new "cultural hub," having become a forgotten district in the city. 7 Olympia London is reopening some of its huge £1.3billion redevelopment this year Credit: Olympia London 7 New hotels, restaurants and bars are part of the makeover Credit: Olympia London 7 Olympia Theatre is the biggest new purpose-built theatre in 50 years Credit: Olympia London Known for being the home of global events including BBC Good Food Show and Comic Con as well as live music and fashion shows, the major upgrade started back in 2019. Spread across 14 acres it will be a new "arts, entertainment and exhibition district". Two new hotels will open on-site, including the 204-room Hyatt Regency and 146-room citizenM design hotel. A new Music Hall with a 4,000-capacity arena will be run by AEG Presents, the second biggest live music promoter in the world behind Live Nation. Olympia Theatre, run by Trafalgar Entertainment, is the biggest new purpose-built theatre in 50 years, with space for 1,575 people. Another 30 restaurants and bars will open including street halls and rooftop venues, alongside a boutique gym. And a new office space, performing arts school and pedestrianised streets are also part of the plans. The project is being backed by Deutsche Finance International and Yoo Capital, who are funding the full £1.3billion. The website states: "We're now looking forward to our next chapter, as we bring new life to one of the UK's most iconic heritage sites and become part of something much bigger." Yoo Capital added: "The £1.3 billion regeneration of Olympia will create London's newest creative district: a destination for culture, education, entertainment, exhibitions, incredible offices, eateries and over two acres of public realm." I tried the London tour that lets you make the viral TikTok doughnuts - and you can book for Easter 7 Olympia London first opened in 1886 Credit: Alamy 7 The huge venue is now home to more than 200 shows a year Credit: Alamy Parts of the renovation are opening this year, although others such as the new ICC conference space will open next year. Olympia London first opened in 1886, following the success of Crystal Palace's Great Exhibition in 1851. Upcoming events include London Tech Week, London Film and Comic Con and Hyper Japan Festival. The venue also has its own train station with Kensington (Olympia) having both overground and underground services. 7 The complex is known for hosting global events Credit: Olympia London Already open is a huge new glass canopy which launched at the end of last year and was inspired by the original exhibition halls. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, founder Thomas Heatherwick, said: 'Olympia was once a people's palace – a place to come together and experience unusual things. "Having lost its way over the years, we're now working to bring back its original spirit and make Olympia open and available to everyone." In the mean time, a new "first of its kind" Titanic attraction is set to open in London. The UK's only Guinness attraction is opening in London later this year as well. And we've rounded up 15 attractions across the UK where you can find £1 entry tickets.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
London's newest tourist town in ‘forgotten' district is £1.3bn attraction with hotels, theatre and rooftop bar
A MAJOR UK attraction has revealed plans to start reopening later this year after a £1.3billion upgrade. Olympia London has undergone the huge renovation to turn it into a new "cultural hub," having become a forgotten district in the city. 7 Olympia London is reopening some of its huge £1.3billion redevelopment this year Credit: Olympia London 7 New hotels, restaurants and bars are part of the makeover Credit: Olympia London 7 Olympia Theatre is the biggest new purpose-built theatre in 50 years Credit: Olympia London Known for being the home of global events including BBC Good Food Show and Comic Con as well as live music and fashion shows, the major upgrade started back in 2019. Spread across 14 acres it will be a new "arts, entertainment and exhibition district". Two new hotels will open on-site, including the 204-room Hyatt Regency and 146-room citizenM design hotel. A new Music Hall with a 4,000-capacity arena will be run by AEG Presents, the second biggest live music promoter in the world behind Read more on redevelopments Olympia Theatre , run by Trafalgar Entertainment, is the biggest new purpose-built theatre in 50 years, with space for 1,575 people. Another 30 restaurants and bars will open including street halls and rooftop venues, alongside a boutique gym. And a new office space, performing arts school and pedestrianised streets are also part of the plans. The project is being backed by Deutsche Finance International and Yoo Capital, who are funding the full £1.3billion. Most read in News Travel The website states: "We're now looking forward to our next chapter, as we bring new life to one of the UK's most iconic heritage sites and become part of something much bigger." Yoo Capital added: "The £1.3 billion regeneration of Olympia will create London's newest creative district: a destination for culture, education, entertainment, exhibitions, incredible offices, eateries and over two acres of public realm." I tried the London tour that lets you make the viral TikTok doughnuts - and you can book for Easter 7 Olympia London first opened in 1886 Credit: Alamy 7 The huge venue is now home to more than 200 shows a year Credit: Alamy Parts of the renovation are opening this year, although others such as the new ICC conference space will open next year. Olympia London first opened in 1886, following the success of Upcoming events include London Tech Week, London Film and Comic Con and Hyper Japan Festival. The venue also has its own train station with Kensington (Olympia) having both overground and underground services. 7 The complex is known for hosting global events Credit: Olympia London Already open is a huge new glass canopy which launched at the end of last year and was inspired by the original exhibition halls. Designed by Heatherwick Studio, founder Thomas Heatherwick, said: 'Olympia was once a people's palace – a place to come together and experience unusual things. "Having lost its way over the years, we're now working to bring back its original spirit and make Olympia open and available to everyone." In the mean time, a The And 7 The developers have said it will be a new "cultural hub" Credit: Olympia London
