Latest news with #IronMan2
San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
L.A.'s most famous doughnut spot is opening in the Bay Area
Randy's Donuts, the instantly recognizable Los Angeles chain known for its original location's gargantuan sign and a multitude of doughnut flavors, is opening its first Bay Area shop. The 73-year-old brand will arrive in the region with an outpost in Santa Clara, at 2595 Homestead Rd., SFGate first reported. (The Chronicle and SFGate are both owned by Hearst but operate independently). Adeel Siddiqui, owner of Bay Area Indian restaurant mini chain Port of Peri Peri for the last 17 years, confirmed the news to the Chronicle. He is working with two other partners under the franchise group Sweet Rings LLC. The plan is to operate this and another three locations planned for Fremont, San Jose and Redwood City; If all goes well, the new location will serve its treats in the third quarter of the year. 'We're so excited to be the first to bring Randy's Donuts to the Bay Area,' he said. Randy's is opening just a stone's throw away from Stan's Donuts, the South Bay's venerable doughnut specialist, featured on the Chronicle's top doughnut list, which is located at 2628 Homestead Rd. Commentators on Reddit were quick to make the connection, but expressed hope that the two shops could coexist.' Given that Stan's has been around for a very long time and is very very popular (best glazed donuts you've ever eaten), fingers crossed they'll be fine,' one Reddit user wrote. Siddiqui believes the Bay Area is the perfect place for Randy's. He points to strong companies in the tech industry and a large, diverse population as promising signs. Randy's, whose 35-foot tall donut sign has graced the silver screen in films such as 'Mars Attacks,' 'Dope' and 'Iron Man 2,' also has an allure that Siddiqui, like others, can't resist. 'The original has become a destination. People everywhere know about it,' he said. But there are currently no plans to install a similar sign atop the building, a former KFC location. The Bay Area has been expecting Randy's Donuts' arrival since owner Mark Kelegian bought what was then a few, but popular drive-thrus. In 2019 he told the Chronicle he was thinking of opening 10 locations in the region, but did not specify when and where. Today, Randy's is on an expansion tear. New franchises have settled into San Diego, Las Vegas and abroad into Japan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Is San Francisco due for a Randy's location? Siddiqui says he is focused on getting the first locations right. But looking ahead, his answer is very certain: 'Absolutely,' he said.
Black America Web
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
California Teen Spurs Outrage With Racist Promposal
Source: Mandy Guhl Call me old-fashioned, but I'm pretty sure a promposal is supposed to be romantic, whimsical, or at the very least thoughtful. While my promposal was literally just asking my friend Maddie, 'Hey, would you wanna go to prom real quick and then catch Iron Man 2 after?' I'd say that's leagues better than the outright racist promposal that has a California teen currently catching heat. According to KTVU, a teen at Alameda High School made a racist promposal sign that said, 'If I was a hard-R (they used the actual slur), I would be picking cotton but instead I'm picking you.' The school has launched an investigation into the sign, which was revealed off campus during an NBA playoffs watch party. KTVU interviewed several students at the school whose reactions boiled down to 'disappointed, but not surprised.' 'It's been happening a lot at this school, and they should change it and do more,' student Naajy Chouteau told reporters. Another student who wished to remain anonymous told the outlet that it's commonplace to hear slurs being used in the hallways of the school. This isn't the school's first incident regarding racist rhetoric either, as in 2021 students were disciplined for racist and anti-semitic social media posts, and in 2022 the school's bathrooms were defaced with swastikas, slurs, and the phrase 'whites only.' The fact that a former principal told reporters, 'Sadly, it seems like annually I am having to report of some incident of bigotry, hate speech, or racism that we have had on campus,' three years ago shows that these attitudes are endemic to the community. Shout-out to the parents of Alameda for just doing a bang-up job raising their kids. Source: Screenshot / KARE 11 So, is this what the manosphere YouTubers are teaching the kids? I've gone on my fair share of dates over the course of my 32 years, and not once did I ever try to court a woman by using slurs. That's just weird, and at least to my understanding of the opposite sex, completely counterintuitive. Granted, I'm not out here chasing teenage white girls (unlike some people), so who knows, maybe the game is different. Strangely, racist promposals have been an ongoing trend for several years, with the picking cotton slogan being commonplace. Which, quite frankly, makes this worse. You can be a racist or a plagiarist, but doing both is just lazy. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the kid asked ChatGPT for the most racist promposal, and he just went with that. While administrators at Alameda High couldn't detail the consequences the student faced due to student privacy rules, they did reveal disciplinary measures have been taken and certain privileges have been revoked (which one could only hope is code for 'he ain't going to prom.') Alameda Unified Superintendent Pasquale Scuderi issued a statement addressing both the racist promposal and the efforts to address the racist attitudes that seem to be continually perpetuated at the school. 'This is an ongoing process that will pair consequences with education, and will involve curriculum, a steady reiteration of expectations, and honest conversations with students and families.' I truly hope something is done, as this level of racism is simply absurd, and I can't imagine the impact it's having on the mental health of the Black and brown students who have to attend school at Alameda. SEE ALSO: Target Messed Around And Found Out, Reports 1st Quarter Sales Slump DOJ Withdrawing Consent Decrees In Major Blow To Police Reform SEE ALSO California Teen Spurs Outrage With Racist Promposal was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Hollywood Actors Who Rejected Blockbuster Roles: From Emily Blunt to Jim Carrey
While we have always enjoyed the blockbuster movies that have mesmerized us with intriguing storylines, there have been actors who have rejected a significant role in these outings. These actors range from Emily Blunt to Sean Connery to Jim Carrey. Read on to learn about the highly acclaimed roles that were rejected by some high-class actors. Emily Blunt- Rejected Role in Iron Man 2 Role Rejected: Black Widow Director: Jon Favreau Release Year: 2010 Why It Was a Big Deal: The role later became an essential figure in the MCU, joining the Avengers. Reason for Rejection: Emily Blunt rejected the role as she was contractually obligated to work on Gulliver's Travels. What Happened Afterward: While the role later went to Scarlet Johansson, the Marvel Studios movie became a big thing, eventually the character getting its own solo film, Black Widow, in 2021. IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 Where to Watch: Disney+ Why It's Noteworthy: Black Widow happens to be a role that had a major say in the Avengers. After Emily Blunt rejected this role, the MCU continued to grow, gaining grand success in the years 2018 and 2019. Leonardo DiCaprio-Rejected Role in Brokeback Mountain Role Rejected: Ennis Del Mar Director: Ang Lee Release Year: 2005 Why It Was a Big Deal: Brokeback Mountain gained massive success and is one of the most appreciated films ever. Reason for Rejection: While the cause is still unknown, it was not only Leonardo DiCaprio who rejected the role but also Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, as well as Ryan Phillippe. What Happened Afterward: The role later went to Heath Ledger, who starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, in this drama focusing on a homosexual relationship. IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 Where to Watch: Apple TV+ Why It's Noteworthy: Brokeback Mountain is one of the greatest entries that talk about homosexual relationships. Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger both play a couple in love. Anne Hathaway— Rejected Role in Knocked Up Role Rejected: Alison Director: Judd Apatow Release Yea r: 2007 Why It Was a Big Deal: This movie could have played a major role in the success of Anne Hathaway's career. The movie was a rom-com that also starred Seth Rogen. Reason for Rejection: Anne Hathaway revealed in a 2007 interview with Marie Claire magazine that it was the nudity she found unnecessary, which is why she rejected the role. What Happened Afterward: The role later went to Katherine Heigl, and is still the one that is loved by many fans of romantic comedies. IMDb Rating: 6.9/10 Where to Watch: Not available online Why It's Noteworthy: Later, the role of Alison was played by Katherine Heigl, which then also ignited a bit of controversy as people accused it of being "a little sexist," movie. Sean Connery – Rejected Role in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Role Rejected: Gandalf Director: Peter Jackson Release Year: 2001 Why It Was a Big Deal: The Lord of the Rings is one of the most loved franchises in the history of cinema. Reason for Rejection: As per Sean Connery, he never understood the role, even though he read the books and script. What Happened Afterward: The LOTR franchise later went on to earn more than $2.9 billion worldwide at the box office. IMDb Rating: 8.9/10 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Why It's Noteworthy: The role later went on to Ian McKellen, who helmed the character for all three grand entries. Tom Hanks – Rejected Role in Jerry Maguire Role Rejected: Jerry Maguire Director: Cameron Crowe Release Year: 1996 Why It Was a Big Deal: Jerry Maguire is an epic entry of Tom Cruise. It's not only about his personal life but also about the rejection and the struggle to become an independent agent in the world of athletics. Reason for Rejection: Tom Hanks rejected the role as he was focused on That Thing You Do. What Happened Afterward: Tom Cruise perfectly portrayed the character of Jerry Maguire, who even received praise from Tom Hanks, the actor who was kept in mind while writing the character. IMDb Rating: 7.3/10 Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Why It's Noteworthy: Tom Cruise was later approached with the offer, which he accepted. The movie is still called one of the best outings in Tom Cruise's career. Johnny Depp – Rejected Role in Ferris Bueller's Day Off Role Rejected: Ferris Bueller Director: John Hughes Release Year: 1986 Why It Was a Big Deal: The role of Ferris Bueller was a perfect one for Johnny Depp as the character was shown to be a brash, and cocky high school senior. Reason for Rejection: Reason unknown. What Happened Afterward: The role would have been Depp's earliest role in the movie. However, the role later went to Matthew Broderick. IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 Where to Watch: Prime Video Why It's Noteworthy: Johnny Depp would have had his break in the film industry through this outing. However, Matthew Broderick played a significant part. Tom Cruise – Rejected Role in Footloose Role Rejected: Ren Director: Herbert Ross Release Year: 1984 Why It Was a Big Deal: Well, the movie had a perfect atmosphere to have a young Tom Cruise in the lead role, having all the energy. Reason for Rejection: Tom Cruise had scheduling issues while filming All the Right Moves. What Happened Afterward: Kevin Bacon took over the role, while he was already one of the highest-grossing stars back in the day. IMDb Rating: 6.6/10 Where to Watch: Apple TV Why It's Noteworthy: While Tom Cruise wanted to do the movie, he had to agree to Kevin Bacon taking over because of the scheduling conflicts. Charlie Hunnam – Rejected Role in Fifty Shades of Grey Role Rejected: Christian Grey Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson Release Year: 2015 Why It Was a Big Deal: Following the novel of the same name, the Fifty Shades film later became a widely loved franchise. Reason for Rejection: He had already announced that he would play the role. However, he had to take a departure from the film after he had scheduling issues. What Happened Afterward: The role went to Jamie Dornan, with Hunnman calling his departure 'the worst professional experience of [his] life.' IMDb Rating: 4.2/10 Where to Watch: Netflix Why It's Noteworthy: The Fifty Shades of Grey series is the most celebrated franchise. The movie also stars Dakota Johnson. Mel Gibson – Rejected Role in Gladiator Role Rejected: Maximus Director: Ridley Scott Release Year: 2000 Why It Was a Big Deal: The movie is one of the highly acclaimed works of historical fiction. Reason for Rejection: The actor thought he was too old. What Happened Afterward: While the role went on to Russell Crowe, the film became a great art and a story that still mesmerises a lot of people. IMDb Rating: 8.5/10 Where to Watch: Netflix Why It's Noteworthy: Gladiator is a movie still celebrated by generations. It even got its sequel in 2024. Benicio Del Toro – Rejected Role in Star Trek: Into Darkness Role Rejected: Khan Director: J.J. Abrams Release Year: 2013 Why It Was a Big Deal: Khan's role in the Star Trek movie is still considered one of the greatest. Reason for Rejection: The actor walked away due to disagreements over payment issues. What Happened Afterward: The role went to Benedict Cumberbatch, who portrayed a perfect villain. IMDb Rating: 7.7/10 Where to Watch: Apple TV Why It's Noteworthy: It was solely the disagreement over payment that led Benicio Del Toro to reject the role. Matt Damon – Rejected Role in Avatar Role Rejected: Jake Sully Director: James Cameron Release Year: 2009 Why It Was a Big Deal: Avatar is one of the highest-grossing films, which has now become a franchise. Reason for Rejection: The actor had scheduling conflicts with The Bourne Ultimatum. What Happened Afterward: The role went to Sam Worthington, who also reprised the role for Avatar: The Way of Water. IMDb Rating: 7.9/10 Where to Watch: Disney+ Why It's Noteworthy: The role could have been a big opportunity for Matt Damon, helping him become a part of another big franchise. Jim Carrey – Rejected Role in Elf Role Rejected: Buddy the Elf Director: Jon Favreau Release Year: 2003 Why It Was a Big Deal: It could have been a perfect role for the actor. Reason for Rejection: By the time the movie came out of development and made it to production, which was 10 years later after he agreed to star in it, Jim Carrey had already starred as the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. What Happened Afterward: The role of Elf went to Will Ferrell. IMDb Rating: 7.1/10 Where to Watch: Hulu + Live TV plan Why It's Noteworthy:
Perth Now
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
‘I don't think so': Thunderbolts* writer Eric Pearson casts doubt on Scarlett Johansson's MCU return
'Thunderbolts*' writer Eric Pearson doesn't think Scarlett Johansson will return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The 40-year-old actress had starred in the franchise from 2010's 'Iron Man 2' until 'Black Widow' in 2021 as the Avenger Natasha Romanoff, though Pearson doesn't believe that her character will appear in any future movies in the MCU. When The Hollywood Reporter asked the scribe whether Johansson's Black Widow would return to the film series in the future, he said: "I will preface by saying that I have no idea, but I don't think so. "I feel like her end in 'Endgame' and then her epilogue with our 'Black Widow' prequel were so lovely. "So I would be surprised, but I know nothing about that. I have very little knowledge of what's going on with 'Doomsday' right now." Pearson added that while the sacrifice of Natasha Romanoff was important to the character arcs of her sister Yelana Belova (Florence Pugh) and her adoptive father Alexei Shostakov (David Harbour) in 'Thunderbolts*', the story needed to "push forward" without her. Pearson explained: "As much as we love that and where they came from, we didn't want there to be too much looking in the past. "We had to address the forever loss of Natasha and that effect on Yelena and Alexei. But we really wanted to push forward because Yelena is taking a big leadership role moving forward with this, and it's a big journey for her. "She is naturally anti-establishment, and if you look too much into the past, she couldn't move that far forward." 'Thunderbolts*' - which also stars Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Lewis Pullman, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus - centres on a ragtag group of former villains and anti-heroes who unite for a secret mission, only to realise they've been betrayed and must now fight for their survival. Pearson revealed Marvel weren't initially going to make a 'Thunderbolts*' film, and said he wanted to make a "team" movie that focused on the duel protagonists Yelena Belova (Pugh) and James Buchanan 'Bucky' Barnes (Stan) in a dynamic similar to that seen in the iconic gangster flick 'The Godfather' with Michael Corleone and Ton Hagen. He explained: "Marvel didn't really have a plan for a 'Thunderbolts*' movie. I brought it to them, but I was thinking that, having had the pleasure to meet Florence on 'Black Widow' and write the first Yelena Belova stuff and work with her to build that character, with her doing quite a bit of heavy lifting there. "She's incredible, and I knew that she was someone who could carry a movie like this. I didn't want to go in saying, 'Let's hide a Yelena movie in a team-up movie', I wanted it to be a team. The scribe added: "'The Avengers' had the centrepiece of Tony Stark and Captain America, and the duality of those guys at the lead. For the Thunderbolts and the way that I wanted to view these team members and the themes of the movie, it felt like Yelena was a natural leader. "I'm not sure if this comparison is fully baked, but the idea is that she's Michael Corleone and Bucky is Tom Hagen. That's the way that I see it."
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Allu Arjun undergoes physical and mental transformation for a commanding presence in Atlee's sci-fi action film
Allu Arjun undergoes physical and mental transformation for a commanding presence in Atlee 's sci-fi action film Allu Arjun working on his next mega project with director Atlee, tentatively titled 'AA22 x A6'. The 'Pushpa' actor is undergoing a rigorous physical and mental transformation for this role, aiming to present a look and performance unlike anything seen before from the star. As per a report by India Today Digital, the 43-year-old actor will be seen in a rugged, powerful, and rooted world created by the 'Jawan' director, with the movie being a high-octane sci-fi action spectacle. Guided by celebrity fitness trainer Lloyd Stevens It is known that celebrity fitness coach Lloyd Stevens, who earlier trained stars like Jr NTR and Ranveer Singh , will be training Allu Arjun after he shared a picture with the 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' star on social media. Training for strength, agility, and commanding presence The report suggests Lloyd Stevens is guiding Arjun through a specialized program focused on agility, strength, and a raw, commanding presence rather than just muscle bulk. This intense preparation reflects the demanding nature of the character Atlee has crafted a powerful, commanding figure rooted deeply in the film's unique world. Allu Arjun is also deeply involved in every creative aspect of the film, working closely with Atlee to ensure authenticity and intensity in his performance. Atlee, fresh off his blockbuster 'Jawan', is directing this ambitious project. The film is expected to be a pan-India entertainer with a massive budget reportedly around Rs 800 crore. While plot details remain under wraps, the project is expected to begin shooting later in 2025. Additionally, around Rs 250 crore of this budget is allocated for cutting-edge visual effects, with top Hollywood VFX experts involved, including artists who have worked on global hits like 'Iron Man 2', 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts', 'Spider-Man: Homecoming', and 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'. The film's technical team includes renowned VFX supervisors and studios such as Lola VFX and Ironhead Studio.
