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Time of India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Gary Oldman says he was tired of being 'poster boy for rent-a-villain'
Picture Credit: X Hollywood star Gary Oldman is magical whenever he essays a role. Who could forget his chilling portrayal of the antagonist in 'Leon: The Professional'? However, the actor got tired of playing the villain after a point. While discussing his performance as Dr. Zachary Smith in 'Lost in Space', the actor said there was a point in his career where he was the go-to for casting directors who needed a bad guy, reports 'Variety'. He told 'Variety', "I got sort of typecast for a while. I became kind of like the poster boy for the 'rent-a-villain'. Sort of, 'Oh, we need a villain and we'll get Gary'. I don't know how that happened, but it happened. And it was fun for a while, but eventually, I just put a stop to it. It got a little old. But they are fun to play". Oldman went on to compare the character of Dr. Zachary Smith to another one of his iconic villain roles, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from 'The Fifth Element'. "This particularly, like 'The Fifth Element,' much like 'Lost in Space,' they're comic villains", he explained. "('Lost in Space') was fun, great cast. I thought the story, it was a lot to put in. It was a lot of movie in two hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo But (Dr. Zachary Smith) was fun to play because it's a villain with a tongue in the cheek or a little twinkle in the eye (sic)". As per 'Variety', One of Oldman's first major switches from villain to hero was when he joined Christopher Nolan 's 'Batman' trilogy as Commissioner Gordon. David S. Goyer, who wrote 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight' for Nolan, recently recalled on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast that he was "very surprised" to hear Oldman had landed the role, given his villain status. David said, "Now that I'm a more experienced filmmaker, I realized that it's really exciting to cast against type. It's exciting for filmmakers, and it's also exciting for the actors".


Hans India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Gary Oldman says he was tired of being ‘poster boy for rent-a-villain'
Los Angeles: Hollywood star Gary Oldman is magical whenever he essays a role. Who could forget his chilling portrayal of the antagonist in 'Leon: The Professional'? However, the actor got tired of playing the villain after a point. While discussing his performance as Dr. Zachary Smith in 'Lost in Space', the actor said there was a point in his career where he was the go-to for casting directors who needed a bad guy, reports 'Variety'. He told 'Variety', 'I got sort of typecast for a while. I became kind of like the poster boy for the 'rent-a-villain'. Sort of, 'Oh, we need a villain and we'll get Gary'. I don't know how that happened, but it happened. And it was fun for a while, but eventually, I just put a stop to it. It got a little old. But they are fun to play'. Oldman went on to compare the character of Dr. Zachary Smith to another one of his iconic villain roles, Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg from 'The Fifth Element'. 'This particularly, like 'The Fifth Element,' much like 'Lost in Space,' they're comic villains', he explained. '('Lost in Space') was fun, great cast. I thought the story, it was a lot to put in. It was a lot of movie in two hours. But (Dr. Zachary Smith) was fun to play because it's a villain with a tongue in the cheek or a little twinkle in the eye (sic)'. As per 'Variety', One of Oldman's first major switches from villain to hero was when he joined Christopher Nolan's 'Batman' trilogy as Commissioner Gordon. David S. Goyer, who wrote 'Batman Begins' and 'The Dark Knight' for Nolan, recently recalled on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast that he was 'very surprised' to hear Oldman had landed the role, given his villain status. David said, 'Now that I'm a more experienced filmmaker, I realized that it's really exciting to cast against type. It's exciting for filmmakers, and it's also exciting for the actors'.


Time of India
27-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How did Paul Heyman build his $10 million net worth in the WWE world
Image via WWE Paul Heyman, a well known name within professional wrestling , has accumulated a wealth of $10 million. Born on September 11, 1965, in The Bronx, New York. Heyman's journey to becoming a WWE legend is nothing short of fascinating. Growing up, he exhibited entrepreneurial flair, starting a mail-order business at the age of 11. This early venture, selling celebrity and sports memorabilia, laid the groundwork for his future in the world of business and media. How did Paul Heyman build his net worth? Heyman's love for wrestling began in the late 1980s when he entered the industry as a manager. His first stint was on the independent wrestling circuit across the Northeast and Florida, later working for major promotions like World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), which later rebranded as ECW. His influence as a manager soon became undeniable, leading him to work with some of the most iconic wrestlers in history. Brock Lesnar's WWE Debut Throughout his career, Heyman has guided world champions such as Brock Lesnar, The Big Show, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns. Each of these superstars achieved unprecedented success under his guidance. His role as the "special counsel" for Roman Reigns, a key figure in WWE's modern era, has solidified Heyman's reputation as one of the most influential non-wrestling figures in professional wrestling. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo Beyond managing superstars, Heyman has dabbled in various roles, including being a commentator and promoter. His creative vision and oratory skills were vital in reshaping ECW into a cult phenomenon. Despite his success, Heyman's career has not been without controversy. His tough persona and uncompromising nature have led to disputes with fellow wrestlers, including notable feuds with A.J. Styles and Gallows and Anderson. Heyman's managerial genius earned him numerous accolades throughout his career, including Manager of the Year and Best Non-Wrestler. He was also inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2005, cementing his legacy in the annals of wrestling history. Outside of wrestling, Heyman is a film enthusiast, with a deep appreciation for classics like Leon: The Professional and Angels with Dirty Faces. He also admires social commentator Henry Rollins, describing him as "one of the most underrated social commentators out there." Paul Heyman's journey from a young entrepreneur to a wrestling big shot has earned him both wealth and respect in the industry. Today, with a $10 million net worth, he stands as one of WWE's most influential figures.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Natalie Portman Says Being Sexualized as a Child Actor Was a ‘Long Lolita Phase' She Tried to Avoid: ‘I Felt Very Scared by It'
Natalie Portman told Jenna Ortega during a discussion for Interview magazine that she endured a 'long Lolita phase' as a child actor, referring to how the industry sexualized her at a young age. She was just 12 years old when she filmed her breakthrough role in 'Leon: The Professional.' The 'Black Swan' Oscar winner has long been outspoken about Hollywood's sexualization of child stars. 'I think there's a public understanding of me that's different from who I am,' Portman told Ortega, with whom she starts with in the upcoming movie 'The Gallerist.' 'I've talked about it a little before — about how, as a kid, I was really sexualized, which I think happens to a lot of young girls who are onscreen. I felt very scared by it. Obviously sexuality is a huge part of being a kid, but I wanted it to be inside of me, not directed towards me.' More from Variety Netflix Wins Bidding War for Natalie Portman, Lena Dunham Rom-Com 'Good Sex' With $55 Million Sale Zach Braff Previews His 'Garden State' 20th Anniversary Concert and Reveals the One Artist He Couldn't Get on the Soundtrack Natalie Portman, Michelle Williams, Sebastian Stan to Be Honored at Deauville Film Festival Portman said she's spent her entire career being put into the 'tropes' the industry likes to assign female actors, adding: 'I think at each phase in my career, there was a different one that I was like, 'Oh, I've got to avoid this.' Obviously there was a long Lolita phase. Then there was the long 'chick who helps the guy realize his emotional thing' phase for about a decade.' Portman revealed on an episode of the 'Smartless' podcast last year that she learned at a young age to project a tough exterior on film sets to avoid sexualization by potential predators in the industry. 'That kind of projection of seriousness protected me in a way,' she said. ''Cause I feel like it was almost a warning signal like, 'Oh, don't do shit to her.' Not that anyone ever, you know, deserves it or is asking for it. But I felt like that was my unconscious way of doing it.' Portman added that her mom 'was with me all the time and made sure that no one got near me' while working as a child actor. Then, 'When I went to college, my dad was like, 'Okay, that was cute. Time to move on. Let's find another job — a real job.' ' She studied psychology at Harvard University but never left acting fully behind. Next up for Portman is a starring role opposite John Krasinski in Guy Ritchie's Apple TV+ adventure movie 'Fountain of Youth,' streaming May 23. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins