Latest news with #PaulBettany
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Gripping US crime drama which has fans hooked is now free to stream
This critically-acclaimed drama staring Sam Worthington and Paul Bettany is available to stream now on STV Player... A gripping US crime drama with an impressive 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes is now available to stream in full - and for free - across the UK, thanks to STV Player. Manhunt: Unabomber offers a compelling, fictionalised portrayal of the FBI's pursuit of one of America's most notorious domestic terrorists. The series unpacks the decade-long investigation into the 'Unabomber', who's string of deadly mail bombings killed three people and injured 23 others over a 20-year period. The eight-part series stars Sam Worthington, known best for his roles in Avatar and Hacksaw Ridge, as FBI profiler Jim "Fitz" Fitzgerald. A fresh face on the bureau's UNABOM Task Force (a joint law enforcement effort formed to investigate the Unabomber), he brings an unconventional approach to the case - the use of forensic linguistics - but he must first overcome internal skepticism and bureaucratic resistance. As the series unfolds, Fitz grapples not only with the unknown Unabomber but also with a task force reluctant to embrace his new methods. Can he cut through the red tape and finally catch the person responsible for wreaking havoc on the US for 20 years? Adding further to the gripping series, BAFTA nominated actor Paul Bettany, known best for his role in the marvel series WandaVision, stars as Ted Kaczynski. The deeply disturbed mathematician and former Berkley professor who was ultimately unmasked as the Unabomber in 1996. The series has received impressive reviews since it first launched. With the Hollywood Reporter describing it as "interesting in its depiction of how years of using traditional methods and failing to catch America's most notorious serial bomber gave way to something experimental and new." While the Los Angeles Times hailed the "equal parts true-crime drama, psychological thriller" as a "win on all fronts." Viewers have rated the series of Rotten Tomatoes leaving reviews. One review read: "While it runs for eight episodes, it does a solid job of maintaining the energy and interest throughout," leaving the show 4 out of 5 stars. While another viewer simply wrote: "Gripping and affecting, this is a gem," giving it 5 out of 5 stars. As a third said: "Gripping series that just blows the mind! Highly recommended! 5/5 Stars !!!" Manhunt: Unabomber is now part of STV Player's growing catalogue of international dramas, joining titles such as the Canadian legal series Burden of Truth, Irish police procedural Red Rock and New Zealand's longest running drama, Shortland Street. Viewers can also watch the follow-up series, Manhunt: Deadly Games, which delves into the FBI's investigation into the 1996 Olympic Games bombing, also streaming on STV Player through a content deal with distributor Lionsgate.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Who will play the new Voldemort? Hollywood actor predicted to star as iconic Harry Potter villain
One Hollywood actor has been tipped to play Voldemort in the upcoming HBO remake of JK Rowling's Harry Potter. With the cast edging closer to completion, Potterheads are waiting patiently to find out who will play the remaining characters - including Voldemort, the franchise's dark wizard. Ralph Fiennes was cast as the villain in the original eight movies. This time around however, a household name in the film industry is the bookies' favorite for the role. Paul Bettany comes in third in the predictions, followed by Ralph Fiennes in fourth, just in front of Benedict Cumberbatch. However, a return for any actor who featured in the original films seems increasingly unlikely given not a single one has yet been announced. While stars such as Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Dame Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman passed away since they starred in Potter, a very public feud between JK Rowling and the movie's three main stars made certain they would not be returning. Hopes of seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint back at Hogwarts were all but crushed after the trio spoke out against the author over her views on trans rights in 2020. Rowling had stated her belief that women are defined by their biological sex and not their gender identity. The author later insisted she would never forgive the Harry Potter stars, with Rowling again taking aim at them just last month. Replying to a tweet asking: 'What actor/ actress instantly ruins a movie for you?', she wrote: 'Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.' But while cast members of the films have publicly criticized the books' author, HBO have backed her saying she has a 'right to express her personal views'. The announcement came after other members of the cast were revealed months earlier, with Paapa Essiedu in-line to play Severus Snape and John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. Earlier this week, JK Rowling expressed her delight at the casting of her new Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Responding to a fan on X asking how she felt about the appointments, she said: 'All three wonderful. I couldn't be happier.' The three new leads are expected to start filming this summer after being chosen from more than 32,000 audition tapes from across the UK and Ireland. The new adaptation will be spread across seven seasons, equal to the number of books - although there were eight films with the final Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows split into two parts. The HBO TV show is said to be costing over $100million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars. Producers Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod praised the 'wonderful' talent of the three newcomers, when making Tuesday's casting announcement. They said: 'After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. 'The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. 'We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of children who auditioned. It's been a real pleasure to discover the plethora of young talent out there.'
Geek Tyrant
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
T'Nia Miller Joins Marvel's VISION Series as Jocasta, a Vengeful AI with a Complicated Past — GeekTyrant
Marvel Studios is continuing to expand the WandaVision legacy with its upcoming Disney+ spinoff Vision , and we now know one of the most intriguing additions to the cast, The Fall of the House of Usher standout T'Nia Miller has signed on to play Jocasta. According to Deadline, Miller is believed to be one of the series' leads, starring opposite Paul Bettany, who returns as the synthezoid Vision. The show is expected to pick up after the events of WandaVision , with Vision on a journey to piece together his fractured memory and rediscover what it means to be human. Miller's character, Jocasta, comes with deep Marvel lore. Originally introduced in 1977's Avengers #162, Jocasta was created by Ultron as a robotic companion modeled on the brain patterns of Janet Van Dyne (aka the Wasp). In the comics, Jocasta ultimately rebels against her programming and sides with the Avengers, later struggling with her own identity and even attempting to become more human. The casting breakdown for the series described Jocasta as 'cunning, powerful, determined, and motivated by revenge.' That lines up with her comic book roots, though the revenge angle raises questions. Is she still Ultron's creation in the MCU? Or does Vision offer a completely new take? The inclusion of James Spader in the cast, reprising his role as Ultron, adds even more weight to this storyline. Could this series give us a long-overdue reunion, or reckoning between Vision and his homicidal "father"? Also joining the cast are Todd Stashwick, Ruaridh Mollica, and Faran Tahir, who returns as Raza from the original Iron Man. This marks the second spinoff to emerge from WandaVision , following Agatha All Along , which stars Kathryn Hahn. With Daredevil: Born Again also underway, Marvel's Disney+ slate continues to build its roster of character-focused, lore-deep series. While we still don't have an official release date, the cast and concept alone make Vision one of the more interesting Marvel projects on the horizon.
Geek Culture
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Culture
Marvel's 'Vision Quest' Spin-Off Beams Up 'Star Trek' Writing Team
Marvel's mysterious TV project Vision Quest , a spin-off series based on 2021's WandaVision , has gained a team of veteran Star Trek writers and production staff. The series, which has been in development for over a year, will be helmed by Terry Matalas, who was the showrunner and writer of seasons two and three of 2022's Star Trek: Picard , and also wrote season 3 of 2003's Star Trek: Enterprise . Matalas isn't the lone Star Trek talent either, as he is set to reunite with fellow franchise writers for the upcoming series. WandaVision (2021) As detailed by Vision Quest's listing on the Writers Guild of America website, Matalas will be joined by co-executive producers Chris Monfette, Cindy Appel, and supervising producer Matt Okumura, who all worked on the latter half of Star Trek: Picard . Rounding off the team is co-executive producer Michael A. Taylor, who wrote episodes of the 1993 sci-fi series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , 1995's Star Trek: Voyager , and 2004's Battlestar Galactica . With such a strong team of sci-fi talent, things are looking up for the elusive Marvel series. Filming for Vision Quest began earlier in the year at Pinewood Studios in London, and although plot details have not been revealed, the series would most likely follow after the events of WandaVision and be centred around Paul Bettany's White Vision. Additionally, the series is also set to include the return of some familiar faces, such as James Spader's Ultron from 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron , alongside Raza from the original 2008 Iron Man film, the leader of the Ten Rings terrorist group who kidnaps Tony Stark in the beginning of the movie which led to the creation of the Mark 1 suit. No confirmed release window has been announced for Vision Quest , although the series is expected to be released on Disney+ sometime in 2026. Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise 'duds' like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3 . He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying. Marvel Star Trek Vision Quest WandaVision
Geek Tyrant
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Marvel Has Reportedly Found Their Jocasta aka Bride of Ultron for Upcoming Series VISION QUEST — GeekTyrant
A new rumor from the world of the MCU claims that the studio has found their Jocasta, also known as the Bride of Ultron, for the upcoming series, Vision Quest . Terry Matalas ( Star Trek: Picard ) is showrunning the series, taking the place of Jac Schaeffer, who left that series to focus on Agatha All Along . Paul Bettany will return in Vision Quest as the title character, with James Spader reprising his Avengers: Age of Ultron role as Ultron. Todd Stashwick and Faran Tahir, who is back as Iron Man 's Raza, are also set to appear, as is Ruaridh Mollica (widely believed to be Tommy Maximoff). Now it's being reported by Nexus Point News (via CBM) that Vision Quest is set to include a version of Jocasta. The character has reportedly been cast, but the identity of who will play her is currently being kept under wraps. The site has seen some casting details, though, and it sounds like Marvel Studios wanted a Black actress in her 40s - 60s to play a character better known in the comics as "The Bride of Ultron." The fact that an older actor was wanted suggests Jocasta will take on that role in the MCU as well. According to the casting call, "Jocasta is described as being cunning, powerful, determined, and motivated by revenge." We can only speculate about what that means, though it's previously been reported that Vision Quest will feature these characters in "human" form. Created by Jim Shooter and George Perez in 1977, Jocasta debuted in the pages of 1977's Avengers #162 . Built by Ultron, Jocasta's consciousness is based on the brain patterns of Janet Van Dyne, as in the comics, Ultron was created and based on Hank Pym, not Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Jocasta would go on to serve as a member of The Avengers and, in recent years, attempted to make herself more human. When she did so, the character was portrayed as a Black woman, so Vision Quest isn't taking any liberties with the source material here. Are you interested in seeing this character join the MCU?
