Latest news with #TomHiddleston
Washington Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
His starry Broadway shows have become pop culture events
NEW YORK — If you've seen a celebrity on a sparse stage in recent years, chances are they were in a revival directed by Jamie Lloyd. There was Jessica Chastain, as a wife mostly confined to a chair until she walked out on her husband in 'A Doll's House,' on Broadway in 2023. Before that, Tom Hiddleston as a cuckold coolly navigating infidelity in 'Betrayal,' first on London's West End and then on Broadway in 2019. Both earned Lloyd Tony nominations for best director and a reputation as a promising young Brit with a distinct point of view.
Geek Tyrant
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Stephen King Shares His Thoughts on Mike Flanagan's THE LIFE OF CHUCK – "I Love That Movie" — GeekTyrant
With a wave of upcoming Stephen King adaptations headed our way, The Long Walk , The Running Man , and more, it's easy to focus on the familiar, the terrifying, the classic King. But right around the corner is a quieter release that's already made a powerful impression on the master of horror himself. The Life of Chuck , based on King's 2020 novella and hitting theaters next week, is not your typical King fare. This isn't horror. It's not about haunted hotels or killer clowns. It's about life… fleeting, beautiful, and strange. Directed and adapted by Mike Flanagan, who previously brought us Doctor Sleep , Gerald's Game , and The Haunting of Hill House , this film marks a shift into something more tender, more reflective, and, if you ask King, something truly special. King recently opened up about the Tom Hiddleston-led film, and this is what he said: 'It's a wonderful movie. I don't know if it will do any business or not. I don't know if people are in the mood for that sort of warm-hearted thing. 'It's not what I would call syrupy and sentimental because it does have an acknowledgment that life can be very, very difficult. But Hiddleston did a great job as Chuck. I love that movie.' A 'wonderful movie.' A 'warm-hearted thing.' From the guy who gave us Pet Sematary and The Shining , and that's an emotional endorsement. The story structure of The Life of Chuck is unconventional. It's told in reverse starting with Chuck's death from a brain tumor at 39, then moving backward through three linked vignettes that paint a portrait of a life lived, lost, and remembered. The result is something intimate and surreal, an 'apocalyptic version of It's a Wonderful Life,' as it's been described. As for Flanagan, King has nothing but respect for the guy. Over the past few years, Flanagan has carved out a niche for adapting King in ways that feel deeply personal and cinematic. With The Life of Chuck , he's traded in horror for grace, and according to King, it's great! The cast also includes Mark Hamill, David Dastmalchian, Chiwetel Ejiofor ( Doctor Strange ), and Jacob Tremblay ( Doctor Sleep ), as well as Mia Sara, Trinity Bliss, Harvey Guillen, Rahul Kohli, and Heather Langenkamp. Chiwetel Ejiofor ( 12 Years a Slave ), a school teacher trying to apply logic to the planet's troubles; Karen Gillan ( Guardians of the Galaxy ) is his ex, a hospital worker determined to save everyone she can; Matthew Lillard ( Scream ) is a construction worker neighbor who finds zen amid the chaos; and Carl Lumbly ( Alias ), plays a funeral director who has dedicated his life to easing people through death. As King put it, the film is 'a happiness machine.' And honestly? We could all probably use one of those right now.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Iconic Hollywood star tipped to play villainous Voldemort in HBO's much-anticipated Harry Potter series - after the actors playing Harry, Hermione and Ron were revealed
One iconic Hollywood actor has been tipped to play Voldemort in the upcoming HBO remake of JK Rowling 's Harry Potter. Film-lovers were sent into a frenzy earlier this week as the trio of child actors set to appear as Harry, Ron and Hermione were at last revealed after months of waiting. Directors of the much-anticipated series trawled through more than 32,000 audition tapes before deciding on the lucky three - Dominic Laughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. 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. Now, with the cast edging closer to completion, Potter lovers are waiting patiently to find out who will play the remaining characters - including Voldemort, the franchise's dark wizard. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Ralph Fiennes was cast as the villain in the original eight Potter movies and played the dark lord sublimely. This time around however, a household name in the film industry is the bookies' favourite for the role. Leading early predictions is none other than British actor Tom Hiddleston, according to industry experts at OLBG (Online Betting Guide). The 44-year-old is currently placed at 1/1 in the guide's odds, ahead of Peaky Blinders star Cillian Murphy (6/4) in second and Paul Bettany (3/1) in third. While former Voldemort Ralph (5/1) sits in fourth just in front of Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch (6/1). 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, 59, and the movie's three main stars made certain they would not be returning. Film-lovers' 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 criticised the books' author, HBO have backed JK saying she has a 'right to express her personal views'. Earlier this week, the multi-millionaire author took to X to express her delight at the casting of her new Harry Potter (Dominic Laughlin), Hermione Granger (Arabella Stanton) and Ron Weasley (Alastair Stout). Responding to a fan on X asking how she felt about the appointments, she penned: '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 £75million 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
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Mike Flanagan Says THE LIFE OF CHUCK Is the Movie He Wants to Be Remembered for; There's Also a New Clip — GeekTyrant
Mike Flanagan has a strong talent for telling existential stories like Midnight Mass , The Haunting of Hill House , Doctor Sleep , and Gerald's Game which all wrestle with mortality in their own ways. But with his next film, The Life of Chuck , Flanagan believes he may have created something even more enduring. Flanagan shared in an essay posted on social media: 'There are very few pieces of work that I imagine will outlive me in a meaningful way. You always hope they will; we hope that in telling the stories we tell, we are planting a seed that will grow long after we've faded away. 'I have no idea which of these seeds will take root with people, and dwelling on those questions is a path to insanity. I feel a quiet, humble confidence that The Life of Chuck will long outlast us all.' That's a big statement coming from someone who's also attached to high-profile IPs like The Exorcist , Carrie , Batman , and The Dark Tower . But it's clear that Thee Life of Chuck hits a different nerve because it's so personal. Based on the short story by Stephen King, The Life of Chuck plays out the life of a man, Chuck, in reverse. It's a poetic, emotional unraveling, and Tom Hiddleston leads a incredible ensemble that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, and Mark Hamill. It's the kind of movie where performances matter, but so does the feeling it leaves behind. Flanagan continues: 'The Life of Chuck is, at this moment in time, my favorite movie I've ever been a part of. I told people going into production that this was the film I wanted to leave in the world for my children. 'It is so rare to work on something so meaningful, so unique, so distinct, and so earnest. This is a story without a cynical bone in its body. What a rare and beautiful moment of art.' The story that the film is based on is thoughtful, deeply human, and surprisingly warm for Stephen King, and I can't wait wait to watch this film adaptation. It's gotten great reviews! I also included a clip from the film for you to watch below
Gizmodo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gizmodo
‘The Life of Chuck' Is the Movie Mike Flanagan Wants to Be Remembered For
Filmmaker Mike Flanagan has already created quite a legacy for himself. From his films like Doctor Sleep and Gerald's Game, to shows like The Fall of the House of Usher, Midnight Mass, and The Haunting of Hill House, Flanagan has basically become his own brand, especially in the horror genre. And yet, even though he's also attached to films or shows in the worlds of The Exorcist, Carrie, The Dark Tower, and Batman, none of that is what he thinks he'll be remembered for. No, Flanagan thinks his next movie, The Life of Chuck, is going to be that legacy. Or, at least, that's what he hopes. 'There are very few pieces of work that I imagine will outlive me in a meaningful way,' Flanagan wrote in excerpts of an essay released on social media. 'You always hope they will; we hope that in telling the stories we tell, we are planting a seed that will grow long after we've faded away. I have no idea which of these seeds will take root with people, and dwelling on those questions is a path to insanity. I feel a quiet, humble confidence that The Life of Chuck will long outlast us all.' For those who may not be aware, The Life of Chuck is based on a short story by the one and only Stephen King. It tells the story of one man's life—in this case, Chuck—backwards. Tom Hiddleston plays Chuck in some parts of the movie, and he's joined by the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Jacob Tremblay, and Mark Hamill, among many others. 'The Life of Chuck is, at this moment in time, my favorite movie I've ever been a part of,' Flanagan, who adapted the screenplay and directs, continues. 'I told people going into production that this was the film I wanted to leave in the world for my children. It is so rare to work on something so meaningful, so unique, so distinct, and so earnest. This is a story without a cynical bone in its body. What a rare and beautiful moment of art.' The film won the very prestigious People's Choice Award at last year's Toronto Film Festival and is coming to theaters June 6. Plus, I have to say, I agree with Flanagan here. I've seen The Life of Chuck and while it's a complex thinker of a movie, it's also rich and absolutely phenomenal. It's stuck with me weeks after first seeing it. io9 will have a full review and more as we get closer to release, but until then, here's a new clip from the film that is not only crucial to the movie overall, but will give you a sense of what Flanagan is saying. A whole universe right between your hands. THE LIFE OF CHUCK. From the hearts and souls of Mike Flanagan and Stephen King. In Select Cities 6.6, Everywhere 6.13. — NEON (@neonrated) May 19, 2025
