In case you may have forgotten, what with all the Thunderbolts* hoopla as of late, the 2025 TV schedule as another morsel of Marvel to offer while waiting for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The long awaited return of Riri Williams in Ironheart is on deck for June, and star Dominique Thorne has just dropped the best piece of hype we’ve had in a while. Apparently, her performance has nabbed a very important thumbs up.
Speaking with Empire on behalf of the show (which will be available with a Disney+ subscription), the returning Black Panther: Wakanda Forever player told a story about wrapping the series that she won’t soon forget. Especially when the original Iron Man himself expressed his happiness for the June 24th debut, through the following methods:
Robert Downey Jr and I spoke just after we wrapped, and he shared some very lovely words about my journey.He told me how excited he was and that he’s rooting for it, too. I literally got two thumbs up. It’s really reassuring to know you’re not embarrassing Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr. isn’t exactly a person to blow smoke at his colleagues or his audience, so that excitement is even more palpable.
It all adds up to a perfect cocktail of hype, as the love only amplifies that anticipation, as we’re preparing to see Riri Williams in live-action for the first time since 2022. And with some internet chatter claiming that Marvel isn’t hyping the series up as much as the audience might like, this could make up for the supposed radio silence.
Of course, as we must with any Marvel TV show, it’s time to talk about the future. It seems prudent, considering a potential confrontation between the big bad of the Avengers: Doomsday cast and his would-be protege is too good to pass up.
That doesn’t seem too far out, considering The Marvels’ endinghas started to set up the Young Avengers team. So the membership of Dominique Thorne’s character is sitting right on the table. Then again, considering how Thunderbolts*’ recently spoiled title change factors into things, that might be a move best saved for Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027.
(Image credit: Photo by Jalen Marlowe/Marvel Studios)
Marvel’s cinematic universe is about to turn another corner, as Ironheart closes out Phase 5, before The Fantastic Four: First Steps opens Phase 6 this July. So anything truly can happen, and our patience will be rewarded sooner rather than later.
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For now, it’s safe to say that the Ironheart hype is real! We’ll all get to see what’s made Robert Downey Jr. so happy about it on June 24th. Meanwhile, Thunderbolts* is currently at the start of its theatrical run, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps welcomes the Future (Foundation) on July 25th.
Brad Pitt isn’t slowing down at 61, and I’m not just talking about his 2025 movie release, the Kosinski new racing thriller F1, or the recently announced continuation of his Cliff Booth character. He’s about to throw down a cinematic challenge to his longtime friend Leonardo DiCaprio, as he prepares to film his upcoming survival thriller Heart of the Beast. According to a new report, an insider claims Pitt is training harder than he has in years, allegedly with one goal in mind: to match—or top—DiCaprio’s extreme performance in The Revenant.
According to InTouch Weekly, Pitt is fully locked in on the physically grueling shoot, which will see him portraying a former U.S. Navy SEAL stranded in the remote wilderness alongside his retired combat dog. The insider notes that the Bullet Train headliner is taking the lead not just as the film’s star, but also as a producer, and he’s well aware of the physical punishment ahead. The source told the outlet that allegedly:
Brad hates the gym, and even though he has a full weightlifting spread at his home in Los Angeles, he’s been doing as much outdoors training as he can, putting his flexibility and endurance to the test. This is going to be an intense shoot and even though Brad isn’t doing all of his own stunts, he’s going to be in some physically hairy situations along the lines of what his old pal Leonardo DiCaprio put himself through on The Revenant.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s performance in The Revenant is no easy feat. From the intense bear sequences to the raw meat-eating scenes, DiCaprio truly brought his best to a role that earned him his first Oscar. The Titanic star famously endured weeks in freezing conditions, swam in icy rivers, and reportedly slept in an animal carcass to portray fur trapper Hugh Glass in Alejandro Iñárritu’s 2015 epic, a performance that finally earned him an Oscar. Now, insiders suggest the Ad Astra actor is aiming for the same level of visceral authenticity in Heart of the Beast:
Of course, Brad is competitive enough to want to top what Leo did, but even matching that level of extreme physicality would be remarkable, and not without real risks.
The Troy actor has reportedly been spotted on set in New Zealand’s South Island, sporting a rugged look complete with a knit beanie and beard, and was seen kayaking in the wilderness where much of the film is being shot. Rather than relying on conventional training, the Fight Club star has allegedly embraced outdoor cardio and endurance routines to prepare for the demanding role. The insider added:
Brad is going into Heart of the Beast with his eyes wide open as a producer, a star, and somebody who is going to be putting himself through an enormous amount of physical punishment to get this story told.
Despite his age, the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood alum appears ready to take on the physical toll of telling this survival story. With a plot focused on isolation, resilience, and the bond between man and dog in the face of nature’s worst, the movie offers plenty of opportunities for extreme moments that could rival DiCaprio’s icy ordeal. If the execution matches the ambition, it could be one of his most intense roles yet.
Up next for Pitt, he stars as Sonny Hayes in F1, playing a retired driver brought back to the sport by a friend (Javier Bardem) to mentor rising star Joshua “Noah” Pearce (Damson Idris). The talented ensemble cast also stars Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Shea Whigham. With action that will demand the big screen experience, the film hits U.S. theaters June 27.
My favorite movie growing up was Big Trouble in Little China, which I’ve rewatched endlessly.
That may seem like an odd way to begin an article about 1980’s Flash Gordon, but I only bring it up because just like BTiLC was a movie from my childhood that has since become a lifelong favorite of mine, the same could be said of my sister, as Flash Gordon was her favorite movie from her childhood, and it still holds a special place in her heart.
And, how could it not? Flash Gordon, even today, is freaking amazing! From its set designs, to its exciting story, to its music (Oh, man, that music!), Flash Gordon (“Gordon’s alive?!”) is still one of the raddest movies ever made, and I have a few reasons why.
(Image credit: Universal Pictures)
As A Post-Star Wars Space Opera, It Feels Completely Different, And Arguably More Fun
George Lucas originally wanted to direct Flash Gordon, but couldn’t acquire the rights, so he created Star Wars instead? It happened! And, it’s just so weird, since the 1980 Flash Gordon, which began its life as a 1930s comic strip, somehow escaped from being anything like Star Wars.
I only say that’s weird because pretty much EVERY space opera post-Star Wars would intentionally (or unintentionally, even) be similar to the uber-popular franchise. George Lucas’s 1977 juggernaut pretty much changed the game when it came to anything space-related, especially when it came to space fantasy, and it had several imitators. But Flash Gordon was somehow not one of them.
While every Star Wars movie definitely has its lighter moments, the series, as a whole, usually takes itself seriously. Especially Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back. In other words, Star Wars isn’t what is typically considered “camp.” That said, Flash Gordon is nothing but camp.
Take, for example, its main antagonist, Ming the Merciless, played by Max von Sydow. In Ming’s head, he’s intimidating, but to the audience, he’s a complete joke. The catalyst for why there’s even a conflict in the first place is that Ming is bored, and he starts messing with Earth just for a little excitement. And, what about our hero, Flash? He isn’t some farm boy who lost his family to an evil empire. No. He’s a star quarterback who finds himself flying to a distant planet called Mongo, and ends up saving the day (Sometimes even by using what he learned on the football field).
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In this way, even though Episodes IV and V are legendary movies, Flash Gordon is arguably the more fun film, which is likely why it’s a cult classic (and one that doesn’t suck).
The Exorcist (and also appearing in the, er, not as good sequel, Exorcist II: The Heretic). I bring him up because the man played serious roles, up and down his resume. I’m talking about movies like Three Days of the Condor, Through a Glass Darkly, and The Seventh Seal. I mean, the dude legit played Jesus Christ in The Greatest Story Ever Told. The man’s career just screamed pedigree…
And then, he played Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon. Now, it’s not like Ming is a bad role. In fact, it’s a great one! However, the only reason it works is the gravitas that von Sydow brought to the performance.
The characters take him seriously, even if the audience doesn’t. He’s just so silly, fitting perfectly into this silly world of flying hawkmen and jealous princes. It just works.
The same goes for Sam J. Jones, who a lot of younger viewers likely know from his role in the Ted movies. Jones, a former football player himself, is ideal for the role of Flash. And, strangely enough, his inexperience as an actor (this was only his second film role) actually works in his favor.
Ming is in complete control of his surroundings (and von Sydow seems to be in complete control as an actor), whereas Flash is completely out of his element (and Jones seems to be learning on the job). This inexperience makes the character himself seem like he’s struggling just to survive, and it works greatly in both actors’ favor.
I’m a ‘90s kid, but was an ‘80s baby, so I’m sure you can understand that I have a bit of nostalgia for ‘80s movies. Often garish, and usually doing their damn best when it came to special effects, the ‘80s were like no other period in American film history (And, some might say that’s a good thing).
I love ‘80s cinema, especially when it comes to fantasy and adventure films. And, when discussing those aforementioned genres, Flash Gordon has to come close to the top of that list. Coming out in 1980 exactly, Flash Gordon looks ‘80s as hell. From its bright and shiny costumes, to its sets (I especially love Sky City), to its special effects, everything just screams that time period.
Which is great, because Flash Gordon is definitely a time capsule. In my mind, I always connect it to films like Clash of the Titans, Tron, and The Last Starfighter–films that relied heavily on their special effects. In Flash Gordon, it’s overblown and bombastic, just as it should be.
There’s no subtlety here. It’s not like David Lynch’s Dune (Which I actually like) where the special effects are there simply to aid in telling the story. No. In Flash Gordon’s case, there wouldn’t even be a story without the special effects, such as Flash flying on a rocket cycle, or the shifting plate of death that Prince Barin (Timothy Dalton) and Flash fight on.
And all of it is fantastic. The special effects in this movie look both cheap and massively impressive, just as only an ‘80s movie can. It’s wonderful.
(Which is another fantasy series that I really love). Do you want to know my SECOND favorite Queen song, though? It’s got to be Flash’s theme (AH, HAAAAAA).
In fact, the whole Flash Gordon soundtrack, which was performed by Queen, is exceptional. It perfectly captures the mood and rhythm of this fast-paced film. But, more importantly, it also captures the overall epicness.
Because Queen is an epic band in every sense, whenever Flash charges into battle, with Brian May’s guitar accompanying it, it elevates the action. Whenever something major happens, Queen’s music blares and sends the excitement through the roof.
Seriously, Flash Gordon is the sum of its parts, and the soundtrack is a huge part of this movie’s overall awesomeness.
So, what do you think? Are you also a huge fan of Flash Gordon? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Aimee Lou Wood made quite a splash during the third season of The White Lotus (which is available to stream with a Max subscription). While Wood was dubbed a scene stealer for her role as the free-spirited Chelsea, she’s been making headlines for other reasons as of late. One of those situations involved her being lampooned on SNL, and Wood didn’t hold back her disappointment with the segment. Now, the star is weighing in on whether she’d actually host the show after that debacle, and Lorne Michaels may want to take notice.
The latest star on the list of upcoming Saturday Night Live hosts is ironically Walton Goggins, who plays Wood’s partner on the HBO dramedy. While the starlet attended this year’s Met Gala (with fellow co-star Patrick Schwarzenegger in tow), she was asked about possibly making a cameo during Goggins’ upcoming episode. Faced with that question from ET, Wood gave a short, but direct, response:
I couldn’t say… but, also I’m not, I’m not doing that [laughs].
there’s a Wood/Goggins feud, due to the fact that the stars didn’t participate in press together and don’t follow each other on Instagram. Goggins also declined to answer questions about the state of his relationship with Wood. He was also at the Met Gala on Monday, and Wood told Access Hollywood that she looked forward to seeing him that night in the hopes of having a “debrief” of sorts.
That supposed drama aside, there’s also the matter of whether the Sex Education alum would appear on Saturday Night Live in general. Fans may be pleased to know that she was quite enthusiastic on that front:
Yeah! Why not? It would be fun. I loved working with Walton. It was the best thing ever.
OK, you hear that, Lorne Michaels? The super producer may want to consider this for a few reasons. First off, Aimee Lou Wood’s celebrity status is gradually rising, and it would certainly make sense to have a talented rising star host SNL. Wood also has the comedic chops and could certainly help pull off some funny sketches. Additionally, such a development could ultimately help put any commentary on the parody sketch to rest.
Weeks ago, Saturday Night Live debuted the pre-recorded sketch “The White Potus,” which flipped the script on the show by depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and other public figures as guests at a resort. During the sketch, cast member Sarah Sherman played a version of Chelsea and wore exaggerated false teeth while playing the role. When Wood initially reacted to the sketch, she said she’d been offered apologies (though they didn’t officially come from SNL. As for how she views the drama now, Wood told ET:
My whole thinking was, I saw that people were angry about it, and I could either say something and just have it be said, and then I won’t spiral inwardly, and feel terrible about myself. I thought I’d just say something really simple and balanced, and then the next minute, it was like the whole world, and then it was like, ‘Aimee Lou Wood crying in the street over SNL skit’. I wasn’t crying over the SNL skit, I was crying about something completely unrelated. It all got quite out of control.
The entire situation did indeed gain a lot of attention. Even SNL cast member Bowen Yang weighed in, saying that Aimee Lou Wood’s response was “completely valid. Also, his co-star, Chloe Fineman, said that the sketch was “made with love” and there was no ill will intended. All of that aside, it seems Wood is ready to let bygones be bygones and is open to appearing on Saturday Night Live. While she may not be popping into Walton Goggins’ episode, let’s hope she takes on the hosting reins at some point in the near future.
Award shows are already inherently debate-centric events, from the nominating process right through picking the winners. But over the years, such multi-headed conversations have stretched further back to address the categorical classifications themselves, sometimes with other film genres in mind, but increasingly more often with gender divisions as the centerpoint. It’s a topic that many Hollywood stars have discussed, including The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, despite them not having the strongest feelings on the topic.
Ramsey, who portrays beloved video game survivor Ellie in HBO’s hit adaptation, was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series after The Last of Us’ first season, and though Succession’s Sarah Snook was the nominee joining the list of other 2024 Emmy winners, Ramsey was still honored to have earned the recognition. Appearing on The Louis Theroux Podcast, they first shut down any rumors of foul feelings, saying:
I didn’t find it insulting.
past comments made by House of the Dragon’s Emma D’Arcy, as well as Killers of the Flower Moon‘s Lily Gladstone — it’s doubtful anyone will arrive at a magical solution in the near future that pleases every single person equally. But one can hope.
Bella Ramsey Addresses Thoughts On Using They/Them Pronouns
Having shot to stardom as Lyanna Mormont on Game of Thrones, Bella Ramsey rose to possibly even greater heights upon landing The Last of Us, and thus found their private life and personal opinions coming up more and more in interviews and social media commentary. Ramsey addressed being gender-fluid back in 2023 ahead of the HBO horror-drama’s debut, but doesn’t seem to feel as strongly about embracing any particular pronoun at this point. As they put it:
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I’ve never been strict about they/them because I think I just don’t really care. Also, I’m very comfortable in, like, who I am. I know how important it is for other people, but for me, it’s not as important right now that it’s specific. I’m like, I don’t really…it just doesn’t really matter to me.
Ramsey’s The Last of Us, despite having a depleted post-apocalyptic population, is one of the more inclusive shows on TV at the moment. The latest episode specifically pointed out that this world was thrown into chaos before the Pride movement’s nationwide expansion, with neither Ellie nor her romantic foil Dina (Isabela Merced) understanding all the rainbow murals in Seattle. And gamers know that a very important pair of characters are on the way that will offer their own complicated take on representation.
Whether or not any awards ceremonies make the call to change up categories in the future, I think everyone would agree that Isabela Merced has already proven herself worthy of all the nominations, regardless of gender, job duties, or even the central medium. Give her an Oscar and a Tony as well!
The Last of Us airs every Sunday night on HBO at 9:00 p.m. ET, with new episodes simultaneously available to stream with a Max subscription.
The Met Gala always gives us some great moments in celebrity fashion, and this year’s event was no exception as it aired on the 2025 TV schedule. There were a lot of black-and-white ensembles, hats, capes and trains befitting of the Met Gala’s “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” theme, including a particularly iconic look from Diana Ross. It was one arrival you definitely didn’t want to miss, and Zendaya made sure that she didn’t.
Diana Ross’ white gown was a show-stopper — if for no other reason because the dress with its gigantic feather-trimmed train took up nearly the entire staircase at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as you can see below:
(Image credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
But wait a minute, who is that in the background peeping on Diana Ross’ entrance? This might be my favorite part of the evening, because look closely amongst the crowd, a little to the right of center, and you can see none other than Zendaya in that white hat making sure she was there to witness the epic moment. Need a closer look? Enhance!
(Image credit: Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)
The Queen of Motown was unquestionably among the Met Gala’s top looks, and her entrance was disruptive in the best way, requiring six men to help carry that large train up the steps of the museum. The piece was more than visually impressive, too, as Diana Ross revealed that the names of all of her children and grandchildren were embroidered on it.
engagement ring from Tom Holland.
Some thought Zendaya’s look was actually inspired by Diana Ross, as the white outfit — and especially the hat — resembled part of Ross’ wardrobe in the 1975 film Mahogany; however, that turned out to be just a happy coincidence, as stylist Law Roach confirmed the Euphoria actress was channeling Mick Jagger’s ex-wife Bianca, per Teen Vogue.
Either way, it was so fun to see Zendaya totally geeking out, craning her neck to see the music icon’s big Met Gala moment. In addition to that favorite moment, we also saw Kim Kardashian and Kylie and Kendall Jenner climb the steps (I guess Rihanna didn’t get them banned after all).
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Speaking of the “Don’t Stop the Music” singer, Rihanna gave us yet another epic pregnancy announcement by debuting her baby bump on the carpet. This will be the third child for her and A$AP Rocky, who served as one of the co-chairs of the annual fundraiser.
Hailey Bieber also made an appearance, but she was without her husband as rumors of trouble in their marriage circulate, as well as concerns that Justin Bieber is blowing through his money.
Outside of the Met Gala, Zendaya is staying pretty busy, with a couple of offerings on the 2025 movie calendar, and the long-awaited Euphoria Season 3 is currently in production.
