While talking about his new movie Lake Gorge with THR, Shea Whigham spent some time discussing Mission: Impossible 8, which began filming in March 2022 and is still rolling cameras, in part due to the delays caused by the SAG-AFTRA strike. During his time on Dead Reckoning, Whigham asked McQuarrie to craft a specific kind of scene for him to perform in the follow-up, which he described as follows:

We won’t know what exactly this scene between Shea Whigham and Tom Cruise entails until Mission: Impossible 8 comes out, but it was gracious of Christopher McQuarrie to fulfill this request to shoot something in the style of The Usual Suspects. It is, after all, one of the best movies of the 1990s, so I don’t blame Whigham for shooting his shot and trying to get something with that kind of vibe thrown in. This scene was shot towards the end of the actor’s time on the production, but that didn’t mark his last interaction with Cruise.

As Shea Whigham continued below, after he and Cruise shot the scene, they had dinner together, and the latter talked about how he still had a long ways to go until he was finished with Mission: Impossible 8:

By the end of Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, it’s unclear if Jasper Briggs’ view on Ethan Hunt has softened or if he still considers him a threat. However, given this new information Shea Whigham has provided, I’m inclined to think it’s the latter since if you’re looking to emulate The Usual Suspects, there needs to be some tension between the two characters. That’s not to say that they won’t be on good terms by the end of the movie, but I’m betting Jasper and Degas will continue to complicate Ethan’s journey to defeat Gabriel and The Entity.

Mission: Impossible 8 opens in theaters on May 23, 2025. All of the released Mission: Impossible movies can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription. In addition to Dead Reckoning, last year also delivered Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which featured Shea Whigham as the voice of George Stacy and is accessible to Netflix subscription holders.

The mother-and-son duo were among the audience members who were in attendance for the show’s Monday, June 10, episode. Co-host Whoopi Goldberg humorously pointed the two out to the crowd, noting the unexpected nature of their presence. Goldberg then asked what brought the two of them to the studio, and the Adam Project actor explained. As it turns out, Mrs. Reynolds was in New York from Vancouver to see her grandchildren. During her visit, she told her son that it was her dream to go see The View being taped. And, lo and behold, the A-lister made it happen. Check out their visit in the delightful video below, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself unconsciously saying “aw”: 

Seriously, this is just too sweet and on multiple levels. The mere sight of Ryan Reynolds and his mother together, just casually sitting in the audience, is lovely enough. But the fact that he managed to fulfil an aspiration of his mother’s just makes it that much more sentimental. Also, as per usual, the Red Notice actor tossed out some solid jokes. (I’m still chuckling over the “Blake’s husband” quip he made at his own expense.) But, in all seriousness, kudos to him for making his mom’s dream come true. 

Wade Wilson a.k.a. Deadpool may be snarky, profane and cynical though, underneath all of that, his red suit and horribly scarred skin, I truly believe he has a heart of gold. Though, let’s be real, if his heart really was made of gold, he’d probably sell it. Nevertheless, he does have a sentimental side, and I really think even he could appreciate the bond between Ryan Reynolds and his mom.

Speaking of Tamara Lee Reynolds, in 2020, the matriarch actually found herself embroiled in the (faux) feud between Ryan and Hugh Jackman. Mother’s Day of that year saw Jackman share a snarky compliment for Mrs. Reynolds. The Australian actor mused that for “having brought up a son the likes of Ryan, I hereby nominate you for sainthood.” And, later in the year, Ryan jokingly made up with his mom after she seemingly took Jackman’s side in the feud. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Mother Reynolds become even more humorously intertwined in the humorous drama between her son and his latest co-star. 

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman will star alongside each other in the highly anticipated Deadpool & Wolverine. In the upcoming Marvel movie, Reynolds’ Merc with a Mouth must team up with Jackman’s Logan to face an enemy that could threaten the multiverse. While I believed Wilson might blush at the sight of Reynolds being with his mother, I don’t expect to see him do that too often when he’s with his adamantium-clawed partner. 

There’s a firm chance that amid the film’s press tour, Ryan Reynolds may end up heading back to The View to discuss it. And, if that happens, I’d love to see his mother join him at the studio again. That would certainly be cute, though I’m not quite sure that could match the sheer levels of adorableness that the video of their first joint visit gives off. 

You can check out Deadpool & Wolverine when it opens in theaters on July 26 as part of the 2024 movie schedule. I’m tempted to assume that someone probably wouldn’t want to take their mother to a showing of the violent and raunchy flick but, of course, I could very well be mistaken.

Zoe Saldaña, who plays the Na’vi Neytiri, was asked about her upcoming projects in an interview with Collider. The Avatar actress confirmed the hype surrounding the next three films, including Avatar 3, which is already in post-production, but she also made a comment connecting the franchise to James Cameron's other behemoth film. 

When Titanic was released in 1997, it became the most expensive film ever made, which turned out just fine when it became the highest-grossing movie in U.S. theaters upon release. But both those records were broken by Cameron himself with the release of Avatar in 2008. And unlike the big boat disaster movie, Cameron has at least five sequels lined up for the Na’vi. Avatar 2: Way of the Water, which was released in December 2022, became the fourth highest-grossing film of all time. 

Despite these record-breaking figures, Saldańa's comments were a bit of a surprise to me, as I do think there is more to consider than stats when talking about legacy. Titanic launched the careers of Hollywood alums Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, and in my opinion, will always have a place as an established “classic” movie. It is ingrained into pop culture in a way Avatar may never be able to top, with people doing the iconic Titanic pose on every boat they’ve ever been on. Cue Celine Dion.

But Saldaña’s take is supported by more than just box office success, especially when the Avatar director seems to have a one-track mind. Back in 2012, Cameron told the New York Times he was done taking scripts or developing anything else besides Avatar. The movie series has been known to draw audiences in because of its breathtaking design and incredible industry-leading CGI and VFX production, creating a whole new world that surpasses even the most recent films in iconic universes like Harry Potter and Star Wars. 

And James Cameron just keeps pushing the limits when it comes to these films. As the actress put it, the Oscar-winning director is a trailblazer in his field, with the cast performing insane water VFX filming for Avatar 2. Saldaña hinted in that same interview that the next few movies continue to go further into uncharted territory.

So consider us lucky we won’t need to wait another 13 years between sequels, as the upcoming Avatar 3 was filmed back-to-back with Avatar 2. As of right now, it is included in our 2025 movie release schedule, set for December 19, 2025. 

Saldaña revealed the Avatar cast was headed back to work in mid-February, which hopefully means the current timeline is on track, with Avatar 4 set to release in December 2029, and Avatar 5 in December 2031.

James Cameron has done a relatively good job at keeping details quiet, but has revealed that like in Way of the Water, the audience will meet a new type of Na’vi, revolving around the element of fire.

It seems the director is keen on creating different cultures on Pandora, using the elements as guides, and once again mimicking conflicts that plague our own civilizations. I’m almost tempted to reference a different Avatar franchise with that thought, but I have a feeling that would lead me down a long rabbit hole. Until then, both Avatars are available to watch with a Disney+ subscription.

Universal Pictures’ classic film series was name-dropped in “So High School,” one of the tracks that present on the second volume of her album The Tortured Poets Department. During the song, the Grammy winner muses, “I'm watching American Pie with you on a Saturday night / Your friends are around, so be quiet.” In the grand scheme of the piece itself, but it’s a firm testament to the cultural impact of the film. (It’s also a nice reprieve from some of the more heartbreaking lyrics on Swift’s album.)

Alyson Hannigan recently caught up with Vulture, during which she answered a bevy of behind-the-scenes questions related to the 1999 flick. Eventually, talk turned to the tribute featured in the “Blank Space” performer’s latest album. To say that Hannigan was pumped about it would be a serious understatement. During the interview, the actress reminisced about waiting for the midnight release of TTPD and eventually learning about the second volume, which includes the shoutout. What’s really chuckle-worthy here, though, is how her family factored into all of this: 

I imagine that a number of Swifties would love to be in the American Pie cast member’s shoes right now. Well, more specifically, they’d surely be envious of the fact that a film Hannigan was in was honored by Taylor Swift. Aside from that though, I’m not sure they’d want to face the wrath of an unhappy family that’s been forcefully woken up by someone “freaking out” over music. Still, it’s very easy to understand why the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum would be so hyped.

I imagine that a number of Swifties would love to be in the American Pie cast member’s shoes right now. Well, more specifically, they’d surely be envious of the fact that a film Hannigan was in was honored by Taylor Swift. Aside from that though, I’m not sure they’d want to face the wrath of an unhappy family that’s been forcefully woken up by someone “freaking out” over music. Still, it’s very easy to understand why the Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum would be so hyped. 

American Pie, which cast member Thomas Ian Nicholas originally thought was a porno, has impacted the cultural zeitgeist in a way that few films before or after it have. Even today, you may still find someone who references Steve “The Stifmeister” Stifler or yells “MILF.” And, of course, who could forget Jim’s infamous pie scene, which caused a freakout for actor Jason Biggs. There are four movies in the main franchise and, as it stands, a series of five DTV spinoffs have been produced. It’s hard to say whether another true sequel might ever be produced or if fans would even be interested in more. But, if you’re on the fence, Seann William Scott’s comments on the matter, might sway your opinion. 

Whatever the case may be in regard to the franchise’s future, it’s just so great that the series still receives love from people, including Taylor Swift. Alyson Hannigan and her colleagues should be proud of the mark they’ve left on pop culture. I’m sure Hannigan’s family is also proud, though I’m not sure if they’ll ever let her forget that she woke them up amid the album drop.

Those who’d like to check out American Pie can buy or rent it on Prime Video, and there are plenty of other great R-rated comedies you can stream. You can also find newer titles within that genre on the 2024 movie schedule.

Berry, still the lone Black winner of a Best Actress Oscar, amusingly shared the video on Instagram herself, despite it being such a hard-fought struggle of a situation for her and stylist Lindsay Flores to get her out of the top designed by Anna Quan. There's literally enough time to make a small bag of popcorn from start to finish, even though you'll want it handy when hitting play.

I don't know about you, but I started applauding like a talent show parent at the end of that video, with so much pride and admiration on display. That looks like it was one of the more helplessly stressful situations to be in where there's no imminent danger involved, and is not something anyone with claustrophobia would want anything to do with. I start getting cold sweats when my bigass head can't get through a collar properly, so to put myself in Berry's shoes would be to literally squeeze myself into her shoes.

Also, big applause for Halle Berry letting body parts rise and fall and swing as the toil and trouble went on. (Like an awkward counterpart to her Mother's Day butt pic.) Though really, it was probably just north of impossible to shield her boobs while her arms were making Tetris shapes to try and get them through the sleeves.

Here's a smattering of outbursts that Berry got out in between fits of hysterical laughter:

• "Bitch, there's a zipper."
• "Wait, not over my head. Hold on, let me get my arms out."
• "Ow! My hair!"
• "Watch my boobs."
• "Why do you have me in this?"
• "You got some scissors?"
• "Anna Quan, we might have to cut this shit off."
• [afterward, to the camera] "And y'all just sat there."

Immediately, the comment section for Halle Berry's video was filled with perfecto remarks, with many fans giving her all the praise in the world for making it through that struggle, with this being a standout that I 100% agree with.

Speaking of stressful situations, Halle Berry is set to star in Alexandra Aja’s upcoming horror Never Let Go, which released its potentially twist-centric first trailer in May. It’s set to hit theaters on Friday, September 27, while her other big release opposite Mark Wahlberg, Julian Farino’s action-comedy The Union, will appear elsewhere in the 2024 release schedule.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire Does Monstrous Numbers At The Box Office

Despite the industry's overall struggles, per Deadline, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has proven that blockbuster cinema still has legs. This latest installment in the MonsterVerse has surpassed the previous record set by Kong: Skull Island, which earned $568.6 million globally. With $373.7 million from international markets and $196.3 million domestically, the film has set new benchmarks in 35 territories, including major markets like Brazil, India, and Mexico.

Warner Bros' strategic timing played a crucial role in this success. The New Empire exceeded expectations by capitalizing on the Easter weekend slot, traditionally a lucrative period for the studio, grossing $80 million domestically in its opening weekend. Directed by Adam Wingard, who also helmed 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, this film has become the second highest-grossing Hollywood movie of 2024, which surely bodes well for all the fans rallying to continued the “MonsterVerse.”

A Year of Box Office Bombs (So Far)

The King of the Monsters and the Eighth Wonder of the World shined in cinemas, but many other films have floundered at the box office, struggling to find an audience in a market still recovering from the strikes and the pandemic. Here are some of the year's biggest box office flops:

• Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire: Serving as a sequel to 2021’s Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Frozen Empire aimed to recapture the magic but fell short. Despite a larger budget of $100 million compared to its predecessor's $75 million, the film opened to a disappointing $45 million and managed only $176.6 million worldwide. This performance, while not catastrophic, leaves Sony Pictures in the red and puts the future of the franchise in jeopardy.
• Arthur the King: Starring Mark Wahlberg and Simu Liu, Arthur the King had all the makings of a hit but failed to resonate with audiences. Opening to just $7.6 million domestically and totaling $31 million worldwide against a $19 million budget, this feel-good movie struggled to compete with blockbusters like Dune: Part Two and Kung Fu Panda 4, effectively burying its chances for success.
• Drive-Away Dolls: Ethan Coen’s solo directorial debut, was another significant disappointment. Despite the pedigree of its director, the road trip comedy earned a meager $2.4 million on its opening weekend and topped out at just under $7 million globally. This poor performance is a stark contrast to the critical acclaim typically associated with the Coen Brothers’ projects.
• Madame Web: If memes equated to ticket sales, Madame Web could have possibly been the highest-grossing flick of the year. However, Sony's attempt to expand its Spider-Man spin-off universe with this Dakota Johnson superhero flick ended in disaster. With a budget of $80 million, the film only grossed $15.3 million in its opening weekend and barely crossed the $100 million mark worldwide. Poor reviews and a lack of interest sealed its fate, making it one of the more notable superhero flops in recent memory.
• Furiosa: George Miller’s prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road also struggled. Despite high expectations, Furiosa grossed just $25.6 million domestically over its opening weekend, far below initial projections. Its international performance was equally lackluster, contributing to a worldwide total of $58.9 million against a hefty $160 million budget.

Nothing But The Box Office Hits, Please

• Dune: Part Two: Denis Villeneuve's highly anticipated sequel opened to $178 million worldwide and has since reached an impressive $711 million, making it the highest-grossing film of 2024 so far.
• Kung Fu Panda 4: Po’s return to the big screen, while not a critical slam dunk, was met with enthusiasm from longtime fans. The film grossed $539 million worldwide and proved the franchise's enduring appeal.
• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: The latest entry in the Planet of the Apes series grossed $305 million, maintaining strong interest from audiences worldwide.
• Bob Marley: One Love: this biopic of the legendary musician found a substantial audience, earning $179 million globally and becoming one of the highest-grossing music biopics of all time.
• The Beekeeper: Jason Statham’s action movie was 2024's first hit, turning a modest $40 million budget into a $152 million global success.
• Civil War: Alex Garland’s political war movie exceeded expectations with $113 million globally, becoming one of A24’s highest-grossing films.

Although Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire was met with mixed reviews, it has provided a beacon of hope, the numerous flops highlight the challenges Hollywood continues to face. Despite its $135 million production cost, which was 75% funded by Legendary and 25% by Warner Bros, The New Empire has proven to be a monumental success, delivering a much-needed win for the global box office.

You can revisit the King(s) of the box office so far by renting it wherever you get your movies or streaming the previous entries in the MonsterVerse, which is now streaming with a Max (formerly HBO Max) subscription. You can also check out the connected TV series, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, available to watch with an Apple TV+ subscription

In a groundbreaking move that could change the landscape of the Academy Awards, the Oscars are reportedly considering the addition of a category dedicated to stunt performers. This development is not just a whim but a result of fervent advocacy from some of the most influential figures in the film industry, most notably Ryan Gosling and the team behind his latest action movie, The Fall Guy, which is a film loosely adapted from an '80s TV series. During a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Academy CEO Bill Kramer confirmed that discussions are underway regarding the inclusion of a stunt person category, saying:

Ryan Gosling, who took on a lot of his own stunts in The Fall Guy, experienced firsthand the intense physical and mental demands placed on stunt performers. The Drive star’s admiration for these daredevils actually traces back to his days as a teen actor on Young Hercules. Watching stunt performers risk their lives on set, only to fade into the background, left a lasting impression on him. Stepping into the shoes of a stuntman for his latest film gave him a deeper appreciation for their hard work and the recognition they deserve. With any luck, the Oscars will soon introduce a category that honors these unsung heroes of Hollywood.

Academy President Janet Yang echoed Bill Kramer’s sentiments, emphasizing the Academy's responsiveness to its members' needs. Yang added:

At the premiere of The Fall Guy, Gosling made a heartfelt plea for recognition of the stunt community. He said: 

As discussions continue, the film industry and fans alike are buzzing with anticipation for what could be a groundbreaking moment in recognizing the bravery and artistry of stunt performers. The Oscars have long been the gold standard for honoring cinematic excellence, and adding a category for stunts would be a well-deserved nod to those who put everything on the line for the magic of the movies. 

Want to see the pros in action? Catch The Fall Guy, one of the biggest 2024 movie releases, which is still playing in select theaters. Or, enjoy it from the comfort of your home, as it’s now available for digital streaming on your favorite platforms.

Nine years after Pixar released the delightful film Inside Out, the beloved animation studio is finally giving fans the long-awaited sequel. Riley, now thirteen years old, and all her emotions are back for another adventure, and fans can watch the story in all its glory on the big screen right now.

Ahead of the film’s release, in partnership with AMC Theatres, we sent some of CinemaBlend’s editors to IMAX® headquarters in Toronto and Los Angeles to learn about what goes into adapting a movie like Inside Out 2, and not surprisingly, it turns out everyone loves working on Pixar movies. As an example, during our conversation with IMAX’s Sr Manager of Digital Mastering Jeff Dunant, he talked about how there’s something about the animation studio’s color choices that just naturally “pop” on the big screen. Here’s a portion of his quote…

It’s not just the colors though, nor is it just Pixar. There have been huge improvements in how animated movies as a whole are formatted and adapted to the big screen. Because of those advancements, IMAX is now really able to immerse viewers in ways that can feel reminiscent of live action films.

We got a chance to speak with IMAX’s VP of Post Production Original Content and Image Capture Greg Ciaccio, and he had a lot to say on the matter. He told us about how more and more animated directors are starting to think about the IMAX Experience as they’re making the movie, which means they can make choices that will play as well as possible on the big screen.

That theme of directors working hand-in-hand with IMAX has been a recurring talking point in all our interviews. Whether films are shot using IMAX cameras or not, a team at the premium format leader has started engaging with and working alongside filmmakers during every step of the process. This allows the final print, which is different than the ones that run in other theaters, to be as authentic to the filmmaker’s vision as possible, whether that means it needs to be big and loud during the action scenes or it needs to be quiet and intimate for more personal scenes.

You can check out more from our IMAX interviews in the following video...

Inside Out 2 stars Amy Poehler, who is once again back for the lead role of Joy. She’s joined by a host of famous faces including Diane Lane, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Maya Hawke, Kyle MacLachlan, Ayo Edebiri and more. Go experience it in IMAX at your local AMC Theatre. 

The cast of Harry Potter reunited for the Return to Hogwarts special on Max, but they also regularly do convention appearances together. Case in point: a viral Instagram video (originally from Dream It Con), where the Hogwarts alums tried to do the "pass the phone" TikTok trend. Although they failed miserably in the adorable video. Check it out below:

I mean, how cute is that? While they might have failed the TikTok trend, it's adorable to see how much fun the group still has together after all these years. Although fans are definitely poking fun at the group in the comments section. Let's break it all down. 

While fans are waiting for news about the Harry Potter TV show that's being developed, they're also still fans of the cast who brought the eight movies to life. Although those Potterheads are throwing shade at those actors who failed to understand how the "pass the phone" trend works. Some popular comments read:

• They did not understand the assignment, and it was fantastic 😂
• This is the most millenial response to trying to do a GenZ trend 😂
• We’re not this old we’re not this old we’re not this old we’re not this old we’re not this old.
• WHY ARE THEY ALL BOOMERS AND AREN’T DOING IT RIGHT 😂
• A very British definition of chaos, clearly

Shots fired! Despite the love that Harry Potter fans have for the cast, they're not above poking fun at those actors-- especially Gen Zers who are poking fun at the millennials' inability to grasp the "pass the phone" trend. 

For those unaware, the "pass the phone" trend on TikTok has users describe or poke fun at their friends. I might say "I'm passing the phone to the person who owes me money", and then the next shot would be that person, who would then describe someone else. It's pretty simple, but not enough for those Harry Potter cast members to understand. As a millennial myself who is often mystified by TikTok, I totally get it.

As previously mentioned, the Wizarding World is about to grow in an exciting way. While the Fantastic Beasts franchise is seemingly dead, we'll return to Hogwarts with an upcoming TV series based off the Harry Potter books. It's unclear when that series is coming, but fans can't wait for a more book-accurate adaptation of the story.

The Harry Potter franchise is streaming now on Max. While we wait for news about the TV show, check the 2025 movie release dates. 

Throughout the duration of the press tour for the recently released Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the two lead actors have been sharing cool BTS tidbits on social media. In a recent Instagram post, the two leading men – along with YouTuber Max Goodrich – shared a key piece of information on the Bayhem shot. The post includes a video that begins with cuts of every time the shot occurs in one of the four BB movies. It then cuts to segment that humorously gives fans an idea of what the actors apparently see when being filmed in those moments, and the result is too funny:

While these moments may look cool on the big screen, they’re definitely not as sleek when they’re being crafted on the set. The two lead actors are definitely professionals, but one has to think that even they can find that process a little awkward. As fun as these action movies are, I can’t help but chuckle over the fact that they’re poking fun at one of the franchise’s biggest traditions. Also, if we’re to be serious about this, the people that wield the camera during these moments deserve a lot of credit for their work. 

These “Bayhem” moments derive their name from the director who kicked off this blockbuster series – Michael Bay. While his filmmaking techniques can be divisive, a number of his fans have come to appreciate his 360 shots, which are present in a number of his movies. Among the titles to make use of this hero tracking shots are The Rock, Transformers, Armageddon and The Island. And, while Bay didn’t direct Bad Boys for Life or Ride or Die, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have managed to seamlessly recreate his cinematic style – while adding their own personal touches, of course. 

One could definitely argue that the Ms. Marvel directors have managed to up the ante from a production standpoint. That’s certainly the impression one would get from another behind-the-scenes post that Will Smith shared to social media. Smith shared footage from an intense gun fight sequence, which shows how a camera is mounted to his body – and connected to his prop gun – to provide a first-person perspective for a scene. It’s definitely the kind of BTS footage that will make a person look at such an action sequence differently. 

Whether or not everyone can appreciate camera moves like that one or the Bayhem shot is unclear, but it would seem that plenty of folks made the trip to see the movie. Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s opening weekend at the box office proved to be a triumph for the summer movie season. The sequel overperformed, earning $56 million domestically and sits at $104.6 million globally. Fans also seem to be enjoying it, and CinemaBlend’s own Philip Sledge called it a big-screen experience you don’t want to miss.

Having seen the film myself, I can also say that it’s definitely a thrill ride that’ll have audiences on the edge of their seats. And yes, the Bayhem shot does look good in the context of the film. I will say, though, that after seeing Will Smith and Martin Lawrence taking a playful jab at it, it’ll be hard for me not to chuckle whenever I see the 360 shot moving forward. 

Check out Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which is now playing in theaters as part of the 2024 movie schedule. Anyone who wants to relive any Bayhem or experience it for the first time can stream the first three installments in the franchise with a Hulu subscription.