Chris Evans' Marvel Characters Combine In Epic Image

Chris Evans' Marvel Characters Combine In Epic Image

Given how totally and completely Chris Evans has become Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe over the near decade he has played him, it would be easy to forget that Steve Rogers is not the actor’s first superhero role. That was as Johnny Storm in Fox’s Fantastic Four films. With those films, 21st Century Fox and the Fantastic Four now all under the Disney banner, some new fan art has combined Chris Evans’ two superhero roles into one epic image.

As if Captain America didn’t look badass enough already, setting him ablaze certainly does the trick. Johnny Rogers or Steve Storm (yeah, definitely that one, alliteration is a hallmark of superhero naming convention) has all the steely resolve of Cap and all the fiery intensity of the Human Torch.

Cap is already pretty darn formidable in his own right, but you give him the fire manipulation and flight powers of the Human Torch and the Avengers’ odds of victory increase several fold. This image from BossLogic is especially cool because it isn’t just imagining what an actor would look like as a character, it’s combining two Chris Evans has already played.

Chris Evans has played both Captain America and the Human Torch and with the multiverses of comic book movies colliding in the Disney-Fox deal, this amalgamation seems appropriate to commemorate the occasion. Now we just need Josh Brolin as Nathan ‘Thanos’ Summers and Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger shrouded in fire yelling ‘Flame on!’

This image is also fun because it reminds you of the very different types of superheroes Chris Evans has played. As Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four, he was the wild and cocky jokester who didn’t take anything seriously. And as Captain America, he is the beating heart of the MCU, a serious and selfless hero. It just goes to show Chris Evans’ talents.

How much longer Chris Evans will be using those talents in the MCU is an open question. Pretty much since Captain America: Civil War we’ve been speculating that Captain America will bite the dust in tragically heroic fashion, and that question will be at its loudest right before Avengers: Endgame, especially given that the trailer showed a worse for wear Steve Rogers gritting his teeth in what looks to be a brutal battle.

Of course, if Avengers: Endgame is Chris Evans’ last appearance as Captain America, that would open him up to reprise the role of Johnny Storm when the Fantastic Four come to the MCU. Hey, it could happen! As far as what the future holds for The Human Torch and the rest of the Fantastic Four in the MCU, it is too soon to say.

The Disney purchase of 21st Century Fox just went through last week and it’s presumed that the X-Men couldn’t make their way to the MCU until 2021 at the earliest, so it would stand to reason that the same would apply to the Fantastic Four.

Before all that though, The Infinity Saga comes to an end when Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on April 26. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to keep track of all this year’s biggest movies.

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Chris Evans Doesn’t Think Thanos Is An ‘Evil Guy’

Chris Evans Doesn’t Think Thanos Is An ‘Evil Guy’

Avengers: Endgame has officially been in theaters for one week, and moviegoers are still recovering from the blockbuster's wild events. The Russo Brothers pulled no punches with the final installment in the Infinity Saga, giving fitting endings to a variety of characters. The blockbuster also took bold narrative choices with Thanos, who was the undeniable protagonist of the last film.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been criticized for the handling of its villains before, but Josh Brolin brought a nuanced performance to the Mad Titan, which helped to elevate the overall quality of Avengers: Infinity War. But according to Captain America actor Chris Evans, he's not a villain at all, but a misguided and extreme figure. As Evans puts it:

It’s easy, when the villain is so clearly bad, to hate him. Marvel Studios have done this strange thing with Thanos where they gave him a logical point of view, in my opinion. He’s a sort of masked misanthrope or something cloaked in a binary logic about the greater good. He’s not just this evil guy. He thinks he’s doing a good thing, which makes him sympathetic to some degree. Brolin really grounds him in this kind of human way so you don’t see a monster or a villain. You see a person who thinks they’re doing something good.

Listen to Cap, everyone. While he didn't share a ton of scenes with Thanos throughout the last two Avengers movies, he sees how significant the performance and writing were toward his characterization. Josh Brolin brought humanity and heart to Thanos, while the audience watched him lose everything to accomplish his goals.

Chris Evans' comments come from Avengers: Endgame - The Official Movie Special (via ComicBook), and show how much thought the actor has put into his tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Aside from the transformative performance as Steve Rogers, the actor is also privy to the work of his co-stars, and the work crafted by The Russo Brothers and writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

Related: The 25 Most Emotional Moments In Avengers: Endgame

Thanos was ultimately a character who had quite the tremendous arc, despite not appearing in nearly as many movies as a villain like Loki. While his goal was mass murder, he didn't do it out of malice. Instead, he believed he was saving the galaxy from overpopulation and mass famine. And he succeeded, but at great cost. He had to kill Gamora to acquire the Soul Stone, and all of The Black Order died at the hands of The Avengers.

Josh Brolin's character went more unexpected places in Avengers: Endgame, although the survivors were the true focus of the sequel. And despite losing so much, his resolve never faltered. Because without his signature terrifying world view, who is Thanos?

Avengers: Endgame is in theaters now, so you can see if Chris Evans' comments were correct. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Chris Evans Can’t Wait For The Avengers: Endgame’s Spoiler Ban To Be Lifted

Chris Evans Can’t Wait For The Avengers: Endgame’s Spoiler Ban To Be Lifted

It's been a week since Avengers: Endgame hit theaters, and the movie still being talked about in hushed tones. Both the fandom and directors The Russo Brothers encouraged moviegoers to keep the film's secrets, with #DontSpoilTheEndgame going viral ahead of its release. But this weekend is Endgame's second in theaters, so the public is slowly loosening the reigns on the blockbuster's contents.

The Russo Brothers recently did an appearance on CinemaBlend's ReelBlend podcast, and were able to finally get chatty about Avengers: Endgame's contents. They also revealed they believe the statue of limitations of Endgame spoilers is up after this weekend, which should fans and cast alike very happy. In fact, Captain America actor Chris Evans seems pleased as punch, as he recently tweeted:

It looks like Chris Evans shot some secret footage from the set of Avengers: Endgame. And with The Russo Brothers' blessing, he may start posting videos and photos starting this coming Monday.

Spoilers were almost synonymous with Avengers: Endgame's release, as the internet became a very dangerous place in the days leading up to its debut in theaters. The movie leaked online, and advanced screenings meant the movie's contents were readily available for moviegoers who simply couldn't wait until opening night.

Kevin Feige and The Russo Brothers were clearly displeased with Endgame's various leaks, encouraging moviegoers to take care of themselves and keep the secrets until an appropriate time. And that time appears to be in a matter of days, as Monday May 5th is apparently the final day of the fan-mandated gag order.

Related: 6 Incredibly Easy Ways To Avoid Avengers: Endgame Spoilers

The Russo Brothers mentioned this date on ReelBlend, speaking with hosts Sean O'Connell, Jake Hamilton, and Kevin McCarthy about all of Avengers: Endgame's contents. It was Joe Russo who spoke to the Endgame's secrets up until a point, with:

You have to be fair about it because we are, as you know, exceedingly anti-spoiler and I feel it, for the same reason, it's bullying. It could even be sociopathic to go online or, or walk out of a theater like some guy did and shout out the end of a movie while a bunch of people are standing in line waiting to go see it. And they've got 10 years of their life and their time and their emotions invested in it. It's a despicable thing to do. But I think you have to be fair. Two weekends feels like enough time for everyone to get to see it and then people should be… because you also want people to be able to talk about it. And so at a certain point, I think after the second weekend, it's okay to share spoilers.

And just like that, the Marvel fans were given a date when they could freely discuss the myriad twists of Avengers: Endgame. And considering it's coming from the Russo Brothers themselves, it looks like Monday will be a very lively day at the water cooler and on social media.

While it may have been a long week of keeping secrets for Marvel fans, imagine what it was like for the cast and crew. The Russo Brothers have been working on Infinity War and Endgame for the past three years, and the cast has had to remain tight-lipped about exactly what went down on set. Endgame was the cumulation of the last 21 movies, so the expectations was sky high. As was the pressure to not spoil any of the blockbuster's plot.

Chris Evans and his Avengers co-stars are presumably relieved that Endgame is finally in theaters, and they no longer have to worry about sidestepping questions about the movie in interviews. Plus, cast members can finally share their experiences on set, especially the big group scenes. Chris Pratt has already shared one such video, check it out:

With the statue of limitations ending in just a few days, we should get more videos like this. And Chris Evans seems to be psyched to join the party and celebrate Avengers: Endgame's massive success.

Avenger: Endgame is in theaters now, and making a ton of money at the box office. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Chinese Film Advocates Aren’t Fond Of Bohemian Rhapsody’s Censorship

Chinese Film Advocates Aren’t Fond Of Bohemian Rhapsody’s Censorship

Bohemian Rhapsody is undeniably one of the biggest hits of the last year. Bryan Singer's Freddie Mercury biopic may have had some controversy surrounding it, but the musical blockbuster ultimately made a ton of money at the box office, and was an Awards Season favorite. Unfortunately, some controversy continues, especially as the project was brought to China for the first time.

In order for Bohemian Rhapsody to hit theaters for Chinese moviegoers, the movie was edited down, with scenes and dialogue regarding Freddie Mercury's sexuality cut. It's a change that drew criticism online, especially as certain moviegoers already thought the movie didn't focus on Mercury's queerness enough. And now film advocates in China are responding as well.

LGBT advocate and cinephiles Peng Yanzi recently spoke to the Associated Press about the choice to edit down Bohemian Rhapsody, and what it did to the movie. The report was:

The cut scenes really affect the movie. The film talks about how (Mercury) became himself, and his sexuality is an important part of becoming who he was.

Aside from ignoring an important aspect of the subject of Bohemian Rhapsody, it looks like these new edits may have affected the film overall. Freddie Mercury's journey in the biopic was about music and self-discovery. And cutting out his coming out process means that a big aspect of that narrative was absent from Bohemian Rhapsody.

Another Chinese moviegoer and LGBT advocate addressed the changes to Bohemian Rhapsody, and how the editing affected the quality of the overall movie. They said:

This kind of deletion weakens his gay identity. It’s a bit disrespectful to his real experience and makes the character superficial. There is no growth and innermost being of him.

Bohemian Rhapsody might not have been a gay love story, but Freddie Mercury's sexuality is the unspoken elephant in the room for most of the biopic. Still, there are a few extremely poignant scenes that occur later in the film, as Mercury's starpower is on the rise. His relationship with girlfriend Mary Austin was shown slowly dissolving, and eventually Lucy Boynton's character opens the dialogue about his sexuality. That scene is one of many to get the cut for the Chinese release, and it appears the movie is worse for it.

As a reminder, you can check out that scene below.

The above sequence is one of the most powerful and emotional in the entirety of Bohemian Rhapsody. In fact, it's hard to even imagine a version of the film lacking this plot line, and this powerful moment between the two real-life figures.

It should be interesting to see how Bohemian Rhapsody ultimately performs overseas. There's obviously a ton of hype around the project, after taking so many trophies. But will the new edit ruin it? We'll have to see. In the meantime, be sure to check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Chinese Censors Banned These Bohemian Rhapsody LGBTQ Moments

Chinese Censors Banned These Bohemian Rhapsody LGBTQ Moments

It's only been a couple of days since Bohemian Rhapsody was released into Chinese theaters, and it was a long road to even get there. This week, word is coming out as to what's been cut from the film. We knew that Bohemian Rhapsody was going to have some issues as it was cleared for a Chinese release and would endure some omissions due to Chinese restrictions and censors. Now we have a specific rundown of just what's been cut, and the trimmed material ranges from the mere usage of the word “gay” to crucial scenes involving the arc of Freddie Mercury's eventual acceptance of his sexuality.

The specific moments trimmed from Bohemian Rhapsody include the comedic beat during Queen's early Top of the Pops performance where Freddie's crotch is in full view of the camera, a couple of kisses between the Queen front man and his lovers, and even a moment where band mate Roger Taylor tells Freddie that his haircut makes him look “gayer.”

But perhaps the biggest cuts to Bohemian Rhapsody are two scenes that most help nail down the film's identity. The first is the moment with Freddie Mercury and his wife Mary, played by Lucy Boynton, who eventually outs her husband as gay; and the second is the recreation of the “I Want To Break Free” music video, which led to an MTV ban on the song's music video back in 1984. Both are lynchpin moments for the twin narratives of both Freddie's and the band's evolutions, and yet both were dropped.

In total, six sequences were cited as removed in an analysis provided to CNN by documentarian Fan Popo, a Chinese-born filmmaker. Also known as an LGBTQ activist in his home country, Popo revealed this list of cut moments as an antithesis to the viewpoint that Bohemian Rhapsody's mere release in the country should be seen as a win. Further driving his point home, he provided the following feelings about these moments being excised from Bohemian Rhapsody:

Rather than homophobic, I think (China's censors) are sexphobic. They are probably the most conservative people in China, that's why they are chosen for this job.

It was highly unexpected that Bohemian Rhapsody would hit Chinese theaters at all due to the country's strict LGBTQ media stance, so even the fact a trimmed down version of the movie made it to theaters is news.  Should a potential sequel to Bohemian Rhapsody that's been bandied about as of late ever get off the ground, it would be interesting to see if rather than pushing the envelope and trimming the film to fit a specific release, the next picture would just avoid those sorts of moments at the script level. Not only would such an approach save time and money on cutting two different versions of the film, it would potentially give this hypothetical blockbuster a means to break even more records than its predecessor. At the same time, it wouldn't be super accurate to Freddie Mercury's life.

While Bohemian Rhapsody didn't suffer the fate of being banned from China, much like Crimson Peak, it did run into some rather sharp editing shears on the way to its release. Which begs the question, which is the better fate: to have your film's message altered or to not be shown at all in a particular market? That something that the (now) Fox-owned Disney will need to figure out movie forward.  It's also something you can think about as you watch Bohemian Rhapsody, which is already available on Digital HD, as well as home video.

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Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Is Dead At 74

Chewbacca Actor Peter Mayhew Is Dead At 74

When you think of the original cast of Star Wars characters, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are likely the first names that come to mind. But there were others who were alongside that trio, like Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca. Sadly, it’s been announced that Mayhew recently passed away just shy of his 75th birthday.

As revealed by his family via his Twitter page, Peter Mayhew died on the evening of Tuesday, April 30 in his North Texas home surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife Angie and three children.

No cause of death was revealed in the press release, but Peter Mayhew's family told ABC News he suffered a heart attack. It's also worth noting that Mayhew had undergone a spinal surgery to improve his mobility, and he had been recovering from that procedure. There will be a memorial service held for family and friends on June 29, and a memorial will be set up at Empire Con LA this December for fans to check out that Mayhew’s family will attend, as well as feature some of the actor’s “personal effects” and “collection.”

Born on May 19, 1944, Peter Mayhew kicked off his film career when he was cast in the uncredited role of Minoton in 1977’s Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. Shortly thereafter, George Lucas discovered Mayhew and felt he was the perfect height to play Chewbacca in the first Star Wars movie, a.k.a. A New Hope.

Along with reprising Han Solo’s Wookiee partner in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Peter Mayhew also donned the Chewbacca suit during the Original Trilogy era for Donny & Marie, the Star Wars Holiday Special and The Muppet Show. Years later, Mayhew returned to the big screen side of the Star Wars franchise for the final installment of the Prequel Trilogy, Revenge of the Sith. He also voiced Chewbacca for an episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Peter Mayhew made his final Star Wars appearance in The Force Awakens, where he shared the Chewbacca role with Joonas Suotamo. Afterward, he retired from playing the character due to health issues, and Suotamo took over the role fully, but Mayhew did still consult on Chewbacca for The Last Jedi.

Outside of the Star Wars franchise, Peter Mayhew is also notable for playing The Tall Knight in the 1981 series Dark Towers, voicing Susha in the English dub of Dragon Ball GT: A Hero’s Legacy and playing himself Comic Book: The Movie. He also attended numerous fan conventions and established the Peter Mayhew Foundation, which aids in a variety of charitable causes.

We here at CinemaBlend offer our condolences to Peter Mayhew’s loved ones. Feel free to share your thoughts about the Star Wars icon in the comments below.

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Chewbacca Actor Joonas Suotamo Pens Tribute To Peter Mayhew

Chewbacca Actor Joonas Suotamo Pens Tribute To Peter Mayhew

There’s a disturbance in the Force. The Star Wars family lost one of their own when the original Chewbacca, Peter Mayhew, died last week at 74. There’s since been an outpouring of love and homage paid to the actor who portrayed the lovable Wookie for almost 40 years.

Peter Mayhew’s apprentice, Joonas Suotamo, who shared the Chewbacca role with him in The Force Awakens before completely taking on the role for The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Rise of Skywalker, has joined in to pay tribute as well. Suotamo reminisced about working with the icon with these words:

We had a camp-like session together at [London's] Pinewood [Studios] for a week or so before we began filming The Force Awakens. We watched footage of the original movies and talked about Chewbacca's mannerisms, his nature, his attributes, his physical movements. It was the cocking of the head in a certain way, and also the proud chest of Chewbacca and the way the arms flail all over when he gets angry or excited. We talked a lot about all that.

Joonas Suotamo talked about the memorable time he shared with Peter Mayhew to The Hollywood Reporter when they worked together for the 2015 Star Wars film. It looks like Mayhew set up a Chewbacca boot camp of sorts for him to teach Suotamo how the character moves and acts – including to lead with the chest. Suotamo continued by describing how the actor felt about passing the character to him:

I think it was a tender situation for Peter because he'd been Chewbacca all his life, and to pass the baton — it's not easy. But I always told him, he's the original Chewbacca, and everything I would do was to pay homage to how he set up the character. He took it so well.

George Lucas cast Peter Mayhew for 1977’s A New Hope, and he reprised the role for the entire trilogy whilst keeping his other job at a hospital. Due to his love for the character (and Chewbacca’s global popularity), Mayhew made his living in the role and through public appearances. In a recent tribute, Lucas said he was “more like a Wookie than I originally imagined a Wookie to be.” Mayhew reprised the role in Revenge of the Sith among other reappearances.

Joonas Suotamo closed out his recent words about his Wookie mentor by saying:

Peter was always a very kind, very likable person who didn’t make a big deal about himself. He was quiet but very wise in his words — he chose his words carefully. And he was honest. The first time when I met with him, he told me I was too skinny to play a Wookiee. We laughed a lot about that. He was a giant man with a big heart.

This is so sweet! The two developed a great relationship and Joonas Suotamo got to get to know Peter Mayhew as he genuinely was. The new Chewbacca actor joined in tribute after Star Wars actors including Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill reacted to his passing. Mayhew died soon after suffering a heart attack and had undergone spinal surgery last year to improve his mobility. The actor was over seven feet tall due to a connective tissue disorder called Marfan Syndrome.

Joonas Suotamo was a Finnish basketball before taking on the role of Chewbacca, and he towers at 6'11''. He was approached while the search was on for a very tall man with blue eyes and the role fit the bill for him. Chewbacca will live on in Suotamo when he reprises the role in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker on December 20.

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Check Out The Brand New Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker Stills Shared At Star Wars Celebration

Check Out The Brand New Star Wars: Rise Of Skywalker Stills Shared At Star Wars Celebration

It's a very exciting time for the generations of Star Wars fans out there. The annual Star Wars Celebration is currently going full force, and the festivities brought the first information regarding J.J. Abrams' Episode IX. The upcoming blockbuster's title was revealed to be The Rise of Skywalker, and it should be an epic story that wraps up the last eight movies of Star Wars flicks. The title was revealed during the final moments of the first teaser trailer, which teased the epic conclusion to the Skywalker Saga.

Prior to debuting the first trailer, the Episode IX panel at Star Wars Celebration brought out the cast and crew, with host Stephen Colbert inquiring about what The Rise of Skywalker might entail. During the presentation, still were revealed of each of the characters, and they didn't disappoint. Let's dive into what we were shown.

Poe's New Look

Poe Dameron is the ace pilot of the current trilogy, and one of the main protagonists alongside Rey and Finn. Poe usually functions in his own story, separate from his co-stars. But J.J. Abrams teased that The Rise of Skywalker will have the full group going on an adventure, and they're shown in the trailer wearing some fancy duds. Just check out Poe, who is in new casual gear to traverse an unknown desert planet. Actor Oscar Isaac commented on his affinity for Poe's scarf, so let's hope that Finn doesn't end up borrowing that item of clothing as well.

Supreme Leader Kylo Ren

Adam Driver may have been absent from Star Wars Celebration, but that doesn't mean Kylo Ren was. In addition to his brief appearances in the first The Rise of Skywalker trailer, fans were also treated to the first still of Ben Solo. After killing Snoke in The Last Jedi, Kylo is officially at the head of The First Order. The image shows him looking a bit rough for the wear, so perhaps the weight of his leadership is crushing him. Is there hope for Ben, as Rey thought in the last movie? We'll have to wait and see.

Resistance Leader Finn

Finn's journey from Stormtrooper to Rebel leader started with The Force Awakens, and broke new ground for the Star Wars franchise. After getting himself accidentally involved in the galactic conflict, Finn had a bit of an existential crisis in The Last Jedi. Was he meant to join The Resistance, or was it safer to run? In the end, he affirmed his position as a rebel, reuniting with Rey in the process. The first images from The Rise of Skywalker show Finn as his own person, rocking a new hairstyle and clothes in the process. It looks like being a leader suits him.

The Debut Of Jannah

While Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has the pressure of wrapping up nine movies and servicing a variety of beloved characters, we should still expect some newcomers. Case in point: Jannah, played by Naomi Ackie. Not much is known about Ackie's mysterious character, but we got our first glimpse of Jannah during the panel presentation for Episode IX. She looks totally unique to any of the other characters, and it should be interesting to see how she affects the narrative of the upcoming blockbuster. Some fans are theorizing she could be Lando Calrissian's daughter, although the actress sidestepped the question by Stephen Colbert.

Rey's Classic Appearance

Daisy Ridley's Rey is the hero of the current Star Wars trilogy, and the first two movies have already shown her tremendous growth and Force Abilities. But this new still showed Rey in her classic signature costume, looking pretty consistent to her other appearances. And despite her Force Abilities and skill with a lightsaber, the image shows her still using a crude stick as a weapon. What's more, it's not even her signature staff. So many questions, so little time.

Finn And Poe Laughing

There's plenty of comedy in the current Star Wars trilogy, and some of the best moments have come from Poe Dameron. From his very first scene in The Force Awakens, Oscar Isaac's character was cracking jokes in the face of danger. The character's penchant for jokes was a major talking point for Isaac during the Episode IX panel, and this delightful photo was briefly shown. Despite the high stakes, it looks like Finn and Poe will find time to enjoy themselves in The Rise of Skywalker. And given all the fan rumors about the duo, this will only add fuel to the fire about a Poe/Finn romance.

The Return Of Rose Tico

Rose Tico was a new addition to the cast in The Last Jedi, and the rebel maintenance worker will likely have a significant role in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. The character was the subject of much controversy, as actress Kelly Marie Tran was a victim of intense online harassment and hate, eventually leaving social media altogether. She got a standing ovation at Star Wars Celebration, and it seems the fandom is eager to see how Rose factors into Episode IX. Looks like she's out of that coma, and is seen sharing a scene with Rey in her first still.

As a reminder, you can check out the first Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker trailer below. While it may be relatively short, there's enough reason for a re-watch. I've probably done it about 6 times already today.

These stills and the first trailer will come into context when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in theaters on December 20th. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Check Out Jumanji 3’s Main Cast Assembled For Action

Check Out Jumanji 3’s Main Cast Assembled For Action

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a surprise hit when it came out back in 2017. It put up the sort of box office numbers that virtually guarantees a sequel is going to get made. That movie is now in production and co-star Karen Gillan shared a new look at herself along with her three main co-stars. Along with the image comes a bit of rhyming verse that sets an ominous tone for Jumanji 3.

The rhyming verse is a standard part of the Jumanji movies, so it fits perfectly with the picture that brings Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black and Kevin Hart together again. In Welcome to the Jungle they played the four video game avatars that were inhabited by four teenagers. While those teens took steps to ensure nobody would play the Jumanji game again, it seems that the effort was in vain.

Of course, one has to wonder exactly what Karen Gillan means by saying "some things aren't as they seem." She's implying that there's something about the team that is not as it seems, though there's nothing about any of them that stands out. They certainly look like the same characters they were last time.

Of course there are a number of reasons things could be slightly different this time around. We know that the same group of kids who controlled the Jumanji avatars will be back in major roles. Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be the ones playing the game. We could see all new players who would in turn give these four characters entirely new personalities.

Alternatively, and probably more likely, we could see the same four kids switch around who is playing as which avatar. This means that we could see very different performances from these four characters. Each pairing in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was about matching each teen with a particular insecurity they had, but by the end of the story, they appeared to have overcome those issues. This may free them up to pick a new character and potentially explore a new story by doing so.

We'll likely have to wait and see, at least until the first trailer, to get an idea of how Jumanji 3, which probably won't be called that, will differentiate itself from the previous film. It may be some time before we see much, however. The movie is only filming now and plans to hit screens in December, which is a remarkably fast turn around for a film of its size. There may not be that much time between getting digital effects completed in post-production, and the film's release, making the window for a trailer a small one.

Still, based on the success of the last movie, marketing is the least of the concerns for the new Jumanji. There's a fan base looking forward to this sequel that will only need to wait until this holiday season.

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Check Out Jumanji 3's Karen Gillan Riding A Camel On Set

Check Out Jumanji 3's Karen Gillan Riding A Camel On Set

Karen Gillan is currently starring as Nebula in Avengers: Endgame, the biggest movie in the world and one where her character plays an important part. But rather than take the rest of the year off, the actress is washing off the blue paint and putting on an outfit completely impractical for jungle adventuring for Jumanji 3. Karen Gillan is currently busy filming the threequel, and for whatever reason, she got to ride a camel on set. Check it out:

A TARDIS may get you there faster and a spaceship might be more fun, but neither has the style of rolling up to set, shades on and riding on the back of a camel. In the first photo on her Instagram, Karen Gillan looks like a real pro, as if riding a camel is something she does every day when going out to eat, going shopping and going to work. This is just another leisurely stroll on the back of a camel to her.

In the second picture, it is clear that Karen Gillan is having a good time interacting with the gentle beast. It’s probably a bit more satisfying to be around an animal you can pet than talking to a nonexistent raccoon with a grumpy attitude.

Ruby Roundhouse’s strengths in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle were primarily combat-related things like Karate and Dance Fighting, so she must have used her experience points from that adventure to upgrade her character and add Camel Riding to her skill set. Fortunately, camels aren’t venomous because we saw Ruby Roundhouse didn’t do so well with snakes in the last movie.

Assuming that this isn’t just how the studio is transporting actors around set on Jumanji 3, I think we can look forward to seeing some camels in the film. The last movie was set in a purely jungle environment, and although we don’t yet know the exact plot of this one, camels aren’t generally jungle animals. The Rock has teased “blistering desert dunes” so it looks like the game has new levels yet to be explored.

Karen Gillan’s Killer of Men gets at least one new outfit in this movie, and one that looks like it belongs in a colder environment. Jack Black has also teased that Ruby Roundhouse will be getting some major upgrades, beyond the aforementioned camel riding. Whether or not Karen Gillan will get her wish to be playing an old man as the Ruby Roundhouse character remains to be seen.

2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was one of the biggest cinematic surprises of recent years, blowing away the skeptics and going on to make almost $1 billion at the worldwide box office. The sequel film from director Jake Kasdan will see Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Nick Jonas and Kevin Hart joined by Awkwafina, Danny DeVito and Danny Glover.

The as-yet-untitled Jumanji 3 (or Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 2) opens on December 13. Hopefully a title and a trailer aren’t too far off. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule for this and all the big movies still to come this year.

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Charlize Theron Reveals She Was Once Harassed By A Hollywood Producer

Charlize Theron Reveals She Was Once Harassed By A Hollywood Producer

Over the past few years, the world of filmmaking has seen a seismic shift. The Harvey Weinstein scandal and #MeToo movement put a spotlight on sexual harassment in the workplace, and how female members of the community have been suffering in silence. Plenty of major actresses have used their voice in the years since the dam broke, and now it looks like Oscar winner Charlize Theron had her own harrowing experience.

Charlize Theron is currently promoting her upcoming comedy Long Shot, including an appearance on the famous Howard Stern Show. Stern eventually brought up the subject of the #MeToo movement and the behavior of Hollywood execs, when Theron revealed she experienced harassment early in her career. She said:

I had just turned 19, I might have still been 18. I had never been out for an audition. I asked this modeling agent if she’d heard of anything … She said, ‘Yep. Go to this guy’s house. It’s on Saturday at 9 p.m.'

While Charlize Theron is a well-known working actress with an impressive career, there was a time when she was still trying to break into the industry. And when asking around for a possible audition, she ended up being convinced to meet a prominent Hollywood producer in his home. And when he answered the door, Theron was surprised to see the unnamed exec was in his pajamas.

In her conversation with Howard Stern and Long Shot co-star Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron went on to speak about her harrowing experience, and the red flags she noticed throughout her first "audition." She went on,

He had a very healthy ego, he felt very good about himself. There was some kind of muzak playing in the house. He sat very close to me. That was strange. The drinking bothered me. I was like, ‘This doesn’t feel right.'

Charlize Theron didn't name names when recounting her past on Howard Stern, she did reveal that he's still a powerful man in the industry. That fact makes her story even more disturbing, although you can't blame her for not revealing her harasser's identity on the air. But she went on to reveal that she got away from the situation, and that her feelings about the incident have evolved over time. Theron revealed:

And then at one point, he put his hand on my knee. You just go blank. Like you don’t know what to do, but I left. I don’t even know how I got out of the house, but I left. It would have ended really badly. I was driving my Ford Fiesta, that I was renting, up Laurel Canyon and I was so angry with myself that I didn’t say something. I was like, I’m not that kind of girl. Why did I not tell him to go fuck himself? It made me so angry.

Charlize Theron's comments echo what other survivors have said about the guilt and anger that can accompany #MeToo incidents. But while it may be difficult to share, Theron's honesty adds to the many voices addressing the issue of sexual harassment, especially as it relates to show business.

While there are many #MeToo stories from within Hollywood, it does look like the conversations and minds are changing over the past few years. One can only hope that the world will be a safer place, as sexual harassment is certainly not a problem exclusive to showbusiness.

Charlize Theron can be seen in Long Shot on May 3rd. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

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Charlie's Angels: What We Know So Far

Charlie's Angels: What We Know So Far

It's no secret that this modern age of entertainment has seen remakes, reboots and re-imaginings of popular properties come and go with a speed that would leave many race car drivers dizzy. Pretty much any well-known TV show, movie, comic, book, etc has either already been re-adapted for the screen or is currently being considered for another go-round in movie or television form.

Now, it would seem that the time has come, once again, for Charlie's Angels to come back with a new cast and an updated twist on the premise that's been around in two TV shows and a previous movie franchise reboot that begin in 2000. So, let's jump right in and see what this latest version of the tale has in store for us!

When Is The Charlie's Angels Release Date?

Originally, Charlie's Angels was set to debut on November 1, 2019. As of late March of the same year, though, the movie was pushed a couple of weekends ahead to a November 15 release. So, why the change of just a couple of weeks? Well, the film's previous release date was set to put it up against the highly anticipated Terminator: Dark Fate, which will bring back both Linda Hamilton and Arnold Schwarzenegger for what's being billed as a proper sequel to 1991's Terminator 2: Judgement Day.

While Charlie's Angels might not necessarily be looking at the same target audience as Dark Fate, the studio behind the film is said to believe that it will have strong legs overseas, which tends to be true for big budget action movies like Dark Fate as well. It would seem that they're trying to give Charlie and his (her?) Angels some more breathing room at the box office, both domestically and internationally.

Right now, there are no other action / adventure movies debuting on November 15, but Frozen 2 will finally hit theaters the next weekend, so time will tell whether or not Charlie's Angels can gain and hold onto an audience.

What Is The Charlie's Angels Rating?

Movie edits are basically living, breathing entities that take on lives of their own. Well, ok, not really. But, the final edit of a movie that we end up seeing in theaters takes months to assemble, and can change, sometimes kind of a lot, up until a month or so away from the release date.

This means that, in every case, the MPAA waits until very near the release to bug studios about screening a finished cut of each film, so that what they watch and rate for us is actually the film that the filmmakers will be putting into theaters. As such, we won't know for sure what Charlie's Angels will be rated for quite some time yet, even though the movie is (as of late April 2019) listed as being in post-production, which is an indication that editing is already likely underway.

However, based on some previous comments about the tone of the new film, and what's come before, we can speculate. While the movie will be a comedy, star Kristen Stewart has said that it will lack the kitsch element that the Drew Barrymore films were fond of. Additionally, star and director Elizabeth Banks (more on her later) said while she was still developing the movie that she was working with the studio to see what would be right for Charlie's Angels, but was open to making it R-rated.

That said, both previous big screen installments were PG-13, but without that slightly silly element, we could see a Charlie's Angels that really kicks things up a notch and gives us an R-rated adventure.

What Is The Charlie's Angels Story?

After months of hearing reports of there being multiple Bosleys and the Townsend Agency going global, late April 2019 brought us some clearer information regarding the new film. First of all, this is not a remake of either the original 1970s show or the early '00s movies, but a continuation of the franchise that will expand upon what we've already seen. According to star Elizabeth Banks (who we'll get into more in a bit), Charlie's Angels will, in fact, feature a Townsend Agency that has grown a lot since we first saw Sabrina, Jill and Kelly go undercover and fight crime.

The success of that first agency has led to branches all over the world, which will, naturally, lead to there being many more than three Angels and multiple Bosleys (one of whom will be played by Elizabeth Banks). Part of the focus of the movie will be on these groups of Angels working together to take down the bad guys, with Banks saying that the action will be more grounded than what we saw in the Drew Barrymore / Lucy Liu / Cameron Diaz films, adding that team dynamics will likely remind audiences of those seen in more recent Mission: Impossible movies.

And, if you're worried there will be too many Angels involved for you to get to know any of them well, don't worry. This new tale will still see the story from the point of view of three main ladies, played by Kristen Stewart, Ella Balinska and Naomi Scott.

Who's Directing And Writing Charlie's Angels?

Back in the fall of 2015, when a new Charlie's Angels movie was just starting to get off the ground, actress Elizabeth Banks became attached as director. While she was mostly known for her work in a wide variety of comedies, she had just released her directorial debut with Pitch Perfect 2, which turned out well for her, as the movie was a hit with audiences and critics alike.

That success likely put her on Sony's radar for Charlie's Angels, and it seems that she had an idea for the movie that they loved as well, because not only did she nab the directing gig and get a part in the movie as one of the Bosleys, but she also stepped in to help write the script.

The screenplay has gone through a few writers at this point, including Evan Spiliotopoulos (Hercules), Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn and the team of Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard, so it seems that Banks had a clearer idea of how to fulfill her desire to make the story matter and bring some richly developed characters to the screen.

Kristen Stewart - Sabina Wilson

Let's start with the most well-known of the main three Angels, shall we? And, this isn't just because Kristen Stewart's Sabina is described as being the team's leader. Apparently, when director / writer / co-star Elizabeth Banks decided to take on this project, one of the first things that came to her was the idea that the erstwhile Twilight star should be one of Charlie's Angels. Here's what she said at a recent luncheon during CinemaCon:

I’m somebody who believes that 90% of the job is casting. I mean, I’m an actor so of course I believe that [laughs]. But I really do believe that is key. I want to see from Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark; I don’t want to see anyone else do it. I want to see Kristen Stewart be a Charlie’s Angel and I didn’t want to see [anyone else do it.]

Well, that's simple enough. Once Banks had one Angel in mind, she just worked to convince Kristen Stewart that the film was one she should be a part of. Aside from being the group leader, the only other thing we know about Sabina is that she's good at partying. How that will help in her work as an Angel, I don't know, but Stewart has taken on a wide variety of intriguing roles since her time with the sparkly vamps of her youth, so there's no doubt that the role, and film as a whole appealed to her, and that she'll bring something cool to her work as Sabina.

Naomi Scott - Elena Houghlin

Next among our main Angels is Naomi Scott, who will be making her second blockbuster appearance just a few months before Charlie's Angels when she stars as Princess Jasmine in Disney's live action Aladdin. When Elizabeth Banks spoke about how she cast the other Angels, once she had Kristen Stewart on board, she noted that making sure she had actresses who could provide something very different from Stewart was important. Here's what Banks said about it during that same CinemaCon panel:

I wanted to give her other Angels that were not anything like her so that she could pull energy from and bounce off of and work off of. Because it’s the dynamism in the scenes that makes her really fun.

So, Banks wanted Scott's Elena, and the third Angel (who we'll talk about in a bit), to really provide a nice counterpoint to what Stewart was doing as Sabina. Scott, who also played the Pink Ranger in 2017's Power Rangers reboot (alongside Elizabeth Banks' Rita Repulsa) is said to be portraying the “heart of the movie,” and her character is also the science whiz of the group, so we'll see before long what kind of energy she brings to the role, and Charlie's Angels as a whole.

Ella Balinska - Jane Kano

To complete the main Angelic triangle, Ella Balinska will round out the cast as Jane Kano. All we know about Jane so far is that she's an ex-MI6 agent who's very skilled. Skilled at what, you might ask? Well, she survived a stint in MI-6, so I imagine she's skilled at lots of fancy spy-type things that will make her a wonderful addition to the Charlie's Angels team.

You can be forgiven for not having heard of Ella Balinska at this point, as the London-born actress has mostly worked in TV in her home country, and just got her first film credit in 2015. But, considering the effort that Elizabeth Banks has put into this project from the beginning, and her desire to have all the characters have depth and personality, there's no doubt that Balinska (and Jane) will help make the team great fun to watch.

Djimon Hounsou - Bosley

As was mentioned earlier, while there is a main team of Angels that we will follow as they attempt to foil some fiendish plot, the ladies will be working in conjunction with other groups of Angels. Because of this, the film will have multiple Bosleys, with the name now being used as a title within the much-expanded Townsend Agency. Right now, we only know for sure that the movie will have three of these characters, and Djimon Hounsou will be joining Elizabeth Banks in this role.

We don't know what city (or country) Hounsou's Angels will operate out of, but considering the actor's action-heavy resume, it's possible we might actually get to see him get in on some of the adventure. The two-time Oscar nominee has now been in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time, with his work being seen in Captain Marvel, Aquaman, Shazam! and Guardians of the Galaxy, along with films like In America, Gladiator, Furious 7 and the upcoming Kingsmen: The Great Game.

Patrick Stewart - Bosley

And now we come to Bosely number three, who will be portrayed by a man known for leading many a team of intrepid adventurers as they try to save the world. Patrick Stewart, probably best known either as Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard or X-Men's Charles Xavier, looks to be rounding out our Bosley contingent for this iteration of Charlie's Angels.

Just like with the Bosley played by Djimon Hounsou, though, we don't know where Stewart's Bosley and his particular Angels will call home. And, while the acclaimed actor certainly has the gravitas to lead his Angels with Shakespearean class, it would be nice if his Bosley allowed Stewart to bring some of his daffy American Dad-esq tendencies to the role, just so we could get a different version of big screen leadership from Sir Patrick Stewart.

Noah Centineo - Langston

OK, everyone can go ahead and get really excited about Charlie's Angels now, because your favorite rom-com boyfriend, Noah Centineo, has a part in the film. Fittingly, the To All The Boys I've Loved Before star is rumored to be playing a character named Langston, the love interest of one of the Angels. While we don't know anything else about his character, my bet is on him either being totally in the dark about his potential love's line of work, or being a bad guy who's cozying up to the Angel in the hopes of getting info he shouldn't be able to get.

After breaking out on the Freeform show The Fosters, Centineo has quickly become known for his Netflix teen romantic comedies, which also include Sierra Burgess Is a Loser and The Perfect Date. He's currently filming the sequel for To All The Boys I've Loved Before, and recently confirmed that he'll be taking on the super-powered role of He-Man in the upcoming Masters of the Universe remake.

We just have a few months until Charlie's Angels hits theaters, so be sure to check back with this guide to get all the latest updates on the film!

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Charlie’s Angels Director Elizabeth Banks Explains Why She Cast Kristen Stewart

Charlie’s Angels Director Elizabeth Banks Explains Why She Cast Kristen Stewart

It’s been a few months since director Elizabeth Banks found her leading ladies for the Charlie’s Angels reboot. Kristen Stewart was the biggest name cast, while the movie will be fleshed out by The Athena’s Ella Balisnka and Aladdin’s Naomi Scott. But how did the movie decide on its three leads? If you ask Banks, she knew who she wanted from the get-go.

I’m somebody who believes that 90% of the job is casting. I mean, I’m an actor so of course I believe that [laughs]. But I really do believe that is key. I want to see from Robert Downey Jr. play Tony Stark; I don’t want to see anyone else do it. I want to see Kristen Stewart be a Charlie’s Angel and I didn’t want to see [anyone else do it.]

Speaking at a CinemaCon luncheon with Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher, Booksmart director Olivia Wilde and Avengers: Endgame directors Joe and Anthony Russo, Elizabeth Banks revealed that her acting background has made her particular about who she casts in her movies. In the case of Charlie’s Angels, she saw Kristen Stewart in the role and then worked to pursue her until she said “yes” to the gig.

It’s interesting, because I don’t automatically associate Kristen Stewart with “action heroine” even though she has taken roles in action films before, including Twilight, Snow White and the Huntsman and the upcoming Underwater (a.k.a. the movie Kristen Stewart shaved her head for). But Banks had it in her head that Stewart was/is an Angel and got what she wanted in the end.

In terms of how Ella Balinska and Naomi Scott were cast, Elizabeth Banks also said at CinemaCon that she wanted women Kristen Stewart would bounce off of in incredible ways, noting,

I wanted her to surprise people and be on a journey. I wanted to give her other Angels that were not anything like her so that she could pull energy from and bounce off of and work off of. Because it’s the dynamism in the scenes that makes her really fun.

The director may not have landed 100% of the hopefuls she wanted, however. Early on before Charlie’s Angels went into production, it was reported Lupita Nyong’o was circling the project and that ultimately did not pan out. At the time, Stewart was also mentioned as a hopeful and that casting did end up coming together.

Elizabeth Banks has previously talked about how this time around Charlie’s Angels will go beyond the three badass women at the head of the project, noting:

It's not just three. Women across the entire globe are connected and helping each other.

So, we’ll have to see how the story plays out on the big screen and whether or not K-Stew was the right fit. Ultimately, though, it looks as if Elizabeth Banks ended up exactly with the cast she wanted. We’ve already nabbed a first look at that cast so take a look if you haven't already.

Charlie’s Angels will officially fight its way into theaters on November 1. Take a look at what else is hitting theaters sooner with our full movies schedule.

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Charlie Says Trailer Debuts Matt Smith's Charles Manson

Charlie Says Trailer Debuts Matt Smith's Charles Manson

Is Matt Smith in Star Wars: Episode IX or isn’t he? I suppose we’ll have to wait until that film’s first trailer or its December release to know for sure, but in the meantime, the former Doctor Who star will definitely be showing up in Charlie Says, where he plays someone who unquestionably belongs to the dark side. Take a look below to see the trailer for Charlie Says and see the debut of Matt Smith’s Charles Manson.

Charles Manson doesn’t show up for almost a minute into this trailer, but his presence is felt from the start as we see some of what befell those who followed him into the darkness. When Matt Smith appears as the cult leader, he really looks the part: bearded, longhaired and charming, and along with Hannah Murray’s Leslie Van Houten, we see the appeal of what he’s selling and how he roped people in.

The kumbaya lovefest he is pitching bears quite the resemblance to Chris Hemsworth's character in Bad Times at the El Royale, so you can see from whom that film took its inspiration. That lovefest turns as the things Manson is saying begin to have seriously dark connotations. When Grace Van Dien’s Sharon Tate opens the door and Charles Manson is just standing there, Matt Smith, more known for his roles as good guys, gives off some seriously creepy vibes.

Matt Smith has a magnetic presence and that is crucial to this film that will explore both how Charles Manson convinced people to kill for him in the first place and the powerful hold he had on these women long after they were sent to prison for their crimes. He can’t just be a crazy creep, we have to be drawn in by the actor’s portrayal and see how he appealed to his followers and they wanted to believe in him.

The book The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult, written by Karlene Faith (here played by The Walking Dead’s Meritt Wever, serves as inspiration for Charlie Says. That gives this film an interesting perspective as it looks at these women who committed horrible crimes as victims themselves, who made excuses and rationalized their behavior as a result of Charles Manson’s manipulation and their loyalty to him.

We see that in this trailer, especially with Sosie Bacon's Patricia Krenwinkel clinging to something that captivated her not wanting to take responsibility or acknowledge the truth. Also, Hannah Murray looks to be giving quite the performance as Leslie Van Houten as she come to grips with the truth of what she did and who Charles Manson was years later.

Charlie Says comes from director Mary Harron who created one of the staples of the serial killer genre in American Psycho. Most recently Harron directed episodes of Netflix’s Alias Grace.

Since 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Manson murders, Charlie Says is just one of the cinematic looks at the notorious crimes that both puzzle and fascinate to this day. Actress Hilary Duff stars in The Haunting of Sharon Tate, due out April 5, and the second season of Netflix’s Mindhunter will also feature Charles Manson. In an interesting twist, the actor starring as the cult leader in Mindhunter, Damon Herriman, will also play Manson in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Charlie Says arrives in theaters on May 10 and on VOD a week later on May 17. Check out our 2019 release schedule to keep track of all the biggest movies headed your way this year.

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Charlie Hunnam Still Doesn't Regret Quitting Fifty Shades Of Grey

Charlie Hunnam Still Doesn't Regret Quitting Fifty Shades Of Grey

One notorious casting that ultimately led to an actor leaving a popular movie occurred just before Fifty Shades of Grey started shooting. The role was supposed to have gone to Triple Frontier actor Charlie Hunnam; however, Hunnam left the project and Jamie Dornan was signed on in his stead.

Since news broke that it could have been Charlie Hunnam who played Christian Grey, there’s been sort of a fascination in terms of the “what if” factor. Ultimately, however, Hunnam still doesn’t regret quitting the role. He said in a recent interview:

I don’t see myself in that role at all because it would have been totally different. I think what acting is, is trying to create a character and you put half of yourself into it, [a] bit more than half. So that’s Jamie Dornan’s character, you know? I haven’t seen them but I’m sure he did an excellent job.

According to Charlie Hunnam, the actor has no interest in watching Fifty Shades of Grey or its two follow-ups, also revealing he really doesn’t “want to have an opinion” on Jamie Dornan’s performance or how the movie turned out during his interview with Newsweek. I don’t really blame him, considering more than a year after the final movie in the franchise came out he’s still getting asked about the decision.

As for why he quit Fifty Shades of Grey, Charlie Hunnam said:

I started to realize that my, my vision of who that guy was, was not everybody else’s vision. You can’t get into a film, let alone three films, totally at odds with the rest of the filmmaking community or the creative community involved in something because it’s just going to be [a] miserable experience... it was better for me just to extract myself from the process, but no regrets.

Previously, Charlie Hunnam has had varying accounts for why he quit Fifty Shades of Grey. This time, he’s saying the character fans love from the books was at odds with how he wanted to play it. He’s also said that he is aware he would be a “lot wealthier” if he had said yes to the gig that eventually went to Jamie Dornan, noting,

Well, I'd be a lot wealthier. I'd be a lot wealthier. I was gonna get paid a fortune. So much.

He’s said before he was just really busy at the time the first movie was going to start filming, revealing he was also doing Crimson Peak and Sons of Anarchy and it all just felt like a lot at the time.

And I was going to shoot that film, wrap that on the Wednesday and the following Monday I was going to start shooting Crimson Peak in Toronto. I just had like ... frankly, something of a nervous breakdown.

So, it sounds as if there were myriad reasons to say no and the money wasn’t enough to say yes. (Although, he really did give up on quite a bit of money.) Interestingly, Charlie Hunnam is known for intense workouts and even being shirtless on both the big and small screen. That's something that Jamie Dornan has come out and really worked on after he wasn't able to get super into shape for the first movie, given the limitations of the timeline after he was cast in Fifty Shades of Grey.

In fact, in some ways Charlie Hunnam may have dodged a bullet. Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson have had to really work to take on different types of roles in the wake of the popular franchise movie. (Although they likely increased their visibility as well.) In addition, while filming Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed seemingly went off without too much of a hitch, filming Fifty Shades of Grey ultimately ended up being a bit of a different situation. Specifically, the director of that movie Sam Taylor-Johnson has come out and said that things were so bad she wouldn’t do it again.

With the benefit of hindsight would I go through it again? Of course I wouldn't. I'd be mad. It was a struggle and there were lots of onset tête-à-têtes, with me trying to bat it into the [right] place. I like everyone -- and I get really confused when they don't like me. I was so confused by E.L. James. I don't understand when I can't navigate a person, when there's no synergy.

She also ultimately left the franchise, leaving leads Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson to navigate the rest of the franchise with new director James Foley. All in all, though, fans of E.L. James’ books seem at least fairly satisfied with how the movies played out on the big screen.

While we have no real gauge for how Charlie Hunnam would have played Christian Grey, it’s still fun to think about how the universe would have been with a totally different actor in the role. Ultimately, it made Jamie Dornan a household name and went on to be a financial success with that actor.

You can catch Charlie Hunnam in the new Netflix movie Triple Frontier, which has already hit the streaming service. Or take a look at what else Netflix has coming this month with our full guide.

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