Peacock’s new family mystery thriller “Apples Never Fall” premieres this week on the streaming service, and it’s yet another adaptation of popular writer Liane Moriarty’s melodramatic works; her famous books are known as the source material for “Big Little Lies,” “Nine Perfect Strangers” and more. The series follows a seemingly happy family on a tumultuous journey to uncover the truth about the disappearance of its matriarch.

Continue reading Sam Neill Thinks ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ Was A Goodbye & Says He’s Open To More ‘Thor ‘Cameos at The Playlist.

Thanks to the growing popularity of his Amazon Prime Video action thriller series “Reacher,” based on the Jack Reacher books by Lee Child, Alan Ritchson’s is starting to really take off. It’s only been on for two seasons but seemingly taken off in the last year and is quickly turning the 6 ft 2 actor into a star.

Before that, he had smaller roles with appearances in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013) and “Fast X” (2023).

Continue reading Alan Ritchson Says Marvel’s ’Thor’ Role Was His To Lose Initially, But “Didn’t Take The Audition Seriously” at The Playlist.

Of all the director hires that Marvel Studios has made over the last 15 years, there are few that are more surprising than Taika Waititi to direct a “Thor” film. However, not only did the decision to bring in a young Waititi to direct “Thor: Ragnarok” pay off in a big way (the film was a huge success, both financially and with fans), but it led to a continued relationship where the filmmaker returned for another round of ‘Thor’ goodness (though ‘Love & Thunder’ wasn’t received nearly as well as the previous film).

Continue reading Taika Waititi Says He Took The ‘Thor’ Job Because He Was “Poor” & Only Read 1 Comic To Prepare at The Playlist.

When people think of the origins of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they go back to 2008’s “Iron Man.” And that’s a fair beginning. But, often, people tend to forget 2008 also saw the release of Marvel Studios‘ second film, “The Incredible Hulk,” directed by Louis Leterrier. And according to the filmmaker, he could have been a much bigger part of the MCU, but it didn’t work out.

Continue reading Louis Leterrier Says He Wanted ‘Iron Man,’ Was Given ‘Hulk’ Instead & Passed On ‘Thor’ & ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ at The Playlist.

The “Marvel formula” is a term used to describe the same-sameness of the dozens of films and TV projects from Marvel Studios. Most people focus on the obvious similarities in tone and structure. But the “formula,” if there is one, actually includes casting, as well. We’re seeing, more and more, these Marvel films include at least one or two iconic, legendary actors in small supporting roles, adding perceived gravitas to these superhero films.

Continue reading Anthony Hopkins Says His Time In Marvel Films Was Filled With “Pointless Acting” at The Playlist.

While “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” crosses the billion-dollar mark this weekend at the global box office, another big Chris Pratt film is heading to theaters next week with “Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 3” wrapping up a trilogy from writer/director James Gun. Pratt wasn’t always successful in the audition process and is reflecting on the multitude of high-profile roles he missed out on before landing Marvel’s Peter Quill, aka, Star-Lord.

Continue reading Chris Pratt Reflects On Failed Auditions For ‘Thor,’ ‘Avatar’ & ‘Star Trek’: “I Definitely Don’t Have That It-Factor” at The Playlist.

Zachary Levi isn’t having such a great couple of weeks, is he? Obviously, he was hoping “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” would be a massive hit and that would force James Gunn and Peter Safran, co-CEOs of DC Studios, to somehow work the character into their new slate of projects. Alas, that’s far from the truth. What actually happened is the ‘Shazam!

Continue reading Zachary Levi Says Kevin Feige Convinced Him ‘Thor’ Supporting Role Would Be “Huge” & That He Could Get Another MCU Role Later at The Playlist.

“Thor: Love & Thunder” isn’t just the return of Chris Hemsworth as the God of Thunder for yet another appearance in an MCU film. It actually marks the first time in Marvel Studios history that a solo character has returned for a fourth feature. There are officially more ‘Thor’ films than ‘Captain America’ and ‘Iron Man’ features.

Continue reading Chris Hemsworth Is Down For More ‘Thor’ Films & Kevin Feige Is “Excited” To See It Happen at The Playlist.

As non-blockbuster films are finding it tougher to get a foothold in the modern theatrical landscape, the growing criticisms of the superhero genre have become a familiar and somewhat tedious go-to interview question. Filmmakers of a certain age, such as Martin Scorsese, Ridley Scott, Denis Villeneuve, and most recently Jane Campion, are routinely asked about superhero films and their cultural dominance, which often leads to various criticisms of the genre itself and how it’s ruining the theatrical experience for anyone wanting to make non-blockbuster movies.

Continue reading Stellan Skarsgård Says Superhero Films Aren’t The Problem, The “Raw Market” Corporate “System” Around Them Is at The Playlist.

Marvel‘s “Black Widow” finally releases this week and will likely be the final MCU outing for actress Scarlett Johansson. The actress has been playing the former Russian spy Natasha Romanoff since joining the massive superhero sandbox in 2010’s “Iron Man 2” after Emily Blunt had to exit the role over a scheduling issue with the long-forgotten Jack Black comedy “Gulliver’s Travels.”

READ MORE: Marvel Phase 4: The Films & Shows That Will Lead The MCU Into The Future

When she did sign on to appear in the “Iron Man” sequel, she had to sign a massive deal, not unlike other early MCU peers like Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, and Samuel L.

Continue reading Kevin Feige Says Days Of Signing Marvel Actors To Massive Longterm Studio Contracts Are Over at The Playlist.

Marvel Studios is typically super secretive when it comes to the casting of its feature films. A lot of the secrecy is achieved because so much of the films are shot on sound stages and you at various other indoor locations. But with all eyes in Australia on the filming of “Thor: Love and Thunder,” we’ve seen a ton of casting news being made just from seeing who is traveling to the country to film.

Continue reading Russell Crowe Joins ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ Cast at The Playlist.

Marvel’s “Thor: Love & Thunder” was already going to have a strong female cast, and now, it’s added a familiar, though absent face from the “Thor” franchise, according to a new report.

READ MORE: Natalie Portman Talks ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ & Why Female Heroes Are “Really Important” For Boys, Too

Sources tell Deadline that Jaimie Alexander has secured a reprisal of the Lady Sif role in the next “Thor’ film, the fierce Asgardian warrior that hasn’t been seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since “Thor: The Dark World.” Sif avoided being killed on-screen in “Thor: Ragnarok,” while The Warriors Three weren’t so lucky.

Continue reading Jaimie Alexander Returning To Lady Sif Role In Marvel’s ‘Thor: Love & Thunder’ at The Playlist.

It’s difficult to imagine that any of the actors involved with the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be anything but elated to work on their own solo film. However, when you’re the character with arguably two of the worst films in the 21 movie line-up, the prospect of returning to the franchise could be a bit exhausting. And that’s exactly what happened to Chris Hemsworth, when he was asked to come back and do a third ‘Thor’ film.

Continue reading Chris Hemsworth Says He Was “Exhausted” & “Underwhelmed” By Pre-‘Ragnarok’ Thor Appearances at The Playlist.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been in the headlines over the last week or so for polarizing comments that he didn’t even say, in a published interview. But this time, we’re going to talk about something Johnson actually did say, and did so on national TV. We’re here to talk about a pie-in-the-sky project that will never see the light of day, but damn, wouldn’t it be fun?

READ MORE: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Disputes “Generation Snowflake” Comments & Says Interview Is “100% Fabricated”

In a clip from his new TV series “Titan Games” (it’s a thing…I think), Johnson is acting all muscle-y, as he’s known to do, and is holding a giant sledgehammer.

Continue reading Dwayne Johnson Pitches A ‘Thor’/’Fast & Furious’ Crossover & It Sounds Amazingly Awful at The Playlist.

Many people credit 2008’s “Iron Man” with today’s modern superhero movie renaissance, as it’s the film that launched the biggest franchise in history, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the film that is probably the one that truly launched the era of superhero films that we’re enjoying (or not enjoying) today is Sam Rami’s “Spider-Man,” way back in 2002. However, according to the director, if he had his way, his first Marvel film would have come a decade sooner and featured a totally different character.

Continue reading Sam Raimi Talks His 1991 ‘Thor’ Pitch & Why He Thought Adding A Stan Lee Cameo To ‘Spider-Man’ Was “Absurd” at The Playlist.

Chris Hemsworth is one of the more unlikely heroes to emerge from the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, as one of the “Big 3,” Hemsworth was the odd man out when compared to big stars like Chris Evans and Robert Downey, Jr, who anchored the early MCU films. But through his three “Thor” films, and multiple “Avengers” appearances, the actor has cemented himself as a superstar.

Continue reading Chris Hemsworth Is Shockingly Honest When Assessing The First Two ‘Thor’ Films at The Playlist.

For a while now, Robert Downey Jr. has intimated he’d like Mel Gibson to step into the Marvel-verse, perhaps to direct “Iron Man 4.” But according to the “Lethal Weapon” star, who recently attended the Cannes Film Festival to promote his upcoming action flick “Blood Father,” Kevin Feige and co. approached him for a role a few years ago.

Continue reading Mel Gibson Says He Turned Down Odin In ‘Thor,’ Talks Superhero Movies at The Playlist.

New ‘Doctor Strange’ Poster Plus Updates On ‘Captain Marvel,’ ‘Defenders,’ ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ & More

Continue reading New ‘Doctor Strange’ Poster Plus Updates On ‘Captain Marvel,’ ‘Defenders,’ ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ & More at The Playlist.

Watch: 10-Minute Retrospective Look At Marvel Phase One

Continue reading Watch: 10-Minute Retrospective Look At Marvel Phase One at The Playlist.

The 20 Best Easter Eggs In The Marvel Movies

Continue reading The 20 Best Easter Eggs In The Marvel Movies at The Playlist.

27-Hour Marvel Movie Marathon Including 'Avengers: Age Of Ultron' Coming To A Theater Near You

Continue reading 27-Hour Marvel Movie Marathon Including ‘Avengers: Age Of Ultron’ Coming To A Theater Near You at The Playlist.

Watch: Natalie Portman Beams A Message Into Space In Deleted Scene From The End Of 'Thor'

Continue reading Watch: Natalie Portman Beams A Message Into Space In Deleted Scene From The End Of ‘Thor’ at The Playlist.

The Alternate 2011: Who Nearly Directed Or Starred In The Most Notable Movies Of The Year?

Continue reading The Alternate 2011: Who Nearly Directed Or Starred In The Most Notable Movies Of The Year? at The Playlist.

Continue reading Watch: Clip From Marvel Short Film ‘The Consultant’ Scored By DJ Paul Oakenfold For Some Reason at The Playlist.

Continue reading Rumor: New Marvel Short Films To Appear On Upcoming ‘Thor’ & ‘Captain America’ DVDs at The Playlist.