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Here's a Ranking of the Best (and Worst) Actors To Play Batman on the Big Screen

Robert Pattinson joins the fray—and does damn well.

This conversation is one that's surely replicated often around the country. It could easily be argued that Batman is the closest thing the United States has to England's James Bond: an iconic character who will seemingly go on forever, passing from actor to actor.

In 2022, we get yet another contender: Robert Pattinson, who was cast as Bruce Wayne way back in the pre-pandemic stone age of 2019 , and finally gets to unveil his take on the stoic crimefighter in director Matt Reeves ' sweeping, visually stunning The Batman . Pattinson had his work cut out for him, but with a take that's "inspired by Kurt Cobain," it promised to be different from any we've seen before. And it delivered.

And that's just a handful of the picks. Now, for this piece we're keeping our options to the movies that were released cinematically in a major way. That means that Will Arnett ( The LEGO Batman Movie ) counts, but Kevin Conroy (the iconic voice from Batman: The Animated Series ) does not. When Keanu Reeves makes his Dark Knight debut in DC League of Super-Pets (out later this year), we'll have some serious thinking to do. When Michael Keaton reprises his role as Batman in The Flash and Batgirl, we'll have to once again reconsider his place within the ranking.

That said: let's get to the rankings. To the Batcave!

8. George Clooney (Batman & Robin)

Oh man. You love George Clooney. We love George Clooney. Everyone loves George Clooney.

But his single turn as the protector of Gotham in 1997's disastrous Batman & Robin was... not it. Clooney's Batman was a bad part of a worse movie—and the Academy Award-winner has always been self-aware enough to own it to this very day . The nipples? The credit card? What in the world was going on here? Legend has it that if someone sees Clooney in the street and mentions Batman & Robin, he offers a ticket refund on the spot.

7. Adam West, (Batman [TV Series]; Batman: The Movie)

Adam West is the original Batman to many, but he never really captured the dark spirit of what made this character classic to so many people. The original series was essentially a sitcom. Still, West laid the groundwork for many of the more impressive portrayals on this list. Without West's original portrayal, there would've been nothing to build upon.

6. Val Kilmer (Batman Forever)

Val Kilmer 's Batman is a weird case. In a lot of ways, he's the most forgotten Batman of the bunch—not as horrid as Clooney, not as memorable as some of the higher entries on the list, and in a movie that was the first post-Tim Burton entry of the '90s. Kilmer's Batman is fine, but it's a slippery slope when competing against the film's villains: Jim Carrey's totally off-the-wall Riddler or Tommy Lee Jones' outrageous take on Two-Face. Batman Forever was just weird, man. It's not really of any fault to Kilmer, but you kind of understand why all parties decided to reset after this.

5. Ben Affleck (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice; Suicide Squad; Justice League; Zack Snyder's Justice League)

The movies where Ben Affleck played Batman were not particularly good. Zack Snyder's Justice League, a vast improvement on the original 2017 cut of Justice League, is probably the best of the bunch—but at four hours long it's not the most accessible film on the list.

But even in the movies that aren't particularly good, like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Affleck is a pretty solid grizzled, older, bitter Bruce Wayne, and his Batman was a little shakier, but still, not that bad. "Not that bad" is not necessarily the same as "good," and when the rest of the movie around "not that bad" is "kind of horrible," that's not a totally winning recipe.

4. Will Arnett (The Lego Movie; The Lego Batman Movie; The Lego Movie 2)

Sure, Will Arnett isn't himself donning the cape and mask, and sure, his Batman is interacting with other Legos rather than escaped inmates from the Arkham Asylum, but let's be real: This Batman rules. The movie's writers have clearly done their homework and figured out what can make the character funny (namely, a total absence of self-awareness). Outside o f B ojack Horseman , Batman is Arnett voice acting at its very best.

3. Michael Keaton (Batman; Batman Returns)

As Tim Burton's Batman and the first real portrayal of the character (sorry, Adam West) that we got on screen, Michael Keaton embodies the qualities that have always made a great Batman. He's daunting and looks good in the suit, but also has a Bruce Wayne charisma that stands out.

This role defined an era of Keaton's career. His familiarity with playing a superhero even helped prepare him for Birdman, which jump-started a later career renaissance for Keaton (which also included another superhero movie screen credit as the villain in Spider-Man: Far From Home) .

2. Robert Pattinson (The Batman)

After five other dudes got to take a swing at Batman in the last 30 years, it may have seemed impossible that anyone would be able to do, well, anything different with Gotham's Dark Knight. But Robert Pattinson did just that in The Batman, playing Bruce Wayne not with the smugness of Christian Bale or the Coolness of Michael Keaton, but instead as a quiet, moody recluse. This is a Batman who listened to My Chemical Romance and Taking Back Sunday in his youth, and with the movie set in our present day, that 100% tracks.

Pattinson also gets to do something no other Batman has really done before: be a detective. He looks like a million bucks in that Batsuit, but underneath it it really seems like he's finding clues in a David Fincher movie like Zodiac or Se7en. His fighting is brutal; sometimes fights in superhero movies can feel a little soft, but you can feel the weight he's putting into every bad guy getting a haymaker to the face.

This is a version of the character fans have been wanting for quite a while, and with the movie's box office success, the expectation is they'll be seeing plenty more.

1. Christian Bale, Batman Begins. The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises

Is the lead in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy actually...underrated?

As an actor, it's hard to argue that Christian Bale is underrated given his near-perennial success at the Oscars. But since so much of the attention in Nolan's trilogy tended to go to the villains (Heath Ledger's Joker, Tom Hardy's Bane), Bale's pitch-perfect Batman managed to somewhat fly under the radar.

Christian Bale's Batman is perfect. He plays Bruce Wayne with not quite the same cockiness that Robert Downey Jr. uses to play Tony Stark (note: Bale first played Batman in in 2005; Downey Jr.'s first Iron Man appearance came in 2008), but with a unique level of rich guy swagger that no other Bruce Wayne portrayal has touched.

There's also the fact that Bale simply had perfect chemistry with just about everyone he came into contact with in the films, whether it was one of the aforementioned villains, Michael Caine's Alfred, anyone. It's probably a testament to Bale's Academy-Award pedigree, but he can really make a scene electric with just about any acting partner, and Christopher Nolan was the perfect director to take advantage of that.

Bale was only 31 when Batman Begins came out, so he'll still maintain his distinction of the youngest Batman—Robert Pattinson turns 36 later this year.

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This Is the Real Reason Katie Holmes Was Recast for 'The Dark Knight'

Aug. 21 2020, Updated 1:03 p.m. ET

It's always a bit of a trip whenever an actor or actress is replaced by someone else for a sequel or a prequel. Even though Hannibal came out several years after The Silence of the Lambs and I loved Julianne Moore in it (then again, she's great in everything), it was kind of jarring to see that Jodie Foster wasn't in the movie. Aunt Vivian's replacement in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was also a huge change, and Batman fans probably always wondered why Katie Holmes was recast in Nolan's trilogy too.

Seriously, why was Katie Holmes recast in 'Batman: The Dark Knight'?

There were tons of rumors as to why Katie's replacement with Maggie Gyllenhaal for the role of Rachel Dawes happened in the first place. Some speculated that it was all part of some weird, Scientology conspiracy (she was with Tom Cruise at the time), others thought that Nolan had wanted to switch up the casting because Holmes "didn't have the acting chops" to go toe-to-toe with some of the other high-profile talent in the production.

The Dark Knight is not only the most-beloved entry into cinematic history when it comes to the Caped Crusader, but it could very well be one of the most important films ever made.

It didn't just redefine the superhero genre by providing thought-provoking narratives and excellent performances from a list of top talent, but it implemented new technology for a feature film. For the first time ever, 70mm HD film IMAX cameras were used to shoot a Hollywood movie.

The cameras were noisy, and loud. In fact, they were so loud there were reports of their droning noise pissing off Christian Bale, Michael Caine, and Heath Ledger on numerous occasions. The film's final script was ultimately a blend of two different treatments: one that featured the Joker as the movie's primary villain and another with Two-Face. Both screenplays were meshed together to provide an ideological narrative about identity, intent, perception, faith, corruption, and heroism.

While many superhero flicks are CGI boom fests that don't particularly age well and can come off as quite soulless, there's something to be said about Nolan's dedication to building an actual world and using real-life surroundings and practical effects in his films. While it's undoubtedly harder to pull off for the Batman universe, it seems almost necessary. 

What's truly interesting about The Dark Knight is that, even though it's a superhero movie, it ultimately feels painfully human at points.

Everyone’s got a ten year anniversary take on THE DARK KNIGHT, so here’s mine: Katie Holmes > Maggie Gyllenhaal — Bitter Script Reader (@BittrScrptReadr) July 17, 2018

So what caused Katie Holmes to "miss out" on cinematic history?

There really isn't a big, controversial reason for her departure from the series. There weren't any reports of enmity between her and other cast members on set, or with production, or with director Christopher Nolan, either. Holmes states that while she had a great time on the first film, she had wanted to pursue other career opportunities at that point.

She said, "[I] really enjoyed working on the first one [and it was] a decision that I made at that time and it was right for me at that moment."

Nolan even provided a classy response when addressing the replacement. Obviously, a director wouldn't be thrilled that one of his main actors, especially one who portrays a character as important as Rachel in the narrative, dropped out, but the Tenet creator said, "these things happen, and I was very, very fortunate that Maggie [Gyllenhaal] was able to take it over."

Nobody truly gives a fuck about the romance between Bruce Wayne and Katie Holmes/Maggie Gyllenhaal. https://t.co/AZpUTrae2O — Richard (@RichardOcelot) July 23, 2020

Katie went on to say that she thought Maggie did "a wonderful job" and added, "But I really hope that I get to work with Chris someday." She hasn't appeared in any of his productions since.

Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated spy flick, Tenet , which stars John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, has suffered a series of theatrical pushbacks in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a budget of $200-225 million, the film was one of Warner Bros. most highly anticipated, A-ticket properties. And while it seems like theaters will still be closed over most of the country, the studio will be looking to VOD for profits.

There could be life for films when it comes to pay-for-streaming: VOD sales for Trolls: World Tour outdid the first movie's box-office success.

my biggest enemy? probably Katie Holmes. if she didn’t get greedy we never would have had to see Maggie Gyllenhaal’s milk toast rendition of Rachel. — bri@n (@_CYBERBRIAN) August 20, 2020

Still, watching a Nolan flick on the big screen is somewhat of an experience, to say the least, and even though Costco's got some great sales on flat screens, there's something to be said about heading to the cinema to see the man's work play out. Will you be catching Tenet at home? Or are you gonna head to one of these seven states to watch the flick? I'll go to Arizona, I don't care.

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Movie Reviews

Tv/streaming, collections, great movies, chaz's journal, contributors.

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Matt Reeves ’ “The Batman” isn’t a superhero movie. Not really. All the trappings are there: the Batmobile, the rugged suit, the gadgets courtesy of trusty butler Alfred. And of course, at the center, is the Caped Crusader himself: brooding, tormented, seeking his own brand of nighttime justice in a Gotham City that’s spiraling into squalor and decay.

But in Reeves’ confident hands, everything is breathtakingly alive and new. As director and co-writer, he’s taken what might seem like a familiar tale and made it epic, even operatic. His “ Batman ” is more akin to a gritty, ‘70s crime drama than a soaring and transporting blockbuster. With its kinetic, unpredictable action, it calls to mind films like “ The Warriors ” as well as one of the greatest of them all in the genre, “ The French Connection .” And with a series of high-profile murders driving the plot, it sometimes feels as if the Zodiac killer is terrorizing the citizens of Gotham.

And yet, despite these touchstones, this is unmistakably a Matt Reeves film. He accomplishes here what he did with his gripping entries in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise: created an electrifying, entertaining spectacle, but one that’s grounded in real, emotional stakes. This is a Batman movie that’s aware of its own place within pop culture, but not in winking, meta fashion; rather, it acknowledges the comic book character’s lore, only to examine it and reinvent it in a way that’s both substantial and daring. The script from Reeves and Peter Craig forces this hero to question his history as well as confront his purpose, and in doing so, creates an opening for us as viewers to challenge the narratives we cling to in our own lives.

And with Robert Pattinson taking over the role of Bruce Wayne, we have an actor who’s not just prepared but hungry to explore this figure’s weird, dark instincts. This is not the dashing heir to a fortune prowling about, kicking ass in a cool costume. This is Travis Bickle in the Batsuit, detached and disillusioned. He’s two years into his tenure as Batman, tracking criminals from on high in Wayne Tower—an inspired switch from the usual sprawl of Wayne Manor, suggesting an even greater isolation from society. “They think I’m hiding in the shadows,” he intones in an opening voiceover. “But I am the shadows.” In the harsh light of day, Pattinson gives us hungover indie rock star vibes. But at night, you can see the rush he gets from swooping in and executing his version of vengeance, even beneath the tactical gear and eye black.

As he’s shown in pretty much every role he's taken since “Twilight” made him a global superstar in 2008, working with singular auteurs from David Cronenberg to Claire Denis to the Safdie brothers, Pattinson is at his best when he’s playing characters who make you uncomfortable. Even more than Christian Bale in the role, Pattinson is so skilled at making his beautiful, angular features seem unsettling. So when he first spies on the impossibly sexy Zoe Kravitz as Selina Kyle, slinking into her leather motorcycle gear and shimmying down the fire escape in her own pursuit of nocturnal justice, there’s an unmistakable flicker of a charge in his eyes: Ooh. She’s a freak like me.

Pattinson and Kravitz have insane chemistry with each other. She is his match, physically and emotionally, every step of the way. This is no flirty, purring Catwoman: She’s a fighter and a survivor with a loyal heart and a strong sense of what’s right. Following her lead role in Steven Soderbergh ’s high-tech thriller “Kimi,” Kravitz continues to reveal a fierce charisma and quiet strength.

She’s part of a murderer’s row of supporting performers, all of whom get meaty roles to play. Jeffrey Wright is the rare voice of idealism and decency as the eventual Commissioner Gordon. John Turturro is low-key chilling as crime boss Carmine Falcone. Andy Serkis —Caesar in Reeves’ “Apes” movies—brings a paternal wisdom and warmth as Alfred. Colin Farrell is completely unrecognizable as the sleazy, villainous Oswald Cobblepot, better known as The Penguin. And Paul Dano is flat-out terrifying as The Riddler, whose own drive for vengeance provides the story’s spine. He goes to extremes here in a way that’s reminiscent of his startling work in “ There Will Be Blood .” His derangement is so intense, you may find yourself unexpectedly laughing just to break the tension he creates. But there’s nothing amusing about his portrayal; Dano makes you feel as if you’re watching a man who’s truly, deeply disturbed.

This is not to say that “The Batman” is a downer; far from it. Despite the overlong running time of nearly three hours, this is a film that’s consistently viscerally gripping. The coolest Batmobile yet—a muscular vehicle that’s straight out of “ Mad Max: Fury Road ”—figures prominently in one of the movie’s most heart-pounding sequences. It’s an elaborate car chase and chain-reaction crash ending with an upside-down shot of fiery fury that literally had me applauding during my screening. During a fight at a thumping night club, punctuated by pulsating red lights, you can feel every punch and kick. (That’s one of the more compelling elements of seeing this superhero in his early days: He isn’t invincible.) And a shootout in a pitch-black hallway, illuminated only by the blasts of shotgun fire, is both harrowing and dazzling. Greatly magnifying the power of scenes like these is the score from veteran composer Michael Giacchino . Best known for his Pixar movie music, he does something totally different with “The Batman”: percussive and horn-heavy, it is massive and demanding, and you will feel it deep in your core.

Working with artists and craftspeople operating at the top of their game, Reeves has made a movie that manages to be ethereal yet weighty at the same time, substantial yet impressionistic. Cinematographer Greig Fraser pulls off the same sort of stunning magic trick he did with his Oscar-nominated work in Denis Villeneuve ’s “Dune”: Through pouring rain and neon lights, there’s both a gauziness and a heft to his imagery. His use of shadow and silhouette is masterful, and does so much to convey a sense of foreboding and tension. I could write an entire, separate essay on the film’s many uses of the color red to suggest energy, danger, even hope. And the costume design from the great Jacqueline Durran —with Dave Crossman and Glyn Dillon designing Pattinson’s rough-and-tumble Batsuit—put just the right finishing touch on the film’s cool, edgy vibe.

This is the most beautiful Batman movie you’ve ever seen—even if it’s not really a Batman movie at all.

Christy Lemire

Christy Lemire is a longtime film critic who has written for RogerEbert.com since 2013. Before that, she was the film critic for The Associated Press for nearly 15 years and co-hosted the public television series "Ebert Presents At the Movies" opposite Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, with Roger Ebert serving as managing editor. Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here .

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Film Credits

The Batman (2022)

Rated PG-13 for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material.

176 minutes

Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman

Zoë Kravitz as Selina Kyle

Paul Dano as The Riddler

Jeffrey Wright as Lt. James Gordon

John Turturro as Carmine Falcone

Peter Sarsgaard as District Attorney Gil Colson

Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth

Colin Farrell as Oz / The Penguin

• Matt Reeves

Writer (Batman created by)

• Bill Finger
• Peter Craig

Cinematographer

• Greig Fraser

Costume Designer

• Jacqueline Durran
• William Hoy
• Tyler Nelson
• Michael Giacchino

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Weekly Ketchup

The batman is officially getting a sequel, and more movie news, we get first looks at avatar: the way of water and margot robbie's barbie , justin lin exits fast x , and details on films like mission: impossible 7 and 8 , sony's various spider-verse movies, wicked , and more..

TAGGED AS: Film , films , movie , movies , news

This week’s Ketchup brings you more headlines from the world of film development news, covering such titles unveiled at CinemaCon in Las Vegas as Avatar: The Way of Water , Barbie , The Batman 2 , Mission: Impossible 7 – Dead Reckoning Part 1 , Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse , and Venom 3 .

THE BATMAN SEQUEL OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED AT CINEMACON

(Photo by Jonathan Olley/©Warner Bros.)

We may only be a third of the way into 2022 (and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may change the math), but the current box office champ of the year is The Batman (Certified Fresh at 86%) with $368 million domestically and $759 million worldwide. That being true, one of the biggest announcements out of several from CinemaCon in Las Vegas this week may have also been the least surprising, which is that Warner Bros. has officially started development on a sequel to The Batman . Nothing is known about the premise or the cast just yet, except that Robert Pattinson will return as the title superhero and that it will be directed again by Matt Reeves . We can probably expect that a number of actors and characters from the first film will also return (Andy Serkis and Jeffrey Wright as Alfred and Jim Gordon seem likely), but Pattinson was the only one officially announced at CinemaCon. As for the villain (or villains) to be featured in the sequel, there has been a lot of speculation online in the last two months, including Mister Freeze ( from Reeves himself ), Egghead ( from Nicolas Cage ), Calendar Man and the Court of Owls ( from Robert Pattinson ), Clayface , and many more , including the Mad Hatter, Poison Ivy, Professor Pyg, and that old chestnut, The Joker (cameo played by Barry Keoghan in The Batman ). Another possible addition for the sequel could be Bruce Wayne’s circus acrobat orphan and ward, Robin, whose introduction may have been hinted at by an Alfred line in The Batman . There is currently no release date for The Batman 2 , but it’s unlikely to be before 2024. In the meantime, fans can look forward to two spinoff shows on HBO Max, The Penguin (starring Colin Farrell), and a series about Arkham Asylum .

1. JAMES CAMERON’S AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER ACTUALLY EXISTS

(Photo by ©20th Century Fox)

Director James Cameron has been working on his four sequels to the 2009 hit Avatar (Certified Frest at 82%) that one might be forgiven for wondering if the entire franchise was an elaborate prank. Cameron wasn’t physically in Las Vegas for CinemaCon, but instead presented the first footage of the first sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water (12/16/2022), remotely while still working on the films in New Zealand. CinemaCon attendees were given 3D glasses for the trailer, which ran longer than usual and had almost no dialogue, as they saw “different regions across the dazzling world of Pandora through sweeping visuals of the planet’s crystal blue oceans and lakes.” Disney (which acquired Avatar with other 20th Century Fox properties in 2019) also revealed that Avatar: The Way of Water will begin to tell the story of “the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.” Returning stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, CCH Pounder, and Giovanni Ribisi will be joined by new cast members Jemaine Clement, Cliff Curtis, Vin Diesel, Edie Falco, Kate Winslet, and Michelle Yeoh. As for the rest of us who weren’t at CinemaCon this week, Disney will attach an Avatar: The Way of Water trailer to screenings of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness when that film opens next week. Looking ahead, Avatar: The Way of Water (12/16/2022) will then be followed by three more sequels, released every two years in December, with those dates being 12/20/2024, 12/18/2026, and 12/22/2028. Disney has not announced the titles for the sequels yet, but a list of titles leaked in November ended up being right about Avatar: The Way of Water , so the others you’ll find there might also be accurate.

2. DIRECTOR JUSTIN LIN LEAVES FAST X

(Photo by Giles Keyte/©Universal Pictures)

Just last week, Vin Diesel took to Instagram to reveal that filming of Fast X had begun on April 20th, along with the logo and official title for the tenth and penultimate film in The Fast and the Furious franchise . At the helm of Fast X was director Justin Lin , who has directed more entries in the series than anyone else, at five. Given how connected to the Fast and the Furious “family” Lin has been, it was even more surprising when, after just one week of filming, he released a statement saying that he was exiting Fast X as director , though he remains on the project as producer and co-writer. Directors drop out of projects all the time in Hollywood, but a departure in the middle of actual filming is much less common and, for Universal Pictures, an extremely costly incident , which they are no doubt racing to correct by finding a replacement as quickly as possible. The plan all along was for the final two movies (10 and 11) to be filmed back-to-back, so Universal is most likely hoping to find a director who can commit to both films. The studio may need to bring in a director that has never worked on a Fast and the Furious film before, as three of the four directors with previous experience are busy with other projects (James Wan on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom , F. Gary Gray on Netflix’s Lyft , and David Leitch on Ryan Gosling’s post- Barbie project Fall Guy ), while the fourth is embroiled in controversy . In related news, another long-in-development racing project, the movie adaptation of the popular Mattel toy line Hot Wheels , may have inched closer to the starting line with the news that J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot production company is now working with Mattel and Warner Bros. to get it made.

3. MARGOT ROBBIE’S BARBIE TO FACE OFF AGAINST CHRISTOPHER NOLAN’S OPPENHEIMER

(Photo by ©Warner Bros. Pictures)

In our modern era of blockbuster summer weekends, the studio strategy of choosing the perfect release date is like a game of chess, including the occasional strategic move, feint, or bluff. Although filming of their long-in-development live action Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig ( Lady Bird , Little Women ), and starring Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, and many more started last month, Warner Bros. didn’t announce a release date until this week, when it was revealed it was scheduled for release on July 21, 2023, up against Christopher Nolan’s ambitious atomic bomb biopic Oppnenheimer , starring Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, and also, many, many more . The decision by Warner Bros. to plant their girl-friendly kids movie squarely against Oppenheimer has many levels of complexity, but the most obvious is that it’s a reaction to Nolan’s well-publicized feud with Warner Bros. over their handling of Nolan’s Tenet (Fresh at 69%) in 2020. Warner Bros. also used their big presentation at CinemaCon as an opportunity to reveal the first image of Margot Robbie in character as Barbie behind the wheel of her pink convertible, confirming that classic Barbie accessory’s inclusion. What will not be in the Barbie movie is the hit 1990s pop song “Barbie Girl” by Aqua , with a representative of the group saying directly, “The song will not be used in the movie.” The reason may relate to a lawsuit filed by Mattel against MCA Records, which reportedly ended with a U.S. Court of Appeals judge ruling, “The parties are advised to chill” (that is a real actual quote). Going back to Oppenheimer , the ever expanding cast added another name this week in Casey Affleck, who became (and this is also real) the 30th confirmed member of the all-star Oppenheimer cast.

4. SPIDER-MAN: BEYOND THE SPIDER-VERSE TO SWING INTO 2024

(Photo by Marvel Entertainment)

Fans of the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Certified Fresh at 97%) were no doubt disappointed to hear last week that the sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has been pushed back several months by Sony from October 7, 2022 to its new release date of June 2, 2023. That move also pushed back the third film, which is now titled Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse (formerly Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Part 2 ), to a new release date on March 29, 2024. Producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller showed off the first 15 minutes of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and revealed that the two sequels will have substantially larger ensemble casts , going from 40 characters in Into the Spider-Verse to 240 in Across the Spider-Verse , which will be set in at (at least) six different alternate realities. Within the 15 minutes shown at CinemaCon, audiences got to see Earth-65, the home of Hailee Steinfeld’s Gwen Stacy, as well as more of Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) and another Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew, voiced by Issa Rae. In related news, Kevin Feige also mentioned at CinemaCon that he will soon be staging a Marvel Studios retreat at which Feige’s team will plan out the next ten years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . To put that in perspective, that’s like Marvel planning Thor: Love and Thunder (7/8/2022) a few months before Marvel’s The Avengers (Certifed Fresh at 91%) came out.

5. VENOM 3 AND NEW GHOSTBUSTERS MOVIE ANNOUNCED AT CINEMACON

(Photo by Sony Pictures)

The CinemaCon in Las Vegas is an opportunity by every major studio to have their own marquee presentation to show off their upcoming films, both imminent and a few years away. In addition to the animated sequels Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse , Sony also promised in their presentation that they are actively developing the sequels Venom 3 and Ghostbusters 4 (which will technically be the fifth film, counting 2016’s Ghostbusters , which exists in its own continuity). The exact premises of these sequels aren’t known yet, except that Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Rotten at 59%) suggested the introduction of the symbiote Toxin, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Fresh at 63%) teased the return of Ernie Hudson’s Winston. Other films in Sony’s presentations included the Whitney Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody (12/21/2022) and the untitled George Foreman boxing movie (4/7/2023). In related news (not announced at CinemaCon), Sony also hired Hawkeye director Rhys Thomas to work on their long-in-development live-action adaptation of the popular anime series Robotech about giant mech robots fighting off an alien force.

6. ARIANA GRANDE’S WICKED TO BE SPLIT IN TWO FOR 2024 AND 2025

(Photo by Kristin Callahan/Everett Collection)

A seemingly recurring theme as Hollywood studios make their plans for a post-pandemic future is that many of their longest-in-development and often struggling projects are finally getting produced. At Universal Pictures, that bucket list has included a live-action adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked , which has been talked about for most of the 19 years since the Wizard of Oz -inspired musical debuted on Broadway in 2003. The past decade has seen a steady trickle of positive moves for a Wicked movie, including the casting in November of Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo as the two lead characters Glinda the Good Witch (Grande) and Elphaba (Erivo), the eventual Wicked Witch of the West. Director Jon M. Chu ( In the Heights , Crazy Rich Asians ) took to social media this week to reveal that Universal Pictures has decided to expand the story into two separate feature films to be released on two consecutive Christmas Days in 2024 and 2025. Clarifying the reason for the split, Chu tweeted , “As we tried to cut songs or trim characters, those decisions began to feel like fatal compromises to the source material that has entertained us all for so many years.”

7. UPCOMING MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 GETS A RATHER AWKWARD TITLE

(Photo by David James/Paramount Pictures)

Most of the studio presentations at CinemaCon in Las Vegas feature big movie stars, and Paramount Pictures was no exception, as Tom Cruise helped excite the audience of industry professionals about his next (and possibly final) two Mission: Impossible films. Filmed in 2020 and 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic for a budget of reportedly well over $200 million, Mission: Impossible 7 will finally reach theaters next summer (7/14/2023) under the title Mission: Impossible 7 – Dead Reckoning Part 1 , which will presumably then be followed by Mission: Impossible 8 – Dead Reckoning Part 2 when that film is released on June 28, 2024. Tom Cruise was not, however, actually in Las Vegas, as he appeared on screen in an antique airplane over a canyon in South Africa, where he and director Christopher McQuarrie are currently filming Mission: Impossible 8 . Tom Cruise’s co-stars in the next two films will include Hayley Atwell, Angela Bassett, Cary Elwes, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Simon Pegg, and Ving Rhames. Another title that Paramount announced at CinemaCon was the A Quiet Place spinoff, which is now called A Quiet Place: Day One (9/22/2023), clarifying that the spinoff is also a prequel, presumably focusing on characters other than those played by Emily Blunt and her co-stars, who will instead return for A Quiet Place Part III sometime in 2025. Paramount has not yet announced the cast of A Quiet Place: Day One , but it will be directed by Michael Sarnoski ( Pig ).

8. HUNGER GAMES PREQUEL THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES AIMING FOR 2023

(Photo by Murray Close/Lionsgate)

The seemingly dominant genre in movies nowadays, at least in terms of box office results, appears to be the superhero movie, but it wasn’t that long ago when all of the pop culture relevance seemed to be strongly in the hands of YA (Young Adult) novels. We’re talking about the time just as the Harry Potter movies were winding down, and movies like Twilight , Divergent , and The Hunger Games spawned their own multi-film franchises. We have known for a while that Lionsgate has the rights to author Suzanne Colliins’ prequel to The Hunger Games , called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes , which the studio acquired even before that book was first published in May of 2020. Set many years before The Hunger Games , this prequel will focus on the young Coriolanus Snow (originally played by Donald Sutherland) as he mentors the District 12 tribute at the 10th Hunger Games. Director Francis Lawrence (who directed all of the Hunger Games movies except the first one) was in Las Vegas for CinemaCon to represent Lionsgate this week and to discuss his plans to start directing The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes later this year for the film’s release next year on November 17, 2023. Although he was able to talk about the film, what he didn’t reveal was any of the cast, which remains a mystery for now. In related news, Lionsgate’s presentation also included Keanu Reeves talking up John Wick 4 , the confirmation that Ana de Armas will soon start filming the John Wick spinoff Ballerina , and hype for Expendables 4 , the classic teen novel adaptation Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret , the video game adaptation Borderlands , and the Dirty Dancing sequel starring Jennifer Grey.

9. RAPPER BAD BUNNY TO WRESTLE AS MARVEL LUCHADOR EL MUERTO

(Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

There are a lot of similarities between comic book superheroes and professional wrestlers, as they’re both frequently stacked with muscles and have flamboyant aliases (Dwayne Johnson was “The Rock,” Terry Bollea was “Hulk Hogan,” etc). In Marvel Comics, there have even been storylines where superheroes (and supervillains) took to the wrestling ring, such as in the 1980s when characters like The Thing and Ms. Marvel were members of the Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation (UCWF). The Marvel Comics wrestler that will be getting his own movie was actually not a member of the UCWF, but will instead be the Mexican luchador El Muerto , a relatively obscure Spider-Man villain first introduced in 2006. The El Muerto movie is being developed by Sony Pictures as one of their roster of films about characters that were first introduced as Spider-Man villains or supporting characters, like Venom (Rotten at 30%), Morbius (Rotten at 17%), and the upcoming films Kraven the Hunter (1/13/2023) and Madame Web (7/7/2023). El Muerto will have the distinction of being the first Marvel Comics movie to have a Latino lead, as the luchador El Muerto will be portrayed by Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio aka the Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny . Although El Muerto is a relatively obscure Marvel Comics character, he is reportedly getting his own movie because Bad Bunny suggested the character to Sony Pictures following his work for the studio on this summer’s Bullet Train (7/29/2022). Although El Muerto does not yet have a screenwriter or director, Sony Pictures has already scheduled the film for release on January 12, 2024.

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Katie Holmes

Actor Katie Holmes is best known for her roles in the hit TV show Dawson’s Creek and movies like Batman Begins , as well as her five-year marriage to actor Tom Cruise.

1978-present

Quick Facts

Dawson’s creek and other tv roles, movies: batman begins and more, theater performances, relationships: tom cruise and jamie foxx, who is katie holmes.

Actor Katie Holmes is best known for her roles in the hit TV show Dawson’s Creek and Batman Begins . On Dawson’s Creek , which ran from 1998 to 2003, Holmes starred as fan favorite girl-next-door Joey Potter. Next, the Ohio native turned to movies, appearing in Batman Begins —the first of Christopher Nolan ’s The Dark Knight trilogy—among others. Off-screen, Holmes made headlines for her marriage and subsequent divorce from fellow actor Tom Cruise . Most recently, she has added executive producer and director to her resume with projects like her 2022 movie, Alone Together .

FULL NAME: Kate Noelle Holmes BORN: December 18, 1978 BIRTHPLACE: Toledo, Ohio SPOUSE: Tom Cruise (2006-2012) CHILD: Suri ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Sagittarius

Kate Noelle Holmes was born December 18, 1978, in Toledo, Ohio. She is the youngest of five siblings born to Kathleen Stothers-Holmes, a homemaker and philanthropist, and Martin Joseph Holmes Sr., an attorney. Katie has three sisters and a brother.

Holmes attended Toledo’s Notre Dame Academy, a private, all-girls Catholic school, where she was a straight-A student. She was accepted at Columbia University in New York but opted to kick-start her acting career, instead. She began acting in 1997, when she was 19, and has since appeared in several movies, TV shows, and plays.

Although Holmes had earlier film roles, her breakout role was as Joey Potter on Dawson’s Creek . Across six seasons, the teenager grows up in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts, and dates different love interests. Fans were ultimately torn between which one Joey should have ended up with: Dawson, played by James Van Der Beek, or Pacey, played by Joshua Jackson. Holmes’ performance as Joey earned her several Teen Choice Award nominations across the span of the show, which ran from 1998 to 2003.

Dawson’s Creek was mostly filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Holmes previously noted that she found it difficult to leave the town and her role once the show wrapped saying , “so much of me is in Joey, and it really felt like I grew up on television.” Holmes has also credited her age at the time of filming Dawson’s Creek for helping her easily connect with her on-screen persona. “I was still a teenager, and it was nice to read a script that felt like it expressed things that I was still trying to understand for myself,” Holmes later shared with Entertainment Weekly .

But Holmes’ breakout role almost didn’t happen. Originally, showrunner Kevin Williamson wanted Selma Blair to play Joey Potter. Luckily for Holmes, her audition tape performance was so good that it convinced Williamson she was the perfect fit for the lead role. Dawson’s Creek was one of The WB’s most popular shows, premiering to 6.8 million viewers, which Vox reports was the highest rating for the network. In fact, the show was so popular that Holmes even had a cameo in the 1999 comedy Muppets From Space as her Dawson’s Creek character.

More recently, Holmes had brief appearances on several shows including Eli Stone , How I Met Your Mother, Robot Chicken , and Ray Donovan , on which she played sports agent Paige Finney. In 2011, Holmes landed another lead role in the History miniseries The Kennedys , portraying Jacqueline Kennedy across all eight episodes. She returned as the former first lady in The Kennedys After Camelot in 2017, alongside Matthew Perry ’s Ted Kennedy . Holmes served as an executive producer on the miniseries and also directed an episode.

Not one to be pigeon-holed into any specific role, Holmes’ movie credits includes dramas, comedies, thrillers, and horror movies. And although Holmes loves acting and has been working at it for most of her life, she still finds new projects “terrifying.” Holmes told Variety this is due to embarking on “a whole new beginning of the creative process.”

Some of her most well known roles are in the movies Batman Begins (2005), Jack and Jill (2011), and The Giver (2014). Her most recent roles include starring in movies she has also directed. When it comes to directing, Holmes doesn’t have any regrets about not starting earlier in her career. “I feel like I came to it when it was right for me, and I’m excited to continue on the path,” she told IndieWire in April 2023.

Holmes’ movies include:

.css-zjsofe{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;background-color:#ffffff;border:0;border-bottom:none;border-top:thin solid #CDCDCD;color:#000;cursor:pointer;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;padding-bottom:0.3125rem;padding-top:0.3125rem;scroll-margin-top:0rem;text-align:left;width:100%;}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-zjsofe{scroll-margin-top:3.375rem;}} .css-jtmji2{border-radius:50%;width:1.875rem;border:thin solid #6F6F6F;height:1.875rem;padding:0.4rem;margin-right:0.625rem;} .css-jlx6sx{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;width:0.9375rem;height:0.9375rem;margin-right:0.625rem;-webkit-transform:rotate(90deg);-moz-transform:rotate(90deg);-ms-transform:rotate(90deg);transform:rotate(90deg);-webkit-transition:-webkit-transform 250ms ease-in-out;transition:transform 250ms ease-in-out;} The Ice Storm  and Other Early Films

Holmes made her movie debut in The Ice Storm (1997), a drama about two wealthy families bored with their lives who seek an escape from their ennui in the form of substance abuse and secret affairs. Holmes played Libbets Casey, a boarding school student, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Christina Ricci, Tobey Maguire , and Sigourney Weaver .

From 1998 to 2000, Holmes appeared in Disturbing Behavior , Go , Teaching Mrs. Tingle , Wonder Boys , and The Gift.

First Daughter

In 2004, Holmes starred in First Daughter as Samantha Mackenzie. The romcom featured Holmes as a college freshman who wants nothing more than to blend in with her fellow students, a task made difficult by the swarm of Secret Service agents guarding her every move.

Batman Begins and  Mad Money

One of Holmes’ most famous movies is 2005’s Batman Begins , in which she played Rachel Dawes, the childhood sweetheart of Bruce Wayne ( Christian Bale ). Holmes also has some voice acting under her belt as she lent her voice to Rachel’s character in the Batman Begins video game that came out the same year as the film.

In the 2008 sequel The Dark Knight , Holmes was set to reprise her role as Rachel but opted out in order to work on crime comedy Mad Money , which was also released that year. Instead, Maggie Gyllenhaal took over as Rachel alongside a star-studded cast that saw Christian Bale  return as Batman and that also included the late Heath Ledger (in one of his final roles), Gary Oldman , Morgan Freeman , and Michael Caine .

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

Holmes starred in the 2010 remake of the horror-fantasy flick  Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark  as Kim Raphael, who is restoring an old estate with her boyfriend and his daughter. Unbeknownst to Kim and company, the property is haunted by malevolent creatures who are out for blood—and teeth.

Jack and Jill

Next, Holmes appeared in Adam Sandler ’s 2011 movie Jack and Jill as Erin, Jack’s wife. The film was panned by critics and reviewers alike, though globally it grossed nearly $150 million against its $79 million budget.

In 2014, Holmes starred in The Giver , a dystopian movie based on Lois Lowry ’s 1993 novel of the same name. In the movie, Holmes plays a judge and the mother of main character, Jonas. Where Jonas seeks to bring change to the staunch society he has grown up in, Holmes’ character is the opposite, favoring suppressive law and order. The movie also features Hollywood heavyweights Meryl Streep , Jeff Bridges , and Alexander Skarsgård .

Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, All We Had (2016) marked Holmes’ directorial debut. The movie, which also stars Holmes as protagonist Rita Carmichael, depicts the struggles Rita and her teenage daughter face as they try maneuvering their way out of poverty, homelessness, and Rita’s alcoholism. The film is based off of a 2014 novel of the same name by Annie Weatherwax. Holmes dedicated the film to her daughter, Suri.

Alone Together

Written, directed by, and starring Holmes, Alone Together is a pandemic-era romantic drama. The 2022 movie features Holmes as June, one of two people who get double-booked in an Airbnb at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hijinks ensue and soon, June and Charlie, played by Jim Sturgess, develop feelings for each other. Complicating their budding relationship is the fact that June is already in a relationship with someone else.

In addition to her TV and movie roles, Holmes has also shown off her acting chops on and off Broadway. In 2008, she appeared in the stage adaptation of Arthur Miller ’s All My Sons , followed by another Broadway play called Dead Accounts in 2012. From January through April 2023, Holmes appeared in an off-Broadway play called The Wanderers .

On November 18, 2006, Holmes married actor Tom Cruise in a Scientologist ceremony in Bracciano, Italy. According to The Hollywood Reporter , the whirlwind romance between the two actors began shortly after Holmes met Cruise in April 2005 under the guise of discussing a role in Mission: Impossible 3 . By the end of the month, the two had made their public debut as a couple, and in mid-May 2005, Cruise unforgettably jumped up and down on a couch during an interview with Oprah as he discussed his relationship with Holmes. The next month, Holmes and Cruise were engaged.

After nearly six years of marriage, Holmes filed for divorce in June 2012. The highly publicized split made national headlines, with some outlets reporting that Holmes had blindsided Cruise. There was also a lot of speculation surrounding the reason for the divorce, with many believing that Cruise’s extreme devotion to Scientology —and his desire for their daughter to grow up in the Scientology church—drove a wedge between the couple. Still, both parties have remained tight-lipped about the reason for their separation.

For several years after her divorce, Holmes dated actor Jamie Foxx . Speculation about their romantic involvement arose in August 2013 when the two were spotted dancing at a party in the Hamptons. They ended their very private relationship in May 2019.

In April 2006, Holmes gave birth to her and Cruise’s first and only child, a daughter named Suri . While together, the couple was notoriously private about her. When the couple separated in 2012, Holmes was granted sole custody of Suri with Cruise being allowed visitation rights. As of a July 2023 report, Cruise remains estranged from 17-year-old Suri, who continues to live with Holmes full-time.

Suri has also dabbled in the film industry, specifically in her mom’s movies, as a singer. She sang a cover of “Blue Moon” during the intro credits of Holmes’ film, Alone Together .

Holmes’ acting, writing, and producing roles have earned her an estimated $25 million . Holmes reportedly earned $1 million for her 2005 role in Batman Begins and previously earned more than $13 million for her starring role in Dawson’s Creek for the duration of the show.

• I was happy to become a mom in my 20s. It’s been nice that our ages fit. How do I put this? Every age that my child has been and my age at that time has been a good match. We kind of grew up together.
• I was just 18 when we started [Dawson’s Creek] , and I really appreciated the writing because I felt like, as a teenager, I had so many different feelings, trying to go from being a girl to a woman.

Famous Actors

Ryan Reynolds

Kirsten Dunst

Michael Douglas

Lily Gladstone

Riley Keough

Maya Rudolph

Anthony Hopkins

Jamie Lee Curtis

Timothée Chalamet

The Flash filmmakers talk Michael Keaton, Batman rumors – and confirm that wild Tom Cruise story

EXCLUSIVE: Andy and Barbara Muschietti dive deep on their DC epic

When GamesRadar+ sits down with The Flash director Andy Muschietti and producer Barbara Muschietti, the DC blockbuster has already been screened countless times for fans and critics alike. Hype is at a critical level, with Stephen King's praise and Tom Cruise's enthusiastic cold-call especially making waves. With so much buzz building around the film, then, are the Muschietti siblings feeling the pressure?

"No," Andy says. "If anything, [we got] more confidence in the thing that we did, because the movie was finished by the time that [Cruise and King] saw it, so it was a confidence boost if anything."

Barbara feels much the same way. "It's a very cynical industry, and to hear people that really have no skin in the game, because they have nothing to gain, just say something that lovely –  in the case of Tom Cruise, he called us, talked for 15 minutes, praising Andy, praising the film, and it just feels very good because we really work very hard to make these movies."

The Flash is a high-octane multiversal adventure focused on Ezra Miller's Barry Allen, the titular Scarlet Speedster. Barry discovers he can use his super speed to travel back in time and prevent his mother's murder, though, as Ben Affleck's Batman warns him, that could well destroy everything. Barry fails to heed this warning – and the next thing he knows, he's teaming up with a younger (and far more annoying) version of himself, Michael Keaton's legendary (but retired) Batman, and a brand new Kryptonian in the form of Sasha Calle's Supergirl. The Justice League is nowhere to be found, which means it's up to this motley crew to save the day. 

"Ezra got very stimulated by the idea of creating an unlikely team of heroes," explains Andy. "Unlikely in the term that they're not the Justice League, they're a strange version of that. Initially, they seem like underdogs. Because, as you see in the movie, Barry is struggling with their superpowers and with young Barry. We have a Batman that is retired, so initially, he doesn't seem to be in a good place, he's a reluctant character. 

"Supergirl is a wildcard in this movie, they find her by mistake, and we don't know where her loyalty sits," he continues. "It's stimulating, especially because of that vulnerability that the group has – not each of the characters solo, but as a group, they're a very vulnerable group. That stimulated everyone, because there's an arc there, and there's transformation, and they find strength in togetherness."

Batman returns

One of the most exciting aspects of The Flash's team of misfits is the return of Michael Keaton's Batman, last seen on screen in Tim Burton's duo of Bat-movies. He's not quite how you remember him, though, having hung up the cape and cowl – and grown an impressive head of hair. 

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There are some interesting sartorial choices, too. "Andy fixated on: 'I'm going to put Batman in flip-flops,'" laughs Barbara. 

Naturally, the flip-flops aren't the only thing that has changed in the years since Batman Returns. "It's always a thrill to speculate or imagine that that Batman will come back, but also the thing that was very exciting to me was basically filling the space of those 30 years where we haven't seen what Bruce is up to," says Andy. "And that was part of my conversations with Michael Keaton, and it was great because we had a lot of fun creating that timeline where we don't know what he did."

We're not left totally in the dark about how Bruce has been keeping busy, though. "There's things that imply what he was up to," Andy says. "You see the technology that he created. The idea is that, after Batman Returns, he went on for 10 years being Batman and he did some alterations and improvements to his gear. We see a new Batwing, we see a new suit. Some of the sketches seem new, the Batcave is a little bit refurbished. The Batmobile is the only thing that didn't change. I wanted to keep that the same."

Multiverses collide

If you're wondering why we're dealing with two Batmen, a Supergirl rather than a Superman, and a double dose of Barry Allen, the answer is simple: in the multiverse, anything is possible. 

"That was total freedom," says Andy, when GR+ asks if there were any rules about playing in the multiversal sandbox. 

"We brought [cameo redacted] in, there really were no rules," chimes in Barbara, name-checking one of the film's most jaw-dropping appearances. 

"As long as they were DC characters, everything was allowed," adds Andy. "And I made a list of superheroes that I love, that I would love to see, and it was a long list. And then, for time matters, for pacing, we had to shortlist that a little bit. The movie is the result of that shortlist, but I'm pretty thrilled by the superheroes that we gather."

The multiversal shenanigans mean Michael Shannon's formidable General Zod is back, once again aiming to terraform Earth into a new Krypton. The battle between Zod and Superman played out in Zack Snyder 's Man of Steel , which has been remixed and incorporated into The Flash. 

"I talked to Zack," Andy confirms . "But it wasn't technical or narrative or anything. I just wanted to reach out and say, 'Hey.' Because we haven't met before, and I just wanted to tell him that we would be respectful to the stuff that he did before." Barbara adds: "And to the cast he put together."

"Man of Steel obviously is foundational to this movie because the big threat of Zod coming to Earth is a big twist in this story, and it's something that most DC fans know very well," Andy explains. "And that's one of the great things that can form the narrative of this movie."

Zod isn't the only familiar face from the SnyderVerse to make an appearance, either; Affleck's Batman also features in what's thought to be a send-off to the character ( pending a potential Aquaman 2 cameo ). 

When GR+ puts this to the Muschiettis, though, they aren't so sure. "How do you know it's his last time?" Barbara asks. 

"The truth is that the multiverse allows everything to happen," says Andy. "As Bruce Wayne says [in The Flash], there are infinite timelines and inevitable intersections, and that's one of the things that excited me about portraying the multiverse in this movie, is that it opens up the possibility to bring people back the moment you'd least expect. So I would like to think that it's not a send-off – we'll see."

Racing ahead

The future, then, is unknown for now. It's a time of flux for the DC universe, with James Gunn and Peter Safran taking the reins to usher in Chapter One: Gods and Monsters , a brand new slate of films and TV shows. One of these projects is a Batman movie, titled The Brave and the Bold. Andy Muschietti has been tipped to be the frontrunner to direct that film, though he's reluctant to share anything at this stage. 

"Unfortunately, I can't [speak about it]," Andy says. "I'd love to. But this is still too early to talk about it." 

There are also reports swirling that a sequel script for The Flash is ready to go , but Barbara is similarly hesitant on that subject. "That I think was a bit premature," she says. "We're not really familiar with that draft. I think that draft has been around for a while." 

Instead, Barbara is focusing on the here and now – a sentiment that seems very fitting for the time-travelling extravaganza that is The Flash. "We love our movie," she says. "And we hope people love it just as much."

The Flash is in UK cinemas this June 14 and US theaters this June 16. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming DC movies and TV shows for everything else the studio has in store. 

I'm an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English. 

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After ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ Val Kilmer sets his sights on another revival: ‘Batman’

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Val Kilmer fans, rejoice: Iceman wants to play Batman — again.

In a recent interview with IGN’s Jim Vejvoda, the actor confirmed that he would definitely reprise his role as the Caped Crusader after returning to the screen as Adm. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 2022 blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.”

Vejvoda used email to communicate with Kilmer, whose voice was significantly weakened by a tracheostomy he underwent after he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. In “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kilmer’s character also has throat cancer and speaks with the help of A.I.

Kilmer starred as Batman opposite Chris O’Donnell‘s Robin in the 1995 film “Batman Forever” — before George Clooney took up the mantle for 1997’s “Batman & Robin” and after Michael Keaton played the Dark Knight in 1989’s “Batman” and 1992’s “Batman Returns.”

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When asked by IGN if he would consider portraying Bruce Wayne once more — given that “we now have multiple universes in comic book movies where actors who’ve played Batman or Spider-Man in the past team up with the current actor playing the role” — Kilmer replied, “Yea please,” according to a Twitter thread posted Tuesday by Vejvoda.

The 62-year-old performer added that he would also be interested in a sequel to the 1995 crime drama “Heat,” because he loves, trusts and gets along “great” with director Michael Mann.

It’s worth noting that Kilmer’s conversation with IGN comes shortly after Warner Bros. Discovery made the controversial decision to shelve “Batgirl,” which would have marked Keaton’s return as Batman alongside Leslie Grace‘s Batgirl. The DC film cost $90 million to make and was set to debut on HBO Max before the studio scrapped the project.

This week, the directors of “Batgirl” lamented their inability to access any of the footage they shot — including “all the scenes” with Keaton’s Batman.

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Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ rival studio, Sony Pictures, successfully pulled off the epic returns of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield‘s Spider-Mans for “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which revitalized the pandemic box office in December.

Keeping that box-office momentum going is “Top Gun: Maverick,” which saw Kilmer’s Iceman reunite with Tom Cruise’s Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell on the big screen 36 years after the original “Top Gun” hit theaters.

“During the first [‘Top Gun’] film we had a blast as young actors!!” Kilmer told IGN via email. “I was blown away by the scale of the sets! I have fond memories of the ‘behind the scenes!’”

“Most of film work is WAITING!!!” he added. “Takes a lot of discipline. On the new one, it was just nice to be with Tom and get the chance to connect again!!”

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ soars to $124 million, Tom Cruise’s biggest box office debut

Paramount’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ starring Tom Cruise, exceeded box office expectations on Memorial Day weekend, unseating Disney’s ‘Doctor Strange.’

May 29, 2022

As for whether he was “happy with Iceman’s story arc” in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Kilmer said, “Well, actors ALWAYS want to do more so there’s that...”

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, “Top Gun: Maverick” opened in theaters over Memorial Day weekend to a whopping $124 million at the North American box office — the biggest domestic opening of Cruise’s entire career. The patriotic action flick, which just came out on digital, has continued to hover near the top of the charts for 13 consecutive weeks and counting. As of Sunday, the nostalgic sequel had grossed $1.4 billion worldwide.

“I don’t know if I’ve wrapped my head around it,” Kosinski said in a recent interview with Variety . “I’m amazed every day that it continues to play.”

The filmmaker also discussed the possibility of a follow-up to “Maverick” starring Cruise — or even an extended “Top Gun” cinematic universe that may or may not involve Cruise at all.

“Boy, I don’t know,” Kosinski said. “I approached [the sequel] as Maverick’s rite of passage being the fundamental core of the film. Who knows how it’ll be interpreted in the future.”

“You have to wait and see if you get the right story,” added Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” “and if Tom wants to play this character again.”

More to Read

‘Top Gun’ actor Barry Tubb sues Paramount over use of his likeness in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’

Feb. 23, 2024

Jonathan Majors dropped from Dennis Rodman movie following conviction

Jan. 12, 2024

Oscar-nominated Tom Wilkinson, known for ‘The Full Monty’ and ‘In the Bedroom,’ dies at 75

Dec. 30, 2023

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Top Gun: Maverick

After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ... Read all After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it. After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.

• Joseph Kosinski
• Jack Epps Jr.
• Peter Craig
• Jennifer Connelly
• Miles Teller
• 4.3K User reviews
• 437 Critic reviews
• 78 Metascore
• 107 wins & 234 nominations total

• Capt. Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell

• Penny Benjamin

• Lt. Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw

• Adm. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky

• CWO4 Bernie 'Hondo' Coleman

• Adm. Beau 'Cyclone' Simpson

• Adm. Solomon 'Warlock' Bates

• Lt. Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace

• Lt. Robert 'Bob' Floyd

• Lt. Reuben 'Payback' Fitch

• Lt. Mickey 'Fanboy' Garcia

• Lt. Jake 'Hangman' Seresin

• Lt. Neil 'Omaha' Vikander

• Lt. Billy 'Fritz' Avalone

• Lt. Callie 'Halo' Bassett

• Lt. Javy 'Coyote' Machado

• Lt. Brigham 'Harvard' Lennox

• Lt. Logan 'Yale' Lee
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• Trivia According to Miles Teller , the cast got to choose their own call signs. He chose "Rooster" because it was in the same family as "Goose."
• Goofs At 1h12'10" Coyote is in G-LOC, releases the stick and his aircraft falls towards the ground. Super-hornet are equipped with auto GCAS (automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System), which would react to the situation and take control to climb and level at a safe altitude with no obstacles.

Rear Admiral : Maverick. Thirty-plus years of service. Combat medals. Citations. Only man to shoot down three enemy planes in the last 40 years.

[Cain looks through pages of Maverick's records]

Rear Admiral : 'Distinguished.' 'Distinguished.' 'Distinguished.' Yet you can't get a promotion, you won't retire, and, despite your best efforts, you refuse to die. You should be at least a two-star admiral by now, if not a senator. Yet here you are: Captain. Why is that?

Maverick : It's one of life's mysteries, sir.

Rear Admiral : This isn't a joke. I asked you a question.

Maverick : I'm where I belong, sir.

Rear Admiral : Well, the navy doesn't see it that way. Not anymore.

Rear Admiral : These planes you've been testing, Captain, one day, sooner or later, they won't need pilots at all. Pilots that need to sleep, eat, take a piss. Pilots that disobey orders. All you did was buy some time for those men out there. The future is coming, and you're not in it.

[Cain faces the officer by the door]

Rear Admiral : Escort this man off the base. Take him to his quarters. Wait with him while he packs his gear. I want him on the road to North Island within the hour.

[surprised look on Maverick's face]

Maverick : North Island, sir?

Rear Admiral : Call came in with impeccable timing, right as I was driving here to ground your ass once and for all. It galls me to say it, but... for reasons known only to the Almighty and your guardian angel, you've been called back to Top Gun.

Maverick : Sir?

Rear Admiral : You are dismissed, Captain.

[Maverick proceeds to leave Cain's office]

Rear Admiral : The end is inevitable, Maverick. Your kind is headed for extinction.

[Maverick turns around]

Maverick : Maybe so, sir. But not today.

• Crazy credits "Top Gun 001: Tom Cruise" is listed among the other pilots who worked on the film.
• Connections Featured in Conan: Tom Cruise (2019)
• Soundtracks Danger Zone From Top Gun (1986) Original Soundtrack Written by Giorgio Moroder & Tom Whitlock Performed by Kenny Loggins Courtesy of Columbia Records By arrangement with Sony Music Entertainment

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• May 29, 2022
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• What is the strange-looking black-colored aircraft Maverick is test-piloting at the start of the film?
• Is there a post-credits scene?
• Is it realistic that Maverick would still be in the Navy on active duty as a captain (O6) 36 years after the events of this first film?
• May 27, 2022 (United States)
• United States
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• Eldorado National Forest, California, USA (Forested mountain aircraft staging area)
• Paramount Pictures
• Skydance Media
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• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $170,000,000 (estimated)
• $718,732,821
• $126,707,459
• $1,495,696,292

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• Runtime 2 hours 10 minutes
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• IMAX 6-Track
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Christian Bale's American Psycho Inspiration Wasn't a Slasher - It Was Tom Cruise

Christian Bale's portrayal of American Psycho's Patrick Bateman wasn't inspired by a serial killer but by a Tom Cruise interview.

• Christian Bale based his portrayal of Patrick Bateman in American Psycho on Tom Cruise's intense friendliness and unnatural behavior in an interview with David Letterman.
• Bale's decision to model Bateman after Cruise added authenticity to his performance, as Bateman's forced happiness and exaggerated movements mirrored Cruise's onscreen and offscreen persona.
• While Nicolas Cage also served as an inspiration for Bateman, elements of Tom Cruise's mannerisms and energy can still be seen throughout the character's personality.

Christian Bale's portrayal of the psychopathic murderer Patrick Bateman has become iconic over the years--and for good reason. In American Psycho , a film based on Bret Easton Ellis's novel of the same name, Bateman's off-putting personality and over-the-top reactions in his head are disturbing and yet somewhat believable. However, as a result of his memorably exaggerated performance, Christian Bale decided to model Bateman after a real person to give him some authenticity. Surprisingly, Bale's portrayal wasn't modeled off of a serial killer, but rather fellow movie star Tom Cruise.

When American Psycho 's Patrick Bateman isn't being serious or villainous, he often wears a big grin and speaks in a forcibly happy manner. It almost feels like he's not human but instead someone observing humans and figuring out how they should behave in situations. Bale clearly put much thought into how he wanted Bateman to behave and drew inspiration from one of the most famous movie stars.

Updated on February 18, 2024 by Jordan Iacobucci: More than twenty years after its release, American Psycho continues to be a culturally significant film. This is due in large part to Christian Bale's chilling portrayal of Patrick Bateman, which has itself become iconic over the years. While many fans of the film may recognize that Bale based part of his character on Tom Cruise, that isn't the entire story. In the years since the film's release, Bale and those close to him have added to the history of how he crafted the character. As it turns out, there were multiple influences outside of Tom Cruise who helped inspire the creation of Patrick Bateman, adding to the mythos surrounding one of the best films from the early 2000s.

Tom Cruise's Interviews Inspired Christian Bale in American Psycho

American psycho's ending, explained: is paul allen really dead.

In an interview with director Mary Harron , the inspiration for Christian Bale's American Psycho inspiration was revealed to be action film superstar Tom Cruise. Harron recalled that, one day, Bale had phoned her with the news that he had found inspiration for American Psycho . Having watched Tom Cruise doing an interview with late-nate commentator David Letterman, Bale saw the exact qualities he wanted to portray in Bateman. Harron described Cruise as having this "very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes" and that Bale was really taken aback by his energy. He thought it would naturally fit into the unnatural business world of American Psycho , which it certainly did.

Tom Cruise is known for being very intense, both onscreen and behind the scenes. Moreover, the actor always comes across as incredibly happy due to his big grin and exaggerated movements. Though Cruise's co-stars typically praise the actor , some viewers have labeled his energy as being forced, like Patrick Bateman's. Even so, others see Cruise's mannerisms as being nothing more than a genuine enthusiasm for the art of cinema. Either way, there is certainly no denying an unnaturalness to the actor's behavior, explaining why Christian Bale thought it would be perfect to adapt for American Psycho .

Christian Bale Used Tom Cruise's Mannerisms for Patrick Bateman

An american psycho theory turns patrick bateman's exercise regimen sinister.

Although Patrick Bateman is obviously a lot more aggressive than Tom Cruise, there are hints of his personality in American Psycho . For example, when Bateman brings a drunk colleague home and is gearing up to murder him, his big grin and wide eyes are eerily reminiscent of Cruise. And, much like in Cruise's Letterman interview, everything Patrick Bateman talks about -- especially music -- is with a deep passion, walking the line between genuine and forceful.

Despite the resemblance, it's safe to assume that Christian Bale's performance in American Psycho wasn't purposefully targeting Tom Cruise by relating him to a serial killer. It would appear that Christian Bale has nothing personal against Cruise, but rather leapt at the chance to craft a believable character. But still, some audiences dislike Cruise due to his involvement in the Scientology movement, whereas many who have worked with him insist he's one of the nicest and most professional people they've ever met. Even so, his connection to the group has generated a different public image for Cruise than that of the 80s and 90s, resulting in various caricatures, including Bale's iconic performance as Patrick Bateman.

Who Else Inspired Patrick Bateman In American Psycho

Sigma or killer the truth behind american psycho's patrick bateman.

Twenty-three years after its initial release, American Psycho is still considered to be a masterpiece of filmmaking and has managed to remain surprisingly culturally relevant, even for a new generation of viewers. With over two decades in hindsight, some of the widely reported stories about Christian Bale's performance in the classic 2000s film can be put in order. Over the years, the stories about Bateman being directly based on Tom Cruise have become very well known, but it isn't quite as simple as some people may have previously thought. While it is true that the actor based parts of the character of Patrick Bateman on Tom Cruise, there was more than one person who inspired the creation of the iconic serial killer.

One of the major inspirations for Patrick Bateman outside of Tom Cruise was none other than Nicolas Cage . According to Christian Bale: The Inside Story of the Darkest Batman by Harrison Cheung, Bale partially based his performance on that of Nicolas Cage in Vampire's Kiss . The film in question sees Cage, known for his overacting and boisterous roles, portray a literary agent who slowly creeps toward madness--not unlike Patrick Bateman in American Psycho . Vampire's Kiss has become a cult classic, with Cage's performance remaining one of the most memorable parts of the film. It would appear that the more unhinged side of Patrick Bateman stems from Cage's performance, though elements of Tom Cruise still remain sprinkled throughout the character's personality.

An actor often draws many inspirations from the real world for each individual character he portrays. Especially in a role as complex and deep as that of Patrick Bateman, it isn't surprising that Christian Bale sought to ground his character in real influences. Likely an amalgamation of many different people, including Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage, Patrick Bateman is a character who speaks to generations because of just how real a character he is.

American Psycho

A wealthy New York City investment banking executive, Patrick Bateman, hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he delves deeper into his violent, hedonistic fantasies.

• Entertainment

11 Christmas Movies You Didn’t Know Were Christmas Movies

F or some, the best part of Christmas season is flipping through channels and stumbling upon a Christmas classic like It’s A Wonderful Life or Home Alone . But maybe Christmas movies aren’t your style. Perhaps your friends made you watch Love Actually one too many times.

That’s okay. We’re here to help. TIME has gathered together a list of movies that take place during the holidays but don’t peddle cheesy Christmas morals. So the next time your family calls you a Scrooge for vetoing the Charlie Brown Christmas Special when you’re home for the holidays, you can suggest one of these films as a compromise. Happy holidays!

Action movie fans will be delighted to learn that Die Hard qualifies as a Christmas movie. Sure, the Christmas joy ends quickly once the terrorists start taking hostages, but is there a better present than John McLean jumping off exploding buildings? Yippee ki-yay!

Eyes Wide Shut

Best remembered for that orgy scene, Stanley Kubrick’s last film isn’t what you would call a family movie. In fact, the sparring between once-married Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman really takes a toll on the holiday spirit. Nevertheless, it is set during Christmas. Yup. It counts.

Batman Returns

Ah, Christmas in Gotham, where ornaments (and sometimes even Christmas trees) are used as weapons in the war against bad guys like the Penguin and Catwoman. With Michael Keaton as a frontrunner in this year’s Oscar race for his performance as a washed-up actor who once played the superhero Birdman, it might be the right time to revisit Keaton’s origins as Batman.

The Thin Man

One of the best murder mystery films ever made, 1934’s The Thin Man takes place over the Christmas season and concludes with private detective Nick Charles solving the crime at a holiday dinner. It may even inspire you to take a shot at your Christmas ornaments with a BB gun.

For those still looking for the perfect Christmas gift for their loved ones, steer clear of fuzzy creatures called Mogwai. (Hint: That’s Cantonese for monsters.) Gremlins delights in skewering the tropes of Christmas time as the Mogwai-turned-Gremlins wreak havoc. One character even tells a story of how her dad got stuck in a chimney and died after dressing up as Santa.

Lethal Weapon

Yep — Lethal Weapon is a Christmas movie. The film begins with “Jingle Bell Rock” and ends with a family united around a Christmas tree. But don’t worry: Danny Glover and Mel Gibson spare the sentimentality when they’re shooting bad guys or griping with one another.

Edward Scissorhands

Though Tim Burton’s movies tend to have a more Halloween-y feel than a Christmas-y one, Edward Scissorhands is a holiday movie at heart. The entire narrative is framed around a grandmother telling her grandchild why it always snows on Christmas.

Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang

It may not look it (thanks to the snow-free L.A. setting), but Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang is a holiday movie. After all, it begins with Robert Downey, Jr.’s character robbing a toy store — in part to score one of the toys on his kid’s Christmas list.

Trading Places

Can a revenge comedy be filled with Christmas cheer? When the men getting punished are two Scrooge-like bigots, then yes it can! This Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd movie also features one of the best Christmas movie images ever: Aykroyd stuffing an entire salmon down the front of his dirty Santa suit.

Though most know Rent as the musical about impoverished young artists struggling to survive in New York’s Alphabet City during the AIDS crisis, many forget that the movie (and play upon which it is based) begins on Christmas Eve and end on Christmas a year later.

The Harry Potter Films

Yes, there’s only about one Christmas scene per Harry Potter movie, but there’s something delightfully charming about watching British children celebrate Christmas in a snow-covered castle. And don’t forget that in the first movie Harry Potter receives the best Christmas present in the history of Christmas presents: the invisibility cloak.

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• The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
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• Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
• Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time

Write to Eliana Dockterman at [email protected]

Screen Rant

American psycho: how tom cruise inspired christian bale's performance.

A Tom Cruise interview inspired Christian Bale’s “idea of a Patrick Bateman,” and it was absolutely perfect for American Psycho’s film adaptation.

Tom Cruise was the perfect inspiration for Christian Bale's Patrick Bateman performance in American Psycho , and it's even more meaningful because of a shared connection between the movie, Patrick Bateman, and the Mission: Impossible series actor. American Psycho is a film adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' 1991 novel of the same name. While American Psycho has always been a cult classic, it has been especially popular in recent years thanks to its vast treasure trove of meme-worthy content. A lot of the credit for that has to go to Christian Bale and his iconic performance as Patrick Bateman.

Patrick Bateman is a Wall Street investment banker who invests a lot in being young, handsome, and fit. The Upper West Side resident obsesses over modern trends in art and music, and he is known for his sweaty passion for Paul Allen’s business card, melancholy thoughts about Whitney Houston’s debut LP, and a propensity for having to “ return some videotapes ." However, he is also notorious for being a serial killer, although American Psycho 's ending is noncommittal about what Patrick Bateman actually did versus what he fantasized.

Related: American Psycho: What If Leonardo DiCaprio Played Patrick Bateman

Regardless, Patrick Bateman’s journey in American Psycho is remarkable thanks to Christian Bale’s performance. According to American Psycho co-writer and director Mary Harron, Christian Bale saw Tom Cruise on David Letterman’s show and observed how “[Tom Cruise] just had this very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes .” Christian Bale drew inspiration from that interview, and his ensuing performance as Patrick Bateman would prove to be vital in highlighting American Psycho 's running theme of identity.

Why Christian Bale's Tom Cruise Inspiration Was Perfect For American Psycho

Identity is a key theme in American Psycho. There are even instances of literal mistaken identity, like Paul Allen confusing Patrick Bateman with Marcus Halberstram . However, the protagonist with " killer looks " struggles with self-identity as Bateman consciously recognizes he’s not all there. Christian Bale leverages the power of deceptive appearances by letting Bateman’s exterior façade crack almost imperceptibly during certain moments; when he runs into an acquaintance at the dry cleaners, his face is pleasant during the interaction but turns into pure hatred when he goes through the door and looks back for half a second. Christian Bale’s American Psycho performance is remembered mostly for the kinetic moments, but it’s those kinds of little details that make Bale's performance so great and the onscreen Patrick Bateman so terrifying. It's this duplicity, as identified and suggested by Bale on the part of Cruise in the Letterman interview, that made the Mission: Impossible actor an interesting inspiration.

Of course, there is nothing to suggest that Cruise has ever experienced anything close to Bateman's extreme psychological problems. However, there remains a surprising and intriguing connection between the two that goes beyond Bale's comments. In the American Psycho source material, Bateman actually shares an apartment block with Cruise, inviting a direct comparison between the fictional and non-fictional figures, even before Bale used Cruise to inspire his own performance. This complex relationship further ties into American Psycho ’s theme of identity in a way that perhaps not even Bret Easton Ellis could have known when he made Patrick Bateman and Tom Cruise neighbors in his novel nine years before the film adaptation.

Henry Cavill's Highest-Grossing Movies, Ranked

Quick links, the count of monte cristo (2002), the man from u.n.c.l.e. (2015), stardust (2007), immortals (2011), black adam (2022), justice league (2017), man of steel (2013), mission: impossible - fallout (2018), batman v superman: dawn of justice (2016).

• Henry Cavill's movies have collectively grossed $4.1 billion globally, and his net worth is estimated to stand at $50 million.
• Cavill starred in blockbusters like Justice League and Man Of Steel, the latter of which is the highest-grossing solo Superman movie.
• His diverse roles span historical dramas, fantasy epics, and action comedies like Mission: Impossible - Fallout.

As one of Hollywood's most in-demand leading men, Henry Cavill has built a stellar career defined by both critical acclaim and blockbuster success.

The British actor made his film debut in the film adaptation of The Count Of Monte Cristo in 2002. Since then, Cavill has starred in over twenty films, collectively grossing an astonishing $4.1 billion at the global box office.

Thanks to a string of box office hits, Henry Cavill has an estimated net worth of $50 million. Among his vast repertoire lie critically acclaimed turns in historical dramas, fantasy epics, and spy thrillers.

Cavill's breakout role came as Charles Brandon in Showtime's historical drama The Tudors . He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Superman in the DC Extended Universe.

In 2024, Cavill starred in Matthew Vaughn's stylish spy thriller Argylle, and Guy Ritchie's action-packed comedy The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare , both box office successes.

Let's look at the highest-grossing Henry Cavill movies to date.

The Star-Studded Cast Of Argylle, Ranked By Net Worth

Global box office, the count of monte cristo - $75,395,048.

Henry Cavill kicked off his film career with this swashbuckling tale of betrayal and vengeance.

Based on Alexandre Dumas's timeless novel, The Count Of Monte Cristo found Cavill portraying Albert Mondego, the son of his character's greatest enemy.

This lavish period drama offered audiences thrilling sword fights, intricate plots, and a taste of Cavill's on-screen allure. The Count of Monte Cristo ignited imaginations and the box office.

In North America alone, the film earned over $54 million, with international audiences adding another $21 million to its gross, bringing its global total to $75 million .

Global Box Office, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. - $110,045,109

In a delightful twist of espionage, Henry Cavill donned the mantle of Napoleon Solo, a debonair C.I.A. operative, in the stylized 2015 spy flick The Man From U.N.C.L.E .

This Guy Ritchie -directed action-comedy saw Cavill's Solo reluctantly partner with a steely K.G.B. agent ( Armie Hammer ) against a backdrop of Cold War intrigue.

Critics delivered a mixed verdict, and despite high hopes, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. struggled at the box office.

Its opening weekend saw a modest gross of $13.4 million, falling short of expectations by approximately $5 million and landing it in third place.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E . managed to accumulate $45.4 million in North America and $64.4 million in other territories, resulting in a global total of $109.8 million .

Despite surpassing its production budget of $75 million, The Hollywood Reporter estimated that the studio incurred losses of at least $80 million when considering all expenses and revenues.

The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare's Cast, Ranked By Net Worth

Global box office, stardust - $137,515,140.

Henry Cavill's foray into the romantic fantasy adventure film Stardust saw him play Humphrey, a preening rival for the affections of the village beauty.

As the pompous rival Humphrey, Cavill embraces a farcical side, vying for the affections of a fallen star ( Claire Danes ).

Stardust weaves magic, romance, and the supernatural, highlighting Cavill's willingness to experiment early in his career. Sporting a surprisingly blond hairdo, Henry Cavill was nearly unrecognizable in the film.

Stardust grossed $38 million in North America and $99.5 million overseas, totaling $137 million worldwide against its $70 million budget.

Global Box Office, Immortals - $226,904,017

Henry Cavill unleashed his heroic potential in this fantasy action thriller inspired by Greek myth.

As Theseus, a brave mortal chosen by the gods, Cavill battled mythical beasts and power-hungry tyrants amid breathtaking landscapes.

Director Tarsem Singh's signature visual flair brought the ancient world to life with striking imagery and visceral action sequences.

The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising Tarsem's direction, costume design, and music score, but criticized the film's storytelling and the lack of character development.

Immortals grossed $83.5 million in the United States and Canada and $143 million in other countries, for a total of $227 million worldwide .

Deadpool 3: Will Deadpool & Wolverine Mint Billions At The Box Office?

Global box office, black adam - $393,452,111.

The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe shifted in 2022 with the arrival of Dwayne Johnson 's Black Adam.

Fans got a jolt of electricity in a post-credits scene that sent shockwaves through the superhero fandom. Henry Cavill, in his return, donned the iconic red and blue suit once again as Superman.

This electrifying cameo teased a clash of titans for the ages – the unstoppable force of Black Adam meeting the immovable object of Superman.

The film received poor critical reception and was classified as a box-office bomb, as it failed to break even from its $67 million production budget.

Black Adam grossed $168.2 million in the United States and Canada and $225.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $393.3 million .

Global Box Office, Justice League - $661,326,987

Assembling Earth's mightiest heroes for the first time on the big screen, Justice League was an epic superhero team-up that promised to be a cinematic spectacle.

Henry Cavill donned the red cape once again as Superman, joining forces with Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and the Flash to face a world-ending threat.

Although the action sequences and performances were praised, Justice League received mixed reviews overall, with some criticizing the plot, pacing, and visual effects.

At the box office, Justice League grossed $229 million in the United States and Canada and $432.3 million in other territories, for a total of $661.3 million worldwide .

Up against an estimated break-even point of as much as $750 million, Deadline Hollywood reported that Justice League lost the studio around $60 million .

The Highest-Grossing Tom Holland Movies, And How He Conquered Hollywood

Global box office, man of steel - $670,145,518.

Henry Cavill's debut as Superman was an explosive one. Man Of Steel offered a bold re-imagining of the Kryptonian hero's origin story.

Director Zack Snyder infused the film with his trademark grit and stylized visuals, delivering earth-shattering action sequences that pushed the boundaries of superhero cinema.

Cavill brought both power and vulnerability to his portrayal of Clark Kent/Kal-El, a man grappling with his extraordinary powers and place in the world.

Critics were divided in their opinions regarding the film's action sequences, with some feeling that they were insufficient to offset the movie's slide into mainstream blockbuster territory.

Additionally, there was disagreement among critics regarding Henry Cavill's portrayal of Superman.

Man Of Steel grossed $291 million in the United States and Canada and $377 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $668 million , making it the highest-grossing solo Superman film of all time.

Deadline Hollywood's analysis revealed that Man Of Steel made a net profit of $42.7 million , considering all expenses and revenues.

Global Box Office, Mission: Impossible - Fallout - $791,658,205

The Mission: Impossible saga continues to defy expectations, with its sixth chapter, Fallout, setting the bar even higher.

Henry Cavill made a splash as the villainous August Walker, a charismatic yet chilling counterpoint to Tom Cruise 's Ethan Hunt.

His memorable bicep reload in a bathroom fight scene has gone down as one of the most iconic moments in action movie history.

Walker's cunning plots proved the ultimate challenge for Ethan Hunt, resulting in heart-pounding stunts and mind-bending twists.

Critics raved about Fallout's death-defying stunts and jaw-dropping action sequences, pushing the boundaries of the action genre.

Mission: Impossible - Fallout grossed $220.1 million in North America and $571 million in other territories, for a total global haul of $791.6 million against a $178 million production budget.

Show Me The Money: The Highest-Grossing Tom Cruise Films

Global box office, batman v superman: dawn of justice - $874,362,803.

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice was a monumental superhero face-off that marked the first live-action film to feature Batman and Superman together on the big screen.

Henry Cavill reprises his role as Superman, while Ben Affleck steps into Batman's iconic cape and cowl, creating a dynamic and electrifying on-screen rivalry.

Batman v Superman promised a clash of ideologies and super-powered might the likes of which the world had never seen.

In the film, criminal mastermind Lex Luthor manipulates Batman into a confrontation with Superman, leading to a grand showdown.

After a strong opening weekend that shattered box office records, the film suffered a significant decline in its second weekend, from which it never fully recovered.

The film grossed $166 million in the United States and Canada in its opening weekend.

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice grossed $330.4 million in North America and $543.3 million in other territories, for a total of $873.6 million worldwide.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Dawn Of Justice turned in a net profit of $105.7 million , when all expenses and revenues for the film were considered.

Is The Mummy: Resurrection With Keanu Reeves Real or Fake? 2024 Movie Speculation Explained

The Mummy: Resurrection trailer starring Keanu Reeves has many wondering if the film is fact or fiction.

In 1999, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz thrilled and chilled audiences with The Mummy , an action-adventure-tinted take on the classic cinematic monster movie series of the same name.

The movie put Fraser on the map and was nothing less than a smash hit, spawning two sequels that were ultimately subject to diminishing returns. A Tom Cruise -focused reboot occurred in 2017 that many agree was not the film they were hoping for.

A New Mummy Movie Starring Keanu Reeves?

A new trailer for a film called The Mummy: Resurrection lurched its way onto YouTube, raking in an impressive number of views. This is thanks, in part, to its supposed star, the über-fan-favorite Keanu Reeves .

Unfortunately, for fans of Universal’s horror/adventure franchise, no new Mummy movie, remake, reboot, sequel, or otherwise is being developed, much less being kept under wraps (Get it?)

Additionally, this is not even the first instance of a bogus Mummy trailer surfacing on the internet. Another Mummy: Resurrection preview cropped up a few months back , with this one claiming to feature the ubiquitous Dwayne Johnson as its lead.

There was an attempt made at a new installment several years ago in 2017. It starred Mission: Impossible ’s own Tom Cruise. But not even Cruise’s magnetic box office draw was enough to get butts in theater seats and The Mummy flopped hard.

The 2017 remake was also supposed to get Universal’s ill-fated Dark Universe off the ground. The Dark Universe was intended to cash in on the interconnected type of storytelling popularized by Marvel’s MCU. 

This did not work out for the studio either, and an infamous Dark Universe cast photo wound up becoming an internet laughingstock.

In 2022, Brendan Fraser, who starred in all three parts of the original Mummy trilogy from the late ‘90s/early 2000s, remarked to Variety that he’d be “open” to doing a fourth film, but admitted that he wasn’t quite sure “how it would work:”

“I don’t know how it would work. But I’d be open to it if someone came up with the right conceit.”

As for Keanu Reeves, although he won’t be taking on the Mummy, he does have several upcoming projects in the pipeline. These include the Jonah Hill-directed comedy Outcome and a fifth film in the now-iconic John Wick series.

Reeves will also provide the voice of Shadow, the Blue Blur’s notorious black-and-red quilled rival in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Paramount . Sonic 3 arrives in December.

Where Have Universal’s Classic Monsters Been Lurking?

Beginning in the 1930s, Universal Studios made household names out of several legendary figures in horror, such as Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and yes, the Mummy.

The movies produced about these characters proved so popular that a myriad of spin-offs, sequels, merchandise, and even a Saturday morning cartoon or two were made.

But nowadays, these titans of terror have largely fallen out of favor, with new-age replacements in the form of Ghostface from the Scream franchise and Jigsaw of Saw fame.

And there is nothing wrong with that. Times change and pop culture changes in lockstep. But longtime devotees surely yearn for a simpler era, one which existed even further back from ’80s slashers like Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees.

Matters are likely not helped by the fact that much of the modern-day stabs at the Mummy and his ilk have been met with underwhelming box office returns. The classic monsters now mostly existing in the public domain are not much of a benefit either since this makes the waters very easily muddied.

Who knows, though? Perhaps Brendan Fraser will strap on Rick O’Connell’s shoulder holsters again and appear in another Mummy sequel that continues the storyline from 2008’s Tomb of the Dragon Emperor . Time will tell.

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Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger's Next Movie Together Is in the Works: 'We Have a Script Being Written'

Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger previously costarred in hit movies like 'Twins' and 'Junior' in the '80s and '90s

Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Mark Von Holden/Variety via Getty

Danny DeVito is giving an exciting update on his movie reunion with Arnold Schwarzenegger .

DeVito, 79, appeared at the premiere of Chris Pine 's directorial debut Poolman in Los Angeles on April 24, where he dished to Entertainment Tonight about the pair's next project together. "We really want to work together and we've been talking about it for quite a while," the actor shared. "We're onto something now, we have a script being written. As soon as that comes in we'll know better, but we'll do it at Warner Brothers, so there you go."

DeVito and Schwarzenegger, 76, who most notably costarred in the 1988 comedy Twins , as well as 1994's  Junior, have been teasing the project publicly since 2023.

"He's a good buddy, you know? He's just a good pal. So you know, and we go together kind of. We fit, right?" DeVito added to ET of working with Schwarzenegger.

PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty

A sequel to Twins was rumored to be in development for years before Schwarzenegger told The Hollywood Reporter in 2023 that the project was not moving forward. DeVito initially confirmed the pair's new project was officially in the works during a March interview with CNN .

“We’re working on something, a project that we’re going to do together, another movie," DeVito told CNN in March. “Arnold and I are good buddies. We met way before Twins , years ago. We get along really well."

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“We’re hoping that sooner than later, we’ll have a nice script to go to work,” he added at the time.

Schwarzenegger and DeVito recently appeared together at the 96th Academy Awards on March 10. The duo reunited on stage for a funny bit about their villainous roles in two '90s Batman movies; DeVito played the character Penguin in 1992's  Batman Returns , while Schwarzenegger played Mr. Freeze in 1997's  Batman & Robin .

While speaking with PEOPLE on April 5, DeVito joked that he could see himself and Schwarzenegger reprising those roles in a future Batman installment. “Oh, I don't know. I don't think it's a bad idea because you got Keaton, you got [Schwarzenegger], you got DeVito. We could do those same parts . Yeah, why not?” he told PEOPLE, before jokingly adding, “Go tell [co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros] Pam Abdi to do that. And [MGM chairman] Mike DeLuca.” 

DeVito's new movie Poolman , in which he costars with Pine, is in theaters May 10.