Catherine Shoard

Author Tomi Adeyemi says the production of Paramount’s Children of Blood and Bone adaptation caused severe panic attacks, somatic pain, hyperventilation and sobbing, describing it as the worst experience of her life. She says people involved continued to antagonise her after she left the set and that she does not intend to watch the film. The comments follow director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s remarks about the film’s Nigerian and diasporic representation and appear connected to a reported dispute between Adeyemi and actor Amandla Stenberg. The film stars Viola Davis, Idris Elba and a large ensemble cast.

George and Amal Clooney evacuated their estate in Brignoles, southeastern France, as a wildfire burned nearby. The blaze covered about 130 hectares, prompted the evacuation of roughly 600 residents and injured four firefighters. In a letter to Brignoles mayor Didier Bremond, George Clooney said the couple did not know whether their home would survive but pledged to remain part of the community and help with its rebuilding.

Joyce Carol Oates has criticised classicist Emily Wilson’s harsh review of Christopher Nolan’s film The Odyssey, accusing her of using the “crude language of MAGA folks” and urging her to be more collegial and respectful. Wilson argued that the film lacked psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth, while Oates has separately praised Andrei Konchalovsky’s 1997 television adaptation. The dispute follows Nolan’s praise for Wilson’s translation, although Universal Pictures denies that the film was inspired by it. Wilson’s translation and other editions have enjoyed sharply increased interest, while Nolan’s film has earned $683 million worldwide.

Elsinore, a biopic about actor Ian Charleson’s final months and his acclaimed 1989 performance as Hamlet while terminally ill with AIDS, will open the London Film Festival at the Southbank Centre. Directed by Simon Stone and written by Stephen Beresford, the film stars Andrew Scott as Charleson, with Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Johnny Flynn and others in supporting roles. It has also been selected for a gala screening at Toronto and is expected to premiere at Telluride, while Scott’s performance has generated significant Oscar and awards-season speculation. The film is due to open in the US on 20 November and the UK on 29 January; the festival runs from 7 to 18 October.

Sacha Baron Cohen is preparing to release Ali G: Who Iz I? worldwide on 23 October 2026, with the film marking his directorial debut and reportedly returning Ali G to the character’s original interview-based, politically provocative format. Recent appearances at Wimbledon and in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds have fueled speculation about possible targets, including prominent British figures and US vice-president JD Vance. The film’s connection to Staines-upon-Thames remains controversial: although the town renamed itself partly to distance itself from Ali G, local residents and MP Lincoln Jopp have largely welcomed the character’s return.

Male critics have largely praised Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of The Odyssey, while early female responses have been more critical, highlighting limited and flattened portrayals of women. Several female characters, including those played by Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Samantha Morton, are depicted with reduced agency compared with their Homeric originals, often serving mainly to frame or elevate Odysseus. The piece questions whether the film will resonate equally with women and suggests some may feel alienated by both the characterisation and the cultural dynamics surrounding Nolan’s work.

Christopher Nolan’s high‑budget Imax adaptation of The Odyssey is described as one of the year’s most anticipated releases, featuring a major ensemble cast and strong early reviews, with Annie Kelly discussing the film’s prospects with editor Catherine Shoard.

Critics across major publications overwhelmingly praise Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of The Odyssey, with several calling it his best work and a likely awards contender. Reviews highlight its ambition, visual scale and cinematic craftsmanship, though some critics point to structural issues, anachronistic dialogue and reduced roles for female characters. While most celebrate its sensory impact and storytelling power, a few note shortcomings in character depth and narrative balance.

Robert Pattinson’s acclaimed performance as Antinous in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has sparked strong awards speculation, marking another milestone in a career defined by bold, unconventional choices. Critics praise his charisma, subversive wit and versatility, highlighting a trajectory that has carried him from Twilight icon to respected arthouse collaborator and blockbuster star. With multiple hit films this year and major upcoming roles, his reputation as one of the most compelling and unpredictable actors of his generation continues to grow.

Sacha Baron Cohen has completed filming a new Ali G movie, with production taking place in the UK and US, though no title or release date has been announced. The character’s return follows earlier delays linked to US industry strikes. The film is expected to include interviews with unsuspecting participants, consistent with Baron Cohen’s previous work. His recent projects and career highlights are noted, including the poorly received Netflix comedy Ladies First.

Early critical reactions to Christopher Nolan’s three‑hour adaptation of The Odyssey are overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers calling it a major awards contender and praising its scale, performances and technical achievement. Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland receive strong notices, while Robert Pattinson is singled out as the standout performer. Critics highlight the film’s ambitious use of Imax, impressive production design and surprising horror elements. Some note minor flaws in pacing, but the overall consensus positions the film as a leading cinematic event with strong box‑office potential.

Edward Norton and Olivia Wilde discuss their new film The Invite, a sex comedy exploring marital stagnation, self-loathing and psychosexual dynamics, shaped by the ideas of therapist Esther Perel. They describe a collaborative, improvisation-heavy shoot that produced unusually strong chemistry and emotional openness. The film, set in San Francisco and influenced by classic American comedies, has become a critical and commercial success following a major sale at Sundance. Norton and Wilde reflect on intimacy, technology’s impact on relationships, and the broader context of global trauma that suppresses erotic connection, presenting the film as a refreshing, emotionally resonant counterbalance.

Pierre Coffin discusses the creative decisions behind the Minions franchise, including the rejection of introducing female Minions, the role of cinematic history in shaping the new film Minions & Monsters, and the melodic rather than linguistic structure of Minionese. He reflects on character development, the evolution of Minion personalities, and the impact of meme culture on the franchise, while also sharing anecdotes from his animation career and his personal connection to Minions merchandise.

An officially licensed AI replica of Michael Caine’s voice narrates a new 13‑hour audiobook of Homer’s Odyssey produced by ElevenLabs ahead of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film adaptation. The project highlights rapidly expanding use of AI‑generated voices and likenesses in entertainment, with actors such as Matthew McConaughey, Val Kilmer and Bruce Willis also involved in similar agreements. ElevenLabs positions the audiobook as a technologically advanced, multicast production, though concerns persist in the industry about job displacement and creative homogenization. Caine’s involvement stems from a 2025 deal to license his voice, while his recent non‑AI narration work illustrates the contrast between human performance nuance and AI uniformity. Future AI‑driven audiobook tie‑ins to major films are under discussion as studios consider further experimentation with casting and production methods.

Amazon has withdrawn as distributor of Luca Guadagnino’s biopic Artificial, centered on Sam Altman, shortly after forming a major partnership with OpenAI. The company stated the film would be better handled by another studio and is helping find a new distributor. The movie, featuring Andrew Garfield as Altman and focusing on his 2023 ousting and reinstatement at OpenAI, is believed to depict the tech leader unflatteringly. Amazon’s exit follows its multibillion‑dollar investment commitments to OpenAI. The film had been positioned for an awards run before a planned 2027 release and includes a large ensemble cast. Previous studios reportedly passed on the script, while Guadagnino and writer Simon Rich bring notable industry credentials to the project.

The upcoming film Minions & Monsters marks the seventh Despicable Me installment and introduces a 1920s Hollywood setting with a cast including Jesse Eisenberg and Christoph Waltz. Pierre Coffin, the longtime director and voice of the Minions, reflects on developing the characters, his creative process with feedback from his children, and his background in animation. Readers are invited to submit questions for a forthcoming interview.

Tom Holland confirms that he and Zendaya are married, noting that their families attended the ceremony and describing their relationship as deeply supportive amid the pressures of their careers. He reflects on the circulation of AI‑generated wedding photos and recalls Zendaya’s successful audition for Spider‑Man: Homecoming. Their next project together, the new Spider‑Man film Brand New Day, is set for release in July.

Disclosure Day opened with nearly $93m worldwide and is on track to become Steven Spielberg’s top-performing original film in the US, though it faces a high break-even threshold due to production and marketing costs. Audience demographics indicate strong turnout among older male viewers, while China’s response has been comparatively muted. Obsession continued its unexpected surge, surpassing Backrooms and becoming Focus Features’ strongest performer, while Backrooms remained a major global hit for A24. The biopic Michael broke the all-time record for music biopics with a global total above $932m, positioning it to challenge Oppenheimer for the highest-grossing biopic overall.

Robert De Niro condemned Donald Trump during a First Amendment benefit concert in New York, leading the audience in chants denouncing the president’s statements on Americans’ financial concerns, inflation, and the 2020 election. He compared modern expressions of patriotism to an abusive relationship and criticized U.S. policies he attributed to Trump’s leadership, including war, reduced healthcare access, and actions by armed militias. He urged a return to a country he could support, while noting Trump has previously responded by attacking him personally.

Tim Allen, Tom Hanks, Greta Lee and Joan Cusack reflect on Toy Story 5’s themes, particularly the film’s warning about technology’s impact on children and the value of traditional play. They discuss screen‑time boundaries, the risks posed by algorithmic content, and the societal challenge of managing kids’ access to digital platforms. The actors share personal anecdotes about toys, parenting, creativity and the emotional resonance of the Toy Story series across generations. The conversation highlights both the benefits and dangers of technology while underscoring the films’ continued exploration of time, loss and connection.

Idris Elba dismissed longstanding speculation that he might play James Bond, saying the idea was never realistic and that some global audiences would not accept a Black actor in the role. He argued the character should remain close to Ian Fleming’s original vision and avoid efforts to make the franchise “woke,” emphasizing its escapist nature. The article also notes recent developments in the franchise reboot, including Nina Gold joining the casting team and several actors reportedly being considered for the role.

Mark Williams reflects on his experiences filming the Harry Potter series, sharing anecdotes about co-stars, backstage moments and recognitions on set. He discusses ongoing friendships with cast members, past collaborations, his work on Father Brown, and his interest in British maritime culture. He comments humorously on catchphrases, reveals personal viewing habits, and expresses admiration for maglev trains and the need for more cohesive infrastructure planning in the UK.

A study by Age Without Limits shows that top‑grossing UK films from 2023 to 2025 were far more likely to feature talking animals or actors named Chris than women over 60 in leading roles. Only five films in the top 100 across the three years starred an older woman, highlighting severe underrepresentation despite strong audience interest. Figures from the Centre for Ageing Better and supporting voices such as Emma Thompson argue that the lack of older female leads reflects pervasive ageism and sexism in the industry. Additional research shows older women speak less on screen and are often portrayed as passive or irrelevant, reinforcing societal marginalisation. Award trends suggest gradual improvement, with Michelle Yeoh’s 2023 Oscar win marking progress, but overall representation of older women in film remains limited.

Cristian Mungiu won his second Palme d’Or at the Cannes film festival for Fjord, an English-language drama about Romanian parents in Norway facing child abuse accusations. Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Minotaur received the Grand Prix, while Valeska Grisebach’s The Dreamed Adventure earned the Jury prize. Additional awards recognized directors, actors and actresses across several international productions. Hollywood entries received no major prizes, and Barbra Streisand, Peter Jackson and John Travolta were honored with lifetime awards. Sidebar competitions awarded films including Everytime, Ben’Imana, La Gradiva and Too Many Beasts.