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Zendaya Joins the Cast of ‘Shrek 5’
(Left) Zendaya attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios. (Right) (L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Preview:
- Zendaya is part of the cast for ‘Shrek 5.’
- She’ll play the daughter of Shrek and Fiona.
- Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon are directing the new movie.
Are we about to get another viral video along the lines of Gabriel Gundacker’s ‘Zendaya is Meechee’?

Given that the ‘Dune,’ ‘Challengers’ and ‘Euphoria’ star is set to follow her voice role in 2018’s ‘Smallfoot’ with another DreamWorks Animation title, we might just.

But in this case, she’s aboard the crown jewel of the company’s portfolio, the latest installment of the ‘Shrek’ franchise.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that the superstar has taken the role of main characters Shrek (Mike Myers) and Fiona’s (Cameron Diaz) daughter.

DreamWorks Animation and Universal confirmed the news in a new YouTube video…

The video also serves to lock down that Myers and Diaz are definitely back for this one, and we’ve already heard from Eddie Murphy on his confirmed return.

Here’s what Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:

“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”

DreamWorks didn’t mention the Donkey movie, but there’s still a chance we’ll see that.

Related Article: Every Zendaya Movie, Ranked!

What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

The ‘Shrek’ franchise launched with the Oscar-winning 2001 movie that centered on Myers’ ogre, Shrek, who falls for Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed, trapped in the body of an ogre. Donkey provided comic relief, pathos and friendship to Shrek, with the film praised for its humorous twist on fairy-tale tropes.

In addition to the main Shrek movies, it also spawned two ‘Puss in Boots‘ spinoffs, starring Antonio Banderas, which all propelled the franchise to becoming the second biggest in animation history, with $2.9 billion globally.

While the exact plotline for the new movie has yet to be revealed, there have been hints on how it’ll continue the story of the central ogre family and their various friends.

Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.
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We’ve seen various developments in Shrek’s life –– he and Fiona have a family (and Donkey has kids with his dragon partner), so perhaps we’ll be checking back in with their kids for a new story?

It could also potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’.

And as is usual for this franchise, there will no doubt be riffs on pop culture and fantasy tales.

This is what producer Meledandri told Variety last year of developing the next ‘Shrek’:

“It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements. And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that.”

Who is making ‘Shrek 5’?

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Shrek veterans Walt Dohrn and Conrad Vernon are directing, along with ‘Minions: The Rise of Gru’ co-director Brad Ableson.

Dohrn started his run on the franchise as a writer on ‘Shrek 2’ and ‘Shrek the Third,’ and as head of story on ‘Shrek Forever After,’ a film in which he voiced Rumpelstiltskin.

Vernon directed ‘Shrek 2,’ ‘Madagascar 2’ and voices Gingerbread Man (aka “Gingy”).

What else does Zendaya have on her schedule?

(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

She is, as ever, a much in-demand actor.

Last year alone, Zendaya was seen in tennis love-triangle ‘Challengers’ and ‘Dune: Part Two,’ which featured less sports drama, but did also end up with its own love triangle (between Zendaya’s Chani, Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan… which, admittedly, is more of a power triangle).

Next up for Zendaya is Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey,’ which has just started shooting and stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and approximately half of Hollywood.

She’ll also reportedly (though it has yet to be officially confirmed) be back as MJ in the next ‘Spider-Man’ movie, which will also see Holland reprising his lead role as Peter Parker in the latest outing for the Marvel character, to be directed this time by Destin Daniel Cretton.

Those two giant movies are due in 2026, but she’s also worked on Kristoffer Borgli’s romantic movie ‘The Drama’ alongside Robert Pattinson. That doesn’t have a confirmed release date, but should be on screens this year.

Meanwhile, there is her much-anticipated return to HBO series ‘Euphoria,’ which has finally started shooting its third season and looks likely to be on screens next year.

When will ‘Shrek 5’ be in theaters?

The movie has a December 23rd, 2026, release date from Universal and DreamWorks, and is the first in the main series since 2010’s ‘Shrek Forever After.’

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Other ‘Shrek’ Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Shrek‘ (2001)
- ‘Shrek 2‘ (2024)
- ‘Shrek the Third‘ (2007)
- ‘Shrek Forever After‘ (2010)
- ‘Puss in Boots‘ (2011)
- ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Shrek’ Movies On Amazon
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February 28, 2025
‘Paddington in Peru’ Exclusive Interview: Antonio Banderas
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Arriving in theaters on February 14th, ‘Paddington in Peru’ is the latest adventure for the charismatic, chaotic bear.

Directed by Dougal Wilson, the film stars Ben Whishaw (‘Black Doves‘) as the voice of Paddington, as well as Hugh Bonneville (‘Downton Abbey: A New Era‘), Emily Mortimer (‘Mary Poppins Returns‘), Julie Walters (‘Billy Elliot‘), Jim Broadbent (‘The Iron Lady‘), Imelda Staunton (‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix‘), Hayley Atwell (‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One‘), Olivia Colman (‘Empire of Light‘), and Antonio Bandeas (‘Desperado‘).

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Paddington in Peru’

Antonio Banderas stars in ‘Paddington in Peru’.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Antonio Banderas about his work on ‘Paddington in Peru,’ his prior experience with the character, playing multiple roles, working with director Dougal Wilson, and the challenges of wearing a bushy beard on set.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

Antonio Banderas in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your history with Paddington before you were offered the role? Did you know much about him?

Antonio Banderas: No. Do you know why? Because my kids were grown and because they’re in Los Angeles and I am in Spain, and because I’m a very busy man! But I remember seeing on television, Paddington having tea with the Queen of England and that was surprising. Basically just to see how the Queen of England was actually a very good actress. When I got the script, I got to know the character through what I was reading. It came out of the paper beautifully, like a very special character. Not affected by the life in which we are all living in the world. He is different, he’s got calmness, kindness, a way of behaving that is actually very special.

Director Dougal Wilson on the set of ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

MF: How was it working in collaboration with the director, Dougal Wilson?

AB: The second time I met Paddington was on the set through my director and the producers who were taking a lot of care of presenting this character in two different ways. In one way, which is creating and building a character that actually connects with kids and their parents in an entertaining way, and at the same time in an educational way too. So two different ways to just present the character. It was beautiful, I think it’s worth it to be in a movie like this because I always like movies for kids. I have done a lot of those. I’m an expert on that territory and I know of the importance of bringing something to parents around the world that they feel safe taking their kids to see.

Antonio Banderas in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

MF: You play multiple characters in the movie, all of Hunter’s various ancestors. Did you enjoy playing multiple roles?

AB: It was fun. I never had the possibility of playing six characters in a movie. Mainly they’re episodic. Some is just in little moments here and there, with the exception of Caboto, the conquistador, which has much more participation, the rest are little episodes here and there. It was interesting because at the end the character is about struggling with himself. Those family members, these ancestors are pushing him to behave in a way that he’s trying to get out of. It’s the greed, which is I think one of the main things. In the movie that situation between good and evil, and the evil is represented by greed, by gold, by ambition, and love for his daughter is the other side of the character. So in that struggle, who’s going to win at the end? You’ve got to watch the movie!

Antonio Banderas in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

MF: Finally, was it challenging on the days you had to wear a giant, bushy beard?

AB: Yeah, when I had days of the bearded characters, I was not that happy. You arrive to the set and they just put this raccoon on top of you that is going to stay there scratching! You cannot eat actually, because if you eat normally, the mustache just comes away from your lips and then they come with the glue, and it’s just crazy. But in the end I had fun. In a way, when we were in the makeup trailer, we were creating the character together because they ask you, ‘what do you think about this?’ And you are in mood of creation. Because they allow just you to bring ideas of how this character can be and to make it more effective.
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What’s the story of ‘Paddington in Peru’?

The new movie brings Paddington’s (Ben Whishaw) story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears.

With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Who is in the cast of ‘Paddington in Peru’?
- Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown
- Emily Mortimer as Mary Brown
- Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown
- Samuel Joslin as Jonathan Brown
- Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird
- Jim Broadbent as Samuel Gruber
- Olivia Colman as Clarissa Cabot / The Reverend Mother
- Antonio Banderas as Hunter Cabot
- Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington Brown
- Imelda Staunton as the voice of Aunt Lucy
- Hayley Atwell as Madison
Paddington in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Movies in the ‘Paddington’ Franchise:
- ‘Paddington‘ (2015)
- ‘Paddington 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Paddington in Peru‘ (2025)
Buy ‘Paddington’ Movies on Amazon
February 13, 2025
Movie Review: ‘Paddington in Peru’
Paddington in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

‘Paddington in Peru’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

Arriving in theaters on February 14th, ‘Paddington in Peru’ is a perfectly fun family film that would be considered a solid chunk of entertainment on its own merits.

Unfortunately, it is also the third outing for a franchise that has so far produced one very good film and one stone-cold classic of the genre, which rather overshadows this less unique-seeming take on the cuddly bear character and his London family.

Related Article: ‘Paddington in Peru’ Adds Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler to its Cast

Will ‘Paddington in Peru’ take you on a journey?

Paddington in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

When ‘Paddington in Peru’ was announced without co-writer/director Paul King overseeing matters, there was huge concern from the ‘Paddington’ faithful (Padding-stans? No, we’re not going to call ourselves that!) that some or all of the magic might be missing this time around.

Could it end up a craven attempt to cash on the pure joy and emotion (not to mention superb characterization) of the first two movies? Is it a quest too far for our furry hero with the big heart?

And if we’re honest, would it have been better to leave things well alone given how satisfying the final of ‘Paddington 2’ ended up being?

Fortunately, director Dougal Wilson (making his movie debut year after some years creating commercials and music videos) steers the ship with enough charm to answer most of those questions, and King is still involved. Yet there remains some key spark missing.

Script and Direction

Director Dougal Wilson on the set of ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

‘Paddington’ veterans King and co-writer/occasional actor Simon Farnaby cooked up the story alongside Mark Burton (who himself has worked at Aardman Animation), screenplay duties fell to Burton and Jon Foster and James Lamont, who have some ‘Paddington’ experience of their own having written for the Netflix animation series featuring the character.

Which means that it does at least feel like ‘Paddington in Peru’ takes place in roughly the same universe as the two previous movies, the tone also largely carried over.

Taking the main character from London is sometimes a disadvantage, since he loses that fish-out-of-water feel but having the Brown family accompany him on his quest to find his Aunt Lucy who has seemingly gone missing on a mission of her own at least includes some of those elements.

And our furry central figure remains as clumsy as ever, evidenced by his trouble using a photo booth at the start and his efforts to steer the boat that the group find themselves upon following the captain falling off.

Yet there is still something that just feels… off about the story in itself, as if it’s a very competent cover band playing, but missing some of the style of the original musicians.

Oliva Coleman in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Likewise, Wilson handles the directorial side of things with large helpings of charisma and humor as is requisite in a ‘Paddington’ outing and looks to ape a lot of what King brought to his movies.

But there’s still that X-factor that has gone astray, one that even playing the hits (such as Paddington breaking out his “hard stare” at one moment) cannot entirely replicate or successfully channel.

Moving things to the Amazon from London presents something of a challenge, as while the movies have always existed in a more fantastical, idealized version of England’s capital city, attempting to replicate the jungle on stages and with bluescreen means it looks even more ersatz.

It’s still a very fun adventure with some watchable villains (a ‘Paddington franchise staple) and boasts enough laughs to carry it along alike a riverboat cruising through the Amazon.

Performances

(L to R) Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris, Paddington, Emily Mortimer, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Walters in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

At the heart of any ‘Paddington’ movie is the bear himself, and with the capable, charm-filled voice of Ben Whishaw still present and correct, he sounds and acts the part. The VFX team have also taken care to make sure he looks the same.

Having him head back to where he grew up does diminish a little of his appeal, but he still gets into scrapes and will tug at your heartstrings for certain moments.

Around him, the Brown family have gone through more of a change. While Hugh Bonneville is still excellent as the slightly stuffy but still warm Mr. Brown, his wife Mary is now played by Emily Mortimer rather than Sally Hawkins. She brings perhaps a sweeter vibe, though Mrs. Brown remains a slightly less active character in story terms than her husband.

Still, that’s better than the two kids, Judy, played by Madeleine Harris and Jonathan (Samuel Joslin). Despite being older, they’re almost superfluous at this point, except when the story finds a reason for them to exist. That’s not a knock on the actors, they just don’t have too much to do.

Oliva Coleman in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Faring better in support are the likes of British National Treasure (and Oscar winner Olivia Colman), who was seemingly born for the ‘Paddington’ franchise and here plays a quirky nun who oversees the Home for Retired Bears in Peru and Antonio Banderas, who understands the amplified comedy assignment as boat captain Hunter Cabot.

He has the advantage of playing several characters, including all of Hunter’s deceased ancestors, who appear in ghostly form and give him other shades (pun intended) to play.

Final Thoughts

Antonio Banderas in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

While still a very fun family outing with plenty to recommend it, ‘Paddington in Peru’ does inevitably suffer in comparison to its near-perfect brethren (particularly that second one).

That’s not entirely the fault of the film itself, more that it comes across as an attempt to channel what worked about those two without cracking the formula to the same degree. It doesn’t embarrass itself in the ‘Paddington’ pantheon, it’s just not up there with the best.
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What’s the story of ‘Paddington in Peru’?

The new movie brings Paddington’s (BenWhishaw) story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton), who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears.

With the Brown family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Who is in the cast of ‘Paddington in Peru’?
- Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown
- Emily Mortimer as Mary Brown
- Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown
- Samuel Joslin as Jonathan Brown
- Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird
- Jim Broadbent as Samuel Gruber
- Olivia Colman as Clarissa Cabot / The Reverend Mother
- Antonio Banderas as Hunter Cabot
- Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington Brown
- Imelda Staunton as the voice of Aunt Lucy
- Hayley Atwell as Madison
Paddington in ‘Paddington in Peru’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

Movies in the ‘Paddington’ Franchise:
- ‘Paddington‘ (2015)
- ‘Paddington 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Paddington in Peru‘ (2025)
Buy ‘Paddington’ Movies on Amazon
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February 11, 2025
Movie Review: ‘Babygirl’
(L to R) Harris Dickinson and Nicole Kidman in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

Opening in theaters December 25th is ‘Babygirl,’ directed by Halina Reijn and starring Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Sophie Wilde, and Antonio Banderas.

Related Article: Joey King and Zac Efron Talk ‘A Family Affair’ and Working with Nicole Kidman

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Nicole Kidman and Harris Dickinson in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, directors like Paul Verhoeven and Adrian Lyne brought the genre that came to be known as the “erotic thriller” to the forefront of popular cinema. Not surprisingly, films like ‘Basic Instinct,’ ‘Indecent Proposal,’ and ‘Fatal Attraction’ were also largely written by men and filtered through a male gaze, with the women in the movies perceived as either threats or lacking real agency.

‘Babygirl’ turns that around. Director and writer Halina Reijn (‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’) takes one of the more shopworn tropes of the genre, which could easily be spat out as a conventional, generic thriller, and flips it on its head, aided by a tremendous, raw performance from Nicole Kidman. ‘Babygirl’ isn’t without its flaws, but it’s a movie that will trigger discussion on a deeper level that some of those old chestnuts from three or more decades back.

Story and Direction

(L to R) Director Halina Reijn and Nicole Kidman in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) is the successful CEO of a New York-based company that specializes in automated warehouse solutions. She lives in a luxurious apartment (and summer home) with her husband Jacob (Antonio Banderas), a theatre director, and their two daughters. On the surface, she’s an attentive mother, a loving wife, a focused and laser-sharp chief executive. Her life is controlled and scheduled to the minute. Except – she can’t reach orgasm with her husband. After they make love, she usually retreats to her office and pulls up some porn on her laptop to help get her across the finish line.

So when a new, much younger, and rather cocky intern named Samuel (Harris Dickinson) starts at the company and begins to rather aggressively flirt with her, Romy is drawn toward him despite all the flashing red warning lights. And when they finally consummate their relationship, it turns out that Romy harbors secret desires to be utterly submissive – a direct response to the steely control she wields over every other part of her life. It seems Samuel wants to both please and dominate her – although his exact motivations are vague and his intrusion into other parts of her life threatens to bring their affair fully to light.

Harris Dickinson in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

While that plot sounds like it could be lifted from plenty of other movies, Reijn takes it in a different direction: the danger inherent in the situation, and the sexual dynamic between Romy and Samuel, rather perversely unlocks her as a human being in ways she’s never experienced before. The loss of control – both physically when they get together and psychologically as the whole scenario legitimately hurtles her carefully structured life toward collapse – is what awakens a new kind of strength in Romy.

This is interesting, provocative material that upends the way in which these types of stories play out, and Reijn’s steady, uncluttered direction maintains both a level of tension (at least for the first two acts) and a surprising balance of tones as the story veers from romance to eroticism to suspense to even comedy. There’s also no judgment whatsoever of Romy’s needs. On the other hand, there’s a repetitive nature to the script – particularly in its latter stages – and a rather rushed-seeming resolution to the story that dilutes its impact. Romy’s journey seems to come to an abrupt conclusion that wraps up several of the story’s major issues – including a subplot involving corporate culture that seems a bit undercooked – while leaving their ramifications unaddressed.

The Cast

(L to R) Antonio Banderas and Nicole Kidman in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

Although the ultimate aftermath of Romy’s dilemma may not equal the stakes that are raised, there’s no doubting Nicole Kidman’s performance here. She exposes herself not so much physically as emotionally and psychologically, and she’s masterful at communicating both Romy’s surprise and eventual pleasure in what transpires between her and Samuel. Our only problem with all this is that there’s still a bit of a remove that stays with Kidman despite the fact that she pushes herself into difficult territory; the actor’s own personal image is so carefully sculpted and controlled that some of that still bleeds into her work here – even when Romy is fully letting go.

Even so, it’s a great performance that’s matched by Harris Dickinson (‘Triangle of Sadness’) as Samuel, a volatile mix of not-quite-toxic masculinity and in-touch-with-his-feelings manhood who discovers just what buttons in Romy to push. He’s decidedly manipulative as well, and even what little of his own story comes to light could well be a fiction he creates. He’s the Joker to Romy’s Dark Knight, if you will, and Dickinson effectively conveys the persona of an intelligent chaos agent who might just be the ultimate tech-bro CEO someday.

The third part of this triangle is Antonio Banderas, playing against his own usually sexy image as Romy’s loving, attentive but in some ways sedate husband, Jacob. At first blissfully unaware of the conflicts roiling within his wife, his eventual response to what he discovers about her goes against the grain as well, giving the performance unexpected nuance.

Final Thoughts

Nicole Kidman in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

There have been a number of films lately that explore human sexuality and female agency against various sociological backdrops – ‘Anora’ shows us the grittiness of life as a sex worker and how that life can be tossed aside by the wealthy like a broken toy, while ‘Nightbitch’ puts us into the mind of a creative woman desperate to reclaim her identity as she plays the role of suburban mom.

‘Babygirl’ explores the corridors of corporate power and how unbridled lust can fracture the carefully laid plans of anyone. It isn’t entirely successful at what it attempts, but the film’s ambition to take the erotic thriller genre and turn it inside out – taking the agency out of the male hands and placing it firmly in the woman’s – combines with the great work from Kidman and Dickinson to make this a fascinating if uneven film.

‘Babygirl’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Babygirl’?

A high-powered CEO (Nicole Kidman) begins a torrid affair with a new, much younger intern (Harris Dickinson) at her company, putting her marriage, her family, and her career at risk.

Who is in the cast of ‘Babygirl’?
- Nicole Kidman as Romy Mathis
- Harris Dickinson as Samuel
- Antonio Banderas as Jacob Mathis
- Sophie Wilde as Esme
- Esther McGregor as Isabel Mathis
- Vaughan Reilly as Nora Mathis
- Victor Slezak as Mr. Missel
Nicole Kidman in ‘Babygirl’. Photo: A24.

List of Movies Directed by Halina Reijn:
- ‘Instinct‘ (2022)
- ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies‘ (2022)
- ‘Babygirl‘ (2024)
Buy Tickets: ‘Babygirl’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Nicole Kidman Movies on Amazon
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January 1, 2025
DreamWorks Officially Announces ‘Shrek 5’ for 2026 Release
(L to R) Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Shrek (Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Preview:
- DreamWorks Animation has set the fifth ‘Shrek’ entry for 2026.
- Voice stars Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz are all returning.
- No story details have been released.
While on his ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ press tour, Eddie Murphy mentioned that he’d been recording voice work for a new entry in the ‘Shrek’ franchise, in which he plays Donkey (more on that below).

That might not count as official confirmation for the next ‘Shrek’ movie, but we have some now, via DreamWorks Animation on social media:

Not too Far, Far Away… @Shrek 5 is coming to theaters on July 1, 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz. pic.twitter.com/3j6ctXpPGu

— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) July 9, 2024

The tweet confirms that stars Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz will indeed return as Shrek and Fiona alongside Murphy.

It’s hardly surprising that the company would return to the ‘Shrek’ universe –– after all, it has earned more than $2.9 billion between the main entries and various spin-offs, including the ‘Puss in Boots’ movies. And added to that, a whole truckload of merchandise and various opportunities such as a Broadway musical, a touring show and theme park attractions.
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What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.

We’ve seen various developments in Shrek’s life –– he and Fiona have a family (and Donkey has kids with his dragon partner), so perhaps we’ll be checking back in with their kids for a new story?

It could also potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘The Last Wish’.

And as is usual for this franchise, there will no doubt be riffs on pop culture and fantasy tales.

This is what producer Chris Meledandri told Variety last year of developing the next ‘Shrek’:

“It’s not that dissimilar to the process that we went through with ‘Mario,’ where you look at what the core elements are that audiences have loved, and you do your very best to honor those core elements. And then you’re hard at work to build story elements and new characters that take you to brand new places. The original cast is a huge part of that.”

Related Article: Eddie Murphy Talks ‘Shrek 5’ and a Donkey Spin-Off Movie

What did Eddie Murphy say about ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Here’s what Eddie Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:

“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”

DreamWorks didn’t mention the Donkey movie, but there’s still a chance we’ll see that.

When will we see a fifth ‘Shrek’ movie on screen?

As DreamWorks’ tweet mentions, the movie is now scheduled to hit theaters on July 1st, 2026. So we have less than two years to wait for Shrek and the gang to return.

Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Other ‘Shrek’ Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Shrek‘ (2001)
- ‘Shrek 2‘ (2024)
- ‘Shrek the Third‘ (2007)
- ‘Shrek Forever After‘ (2010)
- ‘Puss in Boots‘ (2011)
- ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Shrek’ Movies On Amazon
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July 10, 2024
Eddie Murphy Says ‘Shrek 5’ is Under Way
(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Preview:
- Eddie Murphy is talking about the future of the ‘Shrek’ movies.
- He says he’s already recorded some of his dialogue for a fifth ‘Shrek’ outing.
- Murphy also drops mention of a spin-off focused on his Donkey character.
We’ve known for a while that DreamWorks Animation –– never ones to let a franchise opportunity go to waste –– is developing a new installment of the ‘Shrek’ story, and now we have an update from one of the people who makes the movies what they are: actor Eddie Murphy, who provides the voice for fan-favorite character Donkey.

Murphy, who has been on the press tour for the return of one of his other big franchises –– ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ –– talked about what he knows so far.
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What did Eddie Murphy say about ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Bria Murphy as Officer Renee Minnick and Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley in ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.’ Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Netflix ©2023.

Here’s what Eddie Murphy told Collider during an interview for ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ Axel F’:

“We started doing ‘Shrek 5’ months ago. I recorded the first act, and we’ll be doing it this year, we’ll finish it up. ‘Shrek’ is coming out, and Donkey’s gonna have his own movie. We’re gonna do Donkey as well. So we’re gonna do a ‘Shrek’ and we’re doing a ‘Donkey’ [movie].”

Keeping the Shrek-verse expanding makes sense, as DreamWorks has seen big success with TV spin-offs and movies about other characters such as Puss In Boots –– whose most recent outing hit big with 2022’s ‘The Last Wish’, which scored $485.2 million globally.

Donkey, of course, is usually one of the more entertaining characters.

Related Article: The 30 Best Eddie Murphy Movies of All Time!

Who else is part of ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

While Murphy’s comments clearly confirm that he’s aboard, there hasn’t been clarification on the presence of fellow lead voice actors Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz, though you’ve got to assume that DreamWorks has handed out big paydays so that they return.

Michael McCullers, who was a key Myers collaborator on the ‘Austin Powers’ movies, has reportedly been at work on the screenplay for the new ‘Shrek’, working from a story he developed with producer Christopher Meledandri. All the ‘Shrek’ stories, of course, chart new tales based on the character originally featured in William Steig’s book.

We’ll learn more in due course –– surely a teaser will be on the way before too long, or at least some official announcement.

What’s the story of ‘Shrek 5’?

(L to R) Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) in ‘Shrek 2’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

There are no plot details for the new Shrek outing yet, though it could potentially see Puss (Antonio Banderas) reuniting with his friends, as hinted at by the end of ‘The Last Wish’.

When will we see a fifth ‘Shrek’ movie on screen?

DreamWorks Animation has yet to confirm a release date. But if Murphy’s comment holds true, we could be visiting with Shrek and the gang next year.

(L to R) Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Shrek (Mike Myers) in ‘Shrek the Third’. Photo: DreamWorks Animation.

Other ‘Shrek’ Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Shrek‘ (2001)
- ‘Shrek 2‘ (2024)
- ‘Shrek the Third‘ (2007)
- ‘Shrek Forever After‘ (2010)
- ‘Puss in Boots‘ (2011)
- ‘The Adventures of Puss in Boots‘ (2015 – 2018)
- ‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Shrek’ Movies On Amazon
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June 26, 2024
‘Paddington in Peru’ will Release on January 17, 2025
Brendan Gleeson in StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’

Preview
- The third ‘Paddington’ movie, ‘Paddington in Peru’ will arrive in the US on January 15, 2025.
- It’ll find the bear visiting his Aunt Lucy in here retirement home in Peru.
- While a lot of the cast is returning, Emily Mortimer has stepped in to replace Sally Hawkins.
In a world of ongoing strife, war, lingering pandemic effects and movie delays for various reasons, it’s somehow heartening to know that marmalade sandwich-loving bear Paddington will be back on our screens –– even if we will have to wait a while.

Sony Pictures, which is releasing the movie in the States, has set a January 17, 2025, date for ‘Paddington in Peru’, the third outing for the beloved bear.

That might be bad news for fans such as Nicolas Cage (even if that was only a joke in ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent’), but UK audiences will be happy to learn that the distributor there, StudioCanal, has scheduled it for November 8, 2024.
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What’s the story of ‘Paddington in Peru’?

A scene from director Paul King’s ‘Paddington 2.’

Six years after ‘Paddington 2’, the third Paddington film brings the bear’s story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears.

With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Related Article: ‘Paddington in Peru’ Adds Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler to its Cast

Who is starring in ‘Paddington in Peru’?

Olivia Colman in ‘Empire of Light.’ Photo by Parisa Taghizadeh, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2022 20th Century Studios All Rights Reserved.

The cast for the movie includes a blend of returning veterans and new faces.

Ben Whishaw is once more voicing Paddington, with Imelda Staunton as the vocal talent behind Aunt Lucy.

On screen, we’ll see Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin and Jim Broadbent, while newcomers this time include Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas.

Sally Hawkins, who played Mrs. Brown in the first two films, is replaced this time by Emily Mortimer.

And more recently, Rachel Zegler had to drop out of the role of Gina Cabot in support of the actors’ strike. Newcomer Carla Tous is taking over that part.

Who is making ‘Paddington in Peru’?

Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka in Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures’ ‘Wonka,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buittendijk. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

While Paul King directed the first two movies, he’s switched instead to make ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ prequel ‘Wonka’.

So, directing duties on ‘Paddington in Peru’ have now been handled by Dougal Wilson, working from a story by King and Simon Farnaby, which was turned into a script by Jon Foster, James Lamont and Mark Burton.

Filming recently wrapped after location and stage work in London, Peru and Colombia.

Here’s Wilson’s statement on finishing the production stage:

“It’s been a joy and an honor to shoot ‘Paddington in Peru’ with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew. I feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a lovely group of people, many of whom have returned to the world of this beloved bear. We are also delighted to have welcomed Emily, Olivia, Antonio and Carla to the ‘Paddington’ family.”

Hugh Grant in StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Paddington in Peru’:
- ‘Ted‘ (2012)
- ‘The Muppets‘ (2011)
- ‘Muppets Most Wanted‘ (2014)
- ‘Paddington‘ (2015)
- ‘Ted 2‘ (2015)
- ‘Paddington 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Peter Rabbit‘ (2018)
- ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox‘ (2009)
- ‘Isle of Dogs‘ (2018)
- ‘Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway‘ (2021)
- ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Paddington’ Movies on Amazon
October 24, 2023
Where To Watch ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’
(L to R) Teddy (Ethann Isidore), Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

While this film may be the last time we’ll see Harrison Ford don the fedora and the whip, it doesn’t mean we can’t go on one final globe-trotting adventure with the famed archeologist.
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The official synopsis for ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny‘ is below:

“Daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.”

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ first premiered at the 76th Canne Film Festival, exactly 15 years after ‘Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ premiered at Canne. Leading man Harrison Ford also received the Palme d’Or d’honneur for lifetime achievement at the festival.

“They say when you’re about to die, you see your life flash before your eyes, and I just saw my life flash before my eyes,” Ford said as he accepted the award.

The previous installment, ‘The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,’ was not received well by the audience, earning a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, ‘The Dial of Destiny’ received an 88% score from the audience, with many comments calling out certain classic Indy moments in the film.

Using the de-aging technology, the story takes us back in time to see a younger Indy, with a great action sequence aboard a moving train with the film’s antagonist Voller (Mads Mikkelsen). It had all the classic Indiana Jones movie moments and also set up the film’s McGuffin – the Archimedes dial.

(L to R) Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford), Doctor Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) and Basil (Toby Jones) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Who Is In ‘Indiana Jones And The Dial of Destiny’?

Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
- Harrison Ford (‘Star Wars’) as Indiana Jones,
- John Rhys-Davies (‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’) as Sallah
- Karen Allen (‘Starman’) as Marion Ravenwood
- Phoebe Waller-Bridge (‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’) as Helena Shaw
- Mads Mikkelsen (‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’) as Jürgen Voller
- Boyd Holbrook (‘Vengeance’) as Klaber
- Toby Jones (‘Tetris’) as Basil Shaw
- Saunette Renée Wilson (‘Black Panther’) as Mason
- Olivier Richters (‘The King’s Man’) as Hauke
- Antonio Banderas (‘Puss In Boots: The Last Wish’) as Renaldo
- Ethann Isidore as Teddy.
‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ is directed by James Mangold (‘Logan,’ ‘Ford v Ferrari’).

Harrison Ford’s Final Bow As Indiana Jones

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘IJ5.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

Ford has been playing the globe-trotting, Nazi-punching archeologist for over 4 decades, debuting the character in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ in 1981. Now at 80, the actor returns to the role once again. We find Indiana Jones in a very interesting time – weighed down by his failed relationship with his wife Marion, being forced into retirement, and dealing with the loss of his son Mutt (Shia LaBeouf). This is certainly different than the Indy we know and remember, but Ford brings sincerity to the role and is ever committed to big action sequences and a high-speed car chase through the city as he and Helena go after the Dial.

Related Article: ‘Dial of Destiny’ is an Uninspiring Ending to the Indiana Jones Franchise

Where Can I Watch ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’?

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘IJ5.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

The movie opened in theaters on June 30, 2023, and is available in various formats, such as Dolby Cinema, IMAX, 4DX, and ScreenX. ‘The Dial of Destiny’ still playing in theaters, so be sure to check your local listings and Moviefone below for showtimes in your area.

Buy Tickets: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ Movie Showtimes

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Watch the official trailer for ‘The Dial of Destiny’ below:
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Can’t make it out to the theater? Don’t worry. Since the movie is under the Walt Disney Studio banner, it will surely make its way to Disney+. Typically, Disney Studios films adopt a 45 to 90-day theatrical release window before it arrives on the streaming platform. This was the case with films such as ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ and ‘Ant-man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ No official date has been announced for the film’s release on the streaming platform or VOD.

Where To Watch: ‘Indiana Jones And The Dial of Destiny’ Online

Buy Indiana Jones Movies on Amazon

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘IJ5.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’:
- ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark‘ (1981)
- ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom‘ (1984)
- ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade‘ (1989)
- ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull‘ (2008)
August 18, 2023
Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler Join ‘Paddington in Peru’
(Left) Olivia Colman as Special Agent Sonya Falsworth in Marvel Studios’ ‘Secret Invasion,’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Gareth Gatrell. © 2023 MARVEL. (Center) Antonio Banderas in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Rachel Zegler as Anthea in New Line Cinema’s action adventure ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

After the first two ‘Paddington’ movies scored near universal acclaim, made more than $500 million worldwide and earned BAFTA nominations, a third is finally ready to go into production.

We’d already learned that it will be titled ‘Paddington in Peru’ and now, per Variety, there is some casting news to share with cameras due to roll next month.
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Much of it is good news on the casting front –– Olivia Colman (who seems to be everywhere at the moment, between ‘Secret Invasion’ and ‘The Bear’), Antonio Banderas and Rachel Zegler are all aboard.

But in a move that might cause consternation for ‘Paddington’ fans, Sally Hawkins won’t return as Mrs. Brown. Instead, Emily Mortimer will take over the role.

Emily Mortimer, writer, director, and co-star in ‘The Pursuit of Love’

Hawkins issued a statement about her decision to step away:

“For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one can’t get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special. She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddington’s world. I already greatly miss my on- and off-screen family — the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film. They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed.”

Fret not for the other usual stars, though –– Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin will be back as Mr. Brown, Mrs. Bird, Mr. Gruber, Judy and Jonathan Brown respectively. Ben Whishaw is once again voicing Paddington, while Imelda Staunton will return to voice Aunt Lucy.

Which leads us on new information about the plot…

What will happen in ‘Paddington in Peru’?

StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’

Related Article: Third ‘Paddington’ Movie Will see the Cuddly Bear Character Head Back to Peru

As the title suggests, the story will follow our furry hero returning to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. Paddington and the Brown Family embark on an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Colman will play the reverend mother, a blithe and sunny guitar-playing nun who runs the home for retired bears. Banderas will play Hunter Cabot, a dashing and intrepid riverboat captain who offers to help the Brown family on their Peruvian adventure, while Zegler, will play Cabot’s daughter, Gina.

Who is making ‘Paddington 3’?

A scene from director Paul King’s ‘Paddington 2.’

Co-writer/director Paul King, who crafted the first two, has moved on to other projects, in particular musical prequel ‘Wonka’. Dougal Wilson, who hasn’t made a movie before, but has a wealth of short films, music videos and commercial experience, will be making his feature debut with this.

But King is still involved. He wrote the story with collaborators Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton with a screenplay by Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont.

Wilson said of the new cast,

“I am absolutely delighted to be working with such a wonderful cast on the next installment of the ‘Paddington’ story. I was already an enormous fan of our returning actors, but for them to be joined by Olivia, Antonio, Emily and Rachel is beyond thrilling.”

‘Paddington in Peru’ has yet to set a release date.

Hugh Grant in StudioCanal’s ‘Paddington 2.’

Other Movies Similar to ‘Paddington in Peru’:
- ‘Ted‘ (2012)
- ‘The Muppets‘ (2011)
- ‘Muppets Most Wanted‘ (2014)
- ‘Paddington‘ (2015)
- ‘Ted 2‘ (2015)
- ‘Paddington 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Peter Rabbit‘ (2018)
- ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox‘ (2009)
- ‘Isle of Dogs‘ (2018)
- ‘Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway‘ (2021)
- ‘The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent‘ (2022)
Buy ‘Paddington’ Movies on Amazon
June 26, 2023
Movie Review: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’
(L to R) Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Opening in theaters on June 30th is the long-awaited fifth and final chapter of the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise entitled ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ which was directed by James Mangold (‘Logan’).

What is the plot of ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’?

In 1944, American archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) helps colleague Basil Shaw (Toby Jones) against Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a Nazi, from obtaining a mysterious dial known as the Antikythera. Twenty-five years later, Jones is uneasy over the fact that the U.S. government has recruited former Nazis to help beat the Soviet Union in the competition to make it to space. He is about to be forced into retirement when, surprisingly, his goddaughter, Basil’s daughter Helena Shaw (Phoebe Waller-Bridge), accompanies him on his journey for the Dial. Meanwhile, Voller, now a NASA member and ex-Nazi involved with the Apollo Moon-landing program, is also after the dial, and wishes to use it to make the world into a better place as he sees fit.
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Who is in the cast of ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny?’

Harrison Ford (‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’) as Indiana Jones, Phoebe Waller-Bridge (‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’) as Helena Shaw, Mads Mikkelsen (‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’) as Jürgen Voller, Antonio Banderas (‘The Mask of Zorro’) as Renaldo, John Rhys-Davies (‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade’) as Sallah, Toby Jones (‘Captain America: The First Avenger’) as Basil Shaw, Boyd Holbrook (‘The Predator’) as Klaber, Ethann Isidore (‘Mortel’) as Teddy Kumar, Shaunette Renée Wilson (‘Black Panther’) as Mason, Thomas Kretschmann (‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’) as Colonel Weber, and Karen Allen (‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’) as Marion Ravenwood.
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Initial Thoughts

‘Dial of Destiny’ is an improvement from ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,’ but still not a great ending for Indiana Jones’ story. The screenplay is confusing and convoluted, while the pacing is slow at times. Director James Mangold does an efficient job but the “Indiana Jones” magic is still missing from this installment. Harrison Ford gives a strong and emotional performance, while Phoebe Waller-Bridge breathes some fresh air into the franchise, but ultimately the film feels like an epilogue rather than a definitive final chapter.

Story and Direction

(L to R) Mads Mikkelsen and James Mangold on the set of Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

The movie begins in 1944 at the end of World War II with an excellent sequence that takes place on a moving train. Ford is de-aged for the scenes, and while the VFX don’t entirely work, Mangold shoots the actor as sparingly as possible, as a little bit goes a long way. The sequence is classic Indiana Jones and one of the best set pieces in the film. But once the story cuts to present day, it drags to the next action sequence. Many of the characters’ motivations are unclear, as is the true power of the dial, this film’s McGuffin. And without giving away the ending, that seemed to come out of nowhere, like Indy meeting aliens in the last movie.

James Mangold is a very accomplished director, having made such films as ‘3:10 to Yuma,’ ‘Logan,’ and ‘Ford v Ferrari,’ and does a good job with the action sequences and the drama, but the pacing and the tone never seems quite right. This is the first film in the franchise not directed by Steven Spielberg, and while I certainly did not like ‘Crystal Skull,’ I have to wonder if the “magic” missing from this movie isn’t him? Mangold leans heavy on the nostalgia, which serves the film well with several cameos and callbacks. The director stages some impressive action scenes including the opening, a parade chase through the streets of New York, and a final mind-bending sequence.

Overall, the movie feels more dramatic than necessary and lacks the fun of the first three films. The 1969 setting of the movie is refreshing and contrasts Ford’s age and the flashback sequences well. Using the idea of Nazis working with NASA on the space race was a clever idea, but not really explored enough. Nor is the true power of the dial, which is problematic because they’ve been chasing after it for the entire movie and we don’t really understand what it is capable of until the end.

Harrison Ford Returns as Indiana Jones!

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘IJ5.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

Harrison Ford will always be Indiana Jones! The actor returns to the role a little more gruff, but it suits the character well. Ford gives a great performance, but it is more dramatic than I expected. As an actor, Ford is excellent, but I question taking the character in this direction, as it sucks some of the fun out of the movie. Indiana lost his son Mutt Williams (Shia LaBeouf) in Vietnam, his wife Marion (Karen Allen) has since left him, he is being forced into retirement, and he seems to have a drinking problem. It’s a different way of looking at Indy, and while it’s not my idea of a fun time, Ford brings a lot of sincere emotion to his beloved role. And it is nice to see him wear the Fedora and crack the whip one more time.

Supporting Cast

Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge gives a wonderful and cheeky performance as Indy’s goddaughter Helena. It’s a fun character and Waller-Bridge breathes fresh life into the film with her role. However, I do question the way the character was written, as her motivations are unclear at times and seem to change on a whim. That said, she is a good foil for Indy, and has lovely chemistry with Ford.

Several new characters are introduced, but most of them have limited roles. Toby Jones plays Helena’s father and Indy’s friend Basil Shaw. He’s only seen in flashbacks, but is good in his scenes with Ford, especially in the beginning. Antonio Banderas is introduced as an old friend of Indy’s, and while his presence was more than welcomed, we don’t spend enough time with the character to really get to know him. But the most confusing addition was Ethann Isidore as Teddy, an ally of Helena. No offense to the young actor, who was fine in the role, but the character seemed unnecessary and his relationship to Helena was vague and never really explained.

Related Article: ‘Star Wars’ Movie News and a New ‘Indiana Jones’ Trailer Revealed at Star Wars Celebration

Familiar Faces

Renaldo (Antonio Banderas) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Again, in a far too limited role, John Rhys-Davies returns as Sallah, who first appeared in ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ and last in ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.’ He has only a few scenes but they are all with Ford, and it’s great seeing the two together again. Davies also has one of the best lines in the movie, but I wish the character could have been more involved with Indy’s journey.

Is Marion Ravenwood in Dial of Destiny?

Yes. Karen Allen returns as Marion Ravenwood, but like Davies, she really only has a cameo. However, the character plays a pivotal role in the film and is the reason for most of Indy’s actions and motivations.

Villains

Doctor Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen) in Lucasfilm’s ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2023 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Mads Mikkelsen plays a strong Indiana Jones villain with his performance as Nazi turned NASA scientist Jurgen Voller. The actor plays the role surprisingly differently than you might expect, and is a worthy adversary for our hero. While the actor never hides the characters motivations or true intentions, the story fails him at times when it becomes too convoluted. Voller’s role with the CIA is also confusing, working with agent Mason (Shaunette Renee Wilson), who seems unclear on why she’s helping him. And Boyd Holbrook basically plays the same role he did in Mangold’s ‘Logan,’ as Voller’s lead henchman.

A Conclusion to Indy’s Story

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘IJ5.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

Without giving away the end of the movie, we eventually learn that the Dial’s power has to do with time. This leads to an absolutely preposterous ending, that again, I won’t spoil. But it feels like something someone would write in fan-fiction and not a proper ending to Indiana Jones’ journey. In fact, the ending is so ridiculous its laughable and took me out of the film completely. That being said, it’s not as bad as Indy meeting aliens, but I do wonder if the franchise wouldn’t have been better off ending with ‘The Last Crusade,’ which was pretty much a perfect movie and the best in the franchise next to ‘Raiders.’ Still, it is fun seeing Ford as Indy one more time, and I do appreciate his thoughtful and emotional performance.

Final Thoughts

Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in Lucasfilm’s ‘IJ5.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

In the end, ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ just didn’t work for me. Mangold fills the movie with great action, and lots of nostalgia and dramatic emotion, but the story is all over the place, along with the tone and pacing. The returning characters that you want to see more of are limited, and too much time is spent on ancillary characters. Both Waller-Bridge and Mikkelsen give fresh and fun performances, but just like Indy, Harrison Ford swoops in and saves the movie. If for nothing else, the film is worth seeing just to get a glimpse of Ford as his signature character one more time.

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.’ ©2022 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’:
- ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark‘ (1981)
- ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom‘ (1984)
- ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade‘ (1989)
- ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull‘ (2008)
Buy Tickets: ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Indiana Jones Movies on Amazon

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ is produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. It is set to release in theaters on June 30th, 2023.
June 15, 2023