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  • ‘The Actor’ Interview: André Holland and Gemma Chan

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    Opening in theaters nationwide on March 14th is the new crime mystery ‘The Actor’, which was directed by Duke Johnson (‘Anomalisa’), and stars André Holland (‘Moonlight’ and ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’) and Gemma Chan (‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and ‘Eternals’).

    Related Article: Andra Day Talks Director Titus Kaphar’s ‘Exhibiting Forgiveness’

    (L to R) André Holland and Gemma Chan in 'The Actor'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) André Holland and Gemma Chan in ‘The Actor’. Photo: Neon.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with André Holland and Gemma Chan about their work on ‘The Actor’, their characters, the story, the cast, working together, and working with director Duke Johnson.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Holland, Chan, and director Duke Johnson.

    André Holland in 'The Actor'. Photo: Neon.
    André Holland in ‘The Actor’. Photo: Neon.

    Moviefone: To begin with, André what can you tell us about your character, Paul Cole?

    André Holland: Well, that’s the question of the movie, who is Paul Cole? Will the real Paul Cole please stand up? So, the movie is based on a book called ‘Memory’ by Donald Westlake. It’s set in 1955, when we find Paul Cole. He’s a theater actor who’s been on tour with his traveling troupe throughout the Midwest. He wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of who he is, doesn’t know where he is, or his troupe, and you find out later, they have moved on to the next town. This story is largely about him trying to piece together these clues to put his life back together and figure out who he is. Then along the way, he encounters this stunning creature and then must decide whether it makes more sense to continue his search to find his old life or to stay and build a new one.

    MF: Gemma, what can you say about Edna, and what did you enjoy about playing her?

    Gemma Chan: So, Edna is from a small town in Ohio. She is at a point in her life where she didn’t think that she would ever fall in love again or meet someone who could make her feel all these emotions, vulnerability being one of them. I feel that when she meets Paul, they feel something, and they see something and connect with each other instantly. I know that Duke, the director, very much wanted us to bring ourselves to these characters. I love Edna. There’s a sweetness to her, but also a strength inside her as well and a real vulnerability too.

    (L to R) Gemma Chan and André Holland in 'The Actor'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) Gemma Chan and André Holland in ‘The Actor’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Gemma, what was it like collaborating with director Duke Johnson on this movie?

    GC: I had seen Duke’s film, ‘Anomalisa’, and I loved it. Then I read this script and spoke to him about his vision for what he wanted to make. It just felt like such an opportunity to do something different. It doesn’t come along very often. From the fact that he wanted to cast an ensemble of actors who would play multiple roles within the film to wanting to use a lot of practical effects with the way he shot the movie and bring them over from the animation world to live action. It just seemed like it could be something magical and different. Then getting to work with amazing actors like André, it was a unique experience. Duke had such a clear vision of what he wanted to do, but also really trusted us to bring the emotion to our characters. So, it felt like a collaborative process.

    MF: André, what was it like working with the incredible ensemble cast?

    AH: It took a leap of faith on the part of all the actors to just dive in and go for it. I think that’s one of the things that theater asks you to do all the time. You don’t ever have enough time, you never got enough money, you just got to go for it. So, I think we had, in this case, a stellar group of actors who made up the ensemble. May Calamawy, Olwen (Fouéré), Tracey Ullman, Simon McBurney, we had killers. Everybody was like, “All right, let’s figure it out. Give me a wig and give me a mustache and I’m going to be this person and then I’ll switch it up and be somebody else.” It was really a lot of fun.

    André Holland in 'The Actor'. Photo: Neon.
    André Holland in ‘The Actor’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: André, what would you say to an audience sitting down to watch this movie now to prepare them for the theatrical experience they are about have?

    AH: Well, I think it’s a movie unlike any movie I’ve ever seen. It has a magical, fantastic quality to it, has beautiful performances, it’s wonderfully shot and it’s a lot of fun. It’s the kind of movie that I think you could see with a big group of people. It’s the kind of movie that I think really makes the theater going experience special. It’s designed to be seen in a theater. Not to say that you can’t sit at home and watch it on a laptop, you could, but you’d be missing out, I think. So, I just would encourage people to get a group of folks together, go get some popcorn and go watch the movie. Then go get a drink and talk about it afterwards. I think it’ll be worth your time.

    MF: Gemma, what was your experience like working with André?

    GC: Well, it was a dream. I told him this before, but he’s such a talented actor, and so generous as well. Every scene, every little vignette that we filmed as our characters, it was a joy. I felt that I could be vulnerable with him. He’s such a good listener as well. Just a wonderful, generous actor. I can’t speak highly enough of him. I was a huge fan of his work before getting to do this. He’s a huge part of why I said yes to doing the project.

    (L to R) André Holland and Gemma Chan in 'The Actor'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) André Holland and Gemma Chan in ‘The Actor’. Photo: Neon.

    MF: Finally, André, did you enjoy working with Gemma on set?

    AH: We’ll be here all day if I start gushing over this woman. She is extraordinary, the finest that there is. A wonderful actor, wonderful human being, and we had such a good time. I’m so proud of the movie, but I’m equally proud of our friendship that has come out of it.

    Editorial Note: Krisily Fernstrom conducted this interview and contributed to this article.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Actor’?

    Paul Cole (André Holland) finds himself stranded in a mysterious small town with no memory of who he is or how he got here. As bits and pieces of his past slowly emerge, he attempts to find his way home, but time is slippery, appearances can’t be trusted, and it’s unclear which of his identities is real.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Actor’?

    • André Holland as Paul Cole
    • Gemma Chan as Edna
    • Olwen Fouéré as Old Lady Track
    • Edward Hogg as Make Up Artist
    • Youssef Kerkour as Black Jack / Ed / Defense Attorney / Busdriver
    • Tracey Ullman as Mrs. Malloy / Helen / Deerville Woman
    (L to R) André Holland and Gemma Chan in 'The Actor'. Photo: Neon.
    (L to R) André Holland and Gemma Chan in ‘The Actor’. Photo: Neon.

    List of Duke Johnson Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Gemma Chan Movies on Amazon

     

  • Where To Watch Gareth Edward’s ’The Creator’

    Madeline Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    Madeline Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Visionary director Gareth Edwards creates a futuristic world where humans have declared war against Artificial Intelligence, who has created a mysterious and powerful weapon that threatens the end of mankind.

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    Where Can I Watch ‘The Creator’?

    John David Washington as Joshua in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    John David Washington as Joshua in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Glen Milner. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The Creator’ had its world premiere screening on September 18, 2023, at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. It was released domestically on September 29 in various formats, such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and ScreenX.

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Creator’ Movie Showtimes

    The movie has been in theaters for over 60 days since its release and may no longer be showing in theaters. Missed its theatrical run? Don’t worry. ‘The Creator’ has already made its way to PVOD. You can purchase the movie digitally in 4K for $19.99 on mainstream services such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Pay, YouTube, Vudu, and Microsoft.

    For those waiting on a home release, the movie will be available on December 12, 2023 on UHD, Blu-Ray, and DVD, just in time for the holidays. The physician release will feature a variety of bonus features, including a 55-minute behind-the-sene featurette titled “True Love: Making The Creator,” where director Gareth Edwards, film crew, and actors talk about the filming experience and the film’s documentary-style approach.

    Buy ‘The Creator’ Movie On Amazon

    ‘The Creator’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 13 minutes

    When Will ‘The Creator’ Be Available For Streaming?

    A still on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    A still on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The movie was released by 20th Century Studios, which is owned by the Walt Disney Company. It was recently announced that the movie will debut Wednesday, December 20, on Hulu.

    Where to Watch: ‘The Creator’ Online

    Disappointing Box Office

    A still on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    A still on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Glen Milner. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The Creator’ is an ambitious film with excellent world-building, interesting character designs, and the promise of an expansive original sci-fi film, the excitement around the movie continued to build. Edward’s vision for the film was inspired by his love of Vietnam war films, mixed with robotics and sci-fi. The budget for ‘The Creator’ cost around $80 million. Unfortunately, the buzz did not result in a stellar box office performance as one would expect. It opened at a little over $14 million, and has grossed $40.7 million domestically. For the global box office, the movie recently passed $100 million at the worldwide box office.

    Watch the official trailer for ‘The Creator’ below:

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    What is the Plot of ‘The Creator’?

    Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Oren Soffer. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    The official synopsis for ‘The Creator’ is below:

    “From writer/director Gareth Edwards (‘Rogue One,’ ‘Godzilla’) comes an epic sci-fi action thriller set amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence. Joshua (John David Washington, ‘Tenet’), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Gemma Chan, ‘Eternals’), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war… and mankind itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory… only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child (Madeleine Yuna Voyles).”

    Who Is In The Cast of ‘The Creator’?

    Allison Janney as Colonel Howell in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    Allison Janney as Colonel Howell in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Oren Soffer. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    'The Creator' opens in theaters on September 29th.
    ‘The Creator’ opens in theaters on September 29th.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Creator’:

    To watch our interview with director Gareth Edwards about ‘The Creator,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Boy and the Heron’

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    When you see the names Studio Ghibli and especially company boss/master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki attached to a film, it tends to be a stamp of quality that you can trust. Together they’ve put out some much-loved animated movies including ‘Spirited Away’, ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ and ‘My Neighbor Totoro’.

    But while not every title is a winner –– even Miyazaki’s most recent film, one he made after announcing his retirement (‘The Wind Rises’) wasn’t seen as in the top tier of the company’s productions.

    Still, it’s good to be able to report that ‘The Boy and the Heron’ is one of the most entertaining (and moving) films that Miyazaki has made in years.

    Is ‘The Boy and the Heron’ worth flying to see?

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    ‘The Boy and the Heron’ is Miyazaki back at the height of his powers for sure, hitting themes and concepts that have weaved through his and other Ghibli Studios movies. We’re introduced to our young protagonist at a particularly traumatic time of his life –– his mother has died when the hospital where she works was bombed in the Pacific War –– and he’s moving with his father so his dad can take up a new job (oh and marry his dead wife’s younger sister which would be a lot for any child to deal with!)

    As he explores his new home, he discovers family secrets and, somewhat naturally, a mysterious fantasy world full of strange creatures. But it’s all brought so beautifully to life that you won’t ever mind some familiar ingredients –– Miyazaki and his team have weaved another beguiling tale here that has lots of charm and a real emotional punch.

    And, of course, the primarily hand-drawn animation (with a little dusting of digital magic here and there) is stunning to look at.

    Related Article: Amber Noizumi and Michael Green Talk Netflix Series ‘Blue Eye Samurai’

    ‘The Boy and the Heron’: Script and Direction

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    Miyazaki has described this as semi-autobiographical and while he puts the same level of care and attention into everything he makes, you can sense the extra levels of motivation here and the fact that he’s drawing from life again.

    There is a lightness of touch to Miyazaki’s writing that even survives the translation process (for the record, we have seen the movie twice –– once in the original Japanese and in the dubbed version with the likes of Christian Bale and Willem Dafoe lending their voices). Opening in dramatic fashion, the film captures the horror of war but then gives way to more of a mystery story, our young protagonist slowly figuring out what is going on with the strange house he’s now living and the portal he discovers.

    And while there are heavy themes of dealing with grief, loss and a seismic shifts in life, there is also room for humor, with the Heron in particular a fun character who causes no end of trouble for our hero when his otherworld form is revealed.

    On the visual front, it’s naturally lush and lavish, creating some truly original shots. If there is any real criticism to be made, it’s that certain sequences are drawn out perhaps longer than they can, including a sequence of bubble-like spirits hoping to be born in our world (any similarities to Pixar’s ‘Soul’ on this front are entirely coincidental, and even here the Ghibli team makes it distinct).

    ‘The Boy and the Heron’: Performances

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    A lot of the heavy lifting here is carried by main character Mahito (Soma Santoki in the Japanese version; Luca Padovan in the English-language translation), who goes on his fantastical journey and learns plenty of lessons about his own history and dealing with the world.

    In Miyazaki’s careful hands, he’s never a bratty character even given his situation, and shows real growth as he makes his way through the alternate world and discovers his true potential destiny there.

    Around Mahito, there is a big group of oddball characters, be they chatty, militaristic parakeets or the troublemaking Heron. In both the Japanese and English-language versions, the voice roles are wrangled well. Though animation, particularly anime, has the tendency to push the heightened voice performances to a distracting degree, in ‘The Boy and the Heron’, they really complement the visuals well and bring the characters to life with either stately grace or comic energy.

    ‘The Boy and the Heron’: Final Thoughts

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    At a time when the likes of the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ are pushing the boundaries in the CG world, it’s reassuring to know that Studio Ghibli can still make masterpieces in the hand-drawn, 2D arena.

    This is a beautiful, haunting and visually dynamic movie that is perfect for family viewing.

    Mostly, ‘The Boy and the Heron’ just makes us glad that Miyazaki didn’t completely retire from the world of filmmaking. And if this is to be his swansong, it’s a wonderful movie to go out on.

    ‘The Boy and the Heron’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Boy and the Heron’?

    The plot of the film follows a young boy named Mahito longing for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead.

    There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning.

    The movie is described as “a semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death and creation, in tribute to friendship, from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.”

    Who else lends their voice to ‘The Boy and the Heron’?

    ‘The Boy and the Heron’s English-language cast includes Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson, Florence Pugh, Luca Padovan, Mamoudou Athie, Tony Revolori and Dan Stevens.

    Yet even given that talent, purists will be happy to know they can also seek the movie out in the original Japanese with subtitles.

    'The Boy and the Heron.'
    ‘The Boy and the Heron.’ Copyright: © 2023 Studio Ghibli.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Boy and the Heron’:

    Buy Hayao Miyazaki Movies on Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘The Creator’

    John David Washington as Joshua in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    John David Washington as Joshua in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    In theaters on Friday 29th September, ‘The Creator’ represents a return for director Gareth Edwards, who made his name with low-budget sci-fi marvel ‘Monsters’ and was then recruited to make the likes of ‘Godzilla’ and a ‘Star Wars’ entry.

    But with ‘The Creator’, he’s in his own world, albeit one that owes a big debt to genre and other classic movies.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Creator’?

    Madeline Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    Madeline Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua (John David Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Gemma Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war… and possibly mankind itself.

    Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory… Only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child.

    Who else is in ‘The Creator’?

    Allison Janney as Colonel Howell in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    Allison Janney as Colonel Howell in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Oren Soffer. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘The Creator’s cast also includes Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Madeline Yuna Voyles, Amar Chadha-Patel, Ralph Ineson, Veronica Ngo, Marc Menchaca and Allison Janney.

    Related Article: Director Gareth Edwards Talks ‘The Creator’ and Artificial Intelligence

    Is ‘The Creator’ worth watching?

    Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie, Gemma Chan as Maya, and Director Gareth Edwards on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    (L to R) Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie, Gemma Chan as Maya, and Director Gareth Edwards on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Glen Milner. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Gareth Edwards is more known these days for being the director behind such giant franchise movies as ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (more controversially on the latter, since there was plenty of talk about how the studio had Tony Gilroy come in and re-write/re-shoot chunks of the movie, and it’s telling that Gilroy would go on to create prequel Disney+ series ‘Andor, not Edwards).

    But before both of those behemoths, he was the talent responsible for the excellent, grounded (despite the presence of giant alien creatures) ‘Monsters’ in 2010, which mixed a very human story of mismatched love with superbly realized effects. ‘The Creator’ leans much more into that style of film, with its shaky-cam guerilla shooting utilizing some beautiful natural backgrounds across Asia and story of a human being making a connection.

    Yet while ‘Monsters’ was inspired by disaster films (and Richard Linklater for its central duo), ‘The Creator’ is feeding more from the output of filmmakers such as James Cameron and Francis Ford Coppola. This is a work of excellent world building, Edwards carefully assembling a reality where the West is engaged in a conflict against the artificial lifeforms it built to perform tasks which has since rebelled to secure its own freedom.

    A nuclear strike on Los Angeles a decade ago left America going on the offensive, but in a nice twist of the usual man-vs-machine narrative, Asia has embraced the AI, offering sanctuary for the various synthetics. It gives the story echoes of Vietnam, the U.S. involved in a war it may not win.

    A scene still from 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    A scene still from 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    To try and prevent that, the US government has built NOMAD, a giant orbital weapons platform that can target individuals and structures, launching devastating missile strikes. The technological terror makes for superb visuals, spectral lasers scouring the countryside and raining fire down upon mech-heads.

    ‘The Creator’ also looks great, the mostly natural settings (though a grubby industrial city glimpsed midway through the movie is just as remarkable) giving this a standout style.

    Edwards also has a good eye for casting, with Washington giving another solid performance and bonding well with newcomer Voyles, who believably mixes childlike innocence with the flawless effects work of the character. Supporting them are the likes of Janney (as a gritty Colonel who will stop at nothing to track them down) and Watanabe, reuniting with his ‘Godzilla’ director and doing typically excellent work as an AI with a link to Joshua’s past.

    This might be the most beautiful and technologically effective sci-fi thriller you’ll see this year.

    What doesn’t work about ‘The Creator’?

    A scene still from 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    A scene still from 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    There are some downsides to the movie, primarily that its world-building invention and affecting performances can’t quite overcome the storyline, which feels like the director (who wrote the script with Chris Weitz, his collaborator on early drafts of ‘Rogue One’) borrowing parts of other movies.

    It’s possible to see elements of primarily James Cameron’s movies, especially ‘The Terminator’ (a U.S. Army vehicle deployed late in the movie reminded me of the tank-like Hunter Killers) and ‘Aliens’ (in the dynamic of the grunts Janney leads into combat), blended with something more along the lines of Alfonso Cuaron’s work.

    Which is not completely a bad thing –– if you’re going to borrow, why not pick the best? Yet when you’re ticking off elements you’ve seen in movies such as ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Blade Runner’ and not completely concentrating on the tale that Edwards is looking to tell here, you know you’re in some trouble.

    Likewise, the story itself, of Joshua’s connection to the young AI, is something we’ve seen several times before even with the various metaphysical and ethical trappings aiming to freshen things.

    Gemma Chan as Maya in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    Gemma Chan as Maya in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Add to that the fact that despite an early scene of them swapping banter, the bond between Washington and Chan’s characters is nowhere near as effective, with the various flashbacks to stages of their relationship coming across as the filmmaker trying to convince you to feel something and falling short.

    The problems, though, don’t sink this one. It’s good to see Edwards back to his own sphere after a few years of running around in other people’s genre playgrounds. ‘The Creator’ is proof that he hasn’t lost his touch for sweeping sci-fi with relatable emotions at its core, and it’s certainly one I would recommend seeking out in IMAX formats to make the most of the love poured into the look of the movie.

    This may not be the most original movie you’ll see this year, but it’s certainly one of the more impressive. Welcome back, Gareth Edwards: we’ve missed your viewpoints and your heartfelt humanity.

    ‘The Creator’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    'The Creator' opens in theaters on September 29th.
    ‘The Creator’ opens in theaters on September 29th.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Creator’:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Creator’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy John David Washington Movies On Amazon

    ‘The Creator’ is produced by New Regency Pictures, 20th Century Studios, McFarland Entertainment, and Entertainment One, and will be in theaters on September 29th.

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  • ‘The Creator’ Interview: Director Gareth Edwards

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    Opening in theaters on September 29th is the new sci-fi action thriller ‘The Creator,’ which was directed by Gareth Edwards (‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,’ ‘Godzilla’).

    What is the plot of ‘The Creator’?

    Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua (John David Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife (Gemma Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war… and mankind itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory only to discover the world-ending weapon he’s been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child (Madeleine Yuna Voyles).

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    Who is in the cast of ‘The Creator’?

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Gareth Edwards about his work on ‘The Creator,’ what fans can expect from the new movie, the themes of AI that he wanted to explore, the friendship Joshua and Alfie form, and working with actors John David Washington and Madeleine Yuna Voyles.

    'The Creator' director Gareth Edwards.
    ‘The Creator’ director Gareth Edwards.

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

    Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to audiences sitting down to watch this film to prepare them for the theatrical experience they are about to have?

    Gareth Edwards: If They’ve already decided to go and they bought their ticket, I would say nothing at all. If they haven’t, I would say, it’s very hard to talk about a film without doing any spoilers whatsoever. I’d just say, “It’s not what you think It’s going to be.” The title of this movie, when we were making it, was called ‘True Love.’ It’s a very emotional journey, I hope. That is the thing. The thing I’m most hearing about now as we’re starting to show the film to people, is how they are surprised about how they were affected, emotionally, watching the film. I mean, I love robots and explosions and spaceships, and that’s why I started making the film, but it’s all for nothing if it doesn’t give you the feels.

    A still on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    A still on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Related Article: ‘The Creator’ Trailer

    MF: Can you talk about developing the story and the themes of Artificial intelligence that you wanted to explore with this movie?

    GE: I think when you sit down and go, “I want to make a movie about prejudice,” or whatever the theme is, if you do that, you’re going to make a terrible film. You lock onto something that super interests you. For me, it was the idea of, essentially, if you’ve seen the materials, there’s a little AI child at the heart of this movie. John David Washington’s character is essentially sent to kill it. He can win the war and save humanity if he just kills this kid. In the process of taking the kid to be assassinated, he starts to question everything he believes and gets very torn, and everyone is pursuing them and all those things. When you land on something that interests you like that, as you’re writing it, it starts to tell you what the theme is. You get themes about prejudice and about xenophobia or whatever, and then you try to help that, like a child who grows up and tells you what it wants to be when it’s older. It’s like a story does that too. You try to encourage it. But I hate films that preach to you and I love films with gray morally. I am going to be fascinated what people think when they come out and how it makes them feel about AI and everything, because I try to take people on quite a journey and I’m not sure everyone fully appreciates. I think they think they know what the movie’s going to do and I hope it doesn’t do that.

    John David Washington as Joshua and Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    (L to R) John David Washington as Joshua and Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie in 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    MF: Finally, can you talk about the very “human relationship” that Joshua and Alfie form together and creating that chemistry with John David Washington and Madeleine Yuna Voyles?

    GE: Yeah, it was super important that the two of them had that chemistry. It was fundamental to the entire movie. Madeleine, she is beyond her years. She’s like a reincarnated brilliant actress from some other era, I think, because a six-year-old girl should not be able to do that kind of performance she did. Basically, she’s very introverted. You know what I mean? She’s very shy, and so it was hard to get into her bubble and become a friend of hers. She keeps everyone at a distance in a good way. Also, we were in the middle of nowhere in the jungles of Thailand shooting this movie. I couldn’t blame her. But then John David worked really hard to become her best friend and he cracked it. It was really hilarious to watch, because when you do a take and an actor needs to stay in the zone, they’re doing something emotional or something, and what happens, you say, “Cut,” and they go off into the corner and they won’t talk to anyone. They need their little space. He would go off into the corner. Madeleine would just get up, follow him, hold his hand, and start talking about some toy she really liked at home and that she played with, or tell him some random story, the way kids do, that’s completely just something only a kid can say. You’d be hearing this cracking up. John David was such a nice guy. He’d lean down and talk to her, and play, and get all enthusiastic with her. He became her big brother and best friend. They had had a long period of not seeing each other. It was her birthday the other week. We went to Disneyland with her and with John David. Her eyes, just the whole day, it was like she’d been reunited with her best mate. It was beautiful.

    Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie, Gemma Chan as Maya, and Director Gareth Edwards on the set of 20th Century Studios' 'The Creator.'
    (L to R) Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alphie, Gemma Chan as Maya, and Director Gareth Edwards on the set of 20th Century Studios’ ‘The Creator.’ Photo by Glen Milner. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Creator’:

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    ‘The Creator’ is produced by New Regency Pictures, 20th Century Studios, McFarland Entertainment, and Entertainment One, and will be in theaters on September 29th.

     

  • ‘Extrapolations’ Interview: Daveed Diggs Talks Apple TV+ Series

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    Premiering March 17th on Apple TV+ is the new series ‘’Extrapolations,’ which was created by Scott Z. Burns (‘Contagion’).

    What is the plot of ‘Extrapolations?’

    ‘Extrapolations’ is an anthology series that depicts the effects of climate change on the planet through various different points of view through interconnected stories.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Extrapolations?’

    ‘Extrapolations’ stars an all-star cast that includes Oscar winners Meryl Streep (‘The Devil Wears Prada‘), Marion Cotillard (‘The Dark Knight Rises‘), and Forest Whitaker (‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story‘), as well as Edward Norton (‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery‘), Sienna Miller (‘Foxcatcher‘), Kit Harrington (‘Eternals‘), Diane Lane (‘Man of Steel‘), Daveed Diggs (‘Hamilton‘), Matthew Rhys (‘Cocaine Bear‘), Gemma Chan (‘Crazy Rich Asians‘), David Schwimmer (‘Apt Pupil‘), Keri Russell (‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘), Eliza Gonzalez (‘Ambulance‘), Heather Graham (‘Boogie Nights‘), Cherry Jones (‘Motherless Brooklyn‘), Judd Hirsch (‘The Fabelmans‘), Indira Varma (‘Basic Instinct 2’), Tahar Rahim (‘Mary Magdalene’), Michael Gandolfini (‘The Many Saints of Newark‘), and Tobey Maguire (‘Babylon‘).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Daveed Diggs about his work on ‘’Extrapolations’,’ his character, the story and working with Scott Z. Burns.

    Daveed Diggs stars in 'Extrapolations,' premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    Daveed Diggs stars in ‘Extrapolations,’ premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch out interviews with Diggs, Indira Varma, Tahar Rahim, Scott Z. Burns and executive producers Michael Ellenberg and Dorthey Fortenberry.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction when you read Scott Z. Burns’ script for this series?

    Daveed Diggs: I mean, I was really invested in the character. I got sent the scripts, and I just thought he was awesome. Then understanding the totality of the series, the same thing. It does be making me Google things and I think that’s really an important aspect of it. I think we want something that’s entertaining enough that it sticks with you and then as it sticks with you, it starts to seep in. You can be like, what don’t I know about this that I should probably know? I think Marshall being part of the first third of this, there is that little hopeful element of we could actually not do this. We could not end up there. We just have to all decide. Actually, all of us have to decide that we don’t want to be there, which is a tricky ask.

    Meryl Streep in 'Extrapolations,' premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    Meryl Streep in ‘Extrapolations,’ premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    MF: Can you talk about how the events of the series change your character’s plans for the future?

    DD: He’s already 20 years down the road, but I think Marshall is hopeful. Ultimately, it’s about people. So the big question of it is, how could God do this to us? How could God allow this to happen? Those are the questions that this little girl is asking. He doesn’t have an answer to it until he comes to the realization that he already knew when he was younger, when he was an activist, which was like, actually we have to do it and God’s been saying that. He said that to Moses.

    Daveed Diggs in 'Extrapolations,' premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    Daveed Diggs in ‘Extrapolations,’ premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    Related Article: Vincent Cassel Talks Apple TV+’s ‘Liaison’ 

    MF: How would you describe your character, Marshall?

    DD: Marshall’s a rabbi, so he’s a faith leader. When we meet him, he is working in Israel and is a big activist on climate and a whole bunch of other things. Then we flash forward a bunch of years and we meet him again. He’s moved back to Miami and he is running the congregation there, and he’s become a little more apathetic despite still being a leader of faith and really passionate about his community. But in terms of his activism, he’s sort of fallen off. Then a little girl about to have her Bat Mitzvah comes in and starts challenging all of his apathy. It’s a good way to raise the stakes of a crisis of faith, to be actually met with the flood. It’s just good writing. It really, and that’s why I was attracted to it.

    Edward Norton and Mia Maestro in 'Extrapolations,' premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    (L to R) Edward Norton and Mia Maestro in ‘Extrapolations,’ premiering March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.

    MF: Finally, how would you describe the series, in your own words?

    DD: I mean, it is sci-fi, I guess, that’s the closest thing, or climate fiction. That that’s a whole sub-genre, cli-fi is a whole thing. But I think speculative fiction is looking forward to a future that we are not yet in, but it is grounded in a lot of practical, as Scott’s work tends to be grounded in a lot of practical, real world contemporary science and the most current version of all of these things. So, that’s what makes it scary is that we know that this is a real possibility.

    'Extrapolations,' premieres March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.
    ‘Extrapolations,’ premieres March 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.

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  • Movie Review: ‘Don’t Worry Darling’

    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.

    Releasing in theaters this week, Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ has been dogged by behind-the-scenes and tabloid drama, but the movie itself stands apart from all of that and proves that her debut, ‘Booksmart’, was no fluke.

    And the new film is a very, very different beast from that initial offering, swapping charming, warm coming-of-age antics and slapstick humor for paranoia, gaslighting and a theme that would feel right at home in a thriller from the 1970s.

    We’re introduced to Alice Chambers (Florence Pugh) and husband Jack (Harry Styles) who count themselves lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the highly top secret Victory Project and their families.

    The 1950’s societal optimism espoused by their boss Frank (Chris Pine) – who is equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach – influences every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia, which is seemingly carved from the landscape in California’s Palm Springs.

    While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives, including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley (Gemma Chan) fill their time enjoying the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause.

    Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in 'Don't Worry Darling.'
    (L-r) Harry Styles as Jack and Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Alice and Jack are initially thrilled with their lives, sizzling with sexual chemistry and barely able to keep their hands off each other when they’re at home, and at one point in Frank’s bedroom during a party.

    Even though it might seem repetitive – Jack heads off to work, Alice cleans the house and busies herself with cooking, ballet and shopping – it’s so comfortable that no-one questions it. Until Alice starts to.

    She’s spurred by the behavior of another wife, KiKi Layne’s Margaret, who has been having serious second thoughts after taking her son out to the restricted desert area outside the community, where he disappeared and is seemingly dead.

    As Margaret’s actions grow more out of keeping with everyone else, Alice starts to feel a tingling sense of paranoia. Is this idealized life she’s living as, well, ideal? And her sense of reality starts to crumble.

    Given that this is a psychological thriller, you know there will be something going on, but we won’t get into that here – the basic set-up is all you really need.

    Director/producer/actor Olivia Wilde and Chris Pine on the set of New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L-R) Director/producer/actor Olivia Wilde and Chris Pine on the set of New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Wilde weaves a compelling, mysterious and stylish story, stretching a relatively thrifty $20-$30 million budget into an effective, layered world. She drip-feeds tension into the narrative from the off with the mysterious rumbles that shake the houses from time to time, written off by the residents as a side-effect of whatever the men are working on.

    She and her team have built something that looks and sounds fabulous, whether it’s cinematographer Matthew Libatique’s sun-bleached visions of this community with its pastel, mid-century modern houses or John Powell’s score, which dials up the creepiness as the narrative moves on. Together with the sound team, it creates a real feeling of unease.

    The script, from ‘Booksmart’s Katie Silberman, based on a story by her alongside Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke (yes, as in Dick Van Dyke – they’re his grandsons) serves as a solid example of the paranoia genre, crafting this world before challenging it.

    While ‘Booksmart’ explored female friendship and teenage frustration, ‘Darling’ switches genres and attitude, but still keeps the focus on the experiences of women, taking in divided gender expectations of the past and gaslighting.

    Pugh is, of course, fantastic, breathing conflicted life into Alice at every moment, whether she’s happily cooking up a roast, engaging in enthusiastic romance with her husband or seeing a plane crash in the desert that no one else wants to acknowledge.

    Styles isn’t quite on her level, but he brings a charm and eagerness to Jack that works for the character, and when he’s called upon to do more than that, he handles it effectively.

    Olivia Wilde as Bunny, Nick Kroll as Dean and Chris Pine as Frank in New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L-R) Olivia Wilde as Bunny, Nick Kroll as Dean and Chris Pine as Frank in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Pine, meanwhile, is a smooth guru type, his voice full of a hypnotic, magnetic, confident smoothness that has everyone both ready to hang on his every word and yet remain slightly afraid of him.

    The rest of the cast fill their roles well too – Chan playing the alpha wife to the hilt, while Wilde is Alice’s best friend Bunny, an amusing and slightly sarcastic homemaker with two kids and a slight drinking problem (though given the 1950s period, everyone happily guzzles booze, so it’s not as noticeable to them).

    Despite being a key element of the story Layne doesn’t get as much to do, Margaret a slightly underserved character who edges towards cliché at times. It’s no fault of the actor, who brings a pained vulnerability to her role.

    As the truth begins to dawn on Alice, and on us, the pace speeds up and the overall effect unravels slightly, the final act never quite as compelling as the build-up, the various details undercut in a more straightforward action-focused finale.

    You might well figure out ahead of the characters what’s going on, and there are clues here and there sprinkled throughout the movie that verge on the less than subtle. Wilde has plenty of ideas that she wants to unpack, but not all of them arrive completely thought through – when the big revelations start to drop, the cracks in more than just Alice’s reality start to show and you’ll have questions not easily answered by the script.

    Yet it still doesn’t diminish what has gone before and Pugh remains as committed as ever, spurring you to empathize with Alice even as she worries that she might be losing her mind. It’s twisted, audacious and, at least until the end, surprising. Ignore the unnecessary noise around the movie and let it transport you.

    ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ receives 3.5 out of 5 stars.

    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros.
    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.
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  • New Trailer for ‘Don’t Worry Darling’

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    You know how it is… you think you’re living the perfect life in an idyllic community with all your needs taken care of and your neighbors a group of the best-looking people around.

    And then you start to dig a little deeper and discover that it might all be built on a lie, and that the closer you get to the truth, the more danger there is.

    All right, so very few people actually live that sort of life out of the movies, but that’s exactly the quandary that Alice (Florence Pugh) finds herself in in the latest trailer for Olivia Wilde’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling’.

    The story for the new movie finds Alice and Jack (Harry Styles), who consider themselves lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project and their families. The 1950’s societal optimism espoused by their CEO, Frank (Chris Pine) — equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach — anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia.

    While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives — including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley (Gemma Chan) — get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury, and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause.

    Olivia Wilde as Bunny, Nick Kroll as Dean and Chris Pine as Frank in New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L-R) Olivia Wilde as Bunny, Nick Kroll as Dean and Chris Pine as Frank in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    But when cracks in their idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade, Alice can’t help questioning exactly what they’re doing in Victory, and why. Just how much is she willing to lose to expose what’s really going on in this paradise?

    Wilde, who broke into directing with ‘Booksmart’ has made what looks like an intriguingly paranoid period thriller with shades of 1970s movies, ‘The Prisoner’ and the style of something that Stanley Kubrick would nod approvingly towards.

    She also steps in front of the camera this time, as Mary, one of the wives who seeks to keeps the others from looking to deeply into their situation. Wilde also has Nick Kroll, Douglas Smith, Timothy Simons and KiKi Layne on the roster.

    Working with cinematographer Matthew Libatique (a regular collaborator with Darren Aronofsky), and ‘Booksmart’ production designer Katie Byron, Wilde, who has a script from Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke, and Shane Van Dyke, certainly appears to have created something exciting, dramatic, and visually arresting.

    ‘Don’t’ Worry Darling’ will have you questioning the nature of your own reality when it arrives in theaters on September 23rd.

    Director/producer/actor Olivia Wilde and Chris Pine on the set of New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L-R) Director/producer/actor Olivia Wilde and Chris Pine on the set of New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros.
    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.
    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s 'Don't Worry Darling,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Ent. Inc. All rights reserved.
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  • Florence Pugh and Harry Styles Star in the ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Trailer

    Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in 'Don't Worry Darling.'
    (L-r) Harry Styles as Jack and Florence Pugh as Alice in New Line Cinema’s ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures.

    There’s a grand tradition of movies set in the 1950s and 60s that use seemingly perfect suburbia as a hotbed of paranoia and suspicion. Olivia Wilde is adding to it with her new film, ‘Don’t Worry Darling’.

    Having launched her directorial career successfully with charming, witty comedy ‘Booksmart’, Wilde has a boosted budget and a starry cast for this new movie, which looks sumptuous and sexy, and promises the sorts of paranoid thrills that can bubble under a manufactured community such as the towns that popped up in remote desert locations near government or military facilities.

    The story for the new movie finds Alice (Florence Pugh) and Jack (Harry Styles), who consider themselves lucky to be living in the idealized community of Victory, the experimental company town housing the men who work for the top-secret Victory Project and their families. The 1950’s societal optimism espoused by their CEO, Frank (Chris Pine) — equal parts corporate visionary and motivational life coach — anchors every aspect of daily life in the tight-knit desert utopia.

    While the husbands spend every day inside the Victory Project Headquarters, working on the “development of progressive materials,” their wives — including Frank’s elegant partner, Shelley (Gemma Chan) — get to spend their time enjoying the beauty, luxury, and debauchery of their community. Life is perfect, with every resident’s needs met by the company. All they ask in return is discretion and unquestioning commitment to the Victory cause.

    But when cracks in their idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something much more sinister lurking beneath the attractive façade, Alice can’t help questioning exactly what they’re doing in Victory, and why. Just how much is she willing to lose to expose what’s really going on in this paradise?

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    Wilde, who wowed the crowd at CinemaCon last week with the footage, has corralled quite the supporting cast for this one. In addition to taking a role herself (she plays Mary, one of the wives who seeks to keeps the others from looking to deeply into their situation), she has Nick Kroll, Douglas Smith, Timothy Simons and KiKi Layne on the roster.

    And the trailer also promises a whole lot of sexy chemistry between Pugh and Styles, who certainly appear to be happily married characters — at least, before Pugh’s Alice starts to wonder what lurks beyond at her husband’s job and soon discovers that the people behind it don’t want anyone digging into their secrets.

    Working with cinematographer Matthew Libatique (a regular collaborator with Darren Aronofsky), and ‘Booksmart’ production designer Katie Byron, Wilde, who has a script from Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke, and Shane Van Dyke, certainly appears to have created something exciting, dramatic, and stylish. We’re getting similar vibes to ‘The Stepford Wives’ and TV’s ‘The Prisoner’.

    ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ will be in theaters on September 22nd this year.

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  • Get to Know the ‘Eternals’ With This Character Guide

    Get to Know the ‘Eternals’ With This Character Guide

    (L-R): Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Thena (Angelina Jolie), and Gilgamesh (Don Lee) in Marvel Studios' 'Eternals'
    (L-R): Kingo (Kumail Nanjiani), Sprite (Lia McHugh), Sersi (Gemma Chan), Ikaris (Richard Madden), Thena (Angelina Jolie), and Gilgamesh (Don Lee) in Marvel Studios’ ‘Eternals’

    Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ brings together the most cosmic team the studio has ever introduced! If you thought the Guardians of the Galaxy were out there, welcome to the Celestials! Coming from the pages of 1970s and the mind of legendary Jack Kirby. But who are the Eternals? We’ve put together some details to get up to speed on the new team in ‘Eternals.’ A quick note, unless stated, every character was first introduced in The Eternals (1976) written by Jack Kirby.

    Sersi – played by Gemma Chan


    Sersi is the Eternal who wields magic, similar to ‘Doctor Strange,’ just immensely more powerful. A master in the art of illusions and transmutation, which makes her most likely one of the bigger threats in the group. Seeing as the Eternals were made to watch over humanity, it’s safe to say that Sersi has heard of the “Sorcerer Supreme.”

    Ikaris – played by Richard Madden


    Ikaris is a hands-on type, at least when it comes to a fighting. He uses his superhuman strength and even shoots energy beams from his eyes (or sometimes considered disintegration beams, as the trailers show them in action). In the comics, he’s the Eternal that’s seemingly always ready to jump into battle, maybe even a bit of a showoff. We get a hint of that in the trailers with his insane, flying action scenes.

    Thena – played by Angelina Jolie


    Perhaps even more than Ikaris, Thena is probably the Eternal with the most skill in hand-to-hand combat, as the trailer shows her conjuring a spear and shield. With a knowledge of every weapon and style of combat ever used in earth’s history, she is most likely the worst person you want to go up again. Interesting enough, all Eternals have a weakness around their own mental control. The less control they have over their body, the more they are likely to get injured. It’s curious to see if the film will touch on this.

    Ajak – played by Salma Hayek


    Now for one of the more interesting additions to the film; Ajak in the comics was the leader of the Eternals. And male. But, in the movie, we have the  talented Salma Hayek playing the most powerful and dutiful of the group. Ajak is indeed a male character, but in comic lore, he did start off as female. Could we see this play out in the movie? It’s unlikely, as Marvel cast just a highly talented and beloved actress for the role, but it is a possibility. But, as Marvel has showed with recent TV show choices, it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

    Kingo – played by Kumail Nanjiani


    In the comics, Kingo hailed from the Japanese mountains, later becoming a film star in the same country. In the new movie, Kingo has a long-lasting film career, but he keeps his age a secret from his fans.

    Sprite – played by Lia McHugh


    Sprite has a very fun history in the comics. In Marvel lore, Sprite is forever in the body of a child, and they were the inspiration for both the Shakespeare character Puck and the creation of Peter Pan. They were also another Eternal, besides Ajak, that started off male, and then later changed to female. In the comics, Sprite is considered a trickster, using their magic to play pranks on unsuspecting victims. It’ll be interesting to see how the child actress Lia McHugh portrays a character meant to be a millennia year old in the body of a small child.

    Phastos – played by Brian Tyree Henry


    The Eternals’ technological expert, Phastos, in the comics, was the creator of many of their weapons and gadgets for the group. Using his Celestial smarts and abilities, he’s partially the reason the Eternals have won all their battles – his tech gives them some great advantages. In the film, it appears he is the member of the group that has grown accustomed to “human” life the most, even getting an apartment and normal, human furniture! While we doubt we’ll see this in the movie, he did have a shaky alliance with Thanos during a major story arc, making us wonder if he’s not above teaming up with other cosmic level threats.

    Makkari – played by Lauren Ridloff


    Makkari is the child of two other Eternals, Veron and Mara. An engineer and a speedster, they combined both loves and made multiple gadgets related to high velocity transport. In the comics, they were also called Mercury, who is the Greek god of eloquence, communication and many other things. In the trailers, they confirm the comic lore that the Eternals were the basis for the ancient Greek gods, and presumably others as well. Another Eternal that had changed genders in the comics, it’s possible Marvel could be leaving most of their comic lore intact.

    Gilgamesh – played by Don Lee


    Gilgamesh has gone by many names in the comics, from Samson to Hercules, and eventually settling on the name Gilgamesh and becoming King of Uruk.

     

    Druig – played by Barry Keoghan


    Finally, Druig is the next major villain to make an appearance in the MCU. A fellow Eternal, the Celestial worked with the likes of Ajak and his cousin, Ikaris. But all too often, he has grown too power-hungry, even summoning a giant Deviant that Thor needed to help the Eternals defeat.

    There you have it! Every member of the Eternals that you need to know watching the movie. While the comics and films are obviously two different mediums, we can only hope that Marvel Studios embraces the Cosmic weirdness of the Celestials and the Eternals, because it’s given us some amazing (if not completely mind-boggling) stories, events and battles over the years.

    Marvel’s ‘Eternals‘ is now in theaters.

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